ANIMALS

10 Amazing Big Cats...........

2010-10-04T09:24:00.000-07:00

Bobcat

The bobcat is a North American member of the big cat family. As a predator, it inhabits wooded areas, desert edges, semi desert edges, and swampland environments. The bobcat’s diet consists of: rabbits, hares, deer, small rodents, and even insects. Similar to many other big cats, the bobcat is a solitary hunter. Each bobcat will use a single method to mark its territory. Although bobcats are hunted by humans, for both sport and fur, their population is under no immediate threat at the time. However, continuous hunting of bobcats could jeopardize their population. Bobcats will travel for the last three hours of sunlight and three hours after sunrise. They are also very skilled at adapting to a new environment. This is a very important skill for the animal because humans have a tendency to invade a their habitat. The grayish brown coat, black-tipped ears, and whiskered face resemble many species of lynx. The bobcat may be considered a “big cat” but in relation to other big cats, it is very small in size. In fact, it is only about twice as large as a domesticated cat.

Ocelot

The ocelot is famous for looking extremely similar to a domestic cat. Its fur may resemble that of a clouded leopard or jaguar. Regrettably this amazing coat has made them a valuable hunting target. Ocelots often hunt for lizards, amphibians, deer, rodents, and frogs. Ocelots are mostly found in South America, Central America and Mexico. Ocelots were considered endangered during the 1980s but have since been removed from the endangered species list. They are rarely seen together and enjoy resting in dense foliage. They are exceedingly territorial and will sometimes fight to the death at the invasion of land. Since ocelots are nocturnal, they have the best night vision of the big cats.

Caracal Cat

The caracal cat is also known as the Persian or African Lynx. It is closely related to the African Golden Cat. They are best known for their extraordinary climbing and jumping skills. The Caracal is distributed over Africa and Western Asia and will usually hunt alone at night. They are best known for their amazing ability to snatch birds out of the sky but their diet also consists of antelope, gazelle, rodents, and the occasional ostrich. When a caracal catches its prey, it will shear the meat off the skin so they won’t have to eat the fur of the animal. If food is scarce, it will eat bird feathers and even rotten meat. A sighting of a caracal cat is extremely rare because they are also very skilled at hiding from humans.

Jaguarundi

The Jaguarundi is found in Mexico and Central and South America. It is said to resemble an otter because the coat is a solid color (except for the spots they have at birth) and it has rounded ears. There has been no desire for this animal’s fur but the Jaguarundi is suffering due to the loss of habitat. Many Spanish speaking countries call the Jaguarundi “leoncillo” which means “little lion”. Unlike many big cats, this cat hunts during the day. They usually eat rabbits, hares, birds and sometimes fruit. Most Jaguarundis live in low brush places near running water.

Marbled Cat

Almost matching the size of a domesticated cat, the marbled cat is one of the smallest of the big cats. The cat’s 45cm tail will sometimes be used as a balance when hunting. The marbled cat’s range stretches from parts of India to southeast Asia. Their diet consists of squirrels, reptiles and birds. Unfortunately, this cat is rarely studied because they are extremely difficult to spot. Their population is said to be under 10,000 because of their shrinking forest habitat. Scientists have discovered that the marbled cat is closely related to Asiatic Golden Cats. Looking at the picture, it is obvious where the cat got its name from.

Jaguar

The jaguar is the third largest big cat in the world. It is the national animal of Brazil. Jaguars closely resemble leopards but are much larger. It is also one of the few big cats that enjoys swimming. They are solitary predators and are known to regulate the populations of prey species. The powerful bite of the jaguar allows them to break through shell and hard reptile skin. Sadly, their numbers are dropping quickly and are nearly threatened because they are often killed by humans. Jaguars’ short, stocky limbs make then skilled in climbing, crawling and swimming.

Snow Leopard

The snow leopard lives in the mountain ranges of Central Asia, Afghanistan and many other parts of the world. Its life span is usually about 15-18 years. It is about the size of a regular leopard but has a long tail that is used for balance in rugged terrain. They may live in caves in mountainous regions. There are estimated to be about 5,000 snow leopards left, making them an endangered species. The snow leopard will occasionally kill prey three times its size. Their diet consists of ibexes, boars, and deer. A snow leopard will not fight hard for its territory.

Lion

Lions usually inhabit savannah and grasslands and will sometimes be found in forests. A group of lions is called a pride which consists of females, lion cubs, and a few male lions. The female lions usually do the hunting in groups (males will rarely ever hunt). The lion is known as a vulnerable species with a population decline of 30-50 percent. A male is recognized by its mane. The lion is the second largest feline in the entire world. The color of their coat is usually a light yellow. Lion cubs are born with spots on their body but they disappear as they mature. The diet of a lion includes wildebeest, impalas, zebras, and buffalo.

Cheetah

Many people classify the cheetah as the world’s fastest land animal with the ability to reach speeds of 70 miles per hour. The round, black spots on the cheetah help them to camouflage when hunting. The head of the cheetah is said to be small compared to other big cats. They will eat mostly mammals including gazelles, wildebeests, and zebras. When a cheetah sprints for its prey, its body temperature becomes so high that it would become fatal if kept at that level for a long period of time. Cheetahs are on the World Conservation Union list of vulnerable species. There are said to be about 12,400 cheetahs left in the wild.

Tiger

Tigers are usually found in southern and eastern Asia. Like many big cats, they are territorial and solitary. The dark, vertical stripes that overlay the reddish orange color is one of the most noticeable characteristics of the tiger. They are featured in many forms of ancient mythology. Tigers living in the wild will usually prey on animals such as buffalo, boar, deer, and sometimes leopards and pythons. In the wild, tigers can leap up to 16 feet. They always live close to water because they enjoy bathing. Unfortunately, the tiger is one of the Big Five Game animals of Asia.

Source:Listverse.com

Deadly predators.....

2010-01-27T08:25:00.000-08:00

5. Poison Dart Frog

The backs of the poison dart frog ooze a slimy neurotoxin that is meant to keep predators away. Each frog produces enough of the toxin to kill 10 humans, though, strangely, in captivity, the frogs do not secrete this poison. The frogs are brilliantly coloured and live mainly in Central and South America.

4. Cape Buffalo

Cape buffalos weigh 1.5 tons and, when faced by danger, attack head on with razor sharp horns. They stand up to 1.7 metres high and 2.8 metres long. Humans are virtually its only predator and even lions will avoid crossing their path. Every year the Cape Buffalo is known to maul and kill multiple humans; some believe that it kills more humans in Africa every year than any other creature.

3. Elephant

African Elephants, with their sharp tusks, are not as friendly as many believe. They kill over 500 people per year (either by stomping or impaling). The African Elephant generally weighs in at 16 tons.

2. Saltwater Crocodile

This is the largest of all living reptiles and is found mainly in Northern Australia and Southeast Asia. A healthy adult is typically 4.8 – 7 metres (15.75ft – 21ft) long, weighing up to 1.6 tons. There have been reports of larger. This creature is capable of killing and eating animals up tot he size of a water buffalo. In its most deadly attack (called the Death Roll) the crocodile grabs an animal or human with its mouth and begins to roll. A 1ton stallion is known to have been killed by this method in under 1 minute. In the water, the crocodile can move as fast as a dolphin.

1. The Mosquito

Due to malaria carrying parasites transferred by the mosquito, it is responsible for the deaths of more than two million people per year. In addition, Mosquitos are estimated to transfer diseases to more than 70 million people per year. Even in countries such as the UK, New Zealand, and Japan, where the more temperate climate has reduced mosquito bites to mostly an annoyance, they still cause some deaths every year.

Source:listverse.com

World's top Predators.....

2009-12-12T11:00:00.000-08:00

Rank#10: Srilankan Russell Viper

An expert from a Princeton University Press interview with Mark O'Shea, snake expert, TV personality and author of the book Venomous Snakes of the World: "The most dangerous snake is not the most venomous. The most venomous snakes are taipans, Australian brown snakes and sea snakes but they have small venom yields and few snakebites to humans and few human fatalities in the scheme of things ... with that in mind I have encountered many dangerous snakes from rattlers to cobras, sea snakes to desert vipers but I regard the most dangerous snake I have encountered to be the Sri Lankan Russell's viper..."

What Needs more than this?????

RANK#9: Gray Wolf

Wolf attacks were an occasional but widespread feature of life in pre-20th century Europe. In France alone, historical records indicate that in the period 1580–1830, 3,069 people were killed by wolves, of which 1,857 were killed by non-rabid wolves. The case of the Beast of Gevaudan is well documented, though whether the culprit was a wolf or a wolf-like animal is still debated. There are numerous documented accounts of wolf attacks in the Asian continent, with three Indian states reporting a large number of non-rabid attacks in recent decades. These attacks were well documented by trained biologists.In Hazaribagh, Bihar for example, 100 children were injured and 122 killed from 1980 to 1986.Russia also records numerous attacks, particularly in pre-revolutionary times and after WWII. Between 1840 and 1861, 273 non-rabid attacks resulting in the deaths of 169 children and 7 adults occurred throughout Russia, while between 1944 and 1950, 22 children between the ages of 3 and 17 were killed by wolves in the Kirov Oblast (see Kirov wolf attacks).

However, more aggressive encounters were recorded as humans increasingly encroached on North American wolf habitat. Retired wolf biologist Mark McNay compiled 80 events in Alaska and Canada where wolves closely approached or attacked people, finding 39 cases of aggression by apparently healthy wolves, and 29 cases of fearless behavior by nonaggressive wolves

Rank#8 : StoneFish

The Stonefishes, whose members are venomous and dangerous and/or fatal to humans. It is the most venomous fish in the world. They are found in the coastal regions of Indo-Pacific oceans. They are primarily marine, though some species are known to live in rivers. Its species have potent neurotoxins secreted from glands at the base of their needle-like dorsal fin spines which stick up when disturbed or threatened.The vernacular name of the species, the stonefish, derives from being able to camouflage and transform itself to a gray and mottled color as similar to the color of a stone.Divers have sometimes stepped on them, thinking they are stones.

Rank#7 : Piranha

Piranha is Dangerous but yet it is not a big predator,But when chances are Provided they can even take up a cow into slices,Read the Below One which i took in Wikipedia:

There exists a legend that piranhas will skin and eat a human being alive, which is said to have been started with American President Theodore Roosevelt's visit to Brazil, and a spectacle set up by Brazilian fishermen. To guarantee a good show for the adventure-loving Roosevelt, local fishermen blocked off a portion of an Amazon tributary with nets and dumped hordes of starving piranhas into it when the U.S. president explored the region on a hunting trip. Then they sliced up a cow and tossed it in the river, setting off a wild feeding frenzy that quickly reduced the carcass to bones—the "instant skeleton" now associated with piranhas. Roosevelt presented piranhas as vicious creatures in his 1914 book "Through the Brazilian Wilderness", indicating that They are the most ferocious fish in the world. Even the most formidable fish, the sharks or the barracudas, usually attack things smaller than themselves. But the piranhas habitually attack things much larger than themselves. They will snap a finger off a hand incautiously trailed in the water; they mutilate swimmers—in every river town in Paraguay there are men who have been thus mutilated; they will rend and devour alive any wounded man or beast; for blood in the water excites them to madness. They will tear wounded wild fowl to pieces; and bite off the tails of big fish as they grow exhausted when fighting after being hooked. But the piranha is a short, deep-bodied fish, with a blunt face and a heavily undershot or projecting lower jaw which gapes widely. The razor-edged teeth are wedge-shaped like a shark’s, and the jaw muscles possess great power. The rabid, furious snaps drive the teeth through flesh and bone. The head with its short muzzle, staring malignant eyes, and gaping, cruelly armed jaws, is the embodiment of evil ferocity; and the actions of the fish exactly match its looks. I never witnessed an exhibition of such impotent, savage fury as was shown by the piranhas as they flapped on deck. When fresh from the water and thrown on the boards they uttered an extraordinary squealing sound. As they flapped about they bit with vicious eagerness at whatever presented itself. One of them flapped into a cloth and seized it with a bulldog grip. Another grasped one of its fellows; another snapped at a piece of wood, and left the teeth-marks deep therein. They are the pests of the waters, and it is necessary to be exceedingly cautious about either swimming or wading where they are found. If cattle are driven into, or of their own accord enter, the water, they are commonly not molested; but if by chance some unusually big or ferocious specimen of these fearsome fishes does bite an animal—taking off part of an ear, or perhaps of a teat from the udder of a cow—the blood brings up every member of the ravenous throng which is anywhere near, and unless the attacked animal can immediately make its escape from the water it is devoured alive.

Rank#6 : Box jellyfish

Jellyfish are virtually road bumps in the ecosystem. They have no brain and only serve to eat zooplankton from the world's oceans. To do so, they extend their tentacles (ranging from 10 to 60), which secrete a toxic substance. These tentacles range from a few inches to 15 feet long.The box jellyfish, also known as a sea wasp, lives off the waters of Northern Australia and is the most poisonous sea creature in the world. This translucent being patrols the beaches, basically waiting for contact with its victim. The simple act of stepping on a tentacle can signify death in four minutes (but mere contact is not always fatal).

Ranks From 5 will be issued soon.......

World's Top Predator.......

2009-11-29T05:11:00.000-08:00

World's Largest Land Predator
Polar bears are the world's largest land predators. They top the food chain in the Arctic, where they spend most of their time on the pack ice or in the water, hunting down their favorite food - seals.
A single polar bear can consume 100 pounds / 45 kilos of meat at one feeding, and needs about one seal per week, or 50 to 75 seals per year, to survive. The bears eat as much as they can during the winter to get fat. They then live off the fat in their bodies during the summer when the ice melts and it is harder to catch seals.
The polar bear's white coat provides camouflage in the ice and snow, not for protection, but to make them almost invisible as they stalk their prey.
The fur is not actually white. Each hair shaft is pigment-free and transparent with a hollow core. It looks white because the hollow core scatters and reflects visible light, much like ice and snow does.
Beneath their "white" fur, polar bears have black skin, which absorbs more heat than pale skin, and under that skin is a blubber layer that can measure up to 4.5 inches / 7.2 cm thick. This, combined with the fur, makes the bears so well-insulated that they experience almost no heat loss.
But on bitterly cold days with fierce winds - and I mean REALLY cold - polar bears just dig out a shelter in the snow and curl up in a tight ball to wait out the storm.

Top Predators Of World.......

2009-11-23T04:37:00.000-08:00

The Below List is the Most Dangerous Predators To Humans,More deaths are reported all around the world,due to this Animals,Stay Away,Give them Better Space......

Number 10 : Polar Bear

Bears are pretty much the puppy dogs of the wild. They are so cute that most people want to pet them... and that would be their first mistake. Polar bears are the largest carnivores on land; they eat ringed seals for breakfast, but they will settle for a young walrus or beluga whale.Living in the Arctic Circle, they've certainly been known to kill humans who venture too close. Like black bears and grizzlies, it's starvation that makes them dangerous. A smack from one of their paws can rip your head clean off.

Number 9 : Elephant

Here's another animal that is perceived as peaceful and kind. What's more, elephants aren't predators. They are known to help other animals and be socially active within their group. But while they're not in an epic war against humans, they can turn on us rapidly, especially as a result of their abuse and harassment by humans.When caged or feeling the constraints of domesticated life, they can fall into a blind rage. They have been known to kill their handlers, both in zoos and shows in their native Africa and Asia, as well as stampede tourists who show up to admire them. Some zoos have ceased all contact between human beings and elephants for this reason.

Number 8 :Cape Buffalo

Also known as the African buffalo, they are some of the most dangerous animals in Africa. This is not just a big cow; it's a vicious beast that charges at humans seemingly for fun. Big game hunters cherish them for their malicious history. These animals spend their time grazing in herds (they are actually herbivores), but lone males are known to stray from the group every now and then.They see man as a predator so when faced with one, they charge at him -- 1,500 pounds and all -- and use their horns for stabbing. It is said that when wounded by a hunter, they pursue him until either the buffalo or the hunter is dead.

Number 7 : Lion

The lion is known as king of the jungle, and for good reason. Lions are at the very top of the food chain in Africa. They lounge around all day, hanging out with the family and strike when necessary. Basically a big cat, they have razor-sharp teeth and claws that can tear apart any animal, including humans. These beasts are impressive but they are not to be messed with. They are fast and lethal, and nothing you do can keep this African monster from attacking you.

Number 6 : Great White Shark

The most dangerous subspecies of the shark family, the great white is not the largest (although it is the largest predatory shark). Unlike in the movie Jaws, sharks are not bent on revenge. If they attack humans it's because they think we're fish. Whenever they sense blood in the water, they get excited and it can trigger one of their famous feeding frenzies in which they will bite everything that moves.Sharks strike no matter the time of day or the condition of the water. Hunger, territorial defense, movement, and mistaken identity are the main reasons for these attacks, which occur mostly along the coasts of North America, South Africa, and the Caribbean.

Number 5 : Box jellyfish

Jellyfish are virtually road bumps in the ecosystem. They have no brain and only serve to eat zooplankton from the world's oceans. To do so, they extend their tentacles (ranging from 10 to 60), which secrete a toxic substance. These tentacles range from a few inches to 15 feet long.The box jellyfish, also known as a sea wasp, lives off the waters of Northern Australia and is the most poisonous sea creature in the world. This translucent being patrols the beaches, basically waiting for contact with its victim. The simple act of stepping on a tentacle can signify death in four minutes (but mere contact is not always fatal).

Number 4 : Crocodile

The Crocodile Hunter you'd think this was an animal hazardous enough to inspire fear in people. It is. The North American, nile, and estuarine are the largest crocodiles and therefore the most dangerous -- especially saltwater crocs, which include humans on their list of prey (freshwater crocodiles stick to insects, fish, frogs, and other smaller creatures found near the water). Again, like most animals, they attack when they're hungry or want to defend their territory.The Australian estuarine crocodiles are cantankerous and sometimes lunge at anything that moves. Direct descendants of dinosaurs, they lie still in the water waiting for their prey. They then overpower, drown and dismember their victim, before they devour their feast.

Number 3 : Killer bees

There have been countless exploitation movies about swarms of killer bees decimating quiet towns. And they are on to something. The killer bees are the result of an experiment gone terribly wrong. Brazilian scientists wanted to breed a new species of honeybee in the 1950s, but some bees escaped and began "mating" with Brazilian honeybees. The result? The Africanized bee. While they look exactly like a regular bee and are less venomous, they travel in packs and therein lies the danger.Whenever they hear you coming with a lawnmower or trimmer, they will attack you. Even if you run away, they will chase you as far as 1,000 feet and they can continue attacking you for up to 10 hours. The species has slowly but surely crept up from South America and is now invading the southern United States.

Number 2 : Funnel-web spider

Arachnophobia is a very common fear among the population. Fortunately, spider bites are rather rare and harmless. But being attacked by a venomous spider can put an end to your life in a matter of hours. The funnel-web spider, whose body length ranges from 0.5 to 2 inches, is the most dangerous in the world.Hailing from Australia, they have massive fangs and can bite through a fingernail. The male might even enter buildings in search of a female and will become aggressive if cornered or disturbed. Redbacks are also to be avoided.

Number 1 : Asian Cobra

There's a reason why snakes have garnered such a bad rap over the years. There are about two million people who suffer from snakebites every year throughout the world. More than 50,000 of those are fatal.The Asian Cobra is technically not the reptile with the strongest venom but, along with Russell's Viper, it is the one that kills the most people annually. There are snakes in all parts of the world but it's in Sri Lanka that they are the most active.

Prehistoric Great White Sharks.......

2009-11-17T08:35:00.000-08:00

A medium-sized great white, 2.5m in length and weighing in at 240kg, could bite with a force of 0.3 tonnes. But the largest individuals can exert a massive 1.8 tonnes with their jaws, giving them one of the most powerful bites of any living animal.
The jaws exert over three times more force than the 560kg exerted by a large lion, and 20 times more than the 80kg a feeble human jawbone can manage.
Impressive as the great white shark is, one of its extinct ancestors was even more so. Megalodon (aka the megatooth shark aka Carcharadon megalodon), was a monster that may have grown to 16 metres in length and had a maximum weight of anywhere from 50 to 100 tonnes. And according to Wroe's research, it had the most powerful bite of any animal.
A single chomp could exert up to 18 tonnes of force; even the mighty Tyrannosaurus rex could only muster 3 tonnes of force. Being bitten by a megalodon would be like having three African elephants pressing on top of you with carving knives strapped to their feet. It truly was "one of the most powerful predators in history".
If anything, these figures are underestimates. Wroe only modelled what would happen if the sharks raise their lower jaw, whereas an actual bite consists of lots of different movements - for example, a great white's upper jaw pushes forward when it chomps and its head presses downward. Nor do great whites bite in an elegant, genteel way. They frequently ram their prey (see the video below), driving their jaws towards them at high speed. And once bitten, the victim is shaken from side to side. So it's likely that an animal being bitten by these predators would experience forces far larger than the already considerable ones measured in Wroe's study.
Bite me
The sharks' power is all the more remarkable because they work with flimsier material than a lion or a dinosaur. Shark skeletons are made of cartilage rather than bone, a material that's much more pliant and easily deformed. Even with this disadvantage, the great white and its extinct cousin had no problems in biting hard.
Their size is certainly a factor in the strength of their jaws - pound for pound, a lion's bite is actually twice as powerful. Scientists believes that the teeth and the killing style of white sharks have more in common with one o the lion's extinct relatives, the sabre-tooths.Their overgrown canines were not swords or grappling hooks, but daggers - precision weapons evolved to deliver massive injuries with a single bite.
Great whites do something similar, and biologists have reported that sharks sometimes ambush sea-lions with lethal bites and wait for their victims to bleed out. Megalodon probably used a similar technique, although it went after much larger prey - whales. Several bones from fossil whales are studded with tooth marks that match the giant gnashers of megalodon. The wounds tend to be concentrated around the flipper bones and the tail vertebrae, suggesting that the giant shark hunted by first crippling its prey.
Wroe describes the great white as an "experimentally intractable" animal, which is a nice way of saying that it's very difficult to run tests on live sharks because of the imminent risk of toothy eaten. Instead, his team scanned the skull of a great white to create a virtual model that they could analyse in safer conditions. They used a technique called "finite element analysis", that engineers commonly employ to test the mechanical properties of man-made objects; it's used, for example, to see how cars crumple during crash-tests.
Wroe's group have taken this technique away from the world of metal and plastics and applied it to the behaviour of bone and cartilage. The models are incredibly realistic; they account for the different materials that make up the skull, the points that muscles connect with bone and the ways that the bones themselves fit together. They have built an impressive portfolio of research around the use of finite element analysis to examine the skulls of some of the planet's most awesome predators, and the great white is the latest addition to their list.

Elephant Attacks.......

2009-11-17T05:00:00.000-08:00

This is What Happen,When we Slave Other Animals........

Pls RESPECT them.....

World's Tallest and Biggest Dogs......

2009-11-10T08:08:00.000-08:00

King Cobra

2009-11-10T07:58:00.000-08:00

Biggest King Cobra in Captivity
The King Cobra is a large and powerful snake, averaging 3.6–4 m (12–13 feet) in length and typically weighing about 6 kg (13.2 lb). A particularly large specimen was kept captive at the London Zoo and grew to 5.7 m (18.8 ft) before being euthanized upon the outbreak of World War II.[5] Despite its large size, King Cobras are fast and agile. The skin is either olive-green, tan, or black and it has faint, pale yellow cross bands down the length of the body. The belly is cream or pale yellow, and the scales are smooth. The head of a mature snake can be quite massive and bulky in appearance, though like all snakes, they can expand their jaws to swallow large prey items. It has proteroglyph dentition, meaning it has two short, fixed fangs in the front of the mouth which channel venom into the prey like hypodermic needles. The male is larger and thicker than the female. The average lifespan of a King Cobra is about 20 years.

King Cobras, like other snakes, receive chemical information (“smell”) via their forked tongues, which pick up scent particles and transfer them to a special sensory receptor (Jacobson's Organ) located in the roof of its mouth.[1] When the scent of a meal has been detected, the snake will flick its tongue to gauge the prey's direction (the twin forks of the tongue acting in stereo); it will also rely on its keen eyesight (King Cobras are able to detect moving prey almost 100 m [300 feet] away), intelligence[8] and sensitivity to earth-borne vibration to track its prey.[9] Following envenomation, the King Cobra will begin to swallow its struggling prey while its toxins begin the digestion of its victim.[1] King Cobras, as with all other snakes, do not have rigidly fixed jaws. Instead, the jaw bones are connected by extremely pliable ligaments, enabling the lower jaw bones to move independently of each other.[1] Like other snakes, the King Cobra does not chew its food, instead it swallows its prey whole. The expansion of the jaw enables the snake to swallow prey much larger than its head.[1]
King Cobras are able to hunt at all times of day, although it is rarely seen at night, leading most herpetologists to classify it as a diurnal species.[1][2]

When threatened, King cobras raise up one-third of their body, flattening the neck,(which can be the girth of an adult's forearm) showing the fangs and hissing loudly. They are easily irritated by closely approaching objects or sudden movements. King cobras attack quickly and the strike distance can be as high as 7 feet.
If King Cobra encounters a natural predator, such as the mongoose, which has some resistance to the neurotoxins,[11] the snake generally tries to flee. If unable to do so, it forms the distinctive cobra hood and emits a high-pitched hiss, sometimes with feigned closed-mouth strikes. These efforts usually prove to be very effective, especially since the King cobra is more dangerous than other mongoose prey as well as being much too large for the small mammal to kill with ease.

The King Cobra's venom, which is composed mostly of proteins and polypeptides, is produced in specialized salivary glands (as is the case with all venomous reptiles) just behind the animal's eyes. When biting its prey, venom is forced through the snake's half-inch (1.25 cm) fangs and into the wound. In the past,King cobra was treated as 1.7 mg/kg in LD/50 value (which is one of the least toxic elapids.) However, this is not always true. According to the recent toxinology study, the LD/50 of Chinese King cobra is 0.34 mg/kg-0.46 mg/kg which means it is more poisonous than most of the other cobra species, like chinese cobra[1]. Although this toxicity is still weaker than some of the other elapids(like taipan, krait,etc), King cobras can deliver larger quantities of venom than most other species. It injects 380-600 mg of venom(which is enough to kill 20-42 adults) in a single bite, and can even kill an elephant within 3 hours. One bite from king cobra to human can cause death within 15 minutes.[12][13]
The King Cobra's venom is primarily neurotoxic and thus attacks the victim's central nervous system and induces severe pain, blurred vision, vertigo, drowsiness, and paralysis.[12] Envenomation progresses to cardiovascular collapse, and the victim falls into a coma. Death soon follows because of respiratory failure. There are two types of antivenom made specifically to treat King Cobra envenomations. The Red Cross in Thailand manufactures one, and the Central Research Institute in India manufactures the other; however, both are made in small quantities and are not widely available.[14] Ohanin, a protein component of the venom, causes hypolocomotion and hyperalgesia in mammals.[15] Other components have cardiotoxic,[16] cytotoxic and neurotoxic effects.[17]
Despite the King Cobra's fearsome reputation and deadly bite, it is a shy and reclusive animal, avoiding confrontation with humans as often as possible.[10] There are other venomous snakes within this species' range, in fact, that are responsible for more fatal snake bites than the King Cobra, such as the Monocled Cobra, or Russell's Viper .[6]
In Burma, King Cobras are often used by female snake charmers.[10] The charmer is usually tattooed with three pictograms using an ink mixed with snake venom; superstition holds that it protects the charmer from the snake.[10] The charmer kisses the snake on the top of its head at the end of the show.[10]

Eastern Diamondback Rattle snakes......

2009-11-10T07:52:00.000-08:00

The largest rattlesnake species, the maximum sizes reported are 244 cm (8.0 ft) (Klauber, 1972) and 251.5 cm (8.25 ft) (Ditmars, 1936). One captive specimen weighed over 26 pounds (12 kg). However, the stated maximum size has been called into question due to a lack of voucher specimens (Jones, 1997).[5]
Specimens over 7 ft (210 cm) are rare, but well documented. Klauber (1997) includes a letter he received from E. Ross Allen in 1953, in which Allen explains how for years he offered a reward of $100, and later $200, for an 8 ft (240 cm) specimen, dead or alive. The reward was never claimed. He did receive a number of 7-foot (2.1 m) specimens and some 8-foot (2.4 m) skins, but said that such skins can be taken from a 6 ft (180 cm) snake.[2] A 7 ft., 3 in. specimen was caught and killed outside a neighborhood in St. Augustine, FL in Sep. 2009.[6]

The average size is much less: lengths of 3.5–5.5 ft (110–170 cm),[7] 84–183 cm (2.8–6.0 ft) are given.[8] One study found an average length of 170 cm (5.6 ft) based on 31 males and 43 females.[9]
The scalation includes 25-31 (usually 29) rows of dorsal scales at midbody, 165-176/170-187 ventral scales in males/females and 27-33/20-26 subcaudal scales in males/females. On the head, the rostral scale is higher than it is wide and contacts 2 internasal scales. There are 10-21 scales in the internasal-prefrontal region and 5-11 (usually 7-8) intersupraocular scales. Usually there are 2 loreal scales between preoculars and the postnasal. There are 12-17 (usually 14-15) supralabial scales, the first of which is in broad contact with the prenasal, and 15-21 (usually 17-18) sublabial scales.[5]
The color pattern consists of a brownish, brownish yellow, brownish gray or olive ground color, overlaid with a series of 24-35 dark brown to black diamonds with slightly lighter centres. Each of these diamond-shaped blotches is outlined with a row of cream or yellowish scales. Posteriorly the diamond shapes become more like cross-bands and are followed by 5-10 bands around the tail. The belly is a yellowish or cream color with diffused dark mottling along the sides. The head has a dark postocular stripe that extends from behind the eye backwards and downwards to the lip; the back of the stripe touches the angle of the mouth. Anteriorly and posteriorly, the postocular stripe is bordered by distinct white or yellow stripes.[5]

These snakes forage actively or lie in ambush for small mammals, especially rabbits and rice rats (Oryzomys). Their diet also includes birds. Prey is struck and released, after which they follow the scent trail left by the dying prey.[10]
Because of their large size, the adults have no problem eating prey as large as fully-grown cottontail rabbits. As the juveniles are capable of swallowing adult mice, even they do not often resort to eating slimmer prey, such as lizards. In fact, eastern cottontails and marsh rabbits (Sylvilagus) form the bulk of their diet in most parts of Florida. Squirrels, rats, and mice are also on the menu, along with birds such as towhees and Bobwhite Quail. Other prey that have been reported include a king rail, a young wild turkey, and a mother woodpecker along with four of her eggs.[2] They also eat large insects.

This species has the reputation of being the most dangerous venomous snake in North America.[13] While not usually aggressive, they are large and powerful. Wright and Wright (1957) mention a mortality rate of 30% and that some victims have died within a matter of hours.[9]
In proportion to its length, it has the longest fangs of any rattlesnake species, with calculations leading us to expect that an 8-foot (240 cm) specimen would have fangs with a total length of 27 mm (over one inch). For comparison, a 160 cm (5 ft. 3 in.) specimen had fangs with a length of 17 mm.[2] It has a very high venom yield: an average of 400-450 mg, with a maximum of 858-1,000 mg.[14] Brown (1973) gives an average venom yield of 410 mg (dried venom), along with LD50 values of 1.3-2.4 mg/kg IV, 1.7-3.0 mg/kg IP and 14.5-10 mg/kg SC for toxicity.[15] The estimated human lethal dose is 100-150 mg.[14]
The venom contains a thrombin-like enzyme (TLE), called crotalase, that is capable of clotting fibrinogen, leading to the secondary activation of plasminogen from endothelial cells. Although the venom does not activate platelets, the production of fibrin strands can result in a reduced platelet count, as well as the hemolysis of red blood cells. Even with this defibrination, however, clinically significant bleeding is uncommon (Hasiba et al., 1975). Nevertheless, the venom does exhibit high hemorrhagic activity (Minton, 1974). It also contains a low-molecular-weight basic peptide that impedes neuromuscular transmission (Lee, 1972) and can in theory lead to cardiac failure. This peptide is similar to crotamine from C. durrisus terrificus and makes up 2-8% of the protein found in the venom. In general the venom can be described as highly necrotizing, mildly proteolytic and containing a large phosphodiesterase fraction. It stimulates the release of bradykinin that can result in severe pain, as well as profound, transient hypotension.[14]
Klauber (1997) describes one case in which the symptoms included instant pain "like two hot hypodermic needles," spontaneous bleeding from the bite site, intense internal pain, bleeding from the mouth, hypotension and a weak pulse, swelling and discoloration of the affected limb and associated severe pain. The symptoms were further described as strongly hemolytic and hemorrhagic.[2]
CroFab and Wyeth's ACP are effective antivenoms against bites from this species, although massive doses may be needed to manage severe cases of envenomation. Generally, ACP is very effective at countering the defibrination syndrome that is often seen, but may do little for low platelet counts.[14]

Stone Forest

2009-11-09T04:57:00.001-08:00

The lizard moved in frightened rhythms across the sun-blasted stone. A few quick steps, a turn of its boxy head. Then the stillness, the absolute zero, of a creature that sensed it was being hunted. All around, jagged spires and flutes rose like the towers of some Gothic cathedral, silent and empty. From the canyons below, a parrot flew squawking, breaking the trance. The lizard launched. Hery Rakotondravony's arm fired out. Moments later the young herpetologist uncurled his fingers.

"I think this is a new species."

Stone Forest

2009-11-09T04:57:00.000-08:00

Crazy Animal Attack,Never Seen Before....

2009-07-25T22:14:00.000-07:00

A Classic Animal Attack......

Top Eight (8) Most Poisonous Animals

2009-07-22T05:48:00.000-07:00

Immense physical strength, razor sharp claws and scissor like teeth are not the only weapons animals use. Thousands of animals use highly venomous or toxic poisons to attack prey or defend themselves. Some animals actually shoot poisons towards victims, others store toxins in their glands or skin. Following are the top eight most poisonous animals in the world.

8. Box Jellyfish

Prevalent in the ocean waters throughout Asia and Australia, this dangerous animal goes out of its way to avoid other creatures. Swimmers must definitely avoid the Box jellyfish. The stingers and tentacles on this animal are extremely powerful. Along with causing excruciating pain for weeks, the animal's venom is capable of stopping the heart or paralyzing the lungs. To top it off, the venom will slowly eat away at the skin.

7. Marbled Cone Snail

Though very slow moving, this snail thrives in reefs throughout the world. The animal uses its strong, toxic venom to catch its prey. While within its shell, the snail shoots out a nose type advice called a proboscis. From the probiscis, a tooth like appendage attaches onto the victim. The venom within the animal is transmitted through the tooth into the victim. This leads to paralysis almost immediately. Humans that have experienced a bite are succumbed by weakness, numbness, nausea and death, when the lungs ultimately stop working.

6. Blue Ringed Octopus

The painless bite from a Blue Ringed Octopus may seem innocuous, however the deadly neurotoxins in the animals saliva immediately begin working. Within a few minutes, a human will experience muscular weakness, numbness, followed by a cessation and breathing and ultimately death.

5. Death Stalker Scorpion

Prevalent throughout North Africa and the Middle East, this arachnid lives up to its name. The stinger on this animal is not overly large or strong, however the sting administered is the most toxic from scorpions anywhere in the world. It causes an intense and unbearable pain, then fever, followed by coma, convulsions, paralysis and death.

4. Stonefish

Inhabiting the waters of the Pacific throughout the Australia coast, this complacent fish resembles a sea rock or coral. With its nearly invisible camouflaged assistance, it attacks many fish that swim nearby. A powerful toxin stored within its 13 spines can stop nearly every animal that it connects with. If contact comes with humans, the venom will cause intense pain, swelling of tissue, shock followed by death.

3. Sydney Funnel Web Spider

One of the most venomous creatures in the Australia outback, the Sydney Funnel Web Spider packs a powerful punch. This spider is large and very aggressive, consistently creating the most powerful venom of any spider. Protecting its burrow, the spider places a web across its entrance that passers by should not enter. From its fangs, the spider delivers a powerful neurotoxin that cause extreme pain and are capable of killing a person within 15 minutes. It's venom does not affect most mammals but has a very powerful effect on humans.

2. Inland Taipan

This Australian snake is frequently considered the most poisonous snake on earth. One bite from this serpent contains enough potent toxin about 110 milligrams to kill about 100 people. It toxin can cause vomiting and will cease a persons breathing. Fortunately, the Taipan is a very gentle and shy reptile.

1. Poison Dart Frog

While running through the rain forests of Central or South America, do not pick up the Poison dart frog. The frog's skin contains a toxic chemcal that sickens or kills any animal that touches or eats it. Two micrograms of this deadly toxin (enough to fit on the head of a pin) will easily kill a human being or other large mammanl.

World Top 10 Most Dangerous And Deadliest Animals!

2009-07-13T07:40:00.000-07:00

Top 10 Predators of the World.

2009-07-12T05:56:00.000-07:00

No. 10 - Tarantula

Tarantula spiders are among the most feared animals on the planet, and with good reason. Not only are they giants, as spiders go, but they are such stealthy and skilled hunters that no small animal that wanders within their grasp stands a chance at survival. The typical hunting modus operandi for tarantulas is to be patient. They lie in wait for a hapless passerby and then pounce without warning. Because of their size, they can reach 5 inches in length with a 12-inch leg span; tarantulas are able to quickly subdue their prey and crush them with their large fangs. Finally, they shower their victim's body with digestive juices and then lap up the resulting fluid. Delicious!

No. 9 - Black Mamba

The most fearsome animal in all Africa may well be the black mamba, the giant venomous snake found throughout the southeastern portion of the continent. It gets its name from the black skin on the inside of its mouth, which it displays just before it strikes. These animals are usually quite shy, but can be extremely aggressive when confronted. When they do attack, they tend to strike their victims repeatedly, releasing a lethal mix of neurotoxin and cardiotoxin. In the past, a bite from a black mamba was 100 percent fatal. Now, that figure is decreasing due to the increased use of anti-venom throughout the continent.

No. 8 - Piranha

Of all the fish in all the world's waters, the piranha may have the worst reputation. One look at this predator's slicing teeth and powerful jaws is enough to send chills up the spine. Known worldwide for its aggressive predatory feeding behavior, the piranha is found throughout the fresh waters of South America. They typically feed at dawn and dusk, lurking in the water and waiting for a small animal to pass by. Then, without warning, they attack and devour their prey with ferocity unparalleled in freshwater communities. In some cases, they will form hunting groups in order to take down much larger prey, including horses, capybaras or even humans.

No. 7 - Gray Wolf

Most of the world's top predators are strict loners, preferring to rely on their own prowess to bring down prey. But to the gray wolf, the success of the hunt depends on cooperation among many. A typical wolf attack begins with members of the pack working together to encourage their victim to run. Not only is a lone animal easier to bring down than one that is in a herd, but a running animal poses less of a threat than one that is poised to fight. Then, the alpha male leads the chase, with his alpha female close behind. Once their victim stumbles and falls to the ground, the pack surrounds the animal and goes in for the kill.

No. 6 - Komodo Dragon

The largest of all lizards, the Komodo dragon is a mighty reptile that weighs up to 300 pounds and can reach a length of more than 10 feet. This animal takes our No. 6 spot for having multiple predatory advantages: speed, strength and the tenacity to bring down prey species twice its size. They also have a toxic bite; any victim that survives a Komodo dragon attack is likely to succumb to their wounds soon after. Komodos mainly hunt by ambushing their prey, but they are also fast runners and good swimmers. What's more, their incredible predatory skills are matched by an equally impressive ability to consume meat, up to half their own body weight in a single meal.

No. 5 - Crocodile

There is nothing more frightening than a predator that lurks underwater for its prey, camouflaged by the surrounding environment, silently watching its victim and planning its kill. No. 5 in our countdown is the crocodile, a stealthy and extremely violent predator. With long, powerful jaws and teeth, the crocodile preys on a variety of animals. Some species, such as the Nile crocodile, can bring down very large prey such as zebras and buffalo. Its typical mode of attack is to wait at the water's edge for an animal to come to drink and then drag the hapless creature underwater and begin spinning around forcefully and repeatedly in order to tear off chunks of flesh.

No. 4 - Killer Whale

As the name suggests, the killer whale is a deadly predator, combining remarkable skill with awesome physical power. Orcas have a number of ingenious techniques in their hunting arsenal, giving them one of the most diverse diets of all aquatic predators. For example, they are fond of knocking seals and penguins from ice floes in order to seize them as they fall into the water. They have also been known to intentionally beach themselves in order to reach seals onshore. Highly social animals, killer whales tend to live in pods made up of dozens of individuals working cooperatively to snag prey. Some have even been known to successfully prey on great white sharks.

No. 3 - Grizzly Bear

The grizzly bear, also known as the brown bear, is probably the most feared animal in North America. This powerful predatory animal can stand 7 feet tall and weigh more than 800 pounds. Its strong limbs and huge paws can kill a man in a single swipe, and its powerful crushing jaws allow it to feed on a variety of foods, including large mammals. Grizzlies are also strong swimmers and fast runners. Coming face to face with this animal in the wild can be a harrowing experience, but the best response is to stand tall and resist the urge to run. These animals have been clocked at more than 40 miles per hour, and running away from them can trigger their chase response.

No. 2 - Lion

This animal is known as the "king of the jungle," and for good reason. Lions hunt some of the largest prey on Earth, including buffalo and wildebeest. Part of their terrific success as predators comes from the fact that they cooperate in their kills. Lions live in social groups called prides, and all members work together in the hunt. Young lions learn their place in the pride early in life by play-fighting, which teaches them the skills they'll need for the hunt and determines what role they are most suited to perform. Lions' hunting success rate is only about one in five, but those odds are impressive when you consider that their prey species are massive creatures with plenty of fighting power of their own.

No. 1 - Great White Shark

Any animal that has the misfortune of being preyed upon by the great white shark stands very little chance of surviving the attack. This animal is No. 1 on our countdown for its remarkable predatory abilities. With its streamlined body and strong jaws, the great white is a powerful animal: a fast swimmer and an agile aquatic acrobat able to leap high out of the water to surprise its prey. The great white shark also has multiple rows of sharp serrated teeth, each being replaced as soon as one is lost. In fact, a single shark can go through more than 50,000 teeth in its lifetime. Great whites typically begin their attacks with a single punishing bite. The shark then waits for its victim to be weakened by the wound before it returns to eat - a technique that allows the predator to feed in relative safety.

2009-07-12T00:21:00.001-07:00

David Watts Australian Wildlife:
Dave Watts specializes in photos of Australian wildlife, taking the viewer into the outback to experience Australian nature.
His portfolio also includes shots of British and European mammals and birds,
AS well as categories such as Endangered Species, Predators, and the ever-adorable Baby Animals.
A conservationist before he became a photographer, Dave's love for natures shines through in his pictures.

A LION CALLED CHRISTIAN

2009-07-06T08:31:00.000-07:00

In 2008, an extraordinary two-minute film clip appeared on YouTube and immediately became an international phenomenon, garnering tens of millions of views and proving to be one of the most watched internet videos of the year. The grainy footage captured the amazing and highly moving reunion of two young men and their pet lion, Christian, one year after they had left him in Africa to introduce him into his rightful home in the wild.

Animal Planet's A Lion Called Christian, an hour-long television special, tells the tale of John Rendall, Ace Bourke and their celebrated cub Christian through exclusive footage and revealing new interviews from the people who knew him best.

When John and Ace discovered a boisterous young lion cub for sale in a Harrod's department store window, they were convinced they could give him a better home — at least for a time. The two purchased Christian the Lion and took him to their flat above the trendy Sophistocat furniture shop on Kings Road, in the heart of "Swinging London."

The charismatic and intelligent lion cub became a local celebrity over the next five months, and developed a bond of genuine friendship and trust with John and Ace. But, as Christian grew up, it became increasingly clear that the lion cub could not stay in London.

A Lion Called Christian tells the dramatic story of Christian's journey across the globe, rehabilitation in Africa and eventual return to the wild. John and Ace recall their highly emotional reunion with Christian the Lion, and a second rarely-seen, final reunion with a fully maned, three-year-old Christian.

Lions

2009-07-06T06:05:00.000-07:00

The lion (Panthera leo) is one of four big cats in the genus Panthera, and a member of the family Felidae. With some males exceeding 250 kg (550 lb) in weight,[4] it is the second-largest living cat after the tiger. Wild lions currently exist in Sub-Saharan Africa and in Asia with a critically endangered remnant population in northwest India, having disappeared from North Africa, the Middle East, and Western Asia in historic times. Until the late Pleistocene, which was about 10,000 years ago, the lion was the most widespread large land mammal after humans. They were found in most of Africa, much of Eurasia from western Europe to India, and in the Americas from the Yukon to Peru.

Lions live for around 10–14 years in the wild, while in captivity they can live over 20 years. In the wild, males seldom live longer than ten years as fights with rivals occasionally cause injuries.[5] They typically inhabit savanna and grassland, although they may take to bush and forest. Lions are unusually social compared to other cats. A pride of lions consists of related females and offspring and a small number of adult males. Groups of female lions typically hunt together, preying mostly on large ungulates. The lion is an apex and keystone predator, although they will scavenge if the opportunity arises. While lions do not typically hunt humans selectively, some have been known to become man-eaters and seek human prey.

The lion is a vulnerable species, having seen a possibly irreversible population decline of 30 to 50 percent over the past two decades in its African range.[6] Lion populations are untenable outside of designated reserves and national parks. Although the cause of the decline is not fully understood, habitat loss and conflicts with humans are currently the greatest causes of concern. Lions have been kept in menageries since Roman times and have been a key species sought for exhibition in zoos the world over since the late eighteenth century. Zoos are cooperating worldwide in breeding programs for the endangered Asiatic subspecies.

Visually, the male lion is highly distinctive and is easily recognized by its mane. The lion, particularly the face of the male, is one of the most widely recognized animal symbols in human culture. Depictions have existed from the Upper Paleolithic period, with carvings and paintings from the Lascaux and Chauvet Caves, through virtually all ancient and medieval cultures where they historically occurred. It has been extensively depicted in literature, in sculptures, in paintings, on national flags, and in contemporary films and literature.

Lions is a social animal,they live in groups,this behaviour of living in groups upon the animals depend upon the certain circumstances such as food,its size etc,for example Leopard,a wide hunter of African Forests never like to live in groups because they hunt deers and their prey will always be at their size or smaller than them,in other hand Lion attacks a wild Buffalo and take it as its meal,this describes the social living of Animals,when there is large food there can be sharing,but when there is food which is average there comes a real problem.

The lion can be referred as THE KING OF BEASTS,but literally there is a controversy for that position,Indian Tigers(siberian too)are called as Largest Cat in the Cat family.Tigers have a teeth which is 4 inches long making them toughest Predator on Earth.Lions live as Pride,each pride is well Looked by an male,in Lion community some group or single loney lions called as Nomadic Lions they posses a great danger to Prides of lion,they threw a challenge to the Top male in a pride and calls him for a fight,and thus if these Nomads makes a victory over the Pride's Leader,those Nomadic lions will kill the Cubs of the Former lion,such that the Cubs will not be acting as a wall to them and other Lionesses in the Pride For the Sexual Intercourse.