Fact Files

Roadrunner – Fine Running Legs

greater

Greater roadrunner

 

There are two species of roadrunner within the Geococcyx genus. This group includes all cuckoo birds and the two species of roadrunner: the greater and the lesser roadrunner. They are both indigenous to Central America and Mexico.

 

lesser

Arapaima – Ancient River Monster

pirarucu

 

The arapaima gigas also known as the paiche or pirarucu is a true river monster. One of the world’s largest fresh water fish, they are known to reach up to 10 feet (3 meters) in length and perhaps even weighing in excess of 400 lb (180 kg). This species is also one of the rare air-breathing fish in existence which means it needs to come up to the surface to breathe.

 

Gibbons – The Most Agile Tree Swingers

white handed gibbons

 

Gibbons are a family of primates referred to as “lesser apes”. There are twelve species and they all share similar characteristics. They also share many of the classic primate characteristics including: flattened faces, enlarged brains, stereoscopic vision, opposable digits and arms longer than legs.

 

gibbon face

Hermit Crab – Global Mobile Home Nomad

hermit crab algae

 

The hermit crab is a relatively small sized decapod (10 feet) crustacean. It is found in oceans worldwide and although it appears quite like a snail, that outer shell is not part of its actual body. It is actually more closely related to the crab family. However, the hermit crab is not truly of the crab genus. They are also closely related to the lobster and arachnid families.

 

Rodents – Most Populous Group of Mammals

rodents playing

 

The rodent family are an order of mammals with over 2000 different living species within it. They are the largest order of mammals in existence and are thought to account for around 40% of all mammals on the planet. This is probably due to their small size, short breeding cycle and of course they can survive on many different foods.

 

Lemurs – Bright-Eyed and Bushy-tailed

lemur family

 

The lemur family is in the order of primates and there are many species of different lemurs within this family. They are found only on the island of Madagascar and the Comoros Islands. Experts believe that of the 50 species in existence, 17 are endangered.

 

indri

Indri

 

Sea Dragon – Unbelievable Floating Specters

leafy sea dragon yellow

 

The sea dragon is related to the seahorse and is one of the very few animals where the male carries the eggs for incubation. There are two kinds: the leafy sea dragon, and the weedy sea dragon. Both species resemble mythical dragons, due to their body shape.

 

Albatross – Master of the Long Flight

albatross face close up

 

There are a number of albatross species – between 13 and 24, depending on the criteria for differentiation. Their natural habitat includes the Southern Ocean and North Pacific, and they are mostly absent from the North Atlantic. The species with the largest wingspan of all birds, is the Wandering Albatross, with a wingspan of around 11 feet (3.3 m) and weight of 18 pounds (just over 8 kg).