The World's Dangerous Animal In California
60.
COMMON NAME: California Toad
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Bufo boreas halophilus
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Bufo boreas halophilus
DESCRIPTION:
The California toad tends to walk rather then hop. As with all true toads, it can secrete a sticky white poison from its warts and skin glands. Though not deadly it can irritate the eyes and cause illness if swallowed, but will not cause warts. This chunky short-legged toad is 2 1/2 to 5 inches in length. It is dusky-gray or greenish above with “warts” set in dark blotches and often tinged with rust and has a white or cream colored dorsal stripe. Its croak is weak and sounds like the peeping of baby chicks.
The California toad tends to walk rather then hop. As with all true toads, it can secrete a sticky white poison from its warts and skin glands. Though not deadly it can irritate the eyes and cause illness if swallowed, but will not cause warts. This chunky short-legged toad is 2 1/2 to 5 inches in length. It is dusky-gray or greenish above with “warts” set in dark blotches and often tinged with rust and has a white or cream colored dorsal stripe. Its croak is weak and sounds like the peeping of baby chicks.
LIFE HISTORY:
Mating takes place from January to July. Egg strings are attached to vegetation in shallow, still water. One female may lay 16,000 eggs a year. The eggs hatch into tiny black tadpoles; changing through metamorphosis, they develop legs and loose their tail to become toads.
Mating takes place from January to July. Egg strings are attached to vegetation in shallow, still water. One female may lay 16,000 eggs a year. The eggs hatch into tiny black tadpoles; changing through metamorphosis, they develop legs and loose their tail to become toads.
ECOLOGY:
Niche: Toads eat insects (grasshoppers, crickets. etc.), spiders and snails. Their eggs, tadpoles and the toads themselves are food for many animals (such as raccoons and herons).
Niche: Toads eat insects (grasshoppers, crickets. etc.), spiders and snails. Their eggs, tadpoles and the toads themselves are food for many animals (such as raccoons and herons).
Habitat: This species frequents a great variety of habitats: desert .streams, grasslands, woodlands, and meadows near ponds, lakes, reservoirs, rivers and streams. It will make its own burrow or live in a former small rodent home. This toad is nocturnal at warm, low elevations and diurnal at higher elevations. See more at: http://theworlddanimal.blogspot.in/
61.
COMMON NAME: Albino Kingsnake
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Lampropeltis getula californiae
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Lampropeltis getula californiae
DESCRIPTION:
A completely albinistic snake has pink eyes and lacks all the dark colors usually evident in the normal pattern of the species to which it belongs, this is known as an absence of melanin. Albinism probably occurs to the extent of one-tenth to one-hundredth of one per cent of the population.
LIFE HISTORY:
Albinism is the result of recessive genes which is believed to be caused by unfavorable factors during an embryo’s development.
Albinism is the result of recessive genes which is believed to be caused by unfavorable factors during an embryo’s development.
ECOLOGY:
Niche: These individuals are more easily seen by predators due to their lack of camouflaging coloration. They are generally more fragile and do not see well.
Niche: These individuals are more easily seen by predators due to their lack of camouflaging coloration. They are generally more fragile and do not see well.
Habitat: Due to their lack of camouflage, they don’t survive in the wild; they are bred in captivity for the pet trade. See more at: http://theworlddanimal.blogspot.in/
62.
COMMON NAME: American Crow
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Corvus brachyrhynchos
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Corvus brachyrhynchos
DESCRIPTION:
The common crow is one of the most intelligent birds. Its complex vocal chords can vary their “caw-caw” sound to express warning, threat, taunting and cheer. They have also been known to sound out words when taught. They are charcoal black and 17-21” in length.
The common crow is one of the most intelligent birds. Its complex vocal chords can vary their “caw-caw” sound to express warning, threat, taunting and cheer. They have also been known to sound out words when taught. They are charcoal black and 17-21” in length.
LIFE HISTORY:
A female crow will lay 3-7 blue-green to grey-green eggs, which are incubated by both paretns for 18 days. Hatchlings will fledge at five weeks. Crows live together in groups of 2-8 in the summer and gather in the thousands during the winter.
A female crow will lay 3-7 blue-green to grey-green eggs, which are incubated by both paretns for 18 days. Hatchlings will fledge at five weeks. Crows live together in groups of 2-8 in the summer and gather in the thousands during the winter.
ECOLOGY:
American crows are found all across America except deserts, deep thickets and mountaintops. Their nests are one foot in diameter and are usually made in the tops of trees.
American crows are found all across America except deserts, deep thickets and mountaintops. Their nests are one foot in diameter and are usually made in the tops of trees.
Opportunistic in their feeding, crows will eat mice, eggs, corn, toads, insects and carrion. They will eat their weight in food every day. See more at: http://theworlddanimal.blogspot.in/
63.
COMMON NAME: American White Pelican
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Pelecanus erythrorhynchos
DESCRIPTION:
Pelican is a water bird and one of the heaviest of North American birds! Standing 50 -70 inches tall, white pelican has white feathers overall with black primaries and outer secondary feathers. His wingspan is 96 -114 inches; weight 10 -17 pounds. His legs and feet are orange-red; all 4 toes are connected by a web of skin, a characteristic unique to pelicans.
Pelican is a water bird and one of the heaviest of North American birds! Standing 50 -70 inches tall, white pelican has white feathers overall with black primaries and outer secondary feathers. His wingspan is 96 -114 inches; weight 10 -17 pounds. His legs and feet are orange-red; all 4 toes are connected by a web of skin, a characteristic unique to pelicans.
A breeding adult has a crest of yellow feathers and a bright orange bill with vertical horny plates on the top. Males and females look alike. Juvenile pelican has a brownish wash on his head, neck and lesser coverts.
LIFE HISTORY:
Migrating inland, pelican will nest in colonies from a few to hundreds of pairs. Monogamous, courtship precedes nesting. The nest may be on the ground with no nest material or a slight depression or a mound of dirt and debris; the area around it is defended. Breeding is April through June; usually 2 eggs are laid. Hatching in 36 days, both parents feeds the chicks that leave the nest in 3 -4 weeks and fledge at 8 weeks. Their main enemies are gulls that eat the eggs.
Migrating inland, pelican will nest in colonies from a few to hundreds of pairs. Monogamous, courtship precedes nesting. The nest may be on the ground with no nest material or a slight depression or a mound of dirt and debris; the area around it is defended. Breeding is April through June; usually 2 eggs are laid. Hatching in 36 days, both parents feeds the chicks that leave the nest in 3 -4 weeks and fledge at 8 weeks. Their main enemies are gulls that eat the eggs.
ECOLOGY:
Niche: His huge throat pouch is used as a dip net to catch fish. Pelican eats 3 -4 pounds of fish every day, with an occasional salamander or crayfish. White pelican does not dive, but dips his bill into the water while swimming. His bill may collect 3 gallons in volume; he squeezes the water out from the corners of his mouth before swallowing the trapped foods.
Niche: His huge throat pouch is used as a dip net to catch fish. Pelican eats 3 -4 pounds of fish every day, with an occasional salamander or crayfish. White pelican does not dive, but dips his bill into the water while swimming. His bill may collect 3 gallons in volume; he squeezes the water out from the corners of his mouth before swallowing the trapped foods.
A group of pelicans may fish cooperatively. They will form a semi-circle between a school of fish and the shore. They will begin to slap their wings against the water and paddle swiftly; this drives the fish close to the shore. The pelicans move in to easily scoop up fish. Pelican eats fish of little commercial value, so does not compete with commercial fishermen. See more at: http://theworlddanimal.blogspot.in/
64.
COMMON NAME: Badger
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Taxidea taxus
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Taxidea taxus
DESCRIPTION:
The badger is a stocky mammal of about 20 pounds with a silver-gray colored coat. The badger’s stout body is 22 inches long; its legs are short and powerful; and its tail is short and bushy. The badger’s feet are black with very long claws. The most distinctive marking is the white stripe that runs from its nose to mid-back, with black stripes on either side.
The badger is a stocky mammal of about 20 pounds with a silver-gray colored coat. The badger’s stout body is 22 inches long; its legs are short and powerful; and its tail is short and bushy. The badger’s feet are black with very long claws. The most distinctive marking is the white stripe that runs from its nose to mid-back, with black stripes on either side.
The badger is diurnal, especially in late afternoon.
With a strong sense of smell and long claws, it is well equipped for finding and digging its prey from their dens.
With a strong sense of smell and long claws, it is well equipped for finding and digging its prey from their dens.
Badgers mustelid, possessing scent glands similar to those of a skunk, but they do not throw scent.
LIFE HISTORY:
Life Span: Averaging 12 years in captivity (known to live 17 years)
Life Span: Averaging 12 years in captivity (known to live 17 years)
Mating Season: August – September After copulation, the fertilized egg waits in a state of suspended animation until it implants around December, then normal embryonic development occurs. This is an example of delayed implementation or embryonic diapause.
Gestation Period: True gestation period is 42 days, see comment above. Implantation takes place in December or January with the pups born in March or April.
Litter Size: 1-4, usually 2 or 3
Litter per year: 1
ECOLOGY:
Niche: Strictly carnivorous, the badger feeds mainly on rodents including ground squirrels, rats, mice, gophers and chipmunks. Coyotes and red-tailed hawks have been observed watching a hunting badger to persue a rodent fleeing the badger. Fiercely capable of defending itself, the badgers natural predators are limited to mountain lions and golden eagles. Badgers tear up a great deal of ground and so may be considered pests by ranchers and farmers. Badgers are beneficial because they reduce determental rodent populations.
Niche: Strictly carnivorous, the badger feeds mainly on rodents including ground squirrels, rats, mice, gophers and chipmunks. Coyotes and red-tailed hawks have been observed watching a hunting badger to persue a rodent fleeing the badger. Fiercely capable of defending itself, the badgers natural predators are limited to mountain lions and golden eagles. Badgers tear up a great deal of ground and so may be considered pests by ranchers and farmers. Badgers are beneficial because they reduce determental rodent populations.
Habitat: The badger lives in all land ecosystems except the northwest coastal forest. The badger prefers sandy flats of open grasslands and desert. Populations fluctate with the abundance of squirrels and gophers.
Badgers are solitary animals. They will fiercely defend their territory and a mate against other animals of the same competing species against other badgers or large predators. See more at: http://theworlddanimal.blogspot.in/
Badgers are solitary animals. They will fiercely defend their territory and a mate against other animals of the same competing species against other badgers or large predators. See more at: http://theworlddanimal.blogspot.in/
65.
COMMON NAME: Bald Eagle
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Haliaeetus leucocephalus
DESCRIPTION:
The Bald Eagle is our national bird.
The Bald Eagle is our national bird.
This eagle can grow 31 – 37 inches in height. As with most birds of prey, females are larger than the males. The wingspan can reach 70 – 90 inches from tip to tip. The adult, over 5 years old, has a white head, neck and tail feathers with a brownish-black body. It has large yellow eyes, hooked beak, and feet. Immature birds are entirely brownish-black with grayish wing linings and are often mistaken for a Golden Eagle.
Eagles mate for life, but will choose a new mate if one of the pair dies. Eagles use the same nest year after year. New sticks are added each year. The nest can grow so large that it breaks off or it causes the tree to fall over.
LIFE HISTORY:
Life Span in captivity has been recorded up to 48 years.
Life Span in captivity has been recorded up to 48 years.
Clutch Size: 1 – 3 white eggs, incubation approximately 35 days, fledge 72-75 days. Eggs laid March – May. Frequently, the stronger chick kills the weaker nest mate.
Nest: made of sticks and built on the top of tall trees or on cliffs 10 – 150′ above ground. Nests can get 6 feet across and weigh 100 – 200 pounds. The nest is the largest of all nests built by a single pair of birds; sometimes 7-8′ across, 12 ‘ deep, weighing 500+ pounds, and lined with mosses, pine, needles, and grasses.
ECOLOGY:
Habitat: The Bald Eagle is generally uncommon throughout most of the lower 48 states but common in Alaska and Canada. They are seen near rivers and lakes and along the seacoast. Fish are their primary food, either self-caught or stolen. They will also feed on injured waterfowl or rodents. See more at: http://theworlddanimal.blogspot.in/
Habitat: The Bald Eagle is generally uncommon throughout most of the lower 48 states but common in Alaska and Canada. They are seen near rivers and lakes and along the seacoast. Fish are their primary food, either self-caught or stolen. They will also feed on injured waterfowl or rodents. See more at: http://theworlddanimal.blogspot.in/
66.
COMMON NAME: Barn Owl
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Tyto alba
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Tyto alba
DESCRIPTION:
Barn Owls are in a different group of owls than all others in North America, belonging to the Tytonidae family instead of the Strigidae family. The differences can be seen in their heart-shaped face, square tail, small eyes and long legs, which are feathered to the toes. Another distinctive feature is their ear placement. They are assymetric so they can more easily triangulate the position of their prey. One ear is level with the forehead and the other is level with the nostril. This makes them the most accurate bird at locating prey by sound.
Barn Owls are in a different group of owls than all others in North America, belonging to the Tytonidae family instead of the Strigidae family. The differences can be seen in their heart-shaped face, square tail, small eyes and long legs, which are feathered to the toes. Another distinctive feature is their ear placement. They are assymetric so they can more easily triangulate the position of their prey. One ear is level with the forehead and the other is level with the nostril. This makes them the most accurate bird at locating prey by sound.
Barn owls’ upper sides are colored light brown and their undersides are white. Females are darker and color and also larger, ranging up to 20″ in length. Males are 14-16″ in length.
LIFE HISTORY:
Barn owls have a relatively short life span of only two years. Mating season usually spans from late March to early April. Pairs will nest in a secluded area, such as a barn loft, tree cavity, bird box, or cave. There the female will lay 4-7 white eggs, which will hatch in about 32 days. Young fledge at 52-56 days.
Barn owls have a relatively short life span of only two years. Mating season usually spans from late March to early April. Pairs will nest in a secluded area, such as a barn loft, tree cavity, bird box, or cave. There the female will lay 4-7 white eggs, which will hatch in about 32 days. Young fledge at 52-56 days.
ECOLOGY:
Barn owls are very common throughout California, even within cities. They prefer dense trees, however, close to the trunks of evergreen, palm, eucalyptus, or cottonwood trees.
Barn owls are very common throughout California, even within cities. They prefer dense trees, however, close to the trunks of evergreen, palm, eucalyptus, or cottonwood trees.
Barn owls feed mainly on rats, mice and other small rodents. Generally active at night, their low-light vision, accurate hearing and silent flight make them excellent hunters. See more at: http://theworlddanimal.blogspot.in/
67.
COMMON NAME: North American Beaver
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Castor canadensis
DESCRIPTION:Beavers are known for their natural trait of building dams on rivers and streams. They usepowerful front teeth to cut trees and other plants that they use both for building and for food.Beavers are slow on land,but are good swimmers, and can stay under water for as long as 15 minutes. Beavers are herbivores, and prefer the wood of many trees. They also eat sedges, pondweed, and water lilies.
Beavers have webbed hind-feet, and a broad, scaly tail. They have poor eyesight, but keen senses of hearing, smell, and touch. A beaver’s teeth grow continuously so that they will not be worn down by chewing on wood.
67.
COMMON NAME: Black Bear
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Ursus americanus
SCIENTIFIC NAME: Ursus americanus
DESCRIPTION:
The black bear is the only bear currently living in California. (California’s last grizzly bear was killed in 1922 and became our state animal in 1953.) The long, dense fur of a black bear isn’t always black; it may be cinnamon, dark brown. or yellowish brown. A white blaze on the chest is common; the muzzle is often golden. Bears have 5 toes on their front and back feet. They are plantigrade; they walk flat footed, just like you. The front track is 4″ long and 5″ wide; the hind track is 7-9″ long and 5″ wide. Their big toe is on the outside. Claw marks are visible in their tracks. Seemingly clumsy as they walk, black bears can run at 30 mph.
The black bear is the only bear currently living in California. (California’s last grizzly bear was killed in 1922 and became our state animal in 1953.) The long, dense fur of a black bear isn’t always black; it may be cinnamon, dark brown. or yellowish brown. A white blaze on the chest is common; the muzzle is often golden. Bears have 5 toes on their front and back feet. They are plantigrade; they walk flat footed, just like you. The front track is 4″ long and 5″ wide; the hind track is 7-9″ long and 5″ wide. Their big toe is on the outside. Claw marks are visible in their tracks. Seemingly clumsy as they walk, black bears can run at 30 mph.
Black bears are powerful and unpredictable animals that usually avoid humans; however, a surprise encounter or an encounter with a “park” bear is a dangerous encounter for the person.
LIFE HISTORY:
Bears do NOT really hibernate, but avoid the harsh weather in winter-rest. Their body temperature only drops about 10 degrees F with heart and respiration rates staying constant. They live off their stored fat. A diet of berries before denning acts as a laxative to cleanse the digestive tract, then the bear eats pine needles, leaves and/or hair which forms an anal plug that prevents them from eliminating while they sleep.
Bears do NOT really hibernate, but avoid the harsh weather in winter-rest. Their body temperature only drops about 10 degrees F with heart and respiration rates staying constant. They live off their stored fat. A diet of berries before denning acts as a laxative to cleanse the digestive tract, then the bear eats pine needles, leaves and/or hair which forms an anal plug that prevents them from eliminating while they sleep.
Black bear cubs are born in late-January to mid-February while the snow is in her winter-rest. Weighing only 1/2 pound they are blind and helpless; twins are common. They will stay with mom, nurse and grow until she comes out of her den in the spring. Mom is very protective, she trains them to escape danger by climbing the nearest tree. Bears are classified with dogs as carnivores, but they are actually omnivores. Bears have poor vision, but a keen sense of smell. By wandering with mom they learn where to find food: honey, insects and larva in tree stumps and logs; berries, nuts, twigs and leaves from bushes; how to hunt and catch small mammals and fish. The cubs will continue to nurse until 6-8 months of age. The young will stay with mom for 1 1/2 years, as cubs are born every other year. Cubs must move out and find their own territory; they will have a home range of 8-10 square miles. At the end of their first year they may weigh 50-60 pounds, but will grow to 200-500+ pounds. Males are considerably larger than females. Maturity is reached by age 3. Bears may live 20-25 years in the wild and 30-35 years in captivity. Bears are solitary except during breeding season (late spring through early summer). The fertilized egg isn’t implanted until 6-7 months later, this is called delayed implantation.
ECOLOGY:
Niche: Black bears are omnivorous, they have crushing no cutting malars. They will eat anything organic: berries, nuts, other vegetables, fungi, “truffles”, insects (bees and honey), larva, mice, ground squirrels, and fish. They forage in garbage dumps and will invade apple orchards. They are not adverse to eating carrion.
Niche: Black bears are omnivorous, they have crushing no cutting malars. They will eat anything organic: berries, nuts, other vegetables, fungi, “truffles”, insects (bees and honey), larva, mice, ground squirrels, and fish. They forage in garbage dumps and will invade apple orchards. They are not adverse to eating carrion.
Habitat: Black bears live in most of the forested areas in California and down to about 3,000 feet. In the northwaest coastal forests, they may wander out onto the beach. They are found from Canadian coniferous forests to Mexico.
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