These animals from across the world have physically evolved in order to flourish in their unique, native environment. Read about their origin, lifestyle and characteristics as you view their photos in this animal gallery.
These animals from across the world have physically evolved in order to flourish in their unique, native environment. Read about their origin, lifestyle and characteristics as you view their photos in this animal gallery.
The coypu, also known as the nutria, is an 11 to 20 pound rodent that originated along rivers in South America. In Argentina, its hide is used for making belts, slippers and similar items for tourists (I purchased both). However, attempts to export and commercialize them for food and clothing in other places in the world have been largely unsuccessful. And in Argentina they are considered a pest because of their destructive eating habits. This river rat was emerging from a creek at the Buenos Aires Zoo in Argentina.
One of the few animals roaming freely at the Buenos Aires Eco-Park is the Patagonian hare. This large rodent (27 to 30 inches) resembling a jackrabbit is indigenous to Argentina. It is entertaining to watch as monogamous pairs hop along while grazing on tall grass. Especially cute are the young Patagonian maras. New litters are born in September and October.
Sarmiento 2601, C1045 ABC, Buenos Aires, Argentina
If you drive along The Boulevard at dusk, occasionally look away from the amazing coastline and scan the grassy plains. There may be wallabies watching you. This is a swamp wallaby. At 29 pounds for a female and 37 pounds for a male, they are considerably smaller than a kangaroo. They are adorable. Their distinctive characteristic is the light cheek stripe. They also have a pungent smell, hence the name of this subspecies. Many Aussies call them stinkers. This macropod uses their forelimbs to hold onto a plant or shrub while eating it. This unusual trait is called browsing. They leverage their tail – which can be as long as their body – to help them stand. The Summerland Peninsula is the southernmost tip of the black wallaby’s range along eastern Australia.
The Boulevard, Summerlands VIC 3922, Australia
The Forester kangaroo is Tasmania’s largest marsupial, meaning they carry and suckle their newborns in a pouch. This animal characteristic is almost exclusive to Australia. There is an excellent reason this species is named macropus giganteus (giant large foot); a male roo can weigh 130 pounds and measure over 6.5 feet tall. The Tasmanian eastern gray is endemic to this island state. All kangaroos are nocturnal but you can walk inside their pen for a visit at the Zoodoo Zoo.
Zoodoo Zoo, 620 Middle Tea Tree Rd, Richmond TAS 7000, Australia
Less than four miles from the heart of historic Richmond is Zoodoo Zoo. It was founded in 1999 as a rescue center and has grown into a collection of native and exotic animals plus birds. Foreign visitors often come to see a Tasmanian devil. These nocturnal carnivores live exclusively in Tasmania yet have an international reputation for their ferocity. Justifiably so. For their size – only 20 to 26 inches long – they have the strongest bite among mammals. Plus, Tassie devils are ravenous scavengers and extra cantankerous.
Zoodoo Zoo, 620 Middle Tea Tree Rd, Richmond TAS 7000, Australia
The koala is a native of eastern Australia, ranges from 9 to 33 pounds, and its fluffy ears, round black nose and inquisitive eyes create its classic adorable expression. This koala is eating an eucalypt leaf, its favorite food. He was at the Sydney Wildlife World in Sydney, Australia. Other great places to see animals while visiting the state capital of New South Wales are the Featherdale Wildlife Park and the Taronga Zoo.
When these four critters rushed up to the wooden fence to have their picture taken, I assumed they were goats. In fact, they are female Barbados blackbelly sheep. The species has evolved on the island from African ancestors since the mid-1600s. This small breed is raised on family farms for their lean meat. They have hair instead of wool so they are ideally suited to the hot Caribbean climate.
Chalky Mount, Saint Andrew Parish, Barbados
Only 100 of these critically endangered Eastern Bongos are left in the African jungles of central Kenya. This antelope, which is also called a mountain bongo, has brilliant white stripes that run down its reddish coat. Curiously, this red pigment can bleed in the rain. Both genders have pointed, twisted horns that don’t shed. The stance of facing away while turning their head back is a typical stance when threatened.
Resting on rocky cliff peak is the Himalayan tahr’s typical afternoon pastime. In the morning, this Asian wild goat climbs a mountain, typically above the snowline, while feeding. Before sunset, he feeds all the way back down. This tahr at the Antwerp Zoo is sporting his summer coat. In the winter, the wool becomes almost red, bushy and very thick. This wonderful zoo is managed by the Antwerp Royal Society for Zoology.
This frisky raccoon sticking his bandit mask out from a hallow tree trunk is adorable here but not when a band of these North American troublemakers cause havoc in your trash at night. However, the raccoons at the Antwerp Zoo are part of a rehab program. For example, one is blind, one limps, and another is missing her tail. The program is part of the zoo’s award-winning Centre for Research and Conservation.
During most of the 16th century until the Dutch period starting in 1621, the Spanish occupiers imported livestock to the island. This included donkeys used as work animals for the plantations and salt fields. Over time, they were set free resulting in a significant population of wild donkeys. It is common to see them grazing along the road. In 1993, the Donkey Sanctuary Bonaire was formed to care for wounded and sick animals. It can be toured for a small fee. Recently, they have championed efforts to save them from extinction.
Kaya IR. Randolph Statius van Eps, Kralendijk, Caribbean Netherlands
Let’s introduce you to three more pets often held by Boca da Valeria children. This comfortable little guy is a capuchin monkey. There are dozens of species of capuchin monkeys living in a range from Central America to northern Argentina. Interestingly, the two major subfamilies reside on opposite sides of the Amazon River. The capuchin monkey is considered the smartest of all New World Monkeys. Other common primates in the rainforest are howler, tamarin, spider and squirrel monkeys.
Iguaçu National Park is home to many subtropical species including the jaguar, ocelot, puma, toucan and giant anteater. Chances are slim you will spot them. You have better odds of seeing a troupe of capuchin monkeys scurrying among the trees. These are the organ grinder monkeys. They are small – up to 22 inches with an equally long tail – and range in colors from black, brown and white. There is also a pesky critter that will accompany you during your walk: the coati. Coatis are members of the raccoon family. They will stick their long slender nose and claws into the pockets, purses and backpacks of unsuspecting tourists in search of food.
Parque Nacional do Iguaçu, Rod, Br-469, Km 18 - Foz do Iguaçu - PR, 85853-830, Brazil
The brown-throated sloth is the most widespread species in Brazil. This sluggard of the rainforest uses its three curved claws on its hands and feet to clutch onto tree limbs and often suspends upside down. An adult can measure up to 31 inches and weigh 14 pounds. They sleep 15 to 18 hours a day. When awake, their pace is very slow. This sloth’s coarse, wet guard hair attracts algae and fungal flora. This combination provides the mammal with camouflage from predators.
When not hunting for fish and squid in the Pacific Ocean, these California sea lions make residence in a herd at La Jolla Cove, California. It is fun to watch them push and shove each other between their naps along the rocky shoreline. Unlike the common seal, this species has tiny ear flaps that provide them with acute hearing while underwater.
1160 Coast Blvd La Jolla, CA 92037
This male pygmy goat, called a buck, is among other goats and sheep at the Wayne and Gladys Valley Children’s Zoo section at Oakland Zoo in California. Originally from West Africa, the pygmy goat is popular as a pet because of its social behavior and good natured personality. The Oakland Zoo, formally named Knowland, has over 600 animals in 100 acres of natural habitats.
The Oakland Zoo in California has over a dozen slender-tailed meerkats like this one who is standing at attention while scanning for danger. A typical mob or gang of wild meerkats consists of 20 to 50. These members of the mongoose family are very gregarious with their own clan but very territorial against others. They have the perfect morning: they sleep in late and immediately sunbath after emerging from their burrow.
The spotted hyena lives in large clans in South Africa’s plains and grasslands. But this male crocuta crocuta, who weighs about 130 pounds, lives alone at the Oakland Zoo in California. Perhaps that’s okay, because the females tend to weigh 25 pounds more and dominate the males. Only the highest ranking males mate and have no role in parenting. After birth, siblings immediately fight for dominance and nourishment until the weaker ones die.
These two siamang gibbons or apes are having a wonderful time playing and the one appears to be rolling around in laughter. Their formal name is hylobatidae syndactylus, meaning they are a subspecies from Sumatra. They are about three feet tall and weigh 17 to 28 pounds. The Oakland Zoo is in Knowland Park, California, and also has chimpanzees, baboons, squirrel monkeys, sun bears, and vervet monkeys.
9777 Golf Links Rd, Oakland, CA 94605
The African spurred tortoise moves very slowly. But forgive him because it’s not easy to carry 100 to 200 pounds when your life span is 50 to 150 years. They originate in the Sahara Desert, hid in burrows to escape the heat, and are the third largest tortoise in the world. This fellow lives at Safari West which brings the adventures of Africa to Santa Rosa, California. And what a wonderful adventure it is!
This dama gazelle is beautiful, sleek and fast but it’s hard to tell the gender because both sexes grow ringed, “S” shaped horns. This endangered species is found in groups of 10 to 20 in the African plains of the Sahara and Sahel deserts. They can also be found at Safari West in Santa Rosa, California. Here you can see over 25 other hoofed animal types during a three-hour jeep ride through their 400 acre preserve. Then later, walk through their open-air aviary.
This juvenile male nyala is showing signs of reaching maturity, such as the emergence of the horns, less apparent side strips and the fur color transition from rust to a slate gray. But it will be awhile before this antelope from Southern Africa will have spiraled, yellow-tipped horns that can extend up to three feet and weigh as much as 300 pounds. They tend to rest like this during the heat of the day, even in the California sun at Safari West in Santa Rosa.
This ram impala is very protective of its fawn and looks prepared to take flight, which they do by leaping erratically at distances up to 30 feet and up to 9 feet in the air. His right horn, which can grow to three feet, is broken, perhaps in a fight during the rut. Wild female and fawn impalas in east-central Africa live in large herds up to 200 while young bachelor herds average about 30. These two impalas are part of the herd at Safari West in Santa Rosa, California.
Macaques are highly dependent on tourism, particularly around the temples at Angkor Thom. It is not uncommon to see as many as 100 or more of these Old World monkeys emerge from the jungle in search of handouts. They may look cute yet they can be aggressive. They are also thieves and will steal anything they can grab, including sunglasses, purses and cameras. Finally, most are infected with herpes B virus. This is often fatal in humans. So, if you want a picture, take it from inside the car and move on towards the temples.
Angkor Thom, Angkor, Cambodia
This trio of pronghorns appear to be juveniles. On the left is a female. The two males on the right have a hint of black below their chins and are showing emerging horns. At maturity, they will weigh 85 to 140 pounds. Pronghorns are the fastest animal native to northwestern United States and southern Manitoba. They can reach a top speed of 53 m.p.h. and a sustained pace of 43 m.p.h.
Assiniboine Park Zoo, 2595 Roblin Blvd, Winnipeg, MB R3R 2N7, Canada
Most people think of a llama as a source of meat, a producer of wool, as a pack animal or sometimes as a pet. This particular camelid was guarding farm animals against predators (and photographers) near Maroon Bells in Aspen. Another misconception is their origin. They first appeared in the central plains of North America about 40 million years ago. Then they became extinct there after migrating to South America during the Ice Age. Today, there are about 150,000 domestic llamas in the United States.
Maroon Creek Rd & W Willow Creek Rd., Aspen, CO 81611
Costa Rica is blessed with lots of species in the wild, including over 200 mammals, 200 reptiles, 800 birds and 35,000 types of insects. If you want to see several of them during a short vacation, then visit one of the animal reserves. Here’s a close look at a collared peccary which weighs in at 35 to 60 pounds and lives in the tropical and subtropical parts of the Americas.
The three-toed sloth is the perfect animal to photograph in the wild: they don’t move fast and they are always smiling. For a chance to see a Bradypus variegatus in the forest, walk the trails at either the Refugio Gandoca Manzanillo or Parque Nacional Cahuita. Both parks are south of Limón. You might also spot this brown-throated sloth hanging from trees during a boat ride along the Tortuguero Canal north of the city. For a guaranteed close up, visit the Jaguar Rescue Center near Puerto Viejo or the Sloth Sanctuary close to Cahuita.
Canal del Tortuguero, Limón Province, Costa Rica
Playa Tamarindo on the northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica is an exquisite beach that became popular after the suffering cult movie “Endless Summer II” was released in 1994. It attracts those looking for waves, birds, nightlife and sun. The sun also attracts ctenosaura lizards which can be 39 inches long. This club tail iguana is looking forward to meeting you.
There are several animal rescue centers and sanctuaries in Costa Rica that are often staffed by volunteers and seem as focused on attracting tourists as protecting the country’s abundance species. In addition, there are about ten reserves. In August of 2013, Costa Rican officials announced plans to close two public zoos and release the animals to the wild or send others to sanctuaries.
A mom’s love is unconditional and forever. Ask any sea lion pup.
Bahía Gardner, Española Island, Ecuador
An adult Galápagos land iguana is enormous. Their average length is three to five feet. They can weigh as much as 25 pounds. This one looked menacing and prehistoric as its sharp-clawed toes and powerful hind legs thundered down the visitors’ trail. Yet somehow the intimidating aggression of this cold-blooded reptile was softened by the smirk on its scaly face. It obviously loves frightening tourists.
North Seymour Island, Ecuador
This baby sea lion was exhausted after a day of romping around the beach at North Seymour. He waddled away from the colony, yawned and then dropped down into the warm sand. He was asleep within seconds. Mom was close by and not approving of the tourists trying to photograph this adorable face. Her bark was sufficient warning to move away. A cow will continue to protect her pup up to three years even though they stop nursing after 11 months and begin feeding themselves.
North Seymour Island, Ecuador
The Galápagos Islands is famous for giant tortoises. But as is common with fauna in the Galápagos, tortoise species vary by island. Originally, there were two subspecies endemic to San Cristóbal Island. The one from the southwest and central sections became extinct around 1933. Fortunately, the breed from the northeast survived. This is the species being bred and managed by La Galapaguera. The scientific name for the San Cristóbal giant tortoise is Chelonoidis chathamensis. When the tortoises reach maturity, they are released into the wild across the island.
La Galapaguera, San Cristóbal Island, Ecuador
Seminario Park has had several official names since the late 17th century. The locals love calling it Parque de las Iguanas or Iguana Park because of this resident. When you first step into the park, you see the cathedral, statues and flocks of pigeons. Then you notice one of these prehistoric-looking creatures staring at you from the grass or suspended in a tree. Soon they seem to be everywhere. These are green iguanas (Iguana Verde), one of five species living in Ecuador. They can measure up to five feet long and reach 13 pounds. Their nickname is the Iguanas of Guayaquil. The cold-blooded reptiles seem suspended while warming in the sun. But offer them some lettuce or bread and they will become your new best friend.
Parque Seminario, Chimborazo & Clemente Ballen y Millán, Guayaquil 090313, Ecuador
Behind this horse is the Pyramid of Khafre. It is the second largest of the three famous pyramids at the Giza Necroplis near Cairo, Egypt. This is the tomb of Khafre. The pharaoh died in 2532 BC. Over the millenniums, many of the limestone casing stones were stolen. This vandalism gives it the distinctive, mini-pyramid appearance towards the 448 foot peak. Horses and camels are a frequent sight around the area. The former is used for work, transportation and some tours. The latter are primarily reserved for tourist rides and photo ops.
Giza Necropolis Al Haram, Giza Governorate, Egypt
Donkeys and mules have been used in Egypt to carry heavy loads and people for over 3,000 years. Some were treated like royalty. For example, ten were found buried in a tomb worthy of king. The majority of these animals had a hard working life. They also became the subject of ancient derogatory maxims resulting in slang words we still use today. Around 1,000 BC., their role as transportation was taken over by camels. Most of the three million donkeys in the country now share the same tasks as their ancestors, like this harnessed donkey in Luxor, Egypt.
Haret Marghani, Luxor City, Luxor Governorate, Egypt
About 39 monarchs have lived at Windsor Castle during the last 1,000 years. This terrier sitting on a chair at a Windsor Royal Shopping Centre restaurant seems convinced he is a member of the royal family if not the next king in residence. Life is good as a ruler or a rich man’s dog.
5 Goswell Hill, Windsor SL4 1RH, UK
The gerenuk has interesting eating habits. Similar to other antelopes, it is an herbivore. But rather than eat vegetation on the ground, the African gerenuk often stands on its hind legs and stretches its long neck to strip leaves and fruit from trees. No wonder it is also called the giraffe gazelle. Only males have these lyre-shaped horns typically measuring 10 to 17 inches.
The lar gibbon is surrounded by cream-colored fur except for its black face. This primate’s natural habitat is rain forests in several Southeast Asian countries. Similar to most gibbons, this “lesser ape” is small. The white-faced gibbon rarely exceeds two feet and 15 pounds. What are not small are the long arms and curved fingers. These allow the lar gibbon to swing up to forty feet between branches. This acrobatic motion is called brachiation.
This common chimpanzee at Busch Gardens in Tampa seemed to be staring with as much curiosity at its closest evolutionary cousins – humans – as they were watching him. Chimps and mankind had common ancestors dating back four to six million years ago. In fact, they still share about 94% of common DNA. In the wilds of western and central Africa, this male would have a life expectancy of about 33 years but it is almost twice that long in captivity.
10165 N McKinley Dr, Tampa, FL 33612
This long-haired primate that is tightrope walking on an o-line at Busch Gardens in Tampa is a Bornean orangutan. It is named after Borneo, the world’s third largest island located in Asia where this great endangered ape can be found in the wild. Males weigh in at about 165 pounds but this femme fetale is about half that size.
10165 N McKinley Dr, Tampa, FL 33612
This Thomson’s gazelle looks relaxed but when chased in the grasslands by a predator, this small animal can run 50 to 60 mph while zigzagging. Their population is down by over half in their native East Africa but their numbers still exceed half a million. This adult tommie is part of a herd at Busch Gardens in Tampa.
10165 N McKinley Dr, Tampa, FL 33612
Meet the hamadryas baboon family enjoying the day along a creek. The debonair one with the silver-white mane called a cape is dad, and at 45 to 65 pounds, he is twice as big as mom who is the brown, capeless one that has the baby by the tail. On her right are two, juvenile brothers or they could be “follower” males that join the harem. These are just five of the nearly 18,000 animals on the 89 acres of the Tierpark Hellabrunn Zoo in Munich, Germany.
This mother nursing her baby are among the last three hundred Barbary macaque monkeys living wild in Europe on the Rock of Gibraltar. Located at the mouth of the Mediterranean, Gibraltar is a 2.6 mile British Overseas Territory under the United Kingdom’s sovereignty. The five troops of monkeys living there are fun to watch. The younger ones resemble hyperactive children on a playground.
Apes’ Den, Old Queen's Rd, Gibraltar GX11 1AA, Gibraltar
Over a million tourists arrive on Mykonos Island during the peak season. This is great for Greece’s economy after three challenging years of riots and unrest kept the tourists away. But it is annoying to the cats who stroll freely through Chora because all of these people keep interrupting a purrfectly good nap in the sunshine.