The Eclectus roratus (scientific name) or eclectus parrot is a native to Solomon Islands, New Guinea, nearby islands, as also North Eastern parts of Australia and the Maluku Islands. The eclectus parrot is very different from other parrots, because of the stark differences in colouring between male and female. While the male is bright green […]
Common name : Nightingale ribbon worm Scientific name : Katechonemertes nightingaleensis Family : Prosorhochmidae Native to : Worldwide Oceans Interesting fact : Nemertea can shrink to one-tenth of its size. Conservation status : Vulnerable Nemerteas are very slim worms and less than 20 cm long with patterns of yellow, orange, red and green colouration. They
Common name : Northern needlefish, Garfish, Swordfish Scientific name : Strongylura marina Family : Belonidae Native to : Atlantic Oceans Interesting fact : Needlefish can jump out of water at a speed of 38 metres per hour. Conservation status : Least Concern The needlefish has an elongated jaw and a slender body. It is silvery
Common name : Unicorn whale Scientific name : Monodon monoceros Family : Monodontidae Native to : Arctic Ocean Interesting fact : Narwhals communicate with clicks, whistles and knocks. Conservation status : Near Threatened Narwhals are toothed whales that feed on flatfish, Arctic doe and polar cod. The male has a tusk-like, protruding upper canine tooth.
Common name : Blue mussel, Common mussel Scientific name : Mytilus edulis Family : Mytilidae Native to : Temperate seas worldwide Interesting fact : Freshwater mussels are used for pearl cultivation. Conservation status : Endangered Mussels are bivalve molluscs that have wide, asymmetrical shells that are dark blue, black or brown with a silvery nacreous
Common name : Jewfish, Dusky kob, Butterfish, Japanese meagre, River kingfish, School jew, Silver jewfish, Southern meagre Scientific name : Argyrosomus japonicas Family : Sciaenidae Native to : Indo-Pacific region Interesting fact : Mulloways have large ear bones which are collected for jewellery. Conservation status : Endangered The mulloway is a silver to bronze-green fish
The Balearica pavonina (scientific name) or black-crowned crane is found in the dry savannah, South of the Sahara, Africa. However, its nest is in wetter habitats. They are the only cranes which nest in trees. With a height of 3.3 feet and wing-span of 6 feet, these birds are black in colour with white wings.
Common name : Purpura marginalba Scientific name : Tenguella marginalba Family : Muricidae Native to : Australia and Indo-Pacific region Conservation status : Not Evaluated The mulberry oyster borer is a sea snail that has a strong, conical shell with 5 rows of purple or blackish, square nodules giving it a mulberry appearance. True to
Common name : White-chinned moray, Speckled moray, Common spotted moray Scientific name : Gymnothorax moringa Family : Muraenidae Native to : Western Atlantic, North Carolina and Mexico Interesting fact : An extra set of jaw and teeth in its throat allows it to break up food and digest it. Conservation status : Least Concern About
Common name : Common jelly, Saucer jelly Scientific name : Aurelia aurita Family : Ulmaridae Native to : Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic Oceans Interesting fact : The moon jellyfish lacks heart, brain, blood and gills. Conservation status : Not Evaluated The moon Jelly is translucent, 25-40 cm in diameter and has 4 horseshoe-shaped gonads, visible
The Gymnogyps Californianus (scientific name) or California condor is the largest bird to dominate North America, specifically Northern Arizona and Southern Utah. With a wing-span of 9.8 feet and body-weight of 12 kg on an average (females are slightly smaller), the California condor has black wings with white patches on the underside and a large
The Cardinalis cardinalis (scientific name) or Northern cardinal is a North American bird, found in woodlands and swamps, from Southern Canada to Eastern United States and Mexico. With a striking red plumage in the male (a duller red-brown shade in the female), the cardinal is a mid-sized song-bird whose height does not exceed 8 inches.
Scientific name : Thaumoctopus mimicus Family : Octopodidae Native to : Indonesia and Malaysia Interesting fact : The suckers have a touch sensor and chemoreceptor allowing the animal to taste its food. Conservation status : Not Evaluated The mimic octopus mimics the shape of other sea creatures to attract prey and avoid predators. It has
The Pavo christatus (scientific name) or Indian peacock is a big beautiful colourful bird mostly found in India, Sri Lanka and Mayanmar. The ones in India and Sri Lanka are blue in colour, while the ones found in Mayanmar are green. While its body height is 40-50 inches, it has a beautiful blue-green tail which
Common name : Prince Alfred’s ray, Inshore manta ray, Resident manta ray Scientific name : Manta alfredi Family : Mobulidae Native to : Oceans worldwide Interesting fact : The skin is covered in mucus protecting it from infections. Conservation status : Vulnerable Manta rays are large eagle rays that have triangular pectoral fins, horn-shaped cephalic