Devil’s Hole Pupfish

Cyprinodon diabolis

The Devil’s Hole pupfish gets its name from the freshwater limestone cave pool in which it lives. Its entire life cycle is spent largely within the boundaries of a shelf near the surface of the pool. If conditions on the shelf are less than ideal, the pupfish is in immediate danger. The Devil’s Hole pupfish has been known since 1891. However, for 40 years it was assumed to be a variant of another well-known species, the desert pupfish. In 1930 its distinctive nature was fully [Read more]

Brown Kiwi

Apteryx mantelli

The mainland populations of the unique brown kiwi found only in New Zealand-have suffered huge declines in the 20th century, mainly due to plundering by introduced predators. With its shaggy, hairlike plumage, a plump, round body, a lack of visible tail or wings, and an ability to track down food in the dead of night, kiwis resemble nocturnal mammals rather than typical birds. Like many mammals, [Read more]

California Bay Pea Crab

Parapinnixa affinis

Pea crabs are tiny crabs, almost always less than half an inch (1 cm) wide. As adults they live associated with other marine animals such as bivalve mollusks (clams) and tubeworms. The California Bay pea crab inhabits the tubes and burrows of polychaete worms (marine annelid worms of the class Polychaeta that bear bristles and have paired appendages). Other species of pea crab, such as Pinnotheres pisum, are found in mussel and cockle shells in European coastal waters, while females of Pinnotheres ostreum, also known as [Read more]

European Mink

Mustela lutreola ( image )

Once widespread in Europe, native mink populations are now in rapid decline. The animal’s future is under threat both from humans and from the introduced American mink. Like its American cousin, the European mink inhabits waterside habitats and is found along river banks and at the edges of lakes. It is mainly nocturnal, operating out of a burrow or natural den among tree roots. Some take over burrows made by water voles, but a mink can dig its own home if necessary. Mink are territorial and normally live alone: They tend to be well spaced out, with an average of only one mink per mile of river bank. They swim and dive well, aided by their partly webbed feet, and capture most of their food in the water. [Read more]

Platypus

Ornithorhynchus anatinus
( image )

Platypuses are no longer hunted for their fur, but they face threats from pollution and the environmental consequences of modern development. The platypus has become a well-known conservation symbol for its freshwater habitat of southeastern Australia. European settlers in Australia first saw and described the duck-billed platypus in 1797, but it was another hundred years before the animal’s unique anatomy and reproductive habits were scientifically studied. In the past the platypus was hunted extensively for its fur, which, like that of other aquatic mammals, is extremely dense, so it keeps the animal warm even when wet. Thousands of platypuses were killed for their skins, while the heads and bills were sold as curios. Hunting has all but exterminated the platypus population of South Australia: The last sighting of the animals on the lower Murray River, one of Australia’s major rivers, was as long ago as 1960. The only platypuses living in the state these days are an introduced population on Kangaroo Island off South Australia and a few animals in captivity. Today wild platypuses still occasionally come across the border from New South Wales. People are not the only predators to have taken a serious toll. In the days before European settlement the only predator of the platypus was the native Australian water rat. In recent times, however, introduced foxes, cats, rats, and dogs have all killed platypuses, especially young ones. Road deaths are also becoming a problem in urban areas. [Read more]

Mountain Gorilla

Gorilla gorilla beringei ( images )

The mountain gorilla is the world’s largest primate, but despite its huge size and obvious strength, it is also one of the gentlest. After years of intensive conservation efforts Africa’s mountain gorilla population seemed to be overcoming the threat of extinction. However, civil war in the region has since undone much of the progress that had been made. Mountain gorillas are particularly vulnerable to environmental pressures, both natural and man-made, because of their slow breeding rate, which makes it difficult for them to replenish their numbers. Usually only one baby is born at a time; but on the rare occasions when twins occur, one almost always dies. Most female gorillas do not breed until they are at least 10. A female can bear young every four years; but because many infants die before they are two, the rate for successful reproduction is closer to one every eight years. Even a female living in exceptionally favorable conditions is unlikely to rear more than six offspring in her 40-year lifetime. It is more likely that she will raise between two and four young. The young are not fully weaned until the age of three and remain with their mothers for several more years. [Read more]

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