Spiny Devil Walkingstick

Species: Spiny Devil Walkingstick
Habitat: Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia and the Solomon Islands
Status: Not Listed
DAK Locale: Rafiki's Planet Watch

There is little doubt as to how this huge insect got its name. It lives in the forests of the some of the islands of Australasia and due its camouflage can be quite difficult to spot. But its so large (sometimes as much as 15 cm) it is often called the New Guinean land lobster. The legs are used by local fisherman as hooks.

Like all stick insects, these guys are vegetarians eating leaves and the like. They have very strong mandibles for pulling apart vegetation. They mostly feed at night using the protection of their camouflage during the day. They will form groups and will even migrate from foraging area to foraging area, an unusual behavior for this family of insects.

They are not listed by the IUCN, however there are some dangers to this species. Most importantly is of course, habitat destruction as the native forests of the area are its home. It is also commonly taken as a pet.

By Safari Mike

Blue tongued skink

Species: Blue tongued skink
Habitat: Woodland and Forests of  Eastern Australia
Status: Least Concern
DAK Locale: Rafiki's Planet Watch

The name of this lizard comes from, as I am sure you can guess, its bright blue tongue. The animal uses it as a defensive measure, essentially trying to freak out would be predators with its bright color accompanied with a viscous hiss. The species found at the Animal Kingdom is common in eastern Australia. There are other types of blue tongued skinks are found throughout the continent and Indonesia.

These animals are omnivores eating all types of plant and flesh. They commonly eat insects, snails, flowers and fruits. They do not have teeth but the jaw is powerful and can cling onto adversaries including potential predators. They are typically diurnal using the sun to heat up and search for food. It can, like some other lizards, detach the tail in an emergency. It will eventually grow back.

Most species of the blue tongued skink are doing well with stable populations. They are very popular in the pet trade, due to their gentle demeanor and relatively easy care. Despite this popularity they are still quite common in the Australian wild.

Black Tree Monitor

Species: Black Tree Monitor
Habitat: Aru Islands Forests
Status: Vulnerable
DAK Locale: Rafiki's Planet Watch

The black tree monitor, named for its black scales, is found only in the forests and swamps of the Aru Islands off New Guinea in Indonesia. For some time, it was considered a subspecies of the closely related Emerald Tree Monitor. However, since 1991 it has been considered its own species.

At birth, the lizard is a dark grey with yellow-green spots on its back. The scales gradually turn black and the spots fade. Generally, they can be large as about four feet with males being bigger than females. The tails are long - about two-thirds the size of the body. Its prehensile and helps with its tree dwelling life. The feet have large claws and adhesive pads for helping climb and live in trees.  They are carnivorous eating other lizards, small mammals, and insects.

The species is vulnerable due to its very limited range and habitat loss. It is also popular in the pet trade with most animals being wildly caught instead of born in captivity.

Green Poison Dart Frog

Species: Green Poison Dart Frog
Habitat: Rainforests of Central America
Status: Least Concern
DAK Locale: Rafiki's Planet Watch

This species of poison dart frog is one of the most variable. It comes in numerous different patterns although always with green and black coloration. It is also sometimes called the green and black poison arrow frog, or the mint poison frog. The name poison dart comes from the use of its powerful poison by the native people in darts and arrows. Just a small amount of its secretion will make a full grown human ill.

They are arboreal. Their toes have sucker like discs to help grip trees. They eat, sleep, and court in trees. It is, however, not a good jumper.

Like all poison dart frogs, the species gathers in large groups before mating, bickering for territory. Males make out small clearings for themselves with females wandering through. Males will try to impress females with their singing which sounds similar to bird calls.

Although they are quite popular in the pet trade, mostly due to their small size and intricate color patterns, they are not endangered.

Puerto Rican Boa

Species: Puerto Rican Boa
Habitat: Rain forest of Puerto Rico
Status: Endangered
DAK Locale: Rafiki's Planet Watch

The Puerto Rican boa is a terrestrial snake native exclusively to the island of Puerto Rico. It is one of the rainbow boas of the New World and, as such, is a true boa. It grows to 6 to 9 feet.

It feeds on birds, mammals and reptiles. Like all boas, it kills its prey by coiling around the potential meal. It continues to squeeze until suffocating the victim. The meal is then swallowed head first. This species of boa prefers caves. Thus, bats make up a large portion of the diet.

The species has been effected by the introduction of the mongoose to the island's habitat. At the beginning of the last century, the boa was nearly wiped out. It was also hunted and the loss of its forest have also contributed to its decline. However, due to protective measures, it has begun to recover.

Ornate Spiny Tailed Lizard

Species: Ornate Spiny Tailed Lizard
Habitat: Deserts of Africa
Status: Least Concern
DAK Locale: Pangani Forest Trail

This medium sized lizard has a stubby body and short powerful legs. There are a row of spiky scales on the tail, hence it name. Of all the spiny tailed lizards, this species has the largest tail. This species also varies greatly in color, with some being more "ornate" than others. The male is generally more colorful than females. Most have yellow spots or yellowish cross bands on the back.

This species eats mostly leaves, seeds and flowers, although it supplements that with an occasional invertebrate. It is active during the day, basking in the sun to give it energy to eat. They live in small groups of one male and several females. Males will sometimes turn females on to their backs and then walk over her abdomen. The reason for this strange ritual is unknown. Typically, females lay up to 15 eggs in June, which then hatch about two months later. Four days after hatching, the young leave the nest.

The species is found in the northeastern Africa as well as the Middle East. It thrives in the desert where it finds shelter among rock crevices. Its considered to be of "Least Concern" especially in Africa. There are local populations especially in the Middle East where they are low in numbers.

to contact Safari Mike use Twitter: @JamboEveryone

Brazilian Salmon Tarantula

Species: Brazilian Salmon Tarantula
Habitat: Rainforest floor
Status: Unknown
DAK Locale: Rafiki's Planet Watch

The Brazilian salmon tarantula is also called the salmon pink tarantula or the bird eating tarantula. And, yes, this huge arachnid will prey on small birds and even snakes, although the majority of its diet is other insects and small mammals and reptiles. Like other tarantulas, the species does not spin webs. It is a hunting spider. It will lie still on the forest floor waiting for prey to pass by, and then it will strike quickly. It will hold its prey using its venom to partially digest it before actually eating the softened flesh.

When threatened it will rise up on its back legs and intimidate. Its bite while not usually deadly to humans, is quite painful. The hairs on its back have barbs which can be painful to potential predators especially near the eyes and mouth. It is large, considered either the second or third largest arachnid in the world. The name comes from the soft pink hairs found on its leg. The body itself is a dark color. Males are generally more reddish in color.

Because it breeds so well in captivity, this is a common pet. Females lay as many as 2,000 eggs which are cocooned in a silk sac. The female guards the sac for several weeks until the young are hatched.

The species has not be assessed by the IUCN. However, it is native to the Atlantic forest of Brazil. This forest is highly endangered and logged extensively. Many conservation groups are attempting to preserve this critical habitat and such efforts can only help this species.