African Crested Porcupine

Species: African Crested Porcupine
Habitat: Sub-Sahara Africa
Status: Least Concern  
DAK Locale: Tree of Life Trails

The crested porcupine is the largest rodent in Africa. As such, it is very adaptable, being found in nearly any type of habitat on the continent. The only exceptions being the most humid jungle and the hottest part of the desert.  Due to its adaptability, it is strong in numbers while many of the species that share its habitat are endangered. It is also found in North Africa and Sicily.
African Crested Porcupine from Disney's Animal Kingdom

The word porcupine stems from the Latin phrase, "quill pig." Like all porcupines, the crested variety has quills and big ones at that. Depending on where its located on its body, the quill ranges from 1 inch to 12 inches in length. Contrary to some belief, the porcupine cannot "shoot" its quills. Instead, when attacked the quills are easily detached staying in the would be predator, an effective defense. Often, if intimidation doesn't work to scare off a lion or hyena, the animal will charge backwards at its predator. Scales on the tips of the quills makes them difficult to remove after they get stuck. Quills essentially being a form of hair, will grow back.

The  animal is most common in the hilly, rocky countryside of Africa. They tend to use roots and rocks as shelter in the broken areas. Their preferred food includes roots, tubers and fruit. They have been known damage crops. For that reason, they are often killed on sight by farmers.

Ring-tailed Lemur

Species: Ring-tailed Lemur
Habitat: Deciduous Forests of Madagascar
Status: Near Threatened
DAK Locale: Discovery Island

Ring-tailed lemurs are easily the most recognizable type of lemur. Lemurs are primitive primates which evolved isolated from other primates on the island of Madagascar in eastern Africa. Of the various species, the ring-taileds are some of the most widespread ranging from temperate forests to dry scrub lands.

These lemurs are very sociable living in large groups of up to 30 animals. It is female dominant, which is common among the sociable kinds of lemurs. Bonding usually occurs in the form of sunbathing, with the whole group huddle together soaking in the rays and warming up. They sit upright with its thinner hair facing the the sun. It can be comical site at the Animal Kingdom. They are also territorial with scent markings used to mark the boundaries. It is also an incredibly vocal primate with a wide range of calls described by biologists.

They are opportunistic omnivores. Fruits and leaves make up the majority of its diet. However, it will eat insects and small vertebrates (birds and reptiles). During the dry season, it relies more on meat.

The animal is native throughout southern Madagascar. It can be found in all kinds of habitats from humid forests, montane forests and dry scrub lands. It is listed as Near Threatened, mostly due to habitat destruction. It is estimated that over 90% of the original forests of the island are now gone. It is a very common zoo species. It is quite popular thanks to television programs, and reproduces well in captivity. Those factors make it a flagship species even though there are more endangered types of lemurs.

Springbok

Species: Springbok
Status: Least Concern
Habitat: Dry Plains of Southern Africa
DAK Locale: Kilimanjaro Safari

Springbok were a national symbol in South Africa and were often used as mascots for teams in that area. It's the symbol of South African airlines, it appears on the reverse side of the Krugerrand, and is the name of the national rugby team. Much of that has changed since the end of apartheid, but it still appears nationally in some forms. It is very plentiful, numbering about 2.5 million individuals in South Africa alone. The antelope is also plentiful in Namibia and Botswana.

In appearance, springboks look much like Thompson's gazelles, although slightly larger with more elaborately twisted horns. The animal is well known for one particular display called pronking. It is a display that apparently shows nervousness perhaps indicating to nearby predators that they have been spotted. It is also used by males to show strength. When pronking, the antelope leaps stiff-legged into the air.

Bachelor males and females form herds. These groups are separated by territorial males who control the groups of females in their area. Once weaned, females continue to stay in their mother's herd. Males join bachelor groups.

Springboks are a common prey for lions, leopards, and hyena. They are also hunted by cheetahs, jackals and caracals. The springbok is doing fairly well and is considered to have an expanding population.

Bald Eagle

Species: Bald Eagle  
Habitat: North American Waterways
Status: Least Concern
DAK Locale: Flights of Wonder

 Bald Eagles are called bald, not because their white heads appear "hairless", but from the old English word for white. It is the only eagle confined to North America. It is easily recognizable by its white head. Males and females are similar in appearance with the male being larger than females. Juveniles are mostly brown with flecks of white, and are often confused with Golden Eagles who share some the same western habitat.

Bald Eagles are fish or sea eagles. As such, they generally live along waterways like rivers and lakes. For the most part, they eat mostly fish. Using their incredible vision, they will swoop close to the water, extending huge talons into the water, grabbing their prey. The large yellow beak is ideal for tearing into the fish. Eagles are not limited to fresh caught fish. They can be seen eating carrion especially during winter months when much of the water is frozen over. They also mate for life and use the same nests for years.

DDT was a popular pesticide up until the 1980s. The chemical would get into the water and concentrate in the fish. Eagles eating the fish would suffer severe consequences, most particularly weakened egg shells. This led to a rapid decline of the species which was declared endangered in 1967. By 1995, it was still endangered in 43 of the lower 48 states even though the use of DDT had long since stopped. However, in 2007, the numbers of the species increased enough for it to be removed from the Endangered Species list. It is still protected by the Migratory Bird Treaty Act and the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act. Its biggest stronghold is still Alaska and Western Canada where salmon are quite common. In those areas, the numbers of Bald Eagles eclipse 100,000 birds.

The Animal Kingdom has only one Bald Eagle, Hope. Hope was injured and is unable to fly, but you can still see here during the Flights of Wonder show at the Caravan Stage.

Scarlet Macaw

Species: Scarlet Macaw
Status: Least Concern
Habitat: Tropical Evergreen Forests of South America
DAK Locale: Oasis

The Scarlet macaw is wide ranging, being found from southern Mexico to the Brazilian Amazon basin. It has suffered locally, through habitat destruction and the pet trade, and is considered extinct in certain parts of its historical range. It is still fairly common in much of its range and is considered not endangered as a species.

The macaw is vibrantly colored. Although scarlet feathers make up most of the body, there is green, blue and yellow colors, as well. Tails on scarlet macaws are larger than most species of parrots. Its skin is white and visible on face. The bill is two toned, pale on top and black on the bottom. In the wild, they can live to be 40 or 50 years. In captivity, they can reach ages in excess of 70 years.

Typically, the birds are seen in pairs, and indeed, they will mate for life. However, in certain parts of their range, large numbers of birds will gather at clay licks. They eat nuts, fruits and seeds. Their large powerful bills are designed crack open especially hard seeds.

They are loud birds, with their calls being heard for miles in the jungle. It is the method of communication in the dense jungles they call home. They are common in the tropical forests and open woodlands in their range.

Asian Small Clawed Otter

Species: Asian Small Clawed Otter
Habitat: Asian Wetlands/Mangrove Forests
Status: Near Threatened
DAK Locale: Discovery Island

 Asian small clawed otters are the smallest of the 13 otter species found through out the world. Like most otters, they have dark brown fur covering their bodies, except for a white patch on the throat. They have an outer layering of water repellent "guard" hairs on top of a layer of soft, insulating fur.

These species of otters are different from all others in that they only have partial webbing on their feet. This means they can use their claws to capture prey and bring it on shore. They use their "hands" to probe the mud for shellfish and other prey. They have been known to grabs clams and leave them ashore to dry, which makes them easier to crack open. Small clawed otters also have strong teeth, keen eyesight and whiskers that can pick up movement in muddy waters. One favorite type of prey is the crayfish which cause problems for rice farmers. Some rice farmers have taken to training otters to live in their rice fields to keep down the population of the crayfish.

Females dominate the groups, which are called lodges. Most lodges have up to a dozen animals. Lodges are essentially family groups made up of a mated pair and their young. Older pups will stay for some time helping raise their younger siblings. The fathers are partners in raising the young which is not true for all otter species. Asian small clawed otters are the most vocal of the otter species with numerous calls being identified by researchers.
 
Asian small clawed otters are listed as near threatened. The wild population has declined from poaching, pollution, and, most importantly, habitat loss. The wetland are being replaced with tea and coffee plantations. This in turn causes pollution which is killing off the fish populations. The animal is hunted for its pelts as well as its organs which are considered medicinal locally.

White Cheeked Gibbon

Species: White Cheeked Gibbon
Habitat: Subtropical Forest    
Status: Endangered
DAK Locale: Asia

Of all primates, the gibbon species (or lesser apes) are the only true brachiators. That is, they can swing through the trees at enormous speed by swinging hand over hand through the trees. Their arms are noticeably long, much longer than their legs, which gives them an awkward appearance on the rare instance they walk instead of swing. As apes, gibbons do not have tails. In fact, they are often called a monkey by passing guests but they are incorrect. The gibbon is an ape.

The white cheeked gibbon is sexually dimorphic in that the boys look a lot different than the girls. In the case of this species of a gibbon, males are black with some white fur on the face. Females are tawny or blondish in coloration. The females also have a black tuft on top of their heads. The species is monogamous. Breeding pairs form close bounds and typically spend long periods of time perhaps their entire adult lives together.

Gibbons are also loud. In the thick southern Asian jungle, it is difficult to see but loud calls can echo for miles. The white cheeked gibbons range of vocalizations are some of the most complex amongst primates. Males and females typically have different calls from each other. Many times the mated pairs call together are the most distinctive of the species.

The white-cheeked gibbon is critically endangered. Deforestation and poaching in its native habitat of Vietnam, Laos and southern China have taken a toll on the species. In fact, it is believed the animal is actually extinct in China.

Iguanodon

Species: Iguanodon
Habitat: Europe
Status: Extinct
DAK Locale: Dinoland

The Iguanodon in the early Cretaceous Period, which was approximately 125 millions years ago. It was first discovered in England in 1822 by Gideon Mantell. It was the second dinosaur to receive a formal name by scientists. The first being the Megalasauros. Since then, numerous fossils have been uncovered with related species being found in North America and China, as well. As such, it is one of the best understood and studied dinosaurs. Even its footprints have been found repeatedly in Europe.

One excavation uncovered thirty fossils in Belgium. At first, it was felt this meant that the Iguanodon was a herding animal. However, it appears that this find did not represent one catastrophe. In any event, most do believe that they at least lived in small groups if not large herds.

The animal was a herbivore, or plant eater, and a big one. One fossil found was that of a animal over 30 feet tall. It likely weighed as much a three and a half tons. The dinosaur had a beak not unlike that of a turtle which allowed it to break off vegetation. It had a hinged upper jaw that allowed it to grind the upper jaw with the lower jaw. Hence, it was one of the first dinosaurs that could chew. Other dinosaurs and all reptiles cannot chew.

The most distinctive feature of the animal was the thumb, which stood straight out like a spike. It is not exactly known why the animal had an inflexible spike for a thumb. Most believe it was a defensive mechanism. Basically, the Iguanodon had a built in knife to fend off predators. Others believe it was also used to break into seeds and nuts. The rest of the hand was also unusual in that the middle three fingers were bound together with skin. The little finger was flexible allowing it to grasp food. It could rear up on two legs (perhaps to ward off predators or reach food) but likely most often walked on all fours.

American Crocodile

Species: American Crocodile  
Habitat: Coastal, Swamps, Mangroves
Status: Vulnerable
DAK Locale: Dinoland

The American Crocodile is found throughout South America, the Caribbean and north into southern Florida, where it is often confused with the more populous (at least in Florida) alligator. At first glance, they appear quite similar and are indeed closely related. The alligator's snout is wider and the teeth from the lower jaw cannot be seen when the mouth is closed. Of course, most people don't want to get close enough to find that out. To that end, the crocodile is more likely to attack humans that its gator cousin. There are other differences, as well. Alligators are much better suited to the cold and if you see a crocodilian in Orlando its likely a gator.

Crocodiles, however, due much better in saltwater. It is this ability to adapt to the salinity of the water that has allowed the American Crocodile to colonize much larger areas than the alligator. They are found throughout the Caribbean with large populations in Cuba and Jamaica. They found across Mexico and Central America into the Pacific coastal areas. They are also found along the northern portions of South America. The crocodile also grows at a faster rate with some animals surpassing 20 feet in length.

Crocodilians as a whole are advanced for a reptile. For starters, they have four chambered hearts. They are also one of the few kinds of reptiles that care for its young. Mothers build nests and then protect them from predators such as snakes and raccoons. Even after the young are born, the mother stays close by the protect her babies, which is unheard of in other kinds of reptiles. The nests are elaborately built by the mothers to keep the eggs warm and protected. After birth, the mother will carry its babies in its mouth to the water so her young can hunt. She will stay close by the protect them for weeks, answering distress calls with ferocity.

The American Crocodile is endangered in parts of its range, but generally, it is making a comeback. In the United States, in 2007, the species was downgraded from endangered to threatened. Still, it is illegal to harass or hunt the animal under its current classification. Historically, the animal was hunted for its hide as well as meat, and in certain areas it has felt the loss of its habitat.

to contact Safari Mike use Twitter: @JamboEveryone

Yeti

Species: Yeti
Habitat: Mountains/Valleys of Nepal & Tibet
Status: Presumed Endangered
DAK Location: Expedition: Everest

The Yeti, often referred to in folklore and stories as the abominable snowman, can be found in the mountainous valleys of Nepal and Tibet. The animal’s name comes from a tibetan word, yeh-teh, meaning “rock bear.” Despite the name, the yeti is not related to the bear but is instead a primate. In fact, it is the largest primate, outweighing a male silverback by 50%. Also, unlike other primates except man, it walks upright.

We know very little about this elusive creature as it lives in one of the most remote, least populated regions of the planet. It was years before the first westerner actually saw one. Similar to the mountain gorilla and okapi of the Congo, western science presumed the creature to be myth even though the local populace was well aware of its existence. One of the first westerners to see evidence of the animal was Lt. Col. Charles Howard-Bay in a trek to the region sponsored by the Royal Geographical Society. He saw only the tracks of the yeti. As thrill seekers from abroad continued to visit the area’s impressive mountains, more tracks were spotted. In 1953, Sir Edmond Hillary spotted footprints while climbing Everest. Shortly thereafter, another trip sponsored by the RGS actually spotted the creature at about 15,000 feet. The imposing mountains continue to draw climbers and visitors, but encounters still are rare.

The reasons for the rarity of these encounters stems from fact that the creature is rare in number and lives exclusively in a remote area. The population is limited by the amount of food in its local habitat. As is typical in many primates, the creatures have large canines for demonstration purposes. They are mostly vegetarians but will occasionally eat carrion or small animals. To date, there have been no substantiated attacks on humans although there have been reports of the creature destroying property.

The primates generally live in the dense valley vegetation. When visual encounters do occur, the creature is usually attempting to cross mountain passages to get to the next valley. Still, the animal is often not seen. One defense mechanism of the creature is to crouch down and remain perfectly still. To snow leopards and mountain climbers, the yeti will look exactly like a large rock in the distance. There are many local tales of people walking along a mountain pass only to see a “boulder” leap up and run away.

As one would suspect, the yeti plays a key role in the mythology of the region. In some local cultures, the yeti is believed to be the ghost of someone who has recently died. Other cultures see the yeti as a demon who guards the mountains from trespassers. This, of course, contradicts recent studies showing the creature to be a vegetarian. For the longest time, the gorilla suffered from this misconception, as well.

Confrontations between man and yeti have been very rare. As people continue to travel to the area, these will invariably increase. In all likelihood, there is nothing to fear from the animals despite their reputation as demonic protectors of the Himalayans, even though they seem to have a strange dislike for trains…

to contact Safari Mike use Twitter: @JamboEveryone