Unique Nature – Unique Nature Habitats

Category: Unique Nature

Looking From A Distance – The Alternative Approach To Elephant Experience That Started In Thailand

When it comes to an animal as majestic as the elephant that is in many occasions seen to interact with humans, carry them on their back or do their bidding, people often get quite convinced that it is totally okay to interact, rather interfere with these massive animals. As much as riding on an elephant back or taking a shower from water oozing out of their trunks or even trying to wash them seem interesting, in reality, these activities constrict the innate behaviors of the animals.

For quite some years now, there has been significant uproar from people who care for animal wellbeing in respect to approaching elephants and training them to do activities to please tourists. Besides, none can ignore the alarming fact of rising number of elephant poaching for the elusive (and costing a fortune!) ivories as well as body organs even in strict security. There is no doubt that banning ivory sale will aid in conserving the elephants but at the same time, it is a safer option for both the animals and the humans to keep distance from each other so as to not disturbing natural behavior.

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Elephant Sanctuaries In Thailand

Elephants being used for pleasure activities for the tourists and heavy-duty tasks are still very popular in Thailand and it would be hard to find a sanctuary where these animals are left in their desired habitat. The Chiang Rai Elephant Sanctuary, Elephant Valley Thailand has strict rule on letting elephants be elephants in their desirable habitat and teaching them to be elephants again by shedding off any trauma.

The five principles that this sanctuary abides by are –

Giving freedom from thirst and hunger by providing sufficient and ready access to potable water and healthy diet to keep them healthy and vigorous.
Giving freedom from discomfort by offering them proper environment where they feel at home.
Giving freedom from any injury, pain or disease with quick and thorough diagnosis, treating them of illness and injury and adopting proper handling techniques.
Giving them freedom of expressing their innate behavior by providing sufficient space to roam about (40 acres of forest and grassland habitat), company of other elephants and proper facilities to grow.
Giving them freedom from distress and fear of cruelty and dominance on the hands of human by ensuring sustainable conditions as well as rehab treatment where they can cope up with the mental trauma.

The Elephant Valley Project

Operational for over ten years in Cambodia, the Elephant Valley Project is a pioneering step in Thailand where the approach is towards no riding, no washing and no bathing of the national animal. In this process, humans have to keep distance from the elephants so that they do not do through the “Phajaan” process where these gentle and compassionate-minded animals are tortured with spearheads and trained rigorously against their natural behavior to be submissive to the tourists so that they can ride them according to schedule. Not only does the Phajaan breaks an elephant’s spirit but also sows a seed of fear from humans.

While being the largest sanctuary for captive elephants in Asia, Elephant Valley Project makes sure that the 1500 hectares of bamboo groves, grassland and forest in Elephant Valley Thailand is perfectly utilized by not more than 10 elephants so that they have ample space to explore.

From half day to full day visits, overnight experiences to volunteering programs, the sanctuary has many options to explore the world of elephants and that too with a personal guide who can narrate you the daily routine of the animals.
After health and safety briefing, where tourists are instructed to keep at least 25 meters of distance from the animals, tourists can see how the former riding and logging elephants are now roaming freely in the grassy paddocks and relaxes wherever they please.
Elephant castles are built where you can rest and these are the only sections where tourists might have the experience of being up close with the animals, only if the elephants decide to approach you.
Watch the elephants munch grass with all the time in the world, watch them roll over in mud without any direction from mahouts or frolicking people wanting to get photographed. Hear them trumpet in content as they dip into the pond without anyone scrubbing them and mahouts watching from distance. Watch them be inquisitive when you are in volunteering task, play at the washing area or kick a tyre.

Elephants are meant to live in the grasslands or jungles and not interact with humans unless they want to. They need to be left in their wild habitat to help them grow properly, arrange food in their natural way, take mud bath or splash water on their bodies, nurture their young ones, mate with another elephant and roam in herds –only to be watched in awe by humans, from distance. The Elephant Valley in Thailand knows the importance of supporting the natural growth of elephants and this alternative approach of watching elephants in their natural habitat is really commendable. One can only hope that more and more organizations address this issue and make the world a healthy place for these giants.

How Ban On Ivory Sales Can Save Diminishing Elephant Species?

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Do you remember seeing a stuffed tiger or
deer or the elephant head at a museum? Well, since ancient times, hunting was
the game that was enjoyed by aristocrats and royalty. They always wanted to
hunt bigger and faster mammals to show their heroism and the meat was
additional! The gradual shift happened, when animals were hunted for more than
meat and pleasure. It was about what could be done with their body parts and
skin!

In the savannah forests
that houses more than 1000 species of flora and fauna, elephants are the
biggest animals you can observe. Elephants were used by lots of people for transporting
heavy load and humans too. Did you know? They were also used as war machines in
ancient times! And then, they became the next target for the hunters.

Why Elephants Are Being Killed?

Since ancient times ivory has been a great
attraction for many people. Earlier ivory was only accessible to the elite and
aristocrats, but with the changing times, general people began to use and sell authentic
ivory based products.

The items that are produced from crafting
the ivory were then sold in the ivory trade market. The main exporters of the
elephant ivory were Asia and Africa. This market is very old and dates back to
the 15^th or 14 century BCE. After the colonization, the westerners realized
the significance of ivory and thus, began the ruthless hunting of elephants.

Elephant Poaching And Illegal Ivory Trade

The elephant killing rates became so high
that the species came to the brink of extinction. In the year of 1942, the
estimated population of African elephant was about 1.3 million and in 1989 it
was reduced to just 600,000. During that period the estimated worth of the
ivory trade was about $1 billion.

International conferences were discussed
but were largely ignored by the African government. Several solutions were sought
with the cooperation of CITES
(Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). During the earlier days CITES tried to
stop the flow of ivory from the African continent but were failed because of
the lack of cooperation from the government side.

How Stopping Ivory Sales Helps In Saving Elephants?

Well, the logic is quite simple! If there
is no demand, there will be no supply and vice versa. If there is no demand for
ivory, the sole purpose to kill the elephants does not exist. For achieving
this target, CITES along with several other organizations like WWF
and TRAFFIC has signed a convention with almost 173 countries banning all kinds
of ivory products.

These countries have to have to report the
number of seized ivory products to the CITES Secretariat.

Also, by closing the existing Chinese
and Japanese markets for ivory trade, CITES has achieved a huge milestone.
According to the organization most of the ivory products were made by the Chinese
and South Asian people. This will reduce the rate of the elephant being poached
for their tusks. These organizations are actively spreading awareness about the
poor condition of the elephant and encouraging for helping in stopping ivory
trade by not buying ivory related items.

In recent times, more countries have
joined the list of countries that have banned any sale of ivory in their
country. For example last year the United
Kingdom banned all forms of ivory trade in the
UK and in the United
States of America, the ivory trade ban has
caused some real damage to its traders and dealers.

We can say that a ban on ivory trade can
really save elephants from the hands of the poachers. People have to be aware
of the plight and poor conditions of these majestic creatures. They have to
understand that a tusk cannot be compared to the life of this amazing living
creature. We need to be a part of the process and support the global agencies
who are taking big steps towards saving the elephant.

The Exotic And Endangered Species Of The Rainforest

The rainforests are an abode of more than half the number of exotic and rare species in the world. These lush and green forests have conditions that are tremendously favourable to the growth of flora and fauna in the region. However, due to various reasons like destruction of forests, climatic changes, increasing population, pollution, hunting, fishing, etc. this once rich habitat now has several species on the brink of extinction.

Perhaps, it is important to note that most of these species have been endangered due to loss in their habitat and forest cover, indicative of the fact that the rainforest themselves have been under threat of endangerment.

There are several conservation organizations working towards the breeding and preservation of these endangered animals.

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A few examples of such rare and exotic endangered species are:

Gorilla

Perhaps one of the most endangered species in the world, these gentle and shy animals were once found extensively in the rainforest. These Gorillas found in the eastern lowland are completely herbivorous. About 80% of their population has gone extinct which is a huge cause of concern. Some of the major causes for their endangerment is habitat encroachment by humans and poaching for the purpose of making talismans, trophies, bush meat, etc. It has also been found that diseases caused by the virus ‘Ebola’ have been a huge reason for their dwindling numbers.

Bengal Tiger

These majestic animals are found in the Sundarbans Regions in India, Bangladesh and China. Extensively poached for their skin, hunting by humans is one of the leading causes for their endangered status. As their skin is extremely valuable, even the methods to hunt them are quite barbaric. Instead of shooting them, which could cause holes in their fur, their meat is poisoned which results in an agonizing and slow death. The governments of the countries that these tigers are native to have failed to implement effective measures to preserve this species.

Orangutan

These primates that live in dense tropical forests and are mainly found in Indonesia and Malaysia are eminent for having human-like features. Highly intelligent creatures with longhand and heavy bodies, they are critically endangered due to loss of habitat and the ongoing illegal exotic pet trade. Their population has declined by up to 80 % due to deforestation, poaching and hunting. It is estimated that less than 60,000 orangutans remain in their habitat. There have been continual conservation efforts to save the orangutan, that especially encompassing their programmes, the need to educate humans about the harmful consequences of domesticating primates.

Rhinoceros

This species is another example of an extremely vulnerable one, especially due to human greed and insatiability. Poached for their horns, the Javan and the Sumetran subspecies found in Asia are critically endangered. Recently, their subspecies was declared extinct in Vietnam. Due to undying conservation efforts, a rise in their population has been witnessed, especially with the one-horned rhinos in India, however, hunting activities still threaten their existence. It cannot be denied that a huge contributor to the decline in their number is also habitat loss due to human encroachment.

Explore Rare Species Of Animals In Boreal Forest

The boreal forest habitat, also known as the Taiga forest, is commonly found in parts of Russia, Canada, Alaska and northern parts of Europe. Its distinguishing characteristic is the presence of coniferous trees. Its climate is quite harsh with its temperatures ranging from cold to moderately warm during the summers. Even though the climate can be quite harsh for human settlement, the boreal forests of the world have experienced encroaching human activities that have threatened to disrupt their ecological balance.

This forest features a diverse range of animal species, from birds to mammals. Among these is a widely rare species of animals that you can only find within this forest.

Here are some of the rarest species inhabiting the boreal forest.

“Due to encroaching human activity in the boreal forests, these species have been declared locally extinct in some Canadian provinces.”

1. Boreal Woodland Caribou

The boreal woodland caribou is iconic to Canadians given its appearance on their 25-cent piece ever since 1926. These woodland caribous are the largest in the caribou family and are uniquely distinguished by their flat-beamed antlers. They are more widely dispersed than the normal barren ground caribous, and scarcely migrate with changing seasons. Due to encroaching human activity in the boreal forests, these species have been declared locally extinct in some Canadian provinces. As a result, the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada has labeled it as ‘threatened.’ (see Top 10 Endangered Animals in Arctic Tundra Region)

2. Grizzly Bear

The grizzly is an amazing sight to behold in this tree-filled habitat, with some being as large as 390kg. They mainly eat vegetation, small mammals, fish, and insects. In some boreal forests, they are predators to the moose, elk, and the reindeer. Grizzly bears have for a long time experienced conflict with humans because of human encroachment on their territory.

“Also known as the skunk bear.”

3. Wolverine

The wolverine is an omnivorous animal located in the boreal regions of Scandinavia, North America, and Siberia. Also known as the skunk bear, is is mainly a scavenger which can also prey on larger animals like deer or moose. It is of average length, with the males reaching lengths of 1m and the females reaching lengths of 0.8m. Due to its large nature and robust build, its only threat to survival comes from bears, wolves and humans.

“They are largely rare due to their small population worldwide.”

4. Siberian Tiger

The Siberian tiger is a member of the cat family and inhabits the boreal forests of Russia. They are largely rare due to their small population worldwide. For Siberian tigers to survive, they need to hunt large animals like elk, reindeer, and moose and in some cases boars. They also eat smaller prey like fish and rabbits whenever an opportunity presents itself. Siberian tigers have experienced challenging times. It has been over hunted, and at some point, there were only 50 such tigers in the boreal region of Russia. You can find other members of the cat family in savannah regions.

All of these animals have either been declared endangered or threatened at some point. If you visit the boreal forests in any part of the world, make sure to catch a glimpse of them because only time will tell if human beings will push them to the edge of extinction.

List Of Most Terrifying Deep Sea Animals

At the deepest depths of oceans and seas lie some of the most terrifying and diverse creatures that man has ever encountered. Surviving at these depths is unimaginable considering that water pressure here can be as high as 8 tons per square inch.

There are thousands of these deep sea creatures yet to be classified by scientists. However, what is known is that the deep sea can be very terrifying.

Here is a list of some of the exotic deep sea animals ever discovered.

Gulper Eel

Gulper eels are lengthy creatures with massive mouths. They live 3,000 meters below the surface and can grow to a length of almost 6 feet. They have massive mouths, and enlarging jaws enable it to swallow prey at once, regardless of their size. Due to its attraction to eating large objects, its mouth and stomach usually enlarge in order to accommodate them.

Big Red Jellyfish

The big red jellyfish is found in some of the deepest parts of the sea and can grow to over 1 meter in length. As their name suggests, these creatures are red and are massive when compared to the normal jellyfish.

It has some ‘arms’ which it uses to capture its prey.

Fangtooth Fish

This fish has some of the largest teeth in the fish family coupled with a terrifying look. Its body can measure up to 15 cm long thereby making its teeth disproportionally larger than its body. It has been located as far deep as 5,000 meters below the surface. However, apart from its terrifying look and fang-like teeth, the fangtooth fish is completely harmless to humans.

Giant Isopod

You can find these creatures at depths of 2,000 meters below the surface. They look like giant woodlice, given that they can grow to lengths above 30 cm. Giant isopods are generally scavengers; however, there are times when they prey on other sea creatures. One interesting observation about them is that they can go for almost four years without feeding.

Frilled Shark

These sharks usually live thousands of meters below the surface in the deepest corners of the Atlantic and the Pacific Ocean. It has on occasion been termed as a living fossil due to its appearance.

The frilled shark has three pointed teeth, making it a feared predator in the deep seas.

Megamouth Shark

This is one of the rarest discoveries in the deep seas. The intriguingly named megamouth was discovered in 1976 but has rarely been seen ever since then. As well as the huge size of its mouth, it can measure up to 5.5 meters long. Given its huge size, scientists are still wondering why it is hard to get a sighting of it.

Anglerfish

The anglerfish can be found 2,000 meters below the surface. It was named as the anglerfish due to the presence of a strange glowing protrusion on its head which serves to lure its prey. The most interesting fact about the anglerfish is its mating ritual. The male fuses with the female anglerfish while mating and dies in the process. It dissolves afterward, while still fused to the female, until the only remaining part is its gonads.

Vampire Squid

Vampire squids are actually some of the most docile creatures in the deep sea. They neither suck the blood out of their prey nor ink them. Its name is mainly derived from its bloodshot eyes and cloak-like webbing. However, its unconventional appearance can be quite terrifying.

Black Dragonfish

The black dragonfish lives 2 kms from the surface. It has razor sharp teeth and is capable of producing its own light. Interestingly, it usually starts its life at the surface of the water because its eggs are buoyant. With time, it becomes able to produce its own light and then descends to the dark parts of the deep sea where it can attract prey via one of its many light-producing photophores.

Goblin Shark

The goblin shark is another rare species with a few sightings and specimens. Its fearsome appearance and physical attributes give it leverage whenever it’s hunting for prey. It can sense prey with its prominent snout and pounce with its thin, razor-sharp teeth.

You can also check out other terrifying deep sea animals from the folks at list25.com.

Top 10 Endangered Animals In Arctic Tundra Region

The Arctic Circle is one of the chilliest regions to be found on Planet Earth. Most of us probably can’t imagine living in these regions, nor even taking a visit there. However, there are many animal species that have made the Tundra region home. They thrive in the rugged boreal forests and scavenge for food in the frozen desert, much like real desert animals (see more on amazing animal species in the Sahara Desert ). However, the effects of climate change and human interference have been enormous in this region.

Many animal species have lost places they once called home, thereby threatening the ecological balance of the region.

Here are the top 10 endangered animals in the Arctic Tundra region.

“The Arctic Fox is one of the most endearing animals in the Tundra region.”

1. The Arctic Fox

The Arctic Fox is one of the most endearing animals in the Tundra region. It can change its fur from a thick white to a short brown coat depending on the season. The Arctic Fox has been declining in numbers due to over hunting in some areas and the emergence of the large red fox in others. Finland, Norway, and Sweden are some of the areas where the dwindling population of Arctic foxes has been due to over hunting. The emergence of red foxes in their territory is mainly due to the diminishing ice. The red foxes have on occasion competed for the same food and on occasioni have been seen to kill their rival counterparts.

2. Polar Bears

Polar bears are increasingly becoming endangered species due to climate change. Polar bears have generally assimilated the use of pack ice in their livelihoods, from birth to hunting. However, the ice packs are slowly thawing away, and as a result, hunting for seals (a major food source) has been quite hard for these white furry creatures.

3. Prairie Pigeon

The prairie pigeon, also known as the Eskimo curlew, has been on the endangered animal list for a very long time. This shorebird nests in the Arctic region and periodically migrates, seasonally, to areas as far away as Argentina. Other sources have put the status of the Eskimo curlew as extinct because its last sighting was in 1996 in Manitoba, Canada.

4. Arctic Peregrine Falcon

The Arctic peregrine falcon was placed on the endangered list due to its dwindling population as a result of human interference and DDT. Falcons usually ingested DDT whenever they ate contaminated prey, which led to their eggs being fragile often breaking during incubation. This, together with the fact they were also hunted by humans, greatly depleted their population, thereby ushering them onto the endangered list. However, after the ban of DDT, their population has been increasing over the recent years.

5. Wood Bison

The wood bison was once a common occurrence in Alaska. However, this has changed with time. There are few sightings of the wood bison, and the only wild herds left are located at the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Centre. However, there have been concerted efforts to reintroduce wood bison back to their habitat.

6. Caribou

The caribou is an endangered species due to increased threats from oil and gas mining projects in the Tundra region, leading to loss of habitat, in part due to forest logging.

In some areas, the caribou also faces threats from poaching.

7. Narwhal

Just like other marine animals (see this article on Largest Groups of Coral Reef in the World), these whales are feared to be declining due to the increased threat from over hunting and climate change. They are hunted because their skin provides the much-needed vitamin C that the people in the Arctic regions need. Some have also been hunted because of their ivory tusks.

8. Musk Ox

The shaggy haired musk oxen have been inhabitants of the arctic region for thousands of years.

At one point, there existed only 500 musk oxen in the world. This was largely due to over hunting.However, their numbers have increased, and there are close to 40,000 species today.

9. Beluga Whale

These whales are at greater risks of extinction due to increased fossil fuel extraction activities in the Arctic region. As of 2012, the documented number of beluga whales was at 321. This is a drastic 75% decrease from its previous population a couple of decades earlier. This has prompted relevant authorities to list it as an endangered species.

“Just like the polar bear, the Pacific walrus depends on pack ice for its survival”

10. The Pacific Walrus

Just like the polar bear, the Pacific walrus depends on pack ice for its survival. Due to changing environmental conditions, this ice has been thawing at alarming levels. These pack ices were used as nurseries for their calves and as a ground where they obtained their clams from.

With disappearing ice, the survival of walruses is quickly becoming an extremely delicate issue.

Discover Largest Groups Of Coral Reef In The World

Oceans and seas around the world are inhabited by great life forms and fascinating attractions. One such attraction is the stunning coral reef. Coral reefs, just as the name suggests, are hard rock-like expansive structures made up of corals that have clustered together over time. Corals, which secrete calcium carbonate to give this rock-like structure and appearance, are small marine invertebrates. These ecosystems of the ocean can be likened to rainforests because of the biodiverse habitat they offer.

There are many coral reefs around the world with varying sizes. However, it is interesting to note that most of the world’s coral reefs are usually located in the tropics, and they are home to thousands of amazing marine species.

You might contrast the aquatic habitat with that of the Sahara Desert, and the species which have uniquely evolved to survive there.

Here are of 8 of the largest coral reefs in the world.

“This reef is home to more than 500 known fish species and thousands more unknown species.”

1. Saya De Malha Barrier Reefs

This is the biggest submerged barrier reef in the Indian Ocean. It connects the Seychelles and Mauritius islands and has an approximate area of 15,000 square miles. It is home to a diverse range of marine animals including the green turtle and the blue whales.

2. Belize Barrier Reef

The Belize barrier reef is one of the most beautiful and largest barrier reefs in the northern hemisphere. Not surprisingly, it was assigned the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. This reef is home to more than 500 known fish species and thousands more unknown species. Within the reef are coastal lagoons and a mangrove forest as well. Over the years, around 40% of the coral reef has experienced damage in one way or another, leading to concerted efforts by environmental organizations to safeguard its existence.

3. The Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System

The Mesoamerican barrier reef is one of the largest barrier reefs in the world and the largest in the Atlantic Ocean. It stretches for over 1000 km from the Yucatan Peninsula to Honduras. It has more than 500 fish species inhabiting it which include seahorses, butterfly fish, and sea fans. Also known as the Mayan reef, this barrier reef system has an assortment of fantastic flora and fauna and attracts thousands of tourists from around the world.

4. New Caledonia Barrier Reef

The New Caledonia barrier reef is one of the largest reefs in the South Pacific and among one of the most beautiful barrier reefs in the world. It also happens to be the second-largest double barrier reef. It is home to some of the most exquisite marine life ever discovered by man (approximately 1,000 fish species) and thousands more that are yet to be discovered. It is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. With a length of 1,500 km, the New Caledonia reef is a great example of Mother Nature at its best.

5. Red Sea Coral Reef

The Red Sea coral reef is 1,180 miles long and is located next to Egypt, Israel, and Djibouti. This amazing undersea world is approximately 5,000-7,000 years old according to documented records. It is also quite strong and is home to over 1,000 species of fish and 300 hard coral species with 10% of these exclusively found here.

This coral reef also happens to be the location of one of the most popular dive sites in the world, the Dahab Blue Hole.

“The Apo reef is the second largest barrier reef in the world.”

6. Apo Reef Philippines

The Apo reef is the second largest barrier reef in the world. It is surrounded by a mangrove forest and covers over 65,000 acres with a length of 13 miles. It is a beautiful spot with an array of blue and pink corals illuminating the blue water. It has a diverse ecosystem with a wide array of marine life such as trigger fish and sea turtles. It was also elevated to National Park status by the Philippines government.

7. Great Barrier Reef

The Great Barrier Reef is the largest barrier reef in the world with a length of 1,553 km. It is located off the coast of Queensland, Australia, and has over 3,000 reef systems. It is home to around 400 types of coral and it also incorporates hundreds of islands. This UNESCO World Heritage Site is a beautiful sight to behold, and it also happens to be the only coral reef in the list of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World.

Coral reefs are home to a variety of exotic animals much like any other forest region in the world. Their conservation translates to keeping these life forms safe and preserving their natural habitats.

Amazing Reptiles Inhabiting The Sahara Desert

To most people, desert regions are thought of as lifeless locations where nothing flourishes. There is nothing farther from the truth than this. Deserts usually have a diverse selection of life forms inhabiting it. As a matter of fact, creatures in the desert are an excellent example of the evolution of nature. Most of the animals inhabiting desert regions have adapted in one way or another to their surroundings, in very observable and unique ways, where animals in other climatic regions often appear to be ‘normal’. See more on exotic animal species of the savannah region.

The Sahara Desert is a great point of reference. Covering over 3 million square miles of sand, it is home to over 100 species of reptiles.

Read on to discover more on the most amazing reptiles that exist in the Sahara Desert.

“This scorpion is one of the most venomous in the world. “

1. Deathstalker Scorpion

This scorpion is one of the most venomous in the world. They are translucent in color, and their ephemeral and fragile looking appearance can make one assume that they are harmless. However, a single sting produces a cocktail of neurotoxins that can cause excruciating pain, respiratory failure, and eventual death. It’s also good to note that only the aged, young and infirm are at greater risk of dying from this scorpion’s sting. Healthy human adults can survive from a Deathstalker sting encounter according to the folks at Scorpion Worlds.

Due to the scorching heat of the Sahara Desert, these reptiles, which can really pack a punch, usually hide in burrows and small cracks. They come out at night to hunt, their main prey being beetles, spiders, and ants. They can also feed on other scorpions as well.

“They can be as long as two meters tall and have an average life span of 8 years.”

2. Monitor Lizard

This lizard has perfected the art of survival in the Sahara Desert. It’s venomous and aggressive especially when threatened during the cold seasons. They can be as long as two meters tall and have an average life span of 8 years. They usually become active during the day, and their perfectly adapted skin allows them to withstand the scorching heat of the Sahara throughout the day.

Due to its cold-blooded nature, the monitor lizard hibernates during the cold periods. It feeds enough to enable it to survive during its hibernation period thereby laying credence to its smart survival tactics. It mainly feeds on rodents, birds, eggs, fish or any other small mammal whenever opportunity strikes.

“These vipers usually feed on rodents, small mammals, birds, and lizards.”

3. The Horned Desert Viper

The horned desert viper is one of the deadliest creatures in the Sahara Desert. Its venom can kill its prey almost immediately. It is so-named due to its two protruding horns on its triangular-shaped head, making it easy to distinguish from other desert vipers. Its length varies from 20-35 cm, and they usually move by way of sidewinding through the desert sand, which means that they generally glide in a sideways direction across the terrain. These vipers usually feed on rodents, small mammals, birds, and lizards.

During hot days, they often bury themselves in the sand with their nostrils exposed. They use this same skill whenever they want to catch their prey.

4. Desert Crocodile

An interesting addition to this list is the desert crocodile. You might be wondering how a crocodile can survive in the desert when they are more commonly seen as earth-to-water reptiles. This is because, during the drought periods, crocodiles usually shift their location to burrows and caves located in the desert. Here they remain dormant and only reappear whenever the wet season kicks in again.

5. The Saw-Scaled Viper

Another snake that you don’t want to meet in a hurry, the saw-scaled viper might be small in size, but it too is dangerous and aggressive when attacked. It travels by way of sidewinding across the desert, and also has a lightning fast strike whenever it’s hunting for prey. You can easily distinguish it from other snakes based on the dark brown arrow shaped marking on its head. It mainly hunts during the night and feeds on rodents, lizards, toads, eggs and other small animals to be found in these dry conditions.

“They are widely considered as prey by many carnivorous reptiles in the Sahara Desert.”

6. Saharan Spiny-Tailed Lizard

The spiny-tailed lizard grows to up to 34 cm in size. They have a long tail with a spiny appearance, which not surprisingly gives it its name. These lizards are exclusively herbivorous and usually survive off the small vegetation available in the desert. They are widely considered as prey by many carnivorous reptiles in the Sahara Desert. Interestingly, these small lizards can have a lifespan of more than 20 years (if they avoid falling prey to other animals).

You might also like to check out this list of animals living in the Sahara prepared by WorldAtlas.

Get Acquainted With Exotic Animal Species Of The Savannah Regions

The savannah regions of the world are home to over 20,000 species of flora and fauna and are characterized as hot and dry areas. However, there are instances when it can get extremely wet in these regions. They are located in the lower latitudes and are usually bordered by grasslands and forests in parts of Africa, Australia, India, Madagascar, South America and the South East of Asia.

Due to its dry nature, animals in the savannah usually live on the brink of starvation and have to be more and more cunning with each passing day in order to survive.

Here is a list of some of the most exotic animal species in the Savannah region.

“They can weigh up to 315 kg and can measure 6-8 feet high.”

1. Greater Kudu

The greater kudu are some of the most magnificent creatures to roam the African Savannah. In some parts of the Savannah, they are considered as an endangered species. They can weigh up to 315 kg and can measure 6-8 feet high. From the first appearance, they might seem a bit clumsy; however, the opposite is quite true. They’re very swift, jump extraordinarily high, and can be a very tough catch for predators in the African Savannah. The males usually have spiral shaped horns which can grow to over 3 feet in some instances.

“It is one of the few mammals that lay eggs.”

2. The Short Beaked Echidna

The short beaked echidna is a monotreme located in the Australian Tropical Savannah. It is one of the few mammals that lay eggs, along with the well-known – if elusive – duck-billed platypus, and is the only one located in the southern part of Australia. It has a very distinctive snout and specialized tongue that helps it catch its predators. Its spines act as a protective mechanism whenever it senses the presence of predators within its vicinity. It does not like the hot weather and will swim if necessary.

“They’re some of the most efficient hunters in the African Savannah.”

3. The African Wild Dog

Just as their name suggests, the African wild dog is located in the savannah regions of Africa. You can be forgiven for thinking that they are rabid dogs. However, you can easily tell the difference in appearance because of their large rounded ears. These allow them to hear calls from far distances and are also important for temperature regulation and heat loss. They’re some of the most efficient hunters in the African Savannah and can reach speeds of up to 35 mph whenever they are chasing prey. They are also pack animals, with each pack being led by an alpha male.

4. The Flying Fox

Don’t let the name mislead you. The flying fox is a bat. However, they are larger than normal bats and are usually located in the savannah regions of Australia and Africa. Flying foxes are the silent animals of the savannah. They live in colonies and fly out at night to forage for nectar and at times fruits. They play a huge role in maintaining the savannah eco-system given their primary role as a pollinating agent. In some parts of Australia, they are endangered and are close to becoming extinct due to human conflict issues.

5. Lelwel Hartebeest

Just like the greater kudu, these hartebeests usually look bulky but are swift animals in reality – they can reach speeds of up to 43 mph! They too are an endangered species and have a long and narrow head. They usually live in herds, but their numbers are dependent on the amount of grass available in the savannah.

“They usually live in family units, and, being herbivorous, feast off shrubs, fruits, branches, and shoots.”

6. The Elephant

You can’t go through a list of the most exotic animals in the savannah without mentioning the elephant – the largest land mammal in the world Globally, there are an estimated 440,000 elephants left, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), due to poaching, and habitat loss in some cases. These endangered animals – not to mention icons of the African savannah, with their distinctive silhouettes – are a real marvel to sight. They usually live in family units, and, being herbivorous, feast off shrubs, fruits, branches, and shoots. The slightly smaller Indian elephant can be distinguished from its African cousin by observing its smaller ear size and the fact that its back is more convex in shape.

“The male lions always compete for superiority and territorial dominance, whereas the females always focus on survival.”

7. The Lion

Last, but by no means least, lions are referred to as the kings of the jungle in the African savannah and are social animals. The male lions always compete for superiority and territorial dominance, whereas the females always focus on survival.