Ranjan Ramchandani’s Post

Could you resist having a look in the cavity in this tree? For me delving into the nooks and crannies of trees an irresistible curiosity. You can find all kinds of special beasties lurking in them! Tree holes and cavities come in many shapes and sizes, from totally hollow or fissured trees to the gaps in or behind peeling bark. The creation of cavities is not a simple process and often takes many years to form – the one on this tree must have taken many many years! Most come from some sort of natural damage such as lightning strikes, wind damage, animal behaviour or human activity. Some of these holes are in sheltered areas and remain dry while others collect and hold water. This provides a wide range of niches for wildlife. Can you guess what beasties I found in this tree? #TOTW #tree #nature #wildlife #environment #explore #getoutside #freshair

I disagree with the sentiment in this post. Zoos and aquaria that follow animal welfare standards and conservation goals do more for wildlife conservation than sanctuaries or refuges, because they are actively encouraging the future sustainability of a species that otherwise would not survive. Accredited zoological establishments should not be unfairly conflated with tourist trap roadside zoos, which are unregulated, privately-funded, and are more likely to do more harm to wildlife than good, because they do not participate in the worldwide AZA network that works to conserve wildlife and uphold animal welfare standards. I understand the sentiment that “animals should be set free!” but the truth is that the loss of modern biodiversity would be so much larger if we didn’t have zoos to shelter the vulnerable species, where endangered animals have a chance to grow their numbers in protection from the risks that put them in danger of extinction in the first place. Accredited zoos are also important areas of education and professional development. People in general are more compelled to conserve wildlife if they are able to see and experience the wildlife for themselves, which they can do in the safety bounds of accredited zoos, without disturbing the delicate ecosystems that wildlife depends on. Then zoos offer work and volunteering opportunities to protect wildlife from a distance, for the same reason. There needs to be more understanding about the behind-the-scenes work that AZA-accredited zoological establishments do, that put the focus on the bigger picture of wildlife conservation and animal welfare standards, instead of the morality of keeping a living thing in captivity, because regardless of how we feel about it, wildlife is constantly under threat of extinction, and accredited zoos/aquaria are our best chance to conserve them for future generations. Association of Zoos and Aquariums

Is that a T-Rex perched on this native Prairie Dock? Net exactly, but the Eastern Kingbird's latin name is Tyrannus tyrannus. The latin word "Tyrannus" translates to "tyrant, despot, or king," reflecting the assertive behavior Kingbirds display towards each other and other species. When safeguarding their nests, they fearlessly confront larger predators such as hawks, crows, and squirrels. Good for them. While not currently a species at risk, Eastern Kingbird populations have been in decline since the 1970's and scientists aren't sure exactly why. What we do know is that the Kingbird requires habitat with lots of flying insects and spaces to perch. A hunting Kingbird puts on quite a show, catching flying insects midair and either swallowing them while airborne or taking the larger insects back to their perch, which they will beat into submission before consuming them whole. Planting tall natives like Prairie Dock, Cup Plant and Green Headed Coneflower are a great way to provide habitat for both insects and the Eastern Kingbirds. #Birds #NorthernWildflowers #NativePlants #Conservation #Wildlife #Garden #Nature

**Maned Wolf – A Fascinating Creature**The maned wolf, scientifically known as *Chrysocyon brachyurus*, is a unique and fascinating animal that is often mistaken for a wolf. Despite its name, the maned wolf is not actually a wolf, but the only species in its genus, *Chrysocyon*. With its long legs and reddish coat, it looks like a blend of a fox and a wolf, but it’s truly one of a kind. Native to the grasslands and open spaces of South America, primarily in Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Bolivia, the maned wolf’s long legs are an adaptation for moving swiftly through tall grass, making it a skilled hunter. It primarily feeds on small mammals, insects, birds, and surprisingly, a large portion of its diet consists of fruit! What makes the maned wolf particularly interesting is its solitary behavior. Unlike many other wild canids, maned wolves usually live alone, hunting and defending their territory on their own.The maned wolf plays a crucial role in its ecosystem, but its habitat is threatened by agricultural expansion and habitat destruction. Conservation efforts are underway to protect this remarkable animal and the environments it depends on. Have you ever heard of the maned wolf? It’s a creature that truly deserves more recognition for its beauty and its vital role in nature! 🌿🦊

#NaturalLawOfWastedEffort Never ever give up and the Natural Law of wasted efforts... Do you know that lions only succeed in a quarter of their hunting attempts — which means they fail in 75% of their attempts and succeed in only 25% of them? Despite this small percentage shared by most predators, they don't despair in their pursuit and hunting attempts. The main reason for this is not because of hunger as some might think but it is the understanding of the “Law of Wasted Efforts” that has been instinctively built into animals, a law in which nature is governed. Half of the eggs of fishes are eaten... half of the baby bears die before puberty... most of the world's rains fall in oceans... and most of the seeds of trees are eaten by birds. Scientists have found that animals, trees, and other forces of nature are more receptive to the law of "wasted efforts". Only humans think that the lack of success in a few attempts is a failure... but the truth is that: we only fail when we "stop trying". Success is not to have a life free of pitfalls and falls... but success is to walk over your mistakes and go beyond every stage where your efforts were wasted looking forward to the next stage. If there is a word that summarizes this world, it will simply be: continue all over again. Be Inspired and keep trying... We can achieve anything in life... Never ever give up... Keep trying

Once abundant around San Francisco Bay, the Ridgway’s Rail — formerly known as the California Clapper Rail — is now endangered. In the 19th Century, unregulated hunting plundered the species. In the 20th Century, rampant development reduced salt marsh habitat by 85%. But in the 21st Century, the Ridgway’s Rail has allies. Restoration is under way to increase healthy saltmarsh habitat for these endangered birds. Also, efforts to control the number of predatory cats are improving the chances for the Ridgway’s Rail to survive. https://lnkd.in/gbnJ6b72

Let's get to know the #warthogs ................. ".... Warthogs live in #Africa, in a variety of habitats including grasslands, savannas, woodlands, and semi-deserts. Warthogs make their homes in abandoned burrows. They usually back into the burrow, so they can use their sharp tusks to scare off any #animal that bothers them. Burrows also protect them from temperature extremes. Here are some of the warthog's specialties: #Adaptability: Warthogs are skilled at adapting to new threats. For example, if they live in an area where people hunt them, they switch to foraging at night. #Speed: Warthogs can run up to 30 miles (48 kilometers) per hour. They use their speed to escape predators like #lions, #leopards, #cheetahs, #crocodiles, wild #dogs, and #hyenas. Defense: When threatened, warthogs will attack with their sharp lower tusks, which can measure 6 inches (15 centimeters) long. They will also squeal at the top of their lungs. #Thermoregulation: Warthogs lack both protection from the sun and insulation from cold. They sleep and rest in holes dug by other animals, like aardvarks, and sometimes fill the holes with grass for warmth. They also wallow in mud to cope with #hightemperatures and huddle together to cope with low temperatures. Digging: Warthogs can dig their own burrows, but they often occupy abandoned burrows of aardvarks and other animals. They commonly reverse into burrows, with their head facing the opening and ready to burst out if necessary." (Internet source) #wildanimals #wildlife #Africa #nature #natgeo Video credit goes out to the respective owners

We're all familiar with the red fox and their iconic red coat, black stockings, and white-tipped tail. 🦊 But did you know that red foxes can also display a variety of colors in the wild? The term "silver fox" applies to more than your recently divorced grocery store crush. While red is the most common coat color, individuals can range from light orange to deep auburn red to frosted black. Their white tail tip is also a distinguishing feature of this species. Not to be confused with selectively bred coat colors and patterns seen in the cruel and inhumane fur industry, these natural variations occur due to genetic diversity within red fox populations and can be influenced by geographic location and environmental conditions. Nature's beauty and diversity are remarkable and worth protecting. Through #CaptureCoexistence, contributors like Debra Herst offer us glimpses into the unique world of wild animals through their cameras, fostering compassion and awe. Unfortunately, foxes are often misunderstood and persecuted through recreational hunting and wildlife killing contests. Killing wild carnivores is unnecessary for "population control" — like most wild carnivores, foxes naturally self-regulate their populations without human interference. Additionally, they provide essential services to our shared ecosystems. This makes coexistence, rather than lethal and unscientific "management," all the more important. 🐾 Nature photographers: Join Capture Coexistence today and sign our petition supporting an end to wildlife killing contests nationwide: https://lnkd.in/gircbqYF 📷 Debra Herst, #CaptureCoexistence Contributor

🎯 Facts, A spoiler alert 🎯 . Majority of us, perhaps even some conservationist have this common misconception about #Vultures. One may think that these bald headed chaps solely rely on kills/remnants of predators such as lions, leopards among others. It's actually not the case. Most times these predators eat almost everything from their hunt. Moreover, the parts that may remain (usually tough and fibrous-less nutritive) may not be suitable for various vulture species with exception of the Lappet faced vulture. So how exactly do vultures find their food? What do they even eat? Well, At least you know about the wet and dry season. How do these influence ungulate mortality? Basically an end of a dry season is one of the happiest moments for an African/Uganda vulture. Here, You just cant miss siting fledglings. #Conservation #Sustainability

Excellent action shot, capturing Amos in mid-stride. The short depth of field and photo angle give a unique perspective of his life among the working forest.