Species of the week: Reindeer

Species of the week:
Reindeer(Rangifer tarandus)

1. Reindeer are also known as caribou in North America.They can be found in Arctic and Subarctic regions.
2. Both sexes grow antlers which is unusual for deer species.
3. Males are usually larger than females, with males growing to 180-215cm in height and weighing up to 320kg. Females grow up from 160-205 cm and weight 80-120kg.
4. Reindeer feed mostly on lichen but have been known to feed on grass and short tree leaves.
5. Reindeer mating occurs from late September until early November. 
6. Males fight with each other for dominion over females, with the dominant male forming a harem of females.
7. Calves are born early May to June. One calf is usual for reindeer.
8. Some reindeer have been known to undergo extreme migration for the winter. Reindeer in North America migrate up to 5 000km south in search for food.
9. Reindeer have been domesticated by humans, especially the Native American tribes.
10. Reindeer are considered to be of "Least Concern" by the IUCN list,

Shooting for conservation

This is a subject that I have to say I have done a lot of research on. The concept that some animals are hunted to provide money for conservation is one that I see as having great potential only if managed right. So let's try and see the argument on both sides.

Firstly hunting can bring in a lot of money. Hunters are willing to pay great amounts for the opportunity to shoot animals. Not only that but usually there are other cash flows to it as well. For example a group of hunters that will go to shoot a lion will not just pay for a tag but also for a place to stay and a guide. Their stay there will also bring more money to the local communities and hence improve the lives of the local.

The money obtained from the hunting can be put into good use by tackling some of the conservation issues that come from the local community. For example instead of poaching, with legal hunting the local communities may make enough money from the hunters in order for them to stop poaching off the local wildlife. In addition to that problematic animals may be targeted for a hunt, which could make the life of the locals a lot easier and reduce the general hate for specific animals. For example targeting elephants that trample crops could bring in money for the locals as well as allowing for the crops to recover and the locals to make some money.

The problem however with this is that the money don't always end up in the right hands. Organizations dedicated for the protection of specific species may never end up seeing a penny of that money due to the fact that most hunting and trapping is regulated by governments. What is even worse is the fact that some of the money that might end up in local communities due to the hunters, may instead end up in the hands of corrupted governments. Although this does not happen in all the instances, corruption may be something that may or may not be present.

Apart from that, hunting for conservation is not applicable to all species. Many species that need conserving are not prized hunt trophies and hence is a strategy that cannot be maintained for all instances. Although people will pay hundreds of thousands to shoot a black rhinoceros,, very few if any will pay to shoot a red panda. This is often a mentality common enough among hunters. The larger, more elusive and dangerous an animal is then the more its worth to shoot. What is more, conservation is already hindered by the “value” that some animals have and “selling” endangered animal tags will only add to this misguided notion that everything in nature should be judged by value.

Last but not least, some endangered animals really cannot afford losing some members of their population. It may be that governments consider this but it may be that they don't. Even if the a population is viable after certain members have been hunted, biology is getting increasingly complex in regards to genetic,behavior and interactions. By killing off that one animal, the social cohesion of a group of animals may be damaged beyond repair. By killing another, territories may shift resulting to conflict and animals being removed from their territories. What is more several animals may genetically hold the key to a species survival and unknowingly have lost their lives to the idea of hunters hunting to gather money for conservation.

In my opinion hunting for conservation is not something that is easily applicable. It is a great idea in thought but should require proper scientific backing before being suggested. With biology gaining more and more levels of complexity, hunting even one of these animals that is endangered, can lead to irreversible mistakes that would properly not even be worth the money. 

Species of the week: Snow leopard

Species of the week:
Snow leopard(Pantheria uncia)

1. They are found in the alpine areas of Central Asia, in altitudes of 3350 to 6700 metres.
2. They weigh around 27-55kg and stand about 60-70 cm tall.
3. Snow leopards cannot roar. They vocalize by hisses, meows, growlings,wailing and chuffing.
4. They lead a solitary life but mothers are often seen staying with their cubs for an extensive time.
5. They are extremely territory. They live in territories from 12 km2 to 40 km2.
6. Their densities depend on prey availability. If prey is scarce then less animals will be around.
7. Their favorite prey is the blue sheep(Pseudois nayaur) and they are often found around these animals.
8. Snow leopards mate during late winter with a gestation period that lasts 90-100 days.
9. One to five cubs can be born but usually around 2 cubs are born from each female.
10. Snow leopards are deemed "Endangered"by the IUCN. Their main threats are retaliation killings for depredation on lifestock, loss of prey and the poaching.

Species of the Week: Lion

Species of the week:
Lion(Panthera leo)

1. It is a big cat that can only be found in Africa and Asia.
2. It is the only cat that displays obvious sexual dimorphism. The male has a rich mane around its head while the females lack this mane.
3. Male lions also weigh more, with them weighing around 150-250 kg while females weigh 120-185kg.
4. Lions spend most of their inactive resting. This takes about 20 hours of the day.
5. During the remaining four, they socialize, hunt or mark their territory.
6. A group of lions is called a "pride" and usually consists of five or six females and one to two males.
7. Some lions however group up in pairs and are nomadic in nature.
8. The female lions are the ones that do the hunting. They encircle their prey and attack. These hunts are often short as the lions either snap their victim's neck or drag it down and then snap their neck. The males usually stay behind to protect the young.
9. Lions mate at anytime of the year and gestation period lasts about 110 days. Females give birth to up to four cubs.
10. Lion populations are declining worldwide due to human conflict, habitat loss, diseases and inbreeding. Certain subspecies are declining faster than others. The lion is listed as "Vulnerable" in the IUCN species list. 

Species of the week:Tasmanian Devil

Species of the week:
Tasmanian Devil(Sarcophilus harrissi)

1. The Tasmanian Devil can only be currently found in the Tasmania although its previous range included Australia.
2. It is a carnivorous marsupial, the size of a cat or a small dog and it is the largest extant marsupial.
3. It is generally a nocturnal, crepuscular hunter.
4. They are not territorial creatures but the females are considered to be territorial around their dens.
5. It feeds mostly on carrion but when it hunts it usually favors wombat. However its diet varies depending on location and prey availability.
6. Although the devils are a solitary animal they spend their time eating socially. They alert other devils in the area with calls to gather and eat together.
7. They are considered fully grown at around 2 years old and can live up to 5 years old.
8. Breeding period is around February to June.
9. Gestation lasts around 21 days and around 20-30 young are born although around only 40% of the pups survive maturity.
10. The biggest threat to the Tasmanian Devil is the facial tumors that are contagious. They spread when the animals bite each other on the face due to social behavior. The tumors are aggressive and will almost always kill the animal. 

Species of the week:Noble false Widow

Species of the week:
Noble False Widow(Steatoda nobilis)

1. Although the Noble False Widow is naitive to the Canary Islands and Madeira, it has spread all over Europe.
2. It has creamy colours and often a shape similar to a skull can be seen on its adbomen. Its size ranges from 7-14mm.
3. The females are the largest with 9-14mm and the males are smaller with 7-11mm.
4. They are opportunistic eaters and will eat any invertebrate.
5. They live around 1-2 years with females living more than males.
6. They produce white, spherical eggs which hatch around 2-4 months with the number of eggs depending on food supply.
7. Their web is particularly interesting in the fact that is spreads from a refuge(usually a hole or a dark spot) and has a particularly strong silk.
8. Although they are venomous, they have mid effects on humans with it's bite effects similar to those of a bee or a wasp.
9. Only adult spiders are capable of biting humans and their bites are purely defensive.
10. The Noble false widow colives with humans and can often been found in gargabe piles, garages, sheds etc.

Species of the week: Common Vampire Bat

Hello everyone,

I hope you had a happy Halloween and a happy Dia de los Muertos. In the theme of the holidays here is the species of the week: The common vampire bat(Desmondus rotundus).

1. It's range is spread across South America and Mexico.
2. It is the most common bat in southeastern Brazil.
3. They prefer warm and humid environments and will share their roosts with other species of bats although they seem to dominate the roosts.
4. They feed primarily on mammalian blood, preferring domesticated stock over wild animals.
5. They will often mark their host with urine and return to it on consecutive nights.
6. They protect their host and will not let other bats feeds off it unless if it's a mother and her offspring.
7. Female bats are larger than male bats.
8. They reproduce all year around although mating seems to peak during raining season.
9. Gestation period lasts 7 months and one offspring is born per pregnancy.
10. Bats in harems form strong social bonds and rely on them to survive as they share food, raise each others offspring and  participate in mutual grooming.

Conservation misconceptions

Today I want to talk to you about some popular misconceptions people have in regards to conservation. Like any sort of topic, conservation has also fallen victim to some popular misunderstanding by the general public and I here I am trying to analyse why some of these are wrong or how they have been misinterpreted.

IUCN Red List: The International Union for Conservation of Nature is the international body that judges a species status and gives it a rating from “Least Concern”all the way to “Extinct”. However as said the Red List is international and judges a species' distribution, ecology and population. This can lead to a misconception that an animal that is listed “Least Concern”is not actually endangered in a particular area. A vivid example is the wolf in the United States. The population there was deemed as endangered exactly because there were not a lot of there around in the United States. Internationally the wolf is not actually endangered, with populations of the tens of thousands in Russia and Canada. This is one of the most classic cases of misconception regarding different bodies and organizations of conservation.

Conservationists don't kill animals: This is unfortunately not true. As much as conservation organizations would love not to hurt animals, a lot of animals are killed every years in the name of conservation. Whether it is grey squirrels trapped and killed in order to help the red squirrels recover or whether it is invasive species killed or predators culled,killing does occur in conservation. It is however done humanely and with the greater good in mind. Invasive species are removed because they damage the environments, predators are killed to give endangered prey animals a temporary relief of pressure and so forth. The decision to kill animals is not one that comes easy and often there is a lot of debate and scientific investigation before a decree is issued. If you have any doubt on whether particular animals are shot in the name of conservation, then I urge you to research the subject as certain organization use the “greater good”excuse to push their own agendas.

Reintroduction are done in secret, with different animals than the ones that used to be here: Another common misconception is that conservationists go around reintroducing species in secret of the public. Although reintroduction sites and other records may remain secret to protect the best interest of the animals, there will never be the case of animals being reintroduced in a habitat without the people being aware of it. This will put animals and humans in danger especially if the animals are predators. There should be several legal issues on the reintroduced animals so as the money and time of the organizations involved won't go to waste if the animals are killed. In addition to that conservationists do not reinforce a current population without approval for the government etc. It costs money, time and a lot of lobbying and you have to remember that conservation organization not only do they have the greater good of nature in their mind but also care about humans. Animals that are different that the native ones are also a misconception as different animals may affect the environment differently. Animals are being reintroduced to maintain or restore a particular balance of an ecosystem. By reintroducing the wrong type of animals may mean that particular niches are not filled, other animals may be harmed and the balance may be skewed completely.

These and other misconceptions that I will try and analyse on another article are what is hampering particular conservation efforts or making others worse. I recommend keeping in mind that conservationists not only do they want the good of the environment but also the people so think twice before believing everything you have been told.

Is Scotlad ready for the lynx?

Most people these days agree that Scotland needs an apex predator. Deer need controlling and the ecosystem needs a predator. I have already discussed the possibility of a wolf reintroduction but now with the Lynx Trust UK filling an application to begin a lynx reintroduction into the Scottish Highlands I would like to cover the issue of a potential lynx return.

The Eurasian Lynx is the candidate considered for reintroduction in the Scottish Highlands and it is a medium size cat. It mostly feeds on ungulates,unlike other lynx, so it could potentially make a good candidate for Scotland. It will potentially help the landscape recover by moving deer herds around which would reduce the pressure from the plants hence allowing the landscape to recover. This is one of the main arguments used by re-wilding fans through however the lynx has a few added benefits to its side.

Firstly lynx are usually very elusive animals. It is very unlikely that people hiking across the wilderness will come across a lynx and extremely unlikely that they will feel threatened by a lynx. This is good in regards to public image as the lynx does not bear a ferocious reputation as the wolf or bears do. Hence the general public is more likely to be more accepting of a lynx roaming the Highlands than any other predator. An additional bonus to this is the fact that lynx reintroduction can be very low profile hence people are unlikely to hear or see the lynx much. This will allow the lynx to expand it's range quietly and without much turmoil. The lynx is generally an animal that is accepted more by farmers and ranchers than wolves or bears so very little opposition will be met in reintroducing in.

Secondly lynx may aid in wildcat protection. The Scottish wildcat is under threat by habitat loss but it's greatest threat is hybridization with feral cats. Lynx has been documented to kill feral cats which could help boost the genetic purity of wildcats. However it is not documented how wildcats will react although other wildcat species seem to coexist with lynx. There are no observations on what effect the lynx will have in the red squirrel efforts although lynx are recorded to prey on squirrels if they can. In addition to that we don't know what effect they will have on pine martens or American minks. It is easy to assume positive effects but caution should be noted. Just because lynx coexisted with native animals in the past does not mean that they will do so again.

However lynx reintroduction will not without it's disadvantages. There will be livestock depredation and although it will not be in big numbers(due to the lynx solitary nature it will not take many livestock) it will probably make reintroducing other carnivores really hard. In addition to that due to the close proximity of towns and villages to natural habitats it may be possible to see the lynx slowly moving into rural areas and maybe even urban environments(although highly unlikely) and hence potentially becoming a pest. The most likely scenario of this is that lynx may venture into villages or towns every once in a while and eat from garbage or attack pets but it is highly unlikely that it will escalate to something bigger due to the shy nature of the lynx.

Overall with proper monitoring, scientific effort and the right support, lynx reintroduction can happen and should happen. It is a species that will not produce much political turmoil and might set the stage for further re-wilding and it is time that a “practice what you preach” action is actually done.

Species of the Week: Peregrine Falcon

Species of the week:
Peregrine Falcon(Falco peregrinus)

1. They are found in all the continents with different subspecies inhabiting different areas.
2. The Peregrine Falcon has a wingspan of 70-120 cm with the female being larger than the male.
3. These falcons are bird eaters feeding mostly on medium sized birds that they take out.
4. In they wild they can live up to 15 and a half years old with their mortality decreasing as they age.
5. They mostly hunt during dusk and dawn with their patterns switching to nocturnal depending on location and migration periods.
6. The Peregrine Falcon mates for life with courtship rituals involving airborne acrobatics.
7. The egg laying season varies depending on hemispheres with February-March in the Northern and July-August and Southern.
8. The eggs are incubated with 29-33 days by the couple defending the nest from predators.
9. The Peregrine Falcon reaches speed of 320km/h when diving to attack prey.
10. The Peregrine Falcon was victim to the DDT pesticide accumulation during the 1950s-1970s but currently bounced back to IUCN "Least Concern" with some subspecies still in trouble.

Species of the Week:Bobcat

Species of the week:
Bobcat(Lynx rufus)

1. Bobcats are a North American feline found in most of Canada,Mexico and the United States.
2. It has a distinctive set of black bars on its forelegs and a stubby tail that is often black-tipped.
3. Bobcat diet varies depending on location although they prefer rabbits and hare.
4. Bobcats are solitary and territorial animals.
5. The longest living wild bobcat has been recorded to live up to 16 years although bobcats usually live from 5-10 years.
6. Bobcats mating seasons usually occur from February until March although this might change depending on location.
7. Gestation period lasts around 60-70 days and about one to six kittens are born, with the normal being around two to four kittens.
8. Kittens leave their mother usually after the Fall of their first year.
9. Bobcat territory varies according to population density and the location but IUCN has found the territory to be from 0.052 km2 to 330 km2)
10. Bobcats are deemed as "Least Concern"by the IUCN although some populations are declining at certain areas.

Species of the week:Ethiopian wolf

Species of the week:
Ethiopian wolf(Canis simensis)

1. The Ethiopian wolf's range is limited to the Ethiopian Highlands.
2. It prefers open spaces with grassland or shrublands.
3. The Ethiopian wolf is build very similarly to the North American coyote.
4. It forms packs of up to 20 although more commonly packs contain 6-8 individuals.
5. They mate around August-November, producing litters of about 2-6 pups.
6. Packs usually have a territory of about 6 km2.
7. They have a very specific diet, feeding only on Afroalpine rodents.
8. Ethiopian wolves hunt or forage for prey alone. They usually pounce on their prey and will dig to collapse tunnels of mole rats.
9. The wolf's population is estimated to be about 360-440 individuals and it is considered the world's rarest canid.
10. The Ethiopian wolf is considered Endangered by the IUCN due to habitat loss, disease, prosecution and hybridization with dogs.

A wrong cause

A few weeks ago I wrote an article about why you should research the organisations you support and why it is crucial to apply critical thinking and investigating your organisation before you start supporting them. In this article I plan to expand a little bit on causes. People tend to take up causes that although seem to be well intended might end up screwing up with others plans other organisations have in place for the benefit of others. I am talking about wildlife of course and in particular animals.

Conservation has it's dark moments. Not only does it seem like it's a war that seems to be lost with so many defeats and very few victories(depending on where you stand) but working for conservation you might have to be involved with a task that few are happy about. Culling. Culling is basically the act of killing animals in order to thin out their numbers. It is often done to make sure that some animals don't overpopulate, to remove invasive species, to stop a disease from spreading, to prevent inbreeding(this is quite questionable) and to relieve other species from the pressure the culled species might be inflicting on them. For example it is common practice to cull predators in a habitat where a particular prey is considered endangered. As is natural, an animal loving public will protest to the “unjust” killing of these animals and it is true that although it is highly unlikely that an individual animal has done anything to blame, for conservationists they have to go. A recent example of this is the attempt to protect whatever Scottish wildcats(felis silvestris grampia)are left in the wild. One of the methods that this is done with is with the culling of feral cats(with which the wildcats hybridise and also the feral cats spread diseases to the wildcats). The public however was not happy to hear that game keepers will be going around trapping feral cats and killing them. Protests from certain people and specific groups occurred and now plans have changed to neuter and vaccinate the feral cats. Although unknown to me as to whether these plans were already in motion or if they changed from culling to neutering which it is to my opinion a more costly and harmful approach. Another example is the removal of grey squirrels(Sciurus carolinesis) from Scotland and ultimately from the U.K in general in order to allow red squirrels(Sciurus vulgaris) to thrive. Public outcries about the grey squirrel have died out as people realize the necessity of removing them.

If you are going to advocate for certain animals or certain animal rights then make sure you read up on all the facts. The animal may be cute, may be majestic but in the end it might be that it's harming the ecosystem a lot more. However make sure you do your research well. Groups with agendas will often misinform the public by being selective on what they quote and publish(see my previous article). It is often a good practise to contact both sides and then deciding. If you decide for example that grey squirrels shouldn't be killed because of the mistakes humans made then that's fine. Human morals vary after all. Just make sure you are not misled and used for other agendas.

Species of the week:African Wild Dog

Species of the week:
African Wild Dog(Lycaon pictus)

1. It is the second largest canid in the world, the first being the grey wolf(Canis lupus).
2. They are carnivores with their diet usually revolving around medium to large ungulates depending on the region.
3. About 80% of African Wild Dog hunts end in kills.
4. African Wild Dogs live in large packs where each member takes on different roles such as pup sitters and hunters.
5. They can mate anytime of the year but prefer mating during the second half of raining season which is around March till June.
6. They give birth from 2-19 pups but the average is around 10 pups per litter.
7. Gestation period lasts from 65-75 days.
8. Pups leave the den and ran with the pack at about 3 months old.
9. The African wild dogs have an unusual behavior in the sense that females disperse from the pack rather than males as it is often observed in social animals.
10. Habitat loss,poaching, competitions from hyenas and lions, a need for large territories and outbreak of diseases have caused the African wild dog to be regarded as "Threatened"by the IUCN

Species of the week:Eurasian Blackcap

Species of the week:
Eurasian Blackcap(Sylvia atricapilla)

1. The Blackcap is part of the warbler family. It is widespread and can be found in most of Europe. Northwest Africa and Western Asia.
2. They lay about 4-6 eggs and which hatch in about 11 days.
3. The male holds a territory which it defends from other Blackcaps.
4. It's favorite habitat its deciduous woodland and scrubland depending on the location.
5. It's diet consists of small fruits and small insects.
6. Although it's generally grey the blackcap has distinct male and female plumage and a distinct black cap on it's head.
7. Although mostly monogamous both sexes have been observed deviating from this.
8. Blackcaps have evolved to spot alien eggs in their clutch making it hard for Cuckoo birds to mimic their eggs.
9. They are partial migrants meaning that they will only relocate from the colder areas to warmer areas within their own range.
10. It is considered a delicacy in European countries in which it is trapped. Despite it's "Least Concern"status the trapping practices are a nightmare for conservation as seen here.

It's a trap

It's Autumn. A season which can be considered an important one in wildlife terms. Bird migrations occur, animals prepare or enter hibernation and for most animals this will be the season where they leave their parents' nest. Today I want to focus on a particular wildlife threatening "custom"that occurs in the Mediterranean and sadly enough is dominant in my home country Cyprus. Illegal bird trapping. In this article I will try and raise awareness of what problems this illegal trapping is causing and dispel some of the myths that people use to justify their trapping.

Blackcap or "Ambelopoullia"as they are called in Cyprus are a small bird that uses the Mediterranean as a migration route. They are considered a delicacy for the locals and a small plate of 12 birds can cost around 60-80 Euros to buy. They are trapped by the use of mist nets, which are laid across tree areas(much like nets used to catch birds for ringing) or the use of lime sticks. Lime sticks are sticks prepared with either industrial glue or an organic glue made from the gum that comes from a specific tree. The glue is laid on the sticks which are placed in between tree branches. The birds sit on the sticks are are stuck their, often suffering a slow, torturous death.

Many organizations are trying to stop the practice and the European Union has prohibited the practice from it's country members. Despite it's cruel nature of trapping the birds,it is not bird welfare that is the first thing that is troubling about this particular practise. Conservationists are against this method because it's non selective. The birds that are caught in the nets or on the limesticks are either killed by the poacher or die from stress. Due to the Mediterranean being a major migration route for a lot of different birds it means that all sorts of bird species are in danger of being caught in this poaching activity. Pictures from conservation and activist organizations show endangered birds meeting an unjustified death. This is one of the problems that people tend to neglect. Locals refuse to understand what non selective trapping can do. It is impossible to estimate the damage done to the endangered bird species or in fact all the bird species and because of its illegal nature it means that either all sorts of birds are sold as blackcaps(reports of robins and other small birds processed and eaten is all too common) or the corpses discarded, buried or feed to other animals. So data is hard to come by but BirdLifeCyprus estimates that about 2.5 million birds are killed every year in two trapping seasons. About 152 species are caught, 78 of those are considered endangered. And these numbers are concerning Cyprus. The practise occurs in Malta, Italy and Spain as well as other regions of the Mediterranean. So imagine the numbers adding up.

Another sad misconception is that the practise is legal. It is not. Although through lax laws and law enforcement in the past the practise was all but illegal, EU Directive2009/147/EC has prohibited such practise. It is a black market industry that has been estimated to an overall turn around profit of 15 million euros a year. Many of the big time poachers are either part of the organized crime or working for it. Thus the money are often used to fund organized crime activity. Small time poachers are usually the ones that make mistakes that allow to their capture while big time poachers often evade the law. Not only that but the fine is often around 600-800 euros which is nothing compared to the thousands of euros that can be made by trapping in one season. So although the fine might discourage some it will unlikely made a dent in those seasoned enough to comprehend the fact that the fine is nothing but a minor setback at best. A little known fact is the loss of approximately 40 million euros each year in the tourist industry. Countries such as Cyprus which are a major migratory route for birds, are often visited by keen bird watchers. These bird watchers are usually repulsed by the trapping and hence choose not to visit and in fact will also very likely spread the word, harming the country's tourist industry. Not only but even regular tourists are disgusted by the idea and hence either leave the country and never visit or refrain from visiting at certain times.

Overall non selective bird trapping can be combated. With local knowledge as well as an active anti-poaching task-force from the government the poachers may be arrested. However it is up to locals to stop supporting restaurants that serve blackcaps, report any activities and shun the so called “tradition”of eating blackcaps and in the end stop supporting the industry all together. Only then, when the trappers realise that no profit can be made will the illegal trapping actually stop and the bird migrations will occur undisturbed. 

Species of the week:Common Raven

Species of the week:
Common Raven(Corvus corax)

1. The common Raven is found all across the northern Hemisphere and it's considered the most widespread corvid species.
2. It has an omnivorous diet, mostly scavenging depending on the region.
3. They have a wingspan of about 100-150 cm and weight from 0.69 to 2kg.
4. Ravens tend to nest for life with the same partner on the same region.
5. Breeding pairs obtain their own territory first and then begin nest building. They will defend their territory fiercely.
6. Eggs are laid in late February and chick fledge about 10-15 days after the eggs are laid.  
7. The chicks will stay with their parents for about 6 months before moving on.
8. Ravens have about 15-30 different vocalizations recorded.
9. Ravens seem to posses an ability for problem solving,insight and imitation. They appear to have identified wolf howls and often follow wolves to kills in order to scavenge.
10. Ravens are one of the few animals to make their own toys as it has been observed that they break twigs to make their own toys.

Species of the week: Bald Eagle

Species of the week:
Bald Eagle(Haliaeetus leucocephalus)

1. The Bald Eagle is a species of sea eagle only found in North America
2. A Bald eagle is a carnivore whose main diet is fish. However it is an opportunist and will eat small mammals or carcasses.
3. It weighs anything from 3 to 7 kilograms and has an average wingspan of around 2 meters.
4. Female Bald Eagles are larger than male Bald Eagles by about 25% .
5. The Bald Eagle can be found is any sort of wetland habitat across North America. 
6. Bald Eagles live until around the age of 20 years old and are sexually mature around the age of 4-5 years old.
7. They start building nests in mid February and the eggs are laid late February. Incubation starts until mid April to early May where the young hatch.
8. One to three eggs are usually seen in a Bald Eagle's nest although the common number is two eggs. In half the nests observed, two fledglings are observed.
9. The white plumage that is characteristic of the Bald Eagle does not appear until the fourth year in the eagle's lifespan.
10. The Bald Eagle is listed as "Least Concern"by the IUCN.

Species of the Week: Red Fox

Species of the Week:
Red Fox(Vulpes vulpes)

1. It is the largest species of foxes.
2. It can be found everywhere in the Northern Hemisphere.
3. Due to human expansion the red fox has now been introduced in places such as Australia.
4. Northern foxes tend to be larger and more brightly colored than subspecies living in southern areas.
5. There are a variety of fur mutations in red foxes meaning that not all red foxes will have the characteristic red fur.(See picture below)
6. Red foxes reproduced in spring and only reproduce once a year.
7. The litter will range from four to six kits.
8. Red foxes live around 5-7 years in the wild but in captivity have been recorded to live up to 15 years.
9. Red foxes are omnivores with a diet and behavior that depends on season and location. They can actively hunt but also scavenge for food and will eat just about anything.
10. Red fox family groups tend to share joint territories depending on food availability.
    

Species of the Week: Barn Owl

Species of the Week:
Barn Owl(Tyto alba)

1. The overall length of a Barn owl is 25-50 cm and it's wingspan can be from 70-110cm.
2. It can be found all across the globe with the exception of polar and desert regions and some areas in Asia.
3. It can be found in farmlands and grasslands with some intermingled woodland in between. It prefers hunting at the edge of the forest.
4. They mostly feed on small vertebrates, preferring rodents.
5. Although most wild Barn Owls only live to be about 2-4 years old, in captivity the maximum lifespan has been 20 years old.
6. In colder parts of their range, Barn owls breed in late March to early April while in warmer parts, breeding can occur at any time.
7. About four to seven eggs are born and usually a clutch is laid every year.
8. The mother stays in her nest while the father provides food for both her and the hatchlings.
9. Barn owls hunt using their sense of hearing through which they can pinpoint a rodent. Then they quickly and silently fly towards it favoring an ambush approach.
10. Despite it's conservation status being "Least Concern"there are many subspecies of barn owls that are under local threats due to habitat loss, pesticide use and predation by invasive species.

Species of the Week: Red Wolf

Species of the Week:
Red Wolf(Canis rufus)
  

1. The red wolf is a different species from the gray wolf(Canis lupus). It has been confirmed both genetically and morphologically.
2. Red wolves can only be found in the North American continent.
3. Male red wolves are slightly larger than females wolves.
4. Red wolves are smaller than grey wolves, resembling a mid point animal between grey wolf and a coyote.
5. Red wolves come in heat once a year. They give birth to about five pups to a litter and become sexually active after their second year.
6. It is estimated that only 300 red wolves remain in the world. Of them about 100 are thought to be wild. The rest are in captivity.
7. Wild red wolves are only found in Northeast Carolina.
8. Red wolves  can be confused with coyotes and shot. In fact in North Carolina's hunting season 2013, 3 red wolves were shot as they were thought to be coyotes.
9. Red wolves do not form large packs as grey wolves might do. Instead they form a mating pair or a very small family pack.
10. Red wolves are mostly nocturnal and are shy and elusive animals.

Wildlife Tourism

Wildlife tourism is a good way to get to experience nature without going to zoos. It offers a more immersible experience with nature and it's a chance to watch all sorts of local fauna and flora as well as observe behaviours that you might not observe in the wild. On the other hand it's a wild card, never knowing if you are going to get what you want and when you want it. Due to it being summer time and prime vacation time I want to talk to you about whether or not you should practise wildlife tourism.

First things first wildlife tourism supports the animals in their natural habitats. As in any other industry, animals that attract tourists build an industry around them. Hotels and shops are built to cater for the tourists as well as make a profit from them(which doesn't mean it's bad. It is a business, it needs to make profit). These hotels,hostels, wildlife tour guides and all the relevant businesses that build up from wildlife tourism all depend on tourists being present in the area, spending time in the area and more importantly spending money. By visiting these areas not only do you get to visit scenery and watch animals but you are also supporting local businesses. These businesses in turn might advocate for conservation or against plans that could potentially ruin their business. For example: With recent events regarding the wolf removal from the endangered species list and the opening of hunting seasons a lot of people are worried about their business. They are worried that if too many wolves are seen shot, trapped or dead that the public will refrain from visiting and not only that, if wolf numbers decline and the visibility of animals is decreased then the public will probably shift their attention to a place where visibility is still high and hence local businesses will suffer.

Secondly it's an experience that is multi layered. What I mean is that it's not just a trip to the zoo, look at the animals and go. Odds are that when you go on vacation you visit a place with a specific purpose in mind. Whether that is to spot a rare bird, catch a glimpse of a bear or tick off the Big Five, anyone that goes off to visit a country for wildlife will have something they would like to see. However as I said above you won't see just that. By taking a Jeep for a safari to go watch lions you also appreciate the local fauna and flora and something else might catch your interest while you are there. In these areas, smaller animals and interesting plants are often neglected in favour of large mammals that are often rarer to watch. However on the ride/hike there and on the waiting time for the animals to show up, nature will intrigue you or your family. A small rustle in the bushes, a raptor flying up high or small mammal peaking or running away from you are experiences you won't get anywhere else. For that experience alone wildlife tourism is worth it. If you went tiger watching but your eye caught a glimpse of a beautiful bird, you might ask your guide about it and find out that the bird is rare and endangered. Bits and pieces of knowledge will flow through you and at the end, what first started as a tiger watch became an overall appreciation for the habitat and the residents there. This is what I enjoy about wildlife tourism. You learn and appreciate the habitat and observe different animals apart from the ones you came to see and learn more about them.

It's not a guaranteed experience however. Depending on where you are going, what you want to watch and the time of the year you have to understand that animals can be elusive. Just because you are visiting a National Park or a Reserve does not mean you will actually see the animals you want to see. Usually the locals tend to know what you want and hence will take you to the favourable spots that you can find the animals you seek. However depending on a lot of factors you might spend your holiday not even catching a glimpse of the animal you wish to see. So my advise will be to do some research first. Find all the hotspots, best seasons to visit and good rated guides for hire. All of these will increase your chance of seeing what you visited to see. However it is better off that you don't raise your expectations too high. Pick a location you can visit but don't spend all your time chasing the animal around. Plan your holiday to include other activities. Try and combine a few animals in one trip. If they are in the same environment you are likely to encounter animals that you might have missed before. One example is people visiting Yellowstone National Park. People who go wolf watching have often glimpsed on grizzlies, mountain lions,mouse, elk and all the fauna of Yellowstone in search for wolves. In a twist you might not see wolves until you decide to go watch grizzles and wolves might appear. It is a natural habitat, nothing sets up scenes for you and a lot of the encounters with wild animals often happen when no one is expecting it. So prepare a series of outings, do your research and hopefully you will see what you went there to see.

It takes time. Wildlife holidays have to have a long span. You can visit a reserve in three days for example, however you might want to maximise the experience due to the elusive nature of animals. Usually , depending on the visibility of animals, a wildlife holiday lasts about two weeks to a month unless you happen to be a local in which case you can arrange for a weekend and always return whenever you can. But for people who travel halfway through the globe to see animals then maximizing your trip is important to getting the experience you would like. In addition to that it is really rare that animals will appear on the spot you are watching on the clock. You will probably have to wait some time and be patient in order for you to see animals.

It takes effort. There will be a lot of moving around either with a car or hiking. People who have been on such trips will often tell you that when an animal is spotted it goes on the radio and you have to dash around to go see it. More often than not, wild animals are seen in the early morning or the late afternoon and even at night time so be be prepared to lose sleep and be exhausted by the end of the trip.

There are currently very few studies to see how wildlife tourism actually affects wild animals. Do they become habituated to humans? Do boats, even when they keep their distance, stress animals out? Although most tourists will try to minimize their impact on the habitat they are visiting, we are learning new things about how nature works every day. It could be very likely that at one point on we find that the whales we have been watching all these years are more and more stressed due to our activities. Some forms of wildlife tourism such as dolphin swimming or fish feeding have been under criticism by scientists by causing disturbance and/or habituating animals to human presence which could create problems. In fact some shark attacks on divers are thought to have occurred by sharks who have been fed by previous diving groups and hence became used to human contact and presence.

Overall however a wildlife holiday is a great experience. Not only does it support local businesses and a sector of the tourism that could advocate for conservation but it also provides experiences often lost while gazing at animals at the zoo. It makes you appreciate a habitat and teaches you things you never knew. So long as you respect the habitat and the animals living there you should enjoy them as much as possible and learn everything you can.

Species of the week:Ribbon Eel

Species of the week:
Ribbon Eel(Rhinomuraena quaesita)

1. The Ribbon can be found in the Indo-pacific Ocean
2. It is highly sought after in aquariums due to it's beautiful colors and it's face.
3. Males are blue with yellow dorsal fins while females are yellow with white dorsal fins and a black anal fin.
4. It can grow up to 1m.
5. It can live up to 20 years old
6. Ribbon eels can change their sex during their lifetime to balance out the male-female ration in the population of the region.
7. Ribbon eels are carnivores and are ambush predators. They hide in rocks and sand,striking when fish or shrimp swim by.
8. Ribbon eels are not territorial and will often share caves.
9. They can be found in lagoons or seaward reefs.
10. Their leaflike nostril flaps sense underwater vibrations.

Species of the Week: Cyprus Wheater

Species of the Week:
Cyprus Wheatear(Denathe cypriaca):

1) This bird is 14-15 cm longs.

2)It is an insectivorous bird.

3)It only breeds in the island of Cyprus.

4)Their favorite habitat is woodland with some open ground and high vegetation.

5) A Cyprus Wheater's call sounds like a short sequence of buzzing insects.

6)It lays about 3-4 eggs with a 13 day incubation period and 13-15 days of nesting period.

7)Cyprus Wheatear lacks distinct sexual dimorphism with females being duller than males.

8)It's a migratory bird, prefering southern Sudan and Ethiopia when wintering

9)It is listed in IUCN as "Least Concern"but the status could change to Vulnerable due to habitat destruction, unique breeding location and threats of trapping.

10)It uses perch-pounce and aerail sallying as feeding tacticts.

Species of the Week:Eurasian Lynx

Species of the Week:
Eurasian Lynx(Lynx lynx):

1)It is found in  Europe,Siberia, East and South Asia.

2)It is distinctive from other cats due to it's short tail and long legs.

3) Despite it being listed as "Least Concern"in the IUCN there have been efforts to reintroduce the lynx in areas of Europe and there are other areas where the lynx is protected.

4)Their mating season is from January to April.

5)Gestation lasts from 67 to 74 days and one to four kittens may be born.

6)Their hunting territory is from 40 to 250 km².

7)Their prey ranges from small to large mammals and birds. Usually smaller mammals are preferred when wolves and other larger predators are around.

8) Eurasian Lynx is a very elusive animal that is rarely seen due to its silent walking, keen senses and the fact that it actively avoids humans.

9)The longest  a lynx has lived in twenty one years in captivity. The maximum age in the wild is unknown due to their elusive nature however lynx reach sexual maturity around the age of two or three so it is estimated that they live around ten to fifteen years.

10)The Lynx Trust UK has submitted a proposal for the lynx reintroduction to Scotland earlier this year. Should the reintroduction be green-lit the United Kingdom will have lynx roaming the wilderness after around 750 years.

Supporting the right people

Advocating for conservation is not an easy job. Everyone can tell you that. In fact studying any conservation biology modules or degrees can be downright depressing. Sometimes it feels like for every good thing that happens, three more bad things occur. It feels bleak, grim and sometimes soul crushing. But these people give their everything for every inch of ground gained against those who don't care about the environment. Is it always the case though? Be careful which organizations you support, where you work or volunteer and where your funding goes. Today I will tell you why you should be careful.

Firstly conservation organizations have goals in mind. Without goals there is no point in having them around, and although it might seem that they are working for the greater good of the environment some of these organizations have secret agendas that they pursue. For example, apart from some extreme organizations, an organizations won't call itself “the organization for killing wolves and slaughtering cougars and bears”. Instead it will choose to call it itself “the balanced nature organization”and advocate for predator culls and eradication claiming that the predator population is harming the rest of the ecosystem. Most organization like that often are under disguise and their motives should be questioned.

Although most of these “organizations” have been subjected to scrutiny and may have had their real motives known to the world, there are still those who might mislead people into supporting them. If possible take some time and do some research before choosing to support a local conservation organization.

In addition to motives, actions speak louder. Before choosing to volunteer or donate money to a conservation organization observe them a bit. How active are they? Have their actions had some sort of impact? Have the money you are giving them produced some result? Usually donations are in packs of a monthly or yearly donation. Do you feel that the money you are giving them produce an equivalent amount of work? Remember you are donating an organization who coincides with your ideals or does work that you believe is right. If an organization has 10 000 members that donate around $30 a year but the organization does nothing but organize a fund raiser and is not even present in the conservation front line then maybe its time to change your donations. Be careful though. Your organization may not win the battles it is fighting. It is often the problem with conservation, that people are fighting a losing battle but every inch saved is a small victory. Sometimes grand victories will be won but more often than not conservation is about a collection of small victories that matter. So if your preferred organization is out there everyday, attending conferences, participating in research, fighting legislation and getting involved but the government refuses to listen to them then it might not have been their actions that prompt the government to ignore them. Internet is your best ally at this point. Use a search engine and find out what your organization has been up to and what have they done in the past. Here are few bullet points that in my opinion can give you a broader perspective about the groups that you support:

• How long have they been set up? Through age you know that there will be a record of the group's actions
• How often are they mentioned? With age comes exposure. The younger the group the less exposure will be around. If an organization is young but is mentioned in news articles constantly it means they are driven which is usually good. If they are an old organization and not mentioned then that they might not be as driven.
• Observe the website. The news section, the networking and the design usually points to a well structured organization.
• Ask around. Don't be afraid to email them asking for actions taken and why you should support them. If they are driven or care they will reply to you with information. Further more look around in different forums and read what other people say.

In regards to volunteering, then things are often easier to distinguish. By entering an organization you join a circle. That circle may be small and limited to your coworkers but you learn things. While you are there you will hear conversations, you will hear viewpoints and if you don't agree with what they are saying then get out. If you support any sort of organization with your time and effort and don't feel good doing it then there is hardly any point of volunteering there. Be careful of what you support as well while volunteering there. Know your organizations objectives, ideas and viewpoints and covey them whenever you can. If you think you are doing doesn't agree with you then stop volunteering there.

Finally use your judgment. You have done some pocking around and read about the organization. Now it's time to use your judgment. Apply it to what you learned. If in the end you think that the organization is worth it then support them in any way you can. If you can't volunteer in the field and don't have money to donate but want to help, email them. They might direct you in some ways that you can help. It might seem like nothing to you but liking&sharing on Facebook, setting up a website, monitoring websites or inputting numbers on a spreadsheet might help an organization a long way. Don't be afraid to offer your services no matter what they might be.

Species of the Week: Killer whale

Species of the Week:
Killer Whale or known as Orca(Orcinus orca)

1) Despite popular belief killer whales are not actually whales but belong to the dolphin family and more specifically the oceanic dolphin family.

2) Killer whales have a highly complex social system that is governed by a matriarch. First is the tight knit matriline group which is the matriarch and her offspring.  Then around 1-5 matrilines form a pod which although forages together, pods may break up for certain time periods up to months.  Finally are the clans which is a collection of pods which share the same vocalization, ranges and some older ancestors.

3) There are four types of killer whales:

• Type A: Usually found in the Antarctic, these orcas feed mostly on cetaceans( whales and dolphins) and have a large black and white pattern.
• Type B: They are called the ice pack orca. They feed on seals in the Antarctic and their eye patch is usually large with a two tone grey scale color.
• Type C:  They are called "Ross Sea killer whales". They are the smallest of the orcas and they feed on fish.
• Type D:Transient animals that are usually found in Alaska. They are similar looking to Type A and they feed on all sorts of marine mammals. They are however genetically distinct than  Type A.

4) The average life span of a female is about 50 years while the average life span of a male is around 35 years.

5)Gestation period lasts for 15 to 18 months but the calf usually stays with its mother until the age of two.

6)Different killer whales in different regions have developed their own unique ways of hunting. For example the killer whales in New Zealand have developed the use of bubbles to turn stingrays upside down and eat them while killer whales in the Antarctic have developed the use of waves to knock seals of the ice. One group even found out that turning a shark upside down immobilizes it and hence they hunt for sharks.

7)A common occurrence is to see killer whales "play"with their food. Although it seems cruel, this "playing"is often the way to pass on knowledge of hunting to the calves.

8)Apart from captivity, there has been only one documented attack of a killer whale on a human where the orca attacked the diver thinking he was a seal but let him go immediately.

9) Captivity is a major issue at the present moment. It is believed that orcas become neurotic, sociopathic and extremely aggressive when put in a limited space. Not only that but they contract diseases from mosquitoes, bird defecating in the pool and from infected injuries which are often self harm.

10)They can be found all across the globe, mostly around colder waters with a preference to coastal areas rather then the open ocean.

Species of the week:Griffon Vulture

Species of the week:
Griffon Vulture(Gyps fulvus)

1) The Griffon Vulture is considered an Old World Vulture. That means it can only be found in Europe,Africa and Asia

2)Its wingspan is 2.4-2.8 meters.

3)41 years is the longest lifespan recorded for this vulture. It was recorded in captivity

4)Bonding between male and female is often life long.

5) They nest in colonies up in rocky cliffs. A colony can consist of up to 150 pairs but usually the pairs found in each colony are about 20.

6)The vulture is mostly a scavenger, feeding off dead mammals with preference to large mammals

7)A single egg is usually laid, with about 50-52 days of incubation and the hatchling lives with its parents for three months before it leaves the nest.

8)The species can be found in a variety of ranges and habitats but they usually prefer areas of high altitude  They will avoid forest areas or areas with water bodies such as lakes, wetlands and marine coastal areas.

9)Spain alone supports about three quarters of the Griffon Vulture population in Europe.

10) Despite it being listed as "Least Concern"in the IUCN, the population in certain countries is struggling. A prime example is Cyprus where only 10 birds exist in the wild. Efforts from NGO and government agencies launched a relocation program in which birds from Crete were flown over to add to the Cyprus population.

Dissections: What's the point

WARNING: Somewhat graphic descriptions

During June I had to attend a field trip in Parasitology conducted by my university. The whole point of the field trip was to observe parasites, learn their life cycles and consider how these parasites could potentially affect the host organism. It was a very interesting field trip but not for the faint of heart as a lot of dissections were involved. We were no strangers to dissection. In my second year one of the modules taken by all students was one that familiarized you with a worm and leech dissection, a trout dissection and a rat dissection. Then according to the modules taken you got to do more dissections. Taking Ocean Biology I dissected dogfish, starfish, sea urchins, shrimps and so forth. The point isn't what I dissected though, the point is that some people grew squeamish when they had to deal with mammals while some saw no point and refused to do dissections. To each their own I always say but the whole idea intrigued me. Should dissections be carried on now that we have access to multimedia tools that could easily emulate a dissection and further more reduce animal welfare. Here is my opinion on the matter.

There can only be so much you can learn from a virtual dissection. Things change in animals. When I first performed my first dissection on a rat(Rattus norveticus) I was thoroughly confused. I had looked up manuals and the internal layout of the animal before hand but I found the lungs to be smaller, the intestine to take up much more space than I thought and some parts harder or easier to cut through than I expected. After spending a week dissecting mice and voles in my Parasitology field trip I got less messy and more efficient. I can safely say though that if I were to have a look through the internal structure of the rat online and then dissect I would definitely be surprised by the differences that are present. Not to mention things that get you off guard such as embryos,diseases and most of all the smell.

It could be something that is needed in your line of work. Usually there are specialists about who can perform dissections, forensics and they can determine a cause of death. This is often done to determine if a population is suffering from a disease or parasite, or if a protected species is found dead. Whether you want to be one of those specialists is a different thing all together. However I think that dissections can be vital as you never know what you may come across and how dissections could be a solution to a problem affecting wildlife. If you lack the skill then you may have a harder time determining what's wrong or identifying key issues. Of course each animal has a different anatomy so gaining experience on rats doesn't mean that you can dissect and analyze issues on a deer carcass. However basic skills such as how deep to cut, what to look out for, be prepared for smell, don't puncture the gut and so forth are basic skills that can be applied to any sort of dissection you might come across.

Of course there is the dark side. Animals do have to die for you to learn from dissections. More often than not these animals were to die as they may be part of a control experiment or bred in captivity which means they cannot be released in the wild but the fact is that some institutes actively breed animals for dissection. It's a tough choice to make. By opting to do a dissection then you passively condone to animal killing and welfare. Most institutes do it humanely(or so they claim) and some even use them in sustainable matters. For example we were told that the rats that were dissected were gassed and that they were to be given to a local falconry center after the dissection to feed the birds of prey which I suppose could offer some closure in knowing that the animal have another use after their death. Looking into how your university/institute deals with dissection is a factor that could make you more comfortable with performing one if you really want to do it but feel bad about the animal.

Overall in my opinion I think dissections are a good way to get your hands dirty, learn by acting and enhance your skill set. However it is your own right whether or not you are comfortable in doing them and an alternative option should be provided to those who do not wish to do it. It's up to every individual to decide this for themselves and even if you go ahead with it and you figure out that you cannot stomach it then you should be adamant about stopping right there and now. It's a choice that can be hard on anyone and you should not care what people say or think about you in regards to the matter.

Species of the week:Armadillo

Species of the week:

Nine-banded Armadillo(Dasypus novemcinctus)

1)This armadillo like all others can only be found in the Americas continent.

2)It is a solitary mammal.

3) It is mostly nocturnal.

4)It's an insectivore, feeding mostly on small invertebrates.

5)Although its preferred environment is warm and rainy it is adaptable and hence can be found in scrublands,tropical rainforests and open prairies.

6)An armadillo can have about 10-12 burrows in its range.

7)The nine banded armadillo won't curl into a ball when it's attacked. Instead it will either run away or will dig a small trench and lodge itself in there making it extremely hard to remove.

8)Depending on the Hemisphere their mating season varies. In the Northern Hemisphere it takes place  in July-August while in the Southern Hemisphere it's around November-January. That means that the armadillo mates around summer time regardless of Hemisphere.

9)The armadillo can cross water bodies by either inflating its intestines or submerging itself and walking along the bottom.

10) It can hold its breath for an impressive 6 minutes.

Species of the Week: European Otter

Species of the Week:

European Otter(Lutra lutra)

1. The otter's diet mainly consists of fish but during seasons where fish are scare(usually winter) it also eats insects, frogs, crusteceans, birds and sometimes berries.
2. The otter is a territorial animal competing in territory with only members of the same sex. So for example males will only compete with males and it is common for male and female territories to overlap. They are usually solitary animals or living in small family groups of a male and female.
3. Otters are non seasonal breeders. That means that they will breed at any time of the year so long as they are capable of breeding.
4. Their territories are vast, ranging to up to 40km^2.
5. Part of their territories should include at least a few water bodies and prime territory locations are judged by food and water body availability.
6. An otter's gestation period lasts about 60-65 days and give birth to 1-4 pups
7. European otters have a longer tail,shorter neck and greater visage than it's North American river cousin.
8. Pollution, hunting for the fur trade and habit loss and fragmentation are the main threats to the European Otter.
9. It's IUCN status is Near Threatened
10. The European Otter is also found in Asia.

Zoology myths

As every student returning home after the holidays, meeting up with old friends and relatives is somewhat of a requirement. One subject that comes up is what my degree is exactly. Usually this follows up with people asking whether they should start studying the same thing. So I have decided to clear some things up here in the blog. Hopefully this will clear your perception of what Zoology is exactly and whether you want to pursue it or not. However before I go on, let me say that I am studying at a Scottish University( there are difference between the English Universities) and that also I have just finished my second year and that there are two more years to go until I finish my undergraduate. Don't let this article be your final decision point. Your best bet is to find someone studying Zoology at the Universities you want to join or in the country you want to study and ask them about the degree. Then make up your mind.

Firstly. Zoology is not a extensive hands on animal degree. Although you do get to handle some animals, odds are those animals are either small enough to be contained in the lab,predicable enough to study or they are dead already and dissections and observations need to be conducted. If you envision yourself as a Zoology student, going out in the field every day studying wild animals then it's time for a rough reality check. Most Universities shy away from such teaching tactics as they are expensive, unreliable and often might be dangerous. If you want such experience then you are better off checking with Universities before you apply or wait until you can conduct your own research. That being said you might get to study wild animals on your field trips and at some labs and those moments are often treasured.

You can't avoid plants. There are people out there that don't find plant life interesting. If you think that in your Zoology degree you won't come across plants at all then you are mistaken. Plants are an important part of an animal's life cycle and hence you will come across them even in small doses every once in a while. Some plants might be important for conservation, important for animal behavior and hence merit being studied a lot more. So be prepared for some plant biology in your degree.

You can't avoid math. This is one of the largest misconceptions that I once thought myself. I thought I would be doing Zoology and that's it. Statistics and model maths are important parts of the science in zoology and so you will be taught about them, required to include them in plenty of lab reports and will be a basic content of your undergraduate and further studies. Most biologists struggle with them and their computer programs so I would advise you pay close attention to statistics and try and learn as much as you can about them.

You will spend a lot of time on the computer or reading books. Scientific papers don't write themselves and neither do essays. Be prepared to do a lot of background reading, working with statistical software, creating or working with computer and writing up reports. Some computer knowledge will get you a long way in your degree and although you are taught the basics, a few tricks will make your life easier.

It won't always be interesting. Let's face it. We are human beings and as humans we find some things interesting and some boring. Even if you love animals some parts of your education will be boring either due to the subject, the lecturer or because something else is on your mind. Don't assume that just because your degree deals with animals that everything will be interesting. I honestly hope that everything is interesting in your studies but so far I have had lectures I couldn't stand and I think it will always be that way.

Not everyone cares. This is something that I learned the hard way. I thought everyone will be interested in learning about wolves, their conservation and politics. Unfortunately that is not the case. However it makes sense. In your year alone will probably be a hundred people or more. Not everyone will find the same things interesting as you do and not all tutors or lecturers will either, although hopefully a large number of people will have some common ground with you to share.

I don't want to give the image of a horrible degree though. I love what I am doing now even if it involves an unhealthy amount of statistics. Hopefully however this will give you a clearer image into what Zoology is and is not and might steer you in the right direction. If you have any questions then please don't hesitate to contact me and I will try and answer them.