The snow leopard is a large cat species native to the high mountain ranges of central
Asia. It has a thick whitish-tan coat with ringed spots of dark, ashy-brown and black
rosettes. Their tails are longer than any other cat species, and are used for balance and as
a protector from snow and the cold. A snow leopard diet consists mainly of ibex, the
bharal, markhor, wild boars, and small rodents. Sometimes snow leopards will prey on
livestock, bringing them into conflict with herders and farmers. Litter sizes range from
one to four cubs, though the average is two. Snow leopards are endangered due to habitat
loss, and poaching for fur, and preying on livestock.
Jaguars are the second largest cat species, and are native to the tropical rainforests,
swampy areas, and even deserts of north, south, and Central America. Leopards and
jaguars are often mistaken for the same species, but the jaguars are stockier and heavier,
with a shorter, thicker tails. Their coats are tawny in color with black rosettes, but some
have a black- on- black, or melanistic, and they are often found in darker, denser
rainforests. Jaguars prey on animals ranging from spectacled caiman, tortoises, deer,
wild hogs, and capybara, the worlds largest rodent. Scientists have documented 85 jaguar
prey species. Jaguars are solitary, with males and female’s only coming together to mate.
Litter sizes range from one to four cubs, the normal average is two. Jaguars are
endangered due to habitat loss, and poaching for skins, also jaguars are often trapped and
poisoned by farmers for preying on livestock.
Pygmy Hippopotamus
C. liberiensis
The Pygmy hippopotamus is a large ungulate species, and one of the only two extant
species in the Hippopotamidae family, or Hippo family, the other being the common
hippopotamus. It is native to the forest and swamps of western Africa, and is much
smaller than its larger relative, the common hippopotamus. Pygmy’s are reclusive and
nocturnal and it displays many terrestrial adaptations such as being semi-aquatic and
relying on water to keep its skin moisturized and its body temperature cool. Mating and
giving birth can occur in water or on land. They are herbivorous, feeding on whatever
ferns, broad-leafed plants, grasses, and fruits they can find in the forest. Because it is
reclusive and rare, pygmies are hard to study in the wild. They are considered endangered
due to habitat-loss, poaching, hunting, natural predators, and war. Pygmies breed well in
captivity and the mass majority of research is derived from zoo specimens. It is said that
the survival of the species is more assured in captivity, than in the wild. There are less
than 3,000 pygmy hippos in the wild.
Okapi
O. johnstoni
The Okapi is a large ungulate species native to the Ituri Rainforest, located in the
northeast of the Democratic Republic of Congo, central Africa. They have dark backs,
with striking horizontal white stripes on the front and back of their legs, making them
somewhat resemble a zebra. Although okapi’s resemble a zebra, they are not related to it;
in fact they are more closely related to the giraffe. Their coats provide camouflage from
predators, and the back leg stripes help young okapi’s follow their mothers in the thick
rainforests. They also have large hears to help them detect predators, primarily the
leopard. Okapi’s are solitary except for mating pairs and mother, offspring pairs. They
are herbivores, and their diet consists of tree leaves and buds, grass, ferns, fruits, and
fungi, which they find by foraging for food along well trodden forest paths. Okapi’s are
listed as threatened due to habitat destruction and poaching, with an estimated population
of 10,000 – 20,000.
Indian Rhinoceros
R. unicornis
The Indian rhinoceros is a large ungulate species found in the tall grasslands and forests
of the foothills of the Himalayas. They are the largest rhino species, weighing up to 4,800
to 6,600 pounds. Indian rhinos have a single horn, made out of keratin, thick, silverbrown skin which becomes pinkish near the large skin folds that cover its body. Their
upper legs and shoulders are covered in wart-like bumps, and very little body hair, aside
from eyelashes, ear fringes, and a tail-brush. Indian rhinos are grazers, feeding mainly on
leaves, branches, fruits, and aquatic plants. Indian rhinos are generally solitary except for
mating and mother offspring pairs. They have excellent senses of hearing and smell, but
poor eyesight. Indian rhinos are also great swimmers, and often like to swim in streams
and wallow in mud holes. They are listed as endangered due to habitat loss and poaching
for their horns, which are believed to possess medicinal and healing powers. It is
estimated there are about 2,500 individuals left in the wild.