Post by Deinobrontornis on Dec 6, 2011 21:14:46 GMT -5
Sun Bear - Helarctos malayanus
The sun bear (Ursus malayanus), sometimes known as the honey bear, is a bear found primarily in the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia; North-East India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Southern China, Peninsular Malaysia, and the islands of Sumatra and Borneo.
The sun bear is 120–150 cm (47–60 in) long, making it the smallest member in the bear (Ursidae) family. Males tend to be 10–45% larger than females; the former normally weigh between 30 and 70 kg (66–154 lb), and the latter between 20 and 40 kg (44–88 lb). The shoulder height is about 60–72 cm (24–28 in).[6] The sun bear possesses sickle-shaped claws that are relatively light in weight. It has large paws with naked soles, probably to assist in climbing. Its inward-turned feet make the bear's walk pigeon toed, but it is an excellent climber. It has small, round ears and a stout snout. The tail is 1.2–2.8 inches (3–7 cm) long. Despite its small size, the sun bear possesses a very long, slender tongue, ranging from 8 to 10 inches (20–25 cm) in length. The bear uses it to extract honey from beehives.
Unlike other bears, the sun bear's fur is short and sleek. This adaptation is probably due to the lowland climates it inhabits. Dark black or brown-black fur covers its body, except on the chest, where there is a pale orange-yellow marking in the shape of a horseshoe. Similar colored fur can be found around the muzzle and the eyes. These distinctive markings give the sun bear its name.
Chinese Alligator - Alligator sinensis
The Chinese alligator, or Alligator sinensis, is one of two known living species of Alligator, a genus in the family Alligatoridae. The Chinese alligator is native only to China. While its appearance is very similar to the only other living member of the genus, the American alligator, there are a few differences. One obvious difference is that the Chinese alligator is quite small. Usually only attaining a length of 5 feet (1.52 m), these alligators are known to grow to 7 feet (2.13 m), though that was not officially announced until recently. Unlike the American alligator, the Chinese alligator is fully armored; even the belly is armored, which is a feature of only a few crocodilians. They weigh up to 100 pounds (45.4 kg). Chinese alligators grow slowly, being only 2 ft (60 cm) long after 2 years of age.
The sun bear (Ursus malayanus), sometimes known as the honey bear, is a bear found primarily in the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia; North-East India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Southern China, Peninsular Malaysia, and the islands of Sumatra and Borneo.
The sun bear is 120–150 cm (47–60 in) long, making it the smallest member in the bear (Ursidae) family. Males tend to be 10–45% larger than females; the former normally weigh between 30 and 70 kg (66–154 lb), and the latter between 20 and 40 kg (44–88 lb). The shoulder height is about 60–72 cm (24–28 in).[6] The sun bear possesses sickle-shaped claws that are relatively light in weight. It has large paws with naked soles, probably to assist in climbing. Its inward-turned feet make the bear's walk pigeon toed, but it is an excellent climber. It has small, round ears and a stout snout. The tail is 1.2–2.8 inches (3–7 cm) long. Despite its small size, the sun bear possesses a very long, slender tongue, ranging from 8 to 10 inches (20–25 cm) in length. The bear uses it to extract honey from beehives.
Unlike other bears, the sun bear's fur is short and sleek. This adaptation is probably due to the lowland climates it inhabits. Dark black or brown-black fur covers its body, except on the chest, where there is a pale orange-yellow marking in the shape of a horseshoe. Similar colored fur can be found around the muzzle and the eyes. These distinctive markings give the sun bear its name.
Chinese Alligator - Alligator sinensis
The Chinese alligator, or Alligator sinensis, is one of two known living species of Alligator, a genus in the family Alligatoridae. The Chinese alligator is native only to China. While its appearance is very similar to the only other living member of the genus, the American alligator, there are a few differences. One obvious difference is that the Chinese alligator is quite small. Usually only attaining a length of 5 feet (1.52 m), these alligators are known to grow to 7 feet (2.13 m), though that was not officially announced until recently. Unlike the American alligator, the Chinese alligator is fully armored; even the belly is armored, which is a feature of only a few crocodilians. They weigh up to 100 pounds (45.4 kg). Chinese alligators grow slowly, being only 2 ft (60 cm) long after 2 years of age.
