Post by Cr1TiKaL on Apr 19, 2014 7:07:52 GMT -5
Wildcat-Felis silvestris
The wildcat (Felis silvestris) is a small cat with several subspecies and a very broad distribution, found throughout most of Africa, Europe, and southwest and central Asia into India, China, and Mongolia. It is a hunter of small mammals, birds, and other creatures of a similar or smaller size. Sometimes included is the ubiquitous domestic cat (as F. s. catus), which has been introduced to every habitable continent and most of the world's larger islands, and has become feral in many of those environments. In its native environment, the wildcat is adaptable to a variety of habitat types: savannah, open forest, and steppe. The wildcat physically resembles a domesticated cat in most respects. Although domesticated breeds show a great variety of shapes and colours, wild species are pale yellow to medium-brown with black stripes or spots. The underparts are light grey,and sometimes marked with black spots. Melanistic (all-black) individuals have been reported, but are probably the result of hybridisation with domestic cats. Wildcats range from 36.5 to 80 cm (14.4 to 31 in) in head-and-body length, with an additional 21 to 45 cm (8.3 to 18 in) of tail. The standing height at the shoulder ranges from 25 to 40 cm (9.8 to 16 in). Weights can vary considerably, with smaller races weighing as little as 1.6 kg (3.5 lb) and larger races up to 13 kg (29 lb), although few are over 8 kg (18 lb). However, most wildcats weigh between 3 and 6 kg (6.6 and 13 lb). The African and Asian subspecies tend to be more slender than the European wildcat, with shorter hair of a lighter brown colour.
Raccoon Dog (Tanuki)-Nyctereutes procyonoides
The raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), also known as the magnut or tanuki, is a canid indigenous to East Asia. It is the only extant species in the genus Nyctereutes. It is considered a basal canid species, resembling ancestral forms of the family. Among the Canidae, the raccoon dog shares the habit of regularly climbing trees only with the North American gray fox, another basal species. The raccoon dog is named for its resemblance to the raccoon (Procyon lotor), to which it is not closely related. Raccoon dog skulls greatly resemble those of South American foxes, particularly crab eating foxes, though genetic studies reveal they are not closely related. Their skulls are small, but heavily built and moderately elongated, with narrow zygomatic arches. The projections of the skull are well developed, the sagittal crest being particularly prominent in old animals. In reflection of their omnivorous diets, raccoon dogs have small and weak canines and carnassials, flat molars and relatively long intestines (1.5–2 times longer than other canids). They have long torsos and short legs. Total lengths can range from 45 to 71 cm (18 to 28 in). The tail, at 12 to 18 cm (4.7 to 7.1 in) long, is short, amounting to less than 1/3 of the animal's total length and hangs below the tarsal joints without touching the ground. The ears are short, and protrude only slightly from the fur. Weights fluctuate according to season; in March, they weigh 3 kg (6.6 lbs), while in August to early September, males average 6.5–7 kg (14–15 lbs), with some individuals attaining a maximal weight of 9–10 kg (20–22 lb).
The wildcat (Felis silvestris) is a small cat with several subspecies and a very broad distribution, found throughout most of Africa, Europe, and southwest and central Asia into India, China, and Mongolia. It is a hunter of small mammals, birds, and other creatures of a similar or smaller size. Sometimes included is the ubiquitous domestic cat (as F. s. catus), which has been introduced to every habitable continent and most of the world's larger islands, and has become feral in many of those environments. In its native environment, the wildcat is adaptable to a variety of habitat types: savannah, open forest, and steppe. The wildcat physically resembles a domesticated cat in most respects. Although domesticated breeds show a great variety of shapes and colours, wild species are pale yellow to medium-brown with black stripes or spots. The underparts are light grey,and sometimes marked with black spots. Melanistic (all-black) individuals have been reported, but are probably the result of hybridisation with domestic cats. Wildcats range from 36.5 to 80 cm (14.4 to 31 in) in head-and-body length, with an additional 21 to 45 cm (8.3 to 18 in) of tail. The standing height at the shoulder ranges from 25 to 40 cm (9.8 to 16 in). Weights can vary considerably, with smaller races weighing as little as 1.6 kg (3.5 lb) and larger races up to 13 kg (29 lb), although few are over 8 kg (18 lb). However, most wildcats weigh between 3 and 6 kg (6.6 and 13 lb). The African and Asian subspecies tend to be more slender than the European wildcat, with shorter hair of a lighter brown colour.
Raccoon Dog (Tanuki)-Nyctereutes procyonoides
The raccoon dog (Nyctereutes procyonoides), also known as the magnut or tanuki, is a canid indigenous to East Asia. It is the only extant species in the genus Nyctereutes. It is considered a basal canid species, resembling ancestral forms of the family. Among the Canidae, the raccoon dog shares the habit of regularly climbing trees only with the North American gray fox, another basal species. The raccoon dog is named for its resemblance to the raccoon (Procyon lotor), to which it is not closely related. Raccoon dog skulls greatly resemble those of South American foxes, particularly crab eating foxes, though genetic studies reveal they are not closely related. Their skulls are small, but heavily built and moderately elongated, with narrow zygomatic arches. The projections of the skull are well developed, the sagittal crest being particularly prominent in old animals. In reflection of their omnivorous diets, raccoon dogs have small and weak canines and carnassials, flat molars and relatively long intestines (1.5–2 times longer than other canids). They have long torsos and short legs. Total lengths can range from 45 to 71 cm (18 to 28 in). The tail, at 12 to 18 cm (4.7 to 7.1 in) long, is short, amounting to less than 1/3 of the animal's total length and hangs below the tarsal joints without touching the ground. The ears are short, and protrude only slightly from the fur. Weights fluctuate according to season; in March, they weigh 3 kg (6.6 lbs), while in August to early September, males average 6.5–7 kg (14–15 lbs), with some individuals attaining a maximal weight of 9–10 kg (20–22 lb).
