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Letters From the Field is a
blog written by contributors studying or
working with animals in their natural
habitats. It is a compilation of their
stories and/ or experiences.
If you would like to share your experiences
by contributing to this blog, please
contact us.
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2011 Archives
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Snow Leopard
 By Kaitlyn-Elizabeth Foley
For this month's blog it seemed most
fitting to do a piece on an animal that
lives in the colder climates, and what
better a species than the beautiful Snow
Leopard. Enjoy and please stay tuned
for our next blog in January to welcome
the New Year.
Amongst the snow capped mountainous regions of
Central and South Asia hides the cryptic and
majestic Snow Leopard Uncia uncia.
Today there are only an estimated
3,500-7,000 total left in the wild
spanning across Afghanistan, Bhutan,
China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia,
Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
read>> |
Owl Monkey
By Kaitlyn-Elizabeth Foley
Owl
Monkeys are the only
nocturnal
New World primates.
The arboreal
Owl Monkeys (Genus Aotus) are divided
into two groups based on color
variations, geographic distribution and karyotypes. Owl Monkeys are not sexually
dimorphic in size, with weights ranging
from one to three pounds depending on
subspecies. Characteristics of these
cute wide-eyed primates include light
yellow fur on their undersides (stomach,
inner legs, under arms) and crown-like
stripes on their heads (between and on
sides of eyes).
read>> |
Sanje Mangabey
By Kaitlyn-Elizabeth Foley
The Sanje Mangabey, Cercocoebus
sanjei, is an Old World monkey
classified in the white-eyelid mangabey
group. These monkeys are endemic to two
forest areas in Tanzania, the Mwanihana
Forest and the Udzungwa Scarp Forest
Reserves in East Africa. The Sanje
Mangabey is listed as Endangered on the
IUCN Red List. Population estimates by
the IUCN were as low as 1,300
individuals back in 2005.
read>> |
Mouse Lemur
By Kaitlyn-Elizabeth Foley
The
worlds’ smallest primate is the Pygmy
Mouse Lemur, weighing only 30 grams at
maturity. That’s
the same size as a ¼ cup!
The genus Cebus describes
anywhere from 8-15 species, ten of which
have been described within the last
decade. The most researched species are
Grey Mouse,
Brown Mouse Lemur and
Golden-Brown Mouse Lemur.
These tiny
primates are all less than 10.6 inches
from head to tail, with size length
ranging between species.
read>> |
Healthy Gorillas = Happy Gorillas - Part 1
By Diana Marsilio
There is no doubt that non-human primates
are a star attraction for many zoo visitors.
Gorillas are the largest of all non-human
primates. In my opinion, it may be their
large size paired with their seemingly
humane demeanor which fascinates animal
lovers.
read>> |
Irrawaddy Dolphin
By Kaitlyn-Elizabeth Foley
Cambodian legend states that the
Irrawaddy dolphin was once a beautiful
maiden.
When she was going to be forced to marry
a python she decided to throw herself
into the Mekong River, where she was
then transformed into a dolphin.
The Irrawaddy looks similar to the Beluga whale.
However, they are most closely related
to the Killer Whale. These
dolphins have a distinct large rounded
head with a small beak and long
flippers.
read>> |
Tarsier
By Kaitlyn-Elizabeth Foley
It’s hard to believe that this is my 12th
installment of Letters from the field.
This past year in my conservation career
has been full of learning experiences
and major breakthroughs on trade of
wildlife species. Contributing to this
blog has been a pleasure, and I look
forward to covering an array of
spectacular species in the second year
to come. This month I have chosen the
small, large eyed Tarsier.
- The eyeballs of a Tarsier (approx.
16mm) are each as large as the small
mammals whole brain. -
read>>
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Hanuman Langur
By Kaitlyn-Elizabeth Foley
Hanuman
is the Hindu god of healing and worship, and
the Hanuman Langur is deemed sacred in many
parts of India. The Hanuman langur,
also known as the gray langur, belongs to
the family
cercopithecidae
subfamily colobinae. They are the
most widely distributed langur found in
Southeast Asia. The species occurs in
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India,
Nepal, Pakistan and Tibet. read>> |
Capuchin Monkey
By Kaitlyn-Elizabeth Foley
Did you know that Capuchins have the highest
brain to body weight ratio of all primates
(including you?)
During my research into stereotypic
behavior in ex-pet primates for my masters I
chose to work with Capuchin monkeys. Before
this I knew little about these very special
primates. After working with them I can surely
say they are one of my favorite of all
animal species.
read>>
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Japanese Snow Macaque
By Kaitlyn-Elizabeth Foley
There’s
lots of snow in New England right now so I
thought it would be fitting to write a blog
on a primate that lives and thrives in a
snowy habitat. Out of the 60 species and
sub-species of macaques the Japanese macaque
(Macaca fuscata) is the most northern
occupying non-human primate surviving in
temperatures that drop to as low as 14
degrees during the winter months.
read>> |
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