Focusing On The Conservation of Ecosystems, Habitats & Wildlife

Cold Iguanas Free-Fall from Trees

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Iguanas Go Into Hibernation State In Cold Weather
POSTED: Wednesday, January 6, 2010
UPDATED: 3:10 pm EST January 6, 2010


HOLLYWOOD, Fla. — Record lows across South Florida are literally freezing the invasive iguana in its tracks.

Kamikaze iguanas, plummeting from their treetop perches, have long been a Floridian urban legend. On Wednesday morning, Local 10 caught the free-falling lizard on tape.



TO READ MORE…….GO TO FULL ARTICLE…..CLICK HERE


TO WATCH "Cold Iguanas Free-Fall From Trees" VIDEO....CLICK ON PHOTO

WWF's 10 Species to Watch in 2010

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The World Wildlife Fund’s list of “10 to Watch in 2010” includes such well-known and beloved species as tigers, polar bears, pandas, and rhinos, as well as lesser-known species such as bluefin tuna, and mountain gorillas.


TO READ MORE…..GO TO FULL ARTICLE….CLICK HERE


WWF's list to watch in 2010



Monarch Butterfly

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Monarch Butterfly:

Facing the Threat of Extinction


Habitat destruction caused by humans has caused a serious threat to the monarch butterfly.  According to Monarch Watch, who is dedicated to education, conservation and research (who also created The Monarch Project in 1984) the population of monarchs are more vulnerable than ever in their overwintering sites.

On their website they discuss that Eastern Monarchs migrate only to the Transvolcanic Mountains in mexico, where there are only eleven to fourteen know sites each year.  Each site is a few hectares in size and contains millions of Monarch butterflies.  This combination – a high concentration of individuals in a only few small sites – makes the possibility of habitat destruction in Mexico very serious.  It also states that the oyamel tree (on which the Monarchs cluster) are valuable lumber sources that many local people – the ejidatarios who own the land – depend upon for income.



TO READ MORE…….GO TO FULL ARTICLE…..CLICK HERE



Monarch Butterfly: Courtesy of www.butterflypictures.net

Madagascar’s Political Chaos Threatens Conservation Gains

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Jungle Jenny encourages eco/wildlife tourism in Madagascar.  If you have any questions about where to go email me!  I found this article today (click here) by Rhett Butler, who is is the founder and editor of Mongabay.com, one of the leading sites on the Web covering tropical forests and biodiversity.

Jungle Jenny with Lemur in Nosy Komba, Madagascar where eco-tourism generates revenue at the lemur reserve at Ampangorina.


Since the government’s collapse after a coup last March, Madagascar’s rainforests have been plundered for their precious wood and unique wildlife. But now there are a few encouraging signs, as officials promise a crackdown on illegal logging and ecotourists begin to return to the island.

Got a Pet Tarantula? Better protect your eyes…says Reuters

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Jungle Jenny with Chilean Rose Tarantula


Jungle Jenny wants to remind tarantula owners that although this is a rare occurrence, care should be taken when handling tarantulas. Used as a defense mechanism, these spiders release fine barbed hairs from the back of their body and in some cases have caused acute respiratory problems, skin rashes and according to this article in Washington (Reuters)- January 1, 2010 (click here) can stick to your cornea too!  Remember:  Always keep animals away from your eyes and face.


Blue-Tongue Skinks

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Blue-Tongue Skinks are omnivores, consuming about 60% plant matter and 40% animal matter (according to Melissa Kaplan’s herp care collection).  When these cool creatures are babies (being viviparous, they give birth to live young ), they can be started on mealworms, redworms, small crickets, and pinkie mice.  Make sure to add  a calcium/vitamin D supplement to their food and provide a variety nutritious diet.  They are also diurnal and sleep when you sleep. When they reach adulthood, skinks can reach up to 20 inches long and can live in captivity between 10 – 20 years.  This skink was easy to handle, very docile and gentle.  

Baby Komondo Dragon Born at Singapore Zoo

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On December 1, 2009 – Singapore Zoo welcomes newest addition to the Komodo dragon family, the first in 34 years.


The Mighty Komodo Dragon… at Its Tiniest: Born on November 15, 2009


Captive Bred Komodo Dragon Born

Captive Bred Komodo Dragon BornÂ


The Singapore Zoo has hatched the first baby Komodo Dragon in it’s 34 year history. Here you get a rare glimpse at the world’s heaviest lizard at it’s very smallest: just hatched! At this size the apex predator of the the Indonesian isles looks pretty harmless but in adulthood wild Komodo Dragons grow up to 10ft long and eat deer or even buffalo!


ZooBorns. “The Mighty Komodo Dragon…at Its Tiniest” December 2, 2009. Online. Available at http://www.zooborns.com/zooborns/2009/12/the-might-komodo-dragon-at-its-smallest.html.

CLICK HERE FOR ENTIRE ARTICLE:  ZOOBORNS.