Merak : The Most Beautiful Bird

Merak or Peafowl is a bird of the Phasianidae family. They are relative of the peasant. Merak is found in Java and Sumatera. You can also find them in India or Malaysia but they are different from Indonesian Merak. Merak in Indonesia has unique feature : they colourful.



Merak has different type and some of them has different colour of feather. They are very calm but in the same time can be aggressive too.



You probably think that it must be fun o take picture with these animal, well I’m sure your guide would not allow since merak can attack people at anytime.

Macrogalidia musschenbroekiiSulawesi palm civet

Geographic Range

Sulawesi palm civets are found only on the island of Sulawesi in Indonesia. Verified range on the island includes the end of the Minahassa peninsula, the east peninsula, the southeast peninsula, and a small section of central Sulawesi. Few sighting or specimens have been recorded from central and southern Sulawesi. (Lee, et al., 2003; Wemmer and Watling, 1986)

Two other species of civets occur within Sulawesi palm civet range. Both the common palm civet and the Malay civet have been introduced to Sulawesi. (Veron, 2001)

Biogeographic Regionsoriental  native Other Geographic Termsisland endemic

Habitat

Sulawesi palm civets preferred habitat is primary growth rain forest. Evidence suggests these civets are equally prevalent across elevations within its range. These habitats include upper montane rain forest and cloud forest, lower montane rain forest, and lowland rain forest. Sulawesi civets are also associated with farms, where they seek out chicken coops. (Schreiber, et al., 1989; Wemmer and Watling, 1986)

Habitat Regionstropical terrestrialTerrestrial Biomesrainforest mountainsOther Habitat FeaturesagriculturalRange elevation0 to 2600 m0.00 to 8530.18 ft

Physical Description

Sulawesi civets posses a soft, short, fine coat with brown coloration on the back and yellow brown coloration on the under parts. The breast may have a reddish tint. Vague darker spots are arranged along the back in two vertical rows on either side of the spine. Between seven and eleven light yellowish tail rings can also be present, but may be incomplete or irregularly spaced. The tip of the tail is darker. The face is brown with paler zones of hair around the eyes, in the ears, and along the upper lip. (Lydekker, 1896; Wemmer, et al., 1983)

Very few living specimens have been measured. The data presented here are based on two female specimens and one male. Body lengths for these females were 650 mm plus a 480 mm tail and 680 mm with a broken tail 445 mm long. Male body length was 715 mm with a 540 mm tail. Despite having a common name of “giant civet,” they are not unusually large for a civet, being similar in size to masked palm civets. They are, however, the largest wild carnivore on Sulawesi Females have a perineal scent gland behind their genetalia, but males seem to lack a perineal scent gland. The female gland characteristics are similar to those of masked palm civet. The only other taxa of palm civets in which males lack a scent gland is the genus Arctogalidia. Upper and lower cheek teeth run parallel rather than diverging towards the back. (Lydekker, 1896; Wemmer, et al., 1983)

Molecular evidence shows that Sulawesi civets are actually in the subfamily Hemigalinae instead of Paradoxurinae where they have been historically grouped. Its morphological similarities to the Paradoxurines are due to convergence. This puts Sulawesi civets closest relative as the otter civet. (Wilting and Fickel, 2012)

Other Physical Featuresendothermic bilateral symmetrySexual Dimorphismmale largerRange mass3.85 to 6.1 kg8.48 to 13.44 lbRange length1130 to 1255 mm44.49 to 49.41 in

Reproduction

The reproductive biology of these civets has yet to be studied.

Reproductive behavior of this little known viverrid is still unknown. It is likely similar to other civets, but because Sulawesi civets are monotypic in its genus and possibly grouped in the wrong subfamily it is difficult to compare them to other species. In general, other civets have one to two litters of one to three young per year, with a gestation period of 30 to 60 days. Time to sexual maturity is about one year. (Wemmer and Watling, 1986; Wilting and Fickel, 2012)

Key Reproductive Featuresiteroparous gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate) sexual viviparousBreeding intervalThe breeding interval for Sulawesi civets is unknown.Breeding seasonThe mating season for Sulawesi civets is unknown.

Females care for the young and have two pairs of nipples. It is possible that mother and young share some territory. It is unlikely that males participate in parental care, but this is not known for sure. (Wemmer and Watling, 1986; Wemmer, et al., 1983)

Parental Investmentfemale parental care

Lifespan/Longevity

Lifespan of the Sulawesi civet is unknown. Other civets have lifespans of 5 to 20 years.

Behavior

The Sulawesi civet is solitary and nocturnal. It is a highly skilled climber and specializes in arboreal foraging. It has semi-retractable claws, quick reflexes, flexible feet, and a mobile tail for balance and bracing. It spends more time on the ground than some related species, like the binturong and African palm civet. (Wemmer and Watling, 1986)

Key Behaviorsarboreal terricolous nocturnal motile solitary

Home Range

The length of time between visits to a particular site (5 to 10 days) by individual Sulawesi civets suggests that they maintain a large home range, similar to the 150 hectare range of African civets. (Wemmer and Watling, 1986)

Communication and Perception

Unlike Malay civets, Sulawesi palm civets do not make latrines to mark territory with repeated defecation in the same place. They do leave scratch markings on trees 2 m or so from the ground. Females have a perineal scent gland, most likely for within species communication. (Wemmer and Watling, 1986; Wemmer, et al., 1983)

Communication Channelsvisual chemicalPerception Channelsvisual tactile acoustic chemical

Food Habits

Sulawesi palm civets are omnivores, subsisting on a variety of animal prey and fruits. Scat analysis showed small rodents and birds to be the highest content, but fruits probably provide a larger portion of the diet and are more completely digested. Prey attributed to Sulawesi palm civets include the Sulawesi cuscus, piglets of the Sulawesi warty pig, various members of the 28 species of rodents found on Sulawesi, chickens, and megapodes including Macrodephalon maleo, as well as bird eggs. When consuming a bird, the Sulawesi civet eats the entire animal, including most of the feathers and the feet. In its fugivorus capacity, Sulawesi palm civets are more of a specialist on palm fruits than the Malay civet. Additional fruit foods include cultivated bananas and papayas. Grass was also found in scats, probably eaten for its fibrous benefits. (Wemmer and Watling, 1986)

Primary Dietcarnivore  eats terrestrial vertebrates eats eggs  herbivore  frugivore  omnivoreAnimal Foodsbirds mammals eggsPlant Foodsleaves fruit

Predation

As the largest native predator on Sulawesi, this civet does not have conspicuous anti-predator adaptions. Number killed by humans and other mortality statistics are unknown.

Known Predatorshumans (Homo sapiens)

Ecosystem Roles

These civets are good dispersers of seeds given their preference for palm fruits and the large range of forest types they are found in on Sulawesi. They are also an important predator as the largest mammalian carnivore on the island. (Corlett, 2007; Wemmer and Watling, 1986)

Ecosystem Impactdisperses seeds

Economic Importance for Humans: Positive

There is evidence that Sulawesi palm civets are sometimes eaten if caught accidentally. Their pelts are sometimes kept as trophies if killed raiding livestock or caught accidentally. They have no great economic value to humans and is not specifically sought out. Sulawesi palm civets could be considered a pest controller, because of the large portion of rodents in their diet. (Wemmer and Watling, 1986)

Positive Impactscontrols pest population

Economic Importance for Humans: Negative

Sulawesi palm civets are known to raid chicken coops. (Wemmer and Watling, 1986)

Negative Impactscrop pest

Conservation Status

Population estimates are difficult because of data limitations and their reclusive nature. The lower elevation forest habitat of the Sulawesi civet is at risk from extensive logging. The high elevation forest is less at risk due to the difficulty of access for humans. Some suggest that these civets could be at risk from hunting, but the native peoples of Sulawesi do not harvest civets due to their distasteful perineal gland. When hunting does occur it takes place in the lowland range of the civet. Sulawesi civets live in several protected areas: including The Dumoga Bone National Park, Gunung Ambang Reserve, Tangkoko-Batuangas Reserve, Lore Lindu Reserve, and Morowali Reserve. (Brooks, et al., 1999; Corlett, 2007; Schreiber, et al., 1989; Wemmer and Watling, 1986)

Sun bear

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Sun Bear Range

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Fast Facts

Status:VulnerableType:MammalDiet:OmnivoreAverage life span in the wild:Up to 25 yearsSize:4 to 5 ft (1.2 to 1.5 m) longWeight:60 to 150 lbs (27 to 70 kg)Did you know?The Malay words for the tree-loving sun bear mean “he who likes to sit high.”Size relative to a 6-ft (2-m) man:

The reclusive sun bear, smallest member of the bear family, lives an insular life in the dense lowland forests of Southeast Asia.

Found from southern China to eastern India and as far south as Indonesia, sun bears, also called Malayan sun bears, take their name from the bib-shaped golden or white patch on their chest, which legend says represents the rising sun. They have a stocky, muscular build, small ears, and a short muzzle, which has earned them the nickname “dog bear.” Their sleek, black coat is short to avoid overheating in the tropical weather but thick and coarse to provide protection from twigs, branches, and rain.

Sun bears grow to only about half the size of an American black bear. Males, slightly larger than females, are about 5 feet (1.5 meters) in length and weigh up to 150 pounds (70 kilograms), a stature which suits their arboreal lifestyle and allows them to move easily through the trees. They have even been observed making sleeping platforms high above the ground out of branches and leaves.

Ironically, sun bears are nocturnal. They lumber through the forests by night, snacking on fruits, berries, roots, insects, small birds, lizards, and rodents. They have an excellent sense of smell and extremely long claws, exceeding four inches (ten centimeters) in length, which they use to rip open trees and termite nests. They also have an almost comically long tongue for extracting honey from bee nests, giving them their other nickname, “honey bear.”

Little is known about the social life of these bears, but there is some evidence that suggests they may be monogamous. Mother bears, called sows, make ground nests and give birth to one or two blind, helpless babies that weigh about 11 ounces (325 grams). Mothers have actually been observed cradling a cub in their arms while walking on their hind legs, a rare trait among bears. Cubs can move about after two months and are weaned by four months, but they remain with their mothers for two years or more.

Because of their remote habitat and shy personality, there is currently not enough data to determine if sun bears are in danger of extinction, but scientists fear the worst. Their homelands are being lost rapidly to deforestation, poachers hunt them mercilessly for body parts and fur, and some farmers kill them on site because they often eat crops such as oil palm, coconuts, and bananas. Adult females are also frequently killed so their cubs can be taken and raised as pets

Sumatran Elephants

All About Sumatran Elephant

I. Habitat

Elephant travels much within broad home range so that they need more than one type of habitat. Forest types suitable for Sumatran elephants based on research are:

1. Swamp forest
This forest type encompasses swamp grass land, primary swamp forest, or secondary swamp forest dominated by Gluta renghas, Campenosperma auriculata, C. Macrophylla, Alstonia spp, dan Eugeniaspp.

2. Peat Swamp Forest
Vegetation types in this forest type are: Gonystilus bancanus, Dyera costulata, Licuala spinosa, Shorea spp., Alstonia spp., and Eugenia spp.

3. Lowland forest
This forest type is located in the altitude of 0-750 m above sea level with dominant vegetation of Dipterocarpaceae family.

4. Lower mountain rain forest
This forest type is located in the altitude of 750-1,500 m above sea level with dominant vegetation of Altingia excelsa, Dipterocarpus spp., Shorea spp., Quercus spp., dan Castanopsis spp.
 

 II. Requirements to Live in Nature

1. Shelter 
Sumatran elephants are categorized as warm blooded animals thus in the hot weather condition, these animals will find shelter (thermal cover) to stabilize their body temperature to fit with the environment temperature. The locations usually used for shelter and rest at day light are the places covered with dense vegetation.

2. Diet
Sumatran Elephants are also categorized as herbivorous animals so that they need green food available sufficiently in their habitat. Elephants also need habitat with tree vegetation for their supplement in fulfilling the need for calcium mineral in order to strengthen their bone, teeth, and ivory. Since the digest system is less perfect, an adult elephant needs food in a big amount between 200-300 kg biomass per day or 5-10% of its body weight.

Sumatran elephant food types in natural habitat comprises of some kinds of wild herb, liana, tree bark, banana, and young leaves. If they invade paddy field or farming land, elephants will eat paddy, sugar cane, young coconut leaves, fruit such as papaya, and other seedlings.

3. Water 
Elephants are very much dependent to water thus in the afternoon they look for water sources for drinking, bathing and wallowing. A Sumatran elephant needs to drink about 20-50liter/day. When the water sources are dried, elephant can dig for 50-100 cm using his front feet and trunk in search of water.

4. Mineral 
Elephant also needs mineral salt such as: calcium, magnesium, and callium. These minerals are licked by consuming soil heap contained salt, loosing the hard slope by its front leg and trunks, and eating while raining or after raining.

5. Home range
Elephant is the biggest land mammal that still exist in this age thus it needs wide home range. The Asian Elephant home range is varied between 32.4 - 166.9 km2 meanwhile the home range of elephant herd in primary forest is twice bigger than that of in secondary forest. This condition is related to food productivity in these two different forest conditions.

6. Security and comfort
Elephant needs secured and comfortable situation so that breeding habit will not be disturbed and production process will work well. Therefore wood felling activities done by concession companies have disturbed security and comfort for elephants. 
 

 III. Habit

A. Social Habit

A.1. Living in herd
In natural habitat, elephant lives in herd (gregarius). Living in group is a social habit that pays important role in protecting the herd members. Number of members in one herd is varied depending on weather and resources condition in the habitat in particular the availability of food and extent of home range. One group elephant comprises about 20-35 elephants or some say about 3-23 elephants

Each Sumatran Elephant herd is led by the biggest adult cow, while the adult bull only lives periodically for breeding with some cows in that group. Old bull will live in solitaire since he is unable to follow his group. Young bull, reaching his adolescence is pushed to leave the group or voluntarily join other bull group. Meanwhile, young cow keep staying in the group and acts as the "nanny" in the group.

A.2. Roaming
Naturaly elephants roam in group following permanent paricular paths within one year period of travel. Elephant home range can reach 7 km in one night, even it can reach 15 km per day in dry season or fruit season. Elephant's speed to walk and run in forest and in swamp exceed that of human being's in the same area. Elephant can also swim to cross deep river using their trunk as the snorkel gear or breathing pipe.

When roaming, elephant herd will communicate each other to keep the group integrity. Elephants communicate using soft sound produced by the vibration of its upper trunk. It has been discoverred recently that elephants can communicate through subsonic sound that can reach 5 km. This finding has unveiled the mystery of coordination of elephant herd in search of food in far split up distance while they don't see each other.

A.3. Breeding
Elephants do not have breeding season, they can breed along the year ,however breeding occurs more often when rainy season reaches its top frequence in the area. Bull often behaves outrageously called musht which is indicated by secretion of temporal gland which drips onto its cheek between eyes and ears in black color and with stimulating smell. This habit occurs 3-5 times within 1-4 weeks and is often related with lust periode, however strong evidences 
this matter are still not available.

 
B. Individual Habit

B.1. Eating habit
Elephant is terrestrial mammal which is active at day and night, however most of them are active from 2 hours before late afternoon till 2 hours before dawn to search for food. Elephants often search for food while walking at night for 16-18 hours per day. They are not thrifty toward food thus they tend to leave much food leftover if there is better food available.

B.2. Drinking 
When bathing in river, elephants drink with their mouth while when bathing in shallow river or swamp they suck the the water with their trunks. Elephants are able to suck water to 9 litter in once suck.

B.3. Wallowing
Elephant often wallows in the mud at day light and afternoon when it searches for food. Wallowing habit is important to protect their skin from extoparacyte insect bite besides for cooling down its body.

B.4. Mineral lick 
Elephant search for salt by licking things or other objects containing salt with its trunk. Elephants also often hurt themselves to brush their blood that contains salt.

B.5. Resting
Elephants sleep twice in a day; at midnight, and day light. At night, elephants often sleep by lying down their body to the side using pillow made from grasses. In exhausted condition, they will snore. Meanwhile, at day light elephants sleep while standing under shady trees.
 

IV. Reproduction 
In captivity, elephant can reach the age of 70 and a long his life, a bull does not only bind to a cow mate. A cow is considered matured for reproduction when she reaches the age of 8 to10 years, while a bull when he reaches 12 to 15 years old. A cow experiences reproduction process once in four years with 19-21 months of pregnancy and only delivers one calf of more or less 90 kg per birth. A calf will breastfeed for 2 years and live under the nursing for 3 years. 

Anoa “The Smallest Buffalo”

Anoa is midget buffalo or sapiutan as the local called it, living in throughout rain forest of Sulawesi Island. They living in Low land and High land both have different name considered where they live. Anoa is the smallest buffalo in the world, the local hunted them for their food, just like other species of buffalo, Anoa is eatable but many people argue that this kind animal is intoxicated so there’s no way applicable as one of meal on table. Adult Anoa can run fast more than 10km/hour and they have a couple of sharp horn.

Sumatran Tiger

Size
Adult males: up to eight feet from head to tail, up to 300 pounds; adult females: up to seven feet from head to tail, around 200 pounds


Range
The Indonesian island of Sumatra

Habitat
Lowland forests, mountain forests, and peat moss forests. Sumatran tigers also venture into mountainous areas.

Lifestyle
Sumatran tigers are solitary, generally only coming together to mate.  A male's territory may overlap several females' territories, but not other males'.

Food
Sumatran tigers are carnivores, and prey on small animals from fish and birds, to large ungulates like wild boar, tapir, and deer.

Life Cycle
In the wild, life expectancy is about 12 years; up to 20 years in zoos. Mating may occur at any time, but is most common between November and April.  Gestation is approximately 110 days.  Litters consist of one to five helpless cubs weighing just over 2 pounds. The cubs stay with their mother for about two years, then begin to establish their own territories. Sexual maturity is reached at 3-4 years for females, and 4- 5 years for males.

Some of My Neighbors (IN THE WILD)
Orangutans, wild boar, tapir, Sumatran rhino, Sumatran Elephant

Population Status & Threats
Listed as critically endangered by the IUCN; there are fewer than 400 individuals in the wild.  Habitat loss due to human activities, as well as poaching, is intensifying this crisis.

Zoo Atlanta Conservation Efforts
Zoo Atlanta's Sumatran Tigers are part of the AZA Species Survival Plan (SSP). Through the SSP, we are able to help ensure  that the captive population of Sumatran tigers is as genetically varied and healthy as possible.