Triceratops is a genus of herbivorous ceratopsid dinosaur that first appeared during the late Maastrichtian stage of the late Cretaceous period, about 68 million years ago (mya) in what is now North America. Individual Triceratops are estimated to have reached about 7.9 to 9.0 m (25.9–29.5 ft) in length, 2.9 to 3.0 m (9.5 to 9.8 ft) in height, and 6.1–12.0 tonnes (13,000–26,000 lb) in weight. The most distinctive feature is their large skull, among the largest of all land animals. The largest known skull (specimen MWC 7584, formerly BYU 12183) is estimated to have been 2.5 metres (8.2 ft) in length when complete, and could reach almost a third of the length of the entire animal. A specimen of T. horridus named Kelsey measured 7.3 metres (24 ft) long with a 1.98 metres (6.5 ft) skull, stood about 2.3 metres (7.5 ft) tall, and was estimated by the Black Hills institute to weight nearly 6 tonnes (5.9 long tons; 6.6 short tons). A Triceratops 8 metres (26 ft) long has been estimated by Gregory S. Paul to have massed 9.3 tonnes (9.2 long tons; 10.3 short tons). Pictures of Triceratops horridus displayed in American Museum of Natural Hstory in New York City, USA.

This thread is dedicated to the North-Chinese Leopard. Share photos, videos, data and all information about these leopards.

The North-Chinese Leopard (Panthera pardus japonensis) is an endangered leopard subspecies that inhabits the internal lands of the central and north eastern China. 

In 1998 the population was estimated around 1000 individuals; in 2015, is estimated a total population of 174-348 individuals (Laguardia et al., 2015). Unfortunately, the distribution is highly fragmented and few leopard are isolated in nature reserves and in a remote areas. In 1998 the population is estimated about 1000 individuals. This subspecies have lost the 98% of his historical range distribution.

The habitat destruction and fragmentation, the killings due to conflict, a low prey base and poaching for wildlife trade, is the causes of his decline.

China is the nation (the only nation) that hosts the most number of subspecies of leopards: 

• North Chinese Leopard (Panthera pardus japonensis) that is present in the central part of China;
• Amur Leopard (Panthera pardus orientalis) in north east China, at the border with Russia and North Corea;
• Indochinese Leopard (Panthera pardus delacouri) in south west, at the border with Laos and Myanmar (south of the Yunnan province and in the Guangdong region);
• Indian Leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) that inhabits the high altitude regions of south central Tibet and Himalaya, including the forests of the mount Everest.
  

In the east of the Tibet region (Xizang), there is also present a recently discovered population of leopards, that need a major investigation to clarify the subspecies. Laguardia et al., based on the continuos range distribution and similar habitat consider it Panthera pardus japonensis.

This is a map provided by Laguardia et al., 2015 with the current distribution of leopards in China:


North Chinese Leopard from Zhouzhi National Reserve, Qinling mountains (Shaanxi province).


North Chinese Leopard caught with camera trap in Shuishui River Reserve. Credits to Zhou Zhefeng.


North Chinese Leopard. I found in this chinese site this locality: "Nanjing Xi'an Nature Reserve - Tin Mountain National". Anyone can confirm me? Peter, you know information about this area? @peter 


North Chinese Leopard caught with camera trap in Guanyinshan Nature Reserve (Shaanxi province).

The name litelally means river horse from the Greek hippos - horse - and potamus - river . but there is very little that is horse-like about hippos. The common hippo is unmistikable with a barrel-shaped, almost hairless body weghing in at anything up to 3 tonnes aqlthough half that weight would be a more average figure.
Size=
some measurements were make by Dr R. M. Laws of the lengths of hippos shot on control in Uganda during the 1960s. The sample contained 20 of each sex, The average length along the back was 271,75 cm about 8ft 10 in for males and females and both measured up to 302 cm.
Weight=
Where culling has benn carried out and actual weights recordered from dismembered corpses, the results has beeen less spectacular than some of the previous published figures, e.g. Laws (1963), who weighted a large sample in Uganda, found the average weight to 1536 kg for males /max 2065 kg) and 1386 kg for females (max 1716 kg). Ledger (1968) who weighted 4 specimens of each sex, reported similar average weights for East African Hippos 1490 kg for males (range1179-1714 kg) and females 1277 kg (1185-1401). Pinaar et al found similar weights in Kruger Nationalo Park with averages of 1490 for males and 1321 kg for females witha max of 1999 for males and 1674 for females.Information taken from the book The Hippos S K Eltringham.
Credits= santuaryretreats - Cesika - natures_experiende - jakerosmarin - rj_endallphotos

Head and body length excluding the tail 180-200 cm., Shoulder height males 120-125 cm. females 112 cm, tail 45-90 cm. weight males 200-275 kg females 180-210 kg.
Behavior; Family group: herds of about 10-40 animals, which consist of a dominant male, a few non dominant males and females. Main predators: Lion, Wild dog, Hyena. They can reach running speeds up to 60 kmph, females use their horns to defend themselves and their offpring from predators, while males primarely use their horns to defend their territory from others.
Distribution: Botswana, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Credits to Sofhia VdM, Kalahari Game Lodge, and Ramsi Sras.
Information taken from the book BOVIDS of the Wolrd Antelopes, Gazelles, Cattle, Goats, Sheep, and Relatives (Jose R. Castello)

Giant otter - Pteronura brasiliensis







The giant otter or giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. It is the longest member of the Mustelidae, or weasel family, a globally successful group of predators, the giant otter It has the greatest body length of any species in the mustelid family, although the sea otter may be heavier. Males are between 1.5 and 1.7 m (4.9 and 5.6 ft) in length from head to tail and females between 1 and 1.5 m (3.3 and 4.9 ft). Weight 21 to 34 kg. Defence against intruding animals appears to be cooperative: while adult males typically lead in aggressive encounters, cases of alpha females guarding groups have been reported. One fight was directly observed in the Brazilian Pantanal in which three animals violently engaged a single individual near a range boundary.In another instance in Brazil, a carcass was found with clear indications of violent assault by other otters, including bites to the snout and genitals, an attack pattern similar to that exhibited by captive animals.The giant otter is an apex predator, and its population status reflects the overall health of riverine ecosystems. It feeds mainly on fish, including cichlids, characins (such as piranha), and catfish. One full-year study of giant otter scats in Amazonian Brazil found fish present in all fecal samples. Fish from the order Perciformes, particularly cichlids, were seen in 97% of scats, and Characiformes, such as characins, in 86%. Credits to Cesar Barrio-Amoros, Javier Mesa and Alan Highton.

                Any one has the history on these males?  I read they are related, putting them 6 or 7 strong,  Are they able to challenge Manjingilanes?

Wild lioness nursing leopard cub - Incredible and unbelievable photos captured first time in the history




Probably this is first time ever captured in the history

Very very rare photos taken by Joop Van Der Linde, show a wild lioness suckling a leopard cub in a "very unique case" in the Serengeti national park, Tanzania.

A guest staying at the Ndutu Safari Lodge in Tanzania’s Ngorongoro Conservation Area captured the images of a five-year-old lioness, locally known as 'Nosikitok', feeding a three-week-old leopard cub.

Dr Luke Hunter, president of Panthera, a wild cat conservation organisation, said the behaviour was "mystifying".

"I know of no other example of inter-species adoption or nursing like this among big cats in the wild," he said.

This lioness is known to have recently given birth to her own cubs, which is a critical factor. She is physiologically primed to take care of baby cats, and the little leopard fits the bill - it is almost exactly the age of her own cubs and physically very similar to them.

"She would not be nursing the cub if she wasn’t already awash with a ferocious maternal drive," he added. "It is quite possible she has lost her own cubs, and found the leopard cub in her bereaved state when she would be particularly vulnerable."




Dr Hunter said that the leopard cub may struggle to survive if it remains in the pride, according to him: "It is very unlikely that the lioness' pride will accept it."

He further added: "Lions have very rich, complicated social relationships in which they recognise individuals, by sight and by roar, and so they are very well equipped to distinguish their cubs from others. If the rest of the pride finds the cub, it is likely it would be killed."

"Even its early exposure to lion society would not override the millions of years of evolution that has equipped the leopard to be a supreme solitary hunter.

"I am sure it would go its own way."

The collar was put on Nosikitok(The Lioness) by KopeLion, a Tanzanian conservation group backed by Panthera.




This news has stunned the Lion world, and made world headlines. Nosikitok, in KiMaa means colostrum, a mothers first milk. It seems very fitting in this case. Nosikitok is part of the Masek Pride.

Some one asked what happened to the cub

Ans: It seems it was a one off incident as Nosikitok is back off wandering far and wide, and the baby leopard hasn't been seen again. There is a female leopard known to be living in this area so there is a small chance it was reunited with it's mother.

Video posted by @Tshokwane - http://wildfact.com/forum/topic-bigcats-...1#pid42391

Hoplias aimara or freshwater Wolf Fish, is a species found in the rivers of South America; mainly in Brazil, Guyana, Suriname and Venezuela. Hoplias aimara is often found in counter current zones of principal rivers and creeks. This fish is mainly an ambush predator of fish but also feeds opportunistically on other animals that fall into the water such as terrestrial invertebrates. Seems that this fish can reach the 80 pound - 40 kilos and 47 inch - 120 cm in lenght but bigger fishes was caught with net in the past decade. Pictures 3 and 4 courtesy of Yudhistira Prasetyo.

DISTRIBUTION: South America
MAX SIZE: 80 lb / 40 kg (?)
MAX LENGTH: 47 inch / 120 cm
MAX AGE: Unknown

Macrochelys temminckii is one of the heaviest freshwater turtles in the world. Excluding exceptionally large specimens, adult alligator snapping turtles generally range in carapace length from 35 to 80.8 cm (13.8 to 31.8 in) and weigh from 8.4 to 80 kg (19 to 176 lb). Males are typically larger than females.adult alligator snapping turtles averaged 21.05 kg (46.4 lb), 92 averaged 19.72 kg (43.5 lb), and 249 averaged 13.5 kg (30 lb). Usually very old males comprise the specimens that weigh in excess of 45 kg (99 lb) per most population studies. The alligator snapping turtle is found primarily in southeastern United States waters. They are found from the Florida Panhandle west to East Texas, north to southeastern Kansas, Missouri, southeastern Iowa, western Illinois, southern Wisconsin, southern Indiana, western Kentucky, and western Tennessee. They are found on the Missouri River at least as far north as the Gavins Point Dam, the southernmost dam on the Missouri River at Yankton, South Dakota, and are featured in the Gavins Point Dam Aquarium. Pictures taken from the book The Alligator Snapping Turtle Peter C.H. Pritchard

Just off the dome I thought maybe having recognition handed out to certain users which have impressed the owners or moderators every month would greatly improve the forum. It would encourage more people to post interesting and insightful content, and turn lurkers into posters. Of course there are the core members of the forum who deliver nothing but quality stuff, so aiming for other less frequent and well known posters would be ideal.