Canines, Carnivores, & Conservation
CANINES. They are humankind’s oldest friends. They enrich our lives in so many ways. Understanding them provides insight into how to care for their emotional and physical health as well as linking us profoundly to their ancestry — the wolf. Join our team in a study of Canines, their history, behaviors, and even tips to give them the best life possible. That’s simply what a best friend does.
CARNIVORES. Carnivores are often mythified in a variety of ways, mostly as dangerous creatures of lore and legend. Wolves, bears, large cats, and other carnivores play essential roles in the self-management of healthy ecosystems and wildernesses. Join our team as we delve into what makes these animals unique and a great partner to humankind as we work to manage our wild places.
CONSERVATION. Learning about carnivores can be fascinating, however, without the stewardship by humans, the landscape could be profoundly and dangerously altered. Join our team as we discuss the very recent brief history of conservation of apex predators, the factors that led to threats to their survival, and steps taken to protect their future.
Latest Posts
Fossas Are the Largest Native Carnivore in Madagascar
When you first see a Fossa, you might think it’s a member of the cat family. However, it’s actually related to the mongoose! They’re about 23-30 inches long, with an extra 22-28 inches added for their tails, and they can weigh somewhere between 15 and 26 pounds. They have short brown fur, and retractable claws. They are native to Madagascar and are actually the largest carnivore on the island.
Check Out This Conservation News!
There’s been some interesting conservation news recently. The US Fish & Wildlife Service has been taking steps to help some at-risk wildlife.
Two Indigenous Communities Helped Preserve Black Caimans
Black Caimans are part of the alligator family. They’re the biggest species in that family. They are found in the Amazon River basin, in countries including Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. They have dark skin that helps them camouflage during the night when they’re hunting for food.
Black-footed Cats are the Deadliest Hunters
Black-footed Cats are the smallest cats in Africa – they only weigh about four pounds! They have interesting markings. Their fur can be from a yellow-brown to a cinnamon color, and they have black spots on their bodies that turn into rings around their legs and tail. They also have fur on their feet to protect them from the hot ground they experience in their habitats.
Black-footed Ferrets are Endemic to North America
Black-footed ferrets are native animals to North America. They are part of the order Carnivora and the family Mustelidae. They weigh 1.5 to 2.5 pounds and are 18-24 inches long. They are considered endangered, with only several hundred left in the wild.
Striped Polecats Are Also Called Zorilles
Striped Polecats are also known as Zorillas or Zorilles, and they can be found throughout Africa – from the east coast to the South.1 They are about 12-16 inches long, which doesn’t include their tail.
Misunderstood Mesos: Olinguito
Hiding among the cloud-soaked forests of the Andes Mountains lives an elusive mesocarnivore that has evaded scientific discovery until recently- the olinguito.
European Polecats Are Part of the Mustelidae Family
European Polecats are part of the Mustelidae family, which includes weasels, stoats, skunks, martens, mink, and otters.
Hawksbill Sea Turtles Weigh Up to 150 Pounds
Hawksbill Sea Turtles are about 24–45 inches long, weigh up to 150 pounds, and live to be about 50 years old. They get their name from the fact that their mouths have a similar shape to that of a hawk’s beak.
Misunderstood Mesos: Aardwolves
Among the shrublands of Africa lives a fascinating mesocarnivore that is named after two other, more popular, species. However, the aardwolf is not related to either the aardvark or wolf, but rather an ancient member of the Hyaenidae, or hyena family. Even though...
Spot the Difference Between Crocodiles and Alligators
Can you spot the difference between Crocodiles and Alligators? These reptiles are part of the order Crocodylia, which includes alligators, crocodiles, and gharials. All three of these reptile species share a common ancestor but have evolved to have their own unique characteristics over time.
Misunderstood Mesos: Sand Cat
Mesocarnivores occupy most habitats of the world, even scorching deserts where all life seems to be vacant. With extreme temperature fluctuations and sparse vegetation, it is surprising any animals can survive desert conditions, yet enough primary consumers exist to support several predators. The sand cat is one of those predatory desert specialists who cling to life within one of the harshest habitats on the planet.
Wildlife Telemetry in Action in California
Here’s some exciting wolf news from California: the California Department of Fish and Wildlife captured two gray wolves in mid-March, put satellite collars on them, took DNA samples, and released them back into the wild.1 One wolf is known as OR85, who had been...
Listen: Red Wolves – Preventing Extinction…Again
Check out this throwback episode of RadioWild where we talk with Regina Mossotti, the director of Animal Care and Conservation at the Endangered Wolf Center in St. Louis, Missouri. Red wolves are on the brink of becoming abandoned by the very organization that set out to save them from extinction.
Misunderstood Mesos: Coatis
Throughout the rainforests, mountaintops, and deserts of South and Central America, Mexico, and the Southern United States roam a peculiar mesocarnivore that is losing habitat quickly. Despite the adaptability and ecological importance of this New World mammal, land clearing, and forest fragmentation are squeezing some of their populations toward extinction. These relatives of the raccoon and ringtail hold an important niche in their habitats yet remain misunderstood and unprotected in most of their range.
RadioWild: Casey Anderson Talks Wildlife and Predators
Join us for a throwback episode of RadioWild, featuring National Geographic host and explorer Casey Anderson! We discuss large carnivores and predators and the role they play in nature. We also chat about some of Casey’s inspirations that launched him into the wildlife career he has today.
Servals Have the Largest Ears of Any Cat
Have you heard of the Serval? It’s a type of cat that can be found in over 30 countries in Africa. They are usually around 30-40 inches long and weigh about 33 pounds. They have very long legs, which help them navigate the tall grasses in their habitats and capture prey easily. In total, there are 19 subspecies of Serval.
Fascinating Ways Animals Couple Up
Love is in the air! Yesterday was Valentine’s Day and while humans will go out on dates to find their perfect partner, animals have other tactics. Reproduction is very important in the animal kingdom and finding a mate that’s healthy and will pass on good genes to their offspring is essential for biodiversity and the survival of said offspring.
Listen: RadioWild – Wildlife in our Cities
Discover what he feels are some of the pertinent issues facing wildlife management and our cities, which deal with wildlife within their city limits. This is all part of the Great Predator Debate Series, a film series produced by the Wolf Education and Research Center.
Snow Leopards Live in Mountainous Areas
Snow leopards are a species of big cat that lives in mountain habitats in Central Asia. They are solitary animals, and they usually are 4-5 feet long and have a tail that adds another 36 inches. Their habitats within the mountains include open forests, grasslands, and scrublands.
Cheetahs Can’t Roar
You probably already know that cheetahs are very fast cats, but did you know that there is some debate over whether or not they should be classified as “big cats”? Other big cats can roar, but cheetahs can’t, so there is a debate over whether or not they can be included in the group. But even though they can’t roar, they can purr as other cats do.
A Lion’s Roar Can Be Heard 5 Miles Away
The second largest cat behind tigers is the lion! Did you know that there used to be lions in North America? They went extinct a long time ago.1 Lions can reach lengths of over six feet, and their tails add an extra two to three feet. They also weigh hundreds of...
Tigers Are Great Swimmers
Tigers are very important carnivores and are actually the largest species of cat in the world.1 They can be found in Russia, China, India, and Sumatra.2 There are several subspecies of tiger – the biggest of which is the Amur tiger, and the smallest of which is the...
Listen: RadioWild – A Native American Perspective
We hope you had a wonderful New Year! We have a great throwback episode of RadioWild for you today. We chat with Wilson Wewa of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs as part of our Great Predator Debate Series. We talk about the influence Nature has on mankind, and...
THE SECRET IMPACT OF WOLVES THAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
By The Wolf Education and Research Center
EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW AS YOU START YOUR BIOLOGY CAREER
By Biologist Jeremy Heft of the Wolf Education and Research Center
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