African black crake

Tiger walking in grass

Head-Body Length:2.2-3.1 mHeight:91 cmWeight:100-260 kgIdentification:The exact physical characteristics of the tiger varies by subspecies. Most, however, have a reddish-orange to light orange coat; but some may be white. All species have black stripes.Habitat:Several forest types, mangrove swampsDiet:Carnivore: large hoofed mammals such as sambar, chital, swamp deer, red deer, Rusa deer, and wild pigsReproduction:The exact time of breeding depends on a tiger's location. Some subspecies mate throughout the entire year. Gestation lasts 103 days, and most females have three or four cubs. The cubs leave the den when they are eight weeks old and become independent from their mother at 18 months.Social Structure:Tigers are usually solitary, pairing up only for mating.Behavior:Males establish very large territories (up to 100 square km) that encompass 3-4 smaller female territories. Tigers hunt their prey by ambushing the animal.Status:Endangered: habitat destruction, poachingInteresting Facts:Man-eating tigers are rare, and are usually very old or disabled individuals. They are the largest living species of cat.Male elk

Head-Body Length:1.5-2.5 mHeight:130-152 cmWeight:240-454 kgIdentification:Elk have branched antlers, a light bay summer coat, and a darker coat with gray underparts in the winter. The males have a longer mane around their neck during the rut.Habitat:Open deciduous forests, mountains, plains, moorlandDiet:Herbivore: grass, heather, leaves, budsReproduction:The breeding season, or rut, takes place during the fall. Gestation lasts 249-262 days. Usually only one calf is born, but on rare occasions a female may have twins.Social Structure:During the breeding season, elk form mixed herds of males and females. For the rest of the year, herds contain only males.Behavior:Elk are most active in the morning, late afternoon, and evening.Status:No special statusInteresting Facts:The elk is conspecific with the Europe's red deer (Cervus elaphus).American black bear

Animal Characteristics

Head-Body Length:130-190 cmWeight:male: 60-300 kg, female: 40-80 kgIdentification:American black bears are primarily black, but they may be brown, cinnamon, pale blue, or white. A white patch on the chest is also common.Habitat:Forests, tundraDiet:Omnivore: insects, nuts, berries, acorns, grass, roots, young deerReproduction:Black bears mate in June, July, or August. After a gestation period of 220 days, females give birth to 1-4 cubs in a den. The cubs are weaned when they are 6-8 months old but will not leave their mother until they are 1-1.5 years of age. Most bears live for 20-25 years.Social Structure:With the exception of a female with her cubs, black bears spend most of their time alone.Behavior:Female bears may remain in the same vicinity as their mothers. Males are forced to disperse.Status:No special status although some subspecies are rareInteresting Facts:Due to their low reproductive rates, black bears can only sustain a very low rate (0-5 percent) of additional unnatural deaths; each bear killed by man is extremely devastating. African lion

Animal Characteristics

Head-Body Length:Male: 172-250 cm, Female: 158-192 cmHeight:100-128 cmWeight:Male: 150-260 kg, Female: 122-182 kgIdentification:The coat of the African lion varies from white to yellowish brown. A tawny-yellow is most common. Males are easily identifiable by their large manes.Habitat:Varies widelyDiet:Carnivore: large and small mammalsReproduction:A pride's females usually come into heat all at the same time. Litters of 2-6 cubs are produced after a gestation period of 100 days. The cubs accompany the adults as they move by two months of age, are weaned by eight months, and are independent when they are 18 months old. Females within a pride will commonly suckle each other's young.Social Structure:African lions live in groups, called prides, that usually contain five females, two males, and their offspring. Some prides can grow as large as 28 adult lions. Females form very strong bonds with one another while males are more transitory, remaining with the pride for only 3-4 years.Behavior:Hunting is done using skilled stalking, usually by the females of a pride. Roaring is used to advertise the position and status of an African lion and/or its pride.Status:No special statusInteresting Facts:On a still night, an African lion's roar can be heard from 8 km away.Leopards

Animal Characteristics

Head-Body Length:104-190 cmWeight:28-90 kgIdentification:The coat color of the leopard may range from pale cream to tawny brown. Black or brown rosettes are found on the back and upper limbs, turning into solid spots on the face, lower limbs, and undersides.Habitat:Areas with heavy vegetation for coverDiet:Carnivore: opportunistic, small to medium-sized mammals, birds; hunt by stalking or laying an ambush;Reproduction:Female leopards raise their offspring alone. After a gestation period of 90-112 days, the mother may give birth to up to six cubs in a cave, burrow, or dense thicket. The young are gradually weaned onto meat at three months and won't leave their mother until 1.5-2 years of age.Social Structure:Leopards are extremely solitary cats, coming together only for mating. They communicate via feces, urine, and scratch marks on trees. They also make loud vocalizations. Male and female home ranges often overlap.Behavior:Most hunting is done during the night. They will often drag a kill into a tree so it can't be taken from them by larger predators (lions, hyenas, etc.)Status:Endangered: habitat loss, hunted because they kill livestock or for their skins; they have completely disappeared from some regionsInteresting Facts:Contrary to what some people believe, leopards and jaguars are different species. Jaguars are stockier than leopards and have spots in the middle of the rosettes on their coats.PAGE 5