Creature Feature #200: Elephant

It is time for the BIG #200!

The Elephant is the largest land animal, with African Elephant bulls weighing in at 7,000 kg. Cows are somewhat smaller. She is characterised by her trunk, actually an extension of her nose and upper lip, a most versatile appendage indeed. It is used for breathing, scenting, to manipulate objects, to inhale water for drinking and showering and also in communication, both verbal and physical. Elephant cows are social creatures, living in herds led by the matriach, usually the oldest and wisest of the herd and accompanied by their calves. Due to the nature of their foraging, African Elephants must lead a nomadic existence, travelling across the savannah and through marshlands, open forest and even up into the mountains or towards the coast. With their size and social behaviour they have few natural predators, but have been hunted extensively by humans for their skin, meat and their ivory tusks.

Creature Feature #199: Elephantnose Fish

The Elephantnose Fish is a freshwater fish of Africa named for the long, sensitive extension of his mouth, which somewhat resembles an elephant's trunk. This organ is covered in electrosensors, which he uses to locate food as his eyesight is rather poor, although he can see resonably well in low light levels. He generates a weak electric field via muscle contractions to sense his surroundings. His brain is the largest in proportion to body weight of any vertebrate. Fairly common in the pet trade, he mixes well with other fish but can be territorial with others of his kind.

Creature Feature #198: 'Elepaio

This diminutive monarch flycatcher lives in Hawaii, with three different species on three different islands. He is one of the more adaptable of the Hawaiian natives, although like the others he has suffered from mammalian predation and bird malaria. His name is derived from his warbling song, and he is the first native bird to begin singing in the morning, and the last to stop singing at night. He is bold and curious. His insectivorous nature leads him to associate closely with humans who venture into his forest domain, snatching up the insects dislodged by their activities.

Creature Feature #197: Elegant Trogan

The Elegant Trogan makes his home in semi-arid woodlands, ranging from Arizona to Costa Rica. He is a handsome bird, with his mate being somewhat duller, although still sporting the red underbelly. His preferred diet is insects and fruit. He remains perched for long periods of time, is capable of turning his head almost all the way around, and can see in low light levels. Once a flying insect has been sighted, he will take flight, seizing it in his serrated bill. When breeding season comes around, he puffs up his chest feathers, flicks his long tail and coos to attract a female. The pair must then find an abandoned woodpecker nest cavity or other tree hollow to nest in. Competition for these is fierce, and conflicts with other trogan, woodpeckers, squirrels and even owls is common.

Creature Feature #196: Eland

The Eland is a sturdy Ungulate related to antelopes and cattle. He can be found in the savannah and open ares of East and Southern Africa. He leads a nomadic existence, gathering in herds of up to 500 individuals, with members leaving and joining on a whim. If the males spot danger they will bark and trot back and forth until the entire herd is alerted. Elands are one of the slowest moving of their kin, capable of reaching speeds of 40 kph for short bursts, but they can keep up a steady 22 kph trot indefinitely and leap 2.5 metres from a standing start. Both bulls and cows are equipped with the spiral horns. The bulls use these to fight one another, whereas the cows use them to protect their young.

Creature Feature #195: Eider Duck

The Eider is a large sea duck, of which there are three species. This fellow is the King Eider, named such for his bold colouration. In spring, flocks of these elegant birds migrate to the Arctic tundra to breed. Nests are a scrape in the ground, lined with down feathers plucked from the female's breast. These soft and warm feathers have long been harvested and used to stuff quilts and pillows, a practise that is fully sustainable as they are collected from the nesting grounds after the ducklings have left the nest. After breeding has concluded, Eiders return to the sea where they dive for benthic invertebrates: crustaceans, molluscs and polychaete worms. Winter flocks can number 10,000 birds.

Creature Feature #194: Egyptian Vulture

The Egyptian Vulture is a carrion feeder with an opportunistic streak and a taste for eggs. If she locates an unguarded ostrich or bustard egg she will pick up a large pebble in her beak and toss it at the egg, repeating the process until the shell cracks and she can lap up the yolk (or embryo) within. She has also been known to use a twig to collect wool, which she then carries back to line her nest. She forms a monogamous pair bond which can last more than one season, and recycles her old nest site, a large tree, cliff ledge or even a building, constructing an ungainly platform of twigs that is often lined with rags or wool.