Opossums are quiet, isolated animals that are often misunderstood and not appreciated and the result can be disastrous for them. These animals are mostly defenseless, as opposed to their appearance of being able to defend themselves, they are often the targets of unnecessary cruelty, especially in urban areas. Having better knowledge of opossums and understanding the benefits of having them as neighbors are essential to create a tranquil coexistence with these creatures.
The opossum is the only native North American marsupial. In general, they present a far lower health risk to humans than even dogs and cats! They have a naturally high level of immunity to most diseases. For example, opossums are more resistant to rabies than any other mammal; cattle, goats, dogs, cats, sheep, and even man are far more susceptible to rabies! People sometimes fear this animal when they interact with it in a backyard trashcan because it has a threatening appearance. This is because the opossum has 50 teeth, the most of any mammal in North America. That would make anything look ferocious. In reality, possums are just misunderstood creatures
…show more content…
However, unknown to most people, the opossum is quite a submissive creature, and this is all show. If this does not make the perceived attacker feel threatened, the opossum would feel as if it were in danger causing it to perform its famous 'play dead' routine. This is no quick, flip over on its back, but rather an incredibly complex process in which the animal will actually go through an involuntary response, and violently tremor and shake. The heart rate slows down to around four beats per minute, putting the animal in a hibernation-like state. At this point, the animal expresses its anal glands, which produces a putrid smell that makes the animal smell as if it was actually dead. Finally, it will foam up at the mouth. This process can last a few minutes up to four
Lerner, E. and Lerner, B., 2008. Giraffes and okapi. The Gale Encyclopedia of Science 4
"Orcas in Captivity: Animal Cruelty for Profit." Blog RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Mar. 2014. .
An orca, more commonly known as a killer whale, is currently one of the largest marine animals held in captivity. Countless arguments are being made, supporting and opposing captivity of orcas to be exploited as circus animals in theme parks around the world. Throughout recent history, Sea World trainers have been injured and killed by the orcas and the whales, and the whales themselves have been observed as severely depressed. If Sea World releases the whales, they would undergo an immense economic downfall and the whales would be too weak to survive in the wild if they were freed. Since the first Sea World park opened in San Diego, California in 1964, common questions have arose concerning the well-being of orcas in captivity, the dangers of humans training them, the physical capability of whales theoretically being released, and the psychological differences between whales living in the wild versus whales living in Sea World's confinement.
Lemurs are known to be not only the most endangered mammal, but possibly the most endangered vertebrates on the planet. According to IUCN’s Red list of Threatened species, it is reported that “23 of the species are now considered 'critically endangered,' 52 are 'endangered,' and 19 are 'vulnerable'” (Andrainarivo). Simpona lemurs are one of the most endangered species of lemurs. In total there are approximately less than 250 mature Simpona lemurs in the wild as of 2013 (Andrainarivo). The Simpona lemur is only found in a small mountainous area of northeastern Madagascar. Of the many endangered species of lemurs in Madagascar, the Simpona is one of the three most critically endangered. Not only are they one of the top three critically endangered species of lemurs, but are known to be one of the top 25 mo...
Sarai Michel English 9HP, Period 4 When I was six years old, my parents took me to SeaWorld for the first time. I remember clearly watching the Shamu show and sitting in the splash zone, ending up soaked in water by the end. But I also distinctly remember wondering how an animal so big and beautiful could ever be happy in such a small tank, so far away from home. The animals could never possibly experience the joy they would have out in the wild where they belonged.
William Apess broke the mold by writing this autobiography titled A Son of the Forest in 1829, considering it was not a common literary form for his time. Apess also set the bar as the earliest autobiography written and published by a Native American. Throughout the piece we learn his highs and lows, the prejudices he encountered, his different jobs, and his ordainment as a minister.
Sources used in this piece were interviews with zoo staff and also visuals in the form of photographs of the elephant. Unknown, “Hattie, Central Park Elephant, Dies; News Hidden to keep Sad Children Away.” The New York Times. November 20,
I confess, I am guilty. I am guilty of supporting these disgraceful prisons where the ones held captive are, at times, abducted from there homes and forced to entertain us. I did not support them because I wanted to or thought it to be right, but because I was ignorant and did not know the truth. In fact, at one point in our lives we are all guilty of it. Looks can be deceiving. At first glance we would never think these places to be horrible, but in all reality they are. I am talking about zoos, aquariums, marine parks and circuses. All of these places are just another form of prisons. The only difference between this prison and other prisons is that the prisoners did nothing to deserve to be in there, they are all innocent. I have been to a zoo and a circus, making me guilty, therefore it is my responsibility to inform you about what really goes on behind closed doors.
Have you ever wondered what gliding possums are? Gliding possums are small omnivorous, arboreal, and nocturnal gliding possums belonging to the marsupial infraclass. The common name refers to its preference for sugary nectarous foods and ability to glide through the air much like a flying squirrel.
Millions of people visit Sea World each year (The Fate). They crowd into Shamu Stadium to be entertained by the killer whales as they perform. Their eyes widen, and they sit in awe, as these enormous creatures effortlessly propel themselves out of the water. The children in the audience squeal with delight as the orca’s giant tail sends a wave of ice water over the crowd. But these fast-paced, high-spirited shows hide a darker reality. They are designed to mask the reality of the bare, cold concrete walls that the Orcas are forced to call home. It’s time for people to realize the plight of these mammals. Keeping Orcas in captivity is both harmful and cruel.
Elephants Can Lend a Helping Trunk is a passage about a study preformed to test elephants' abilities to collaborate. It explains the basic process of the experiment, and provided in-depth analysis of the results. It made many comparisons between the study and other studies and research and noted the opinions of numerous professionals, which helped show the significance of the test's findings. The purpose of this passage was to primarily to be an entertaining article, and secondarily to inform the reader about the experiment. It was very similar to Elephants Console Each Other in tone and style, but differed more from Elephants Know When They Need a Helping Trunk, mainly because it was less informational, and more enjoyable.
The National Wildlife Federation lists an endangered animals as a genus that may be eradicated by leaving an insufficient quantity to reproduce or obliterating the species in it entirety ("Endangered animals act," para 1). In the United States alone there are 70 mammals that are recorded as endangered; however the foreign number exceeds 250 (US Fish and Wildlife Service, 2014). The extinction process could be correlated to a natural route; however extinction may also transpire due to environmental differences. Climate variations producing even slight changes in characteristics may have an extreme consequence on an endangered species. Loss of habitation also impacts species causing them to becoming imperiled. On occasion ailments are distributed from domestic animal; due to the loss of habitation wild animals to come in contact with infected animals. For example Siberian tigers have development distemper from domestic dogs; and this has triggered the tigers to lose their fear of humans. This proves to be hazardous when the tigers approach villages and roads and are killed; furthermore the disease may cost the tigers their lives. (Dell’Amore, 2013). Many of the vanishing animals are poached for varies elements that may be utilized in traditional treatment. The African rhino is on species that is being significantly exploited for their horns; in Vietnam and China the horn is thought to treat everything from hangovers to cancer (O’Neill, 2013). In addition, the introduction of an exotic species afflicts endangered animals, and the overexploitation of animals initiates noteworthy reductions in populations. If an animal is not able to adapt to changing variations it could be disastrous to a species.
What exactly does the term endangered species denote? There can be numerous definitions that correctly describe the term. It is any plant or animal whose survival is in jeopardy of becoming extinct. Extinction, of course, is when the species no longer exists, and there is no way it can be brought back to this earth. In most cases, the cause of this displeasing calamity is generally human-related.
Poaching has been defined as the illegal hunting and capturing of wild animals. Until the 20th century poaching mostly consisted of game and fish being taken by impoverished peasants. Over the years poaching has become a serious threat to wildlife in Africa. The Black Rhino, African Elephant, Lion, Mountain Gorilla, and Grevy’s Zebra. If any one species gets wiped out it will completely disrupt the food chain. The Black Rhino population has gone down 97.6 percent since the 1960’s and up to 35,000 elephants were killed last year. Poaching has put these beautiful animals in endangerment. Endangered animals are slaughtered for a single body part like tusks, pelts, or bones. These parts are sold illegally for large sums of money. At the rate these
In our world today we have approximately 26,021 endangered species. Endangered species are organisms that may possible become extinct. The term 'endangered species' refers to all species that fits this description. However some conservation biologists and scientists normally use the term ‘endangered species’ to refer to species that are put on the IUCN(International Union for Conservation of Nature)Red List. Many factors can be looked at when considering the conservation status of a species. Factors such as human threats or environmental threats can cause a species to become endangered.