Species
Aardvark
By Kelly Abram - https://www.inaturalist.org/photos/175359469, CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=134253363
Orycteropus afer
The aardvark is a burrowing, nocturnal mammal native to Africa. They have large ears, sharp claws and long snouts and tongues that help them dig for insects. Aardvarks are pale yellow-gray with a thin coat and tough skin. Males are slightly larger and the sides of the face and tail are lighter in females and darker in males.
Range: Sub-Saharan Africa (except West and Central rainforest regions)
Habitat: Grassland and savannah
Size: 40-82 kg (88.11 to 180.62 lb); 100-158 cm (39.37-62.20 in)
Life Span: 18 years in the wild; 23 years in captivity
Feeding: Myrmecophagus, specialising in ants and termites.
Reproduction: Polygynous with a gestation of seven months to bear one cub. It is weaned between three to three and a half weeks and typically remains with its mother until the next mating season. Aardvarks are sexually mature at two years of age.
Conservation Status: Least concern and they adapt well to captivity.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full Classification:
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Tubulidentata |
| Family: | Orycteropodidae |
| Genus: | Orycteropus |
| Species: |
O. afer
|
Aardwolf
By Stefan Haag - Photo 107167442, (c) Stefan Haag, some rights reserved (CC BY), CC BY 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=121677777
Proteles cristatus
The aardwolf is a small, nocturnal hyaenidae. They have dark stripes on yellow to brown fur with a thick mane from the back of the head to the tail with a bushy black tail and black legs. Like other hyaenidaes, they have longer forelegs which gives them a sloped appearance. There is no sexual dimorphisim within the species.
Range: There are two distinct populations. The southern population is found in southern Zambia, Angola, Mozambique, northeastern Uganda and Somalia. The northeastern population is in central Tanzania, Ethiopia, Sudan and Egypt.
Habitat: Savanna and grassland
Size: 8-14 kg (17.62 to 30.84 lb); 85-105 cm (33.46 to 41.34 in)
Life Span: Possibly 18 years in the wild; up to 20 years in captivity
Feeding: Insectivore only eating termites from the Trinevitermes and Hodotermes groups.
Reproduction: Polygynous. Gestation is 3 months and they give birth to 2 to 5 cubs. They remain underground for the first month and increase foraging distance every couple of months with parental supervision. Weaning is completed by 4 months of age, but they aren't independent until typically 1 year. Both the male and female care and protect the cubs until they are independent.
Conservation Status: Least concern. Difficult to adapt to captivity only because of their highly specialized diet.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full Classification:
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Hyaenidae |
| Genus: | Proteles |
| Species: | P. cristata |
African Buffalo
By Charles J. Sharp - Own work, from Sharp Photography, sharpphotography.co.uk, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=68494466
Syncerus caffer
The African buffalo consists of multiple species of buffalo that are native to sub-Saharan Africa. A diverse population, there are typically three to five species currently recognized: the Cape buffalo, the forest buffalo, the Sudan buffalo, the Nile buffalo, and occasionally, the mountain buffalo. In ZARPG, we recognize the Cape, forest and Sudanese buffalo while the Nile and mountain buffalo fall within the Sudan subspecies. There is a high degree of sexual dimorphisim with males being larger with larger horns.
Range: Species of African buffalo can be found throughout the near entirety of central and south Africa but are often fragmented.
Habitat: Buffalo can inhabit any type of habitat as long as there is permanent water and grasses.
Size: Depending on the species, they can weigh less than 300 kgs (660 lbs) or over 835 kgs (1837 lbs).
Life Span: 11-22 years in the wild; 16-29 years in captivty.
Feeding: Herbivore
Reproduction: Polygynandrous. Mating can occur at any time but peak during wet seasons. They have a gestation period of 340 days and typically have 1 calf with twins being very rare. Calves can wean any time between 4 to 18 months depending on life circumstances, specifically if the mother is present or not. It takes calves 1-2 years for independence and they dont reach sexual maturity until 4.5 years for males and 5 years for females.
Conservation Status: Least concern as a whole but certain subspecies have different statuses. Adapt readily to captivity.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full Classification:
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Family: | Bovidae |
| Genus: | Syncerus |
| Species: | S. caffer |
American Alligator
By Bobyellow - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=106773651
Alligator mississippiensis
One of two extant species of alligator, the American alligator are apex predators that are traditionally found in freshwater in temperate regions. They are olive black in colour with short, thick limbs, a round snout and have no visible teeth when their mouth is closed. They are social animals, living in small, close-knit groups. Hatchlings are more social than adults, sticking together for safety.
Range: They are native to North America and are found from North Carolina to Florida to Texas.
Habitat: Freshwaters and very rarely in brackish waters. Larger males can be found in open water whereas smaller females tend to be closer to land.
Size: 91-360 kg (200.44 to 792.95 lb); 257-437 cm (101.18 to 172.05 in)
Life Span: 20-50 years in the wild; 20-70 years in captivity
Feeding: Carnivore
Reproduction: Polygynandrous. Alligators mate from April to early June. Eggs hatch 60 days after being laid. Sex is temperature dependent with females being hatched when temperature is 31C and lower and male being hatched when temperature is 33C or higher. At 32C, an even amount is hatched. Eggs are produced in multiple clutches with anywhere from 2-58 eggs laid at once. Females are highly maternal and protect the nest and can stay with her hatchlings up to a year. Sexual maturity is influenced by length instead of years, typically taking 10-20 years for females and 10-18 years for males.
Conservation Status: Least concern. Adapt readily to captivity given proper water parameters and space.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full Classification:
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Reptilia |
| Order: | Crocodylia |
| Family: | Crocodylidae |
| Genus: | Alligator |
| Species: | A. mississippiensis |
American Badger
By Yathin S Krishnappa - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=24504952
Taxidea taxus
Badgers are short, stocky mustelids. They are solitary, nocturnal mammals. They have short grizzled fur with brown/black patches on the cheeks and a white stripe from their nose. In northern populations, this stripe extends to the shoulders. In southern populations, it continues to the base of the tail. Males tend to be larger.
Range: Western, central, and northeastern U.S.; northern Mexico; and south-central Canada
Habitat: Grasslands, deserts, and chapparral
Size: 4-12 kg (8.81 to 26.43 lb); 52-87.5 cm (20.47 to 34.45 in)
Life Span: 10-14 years in the wild; 16-26 years in captivity
Feeding: Carnivore (fossorial)
Reproduction: Polygynandrous. Mating occurs in late summer but embryos are not implanted until Dec-Feb. Gestation is 6 weeks, and females have 1 to 5 cubs born in spring. They wean around 2 to 3 months and are independent by 5 to 6 months. Females can mate as early as 4 months but are typically a year old. Males are not sexually mature until 16 months.
Conservation Status: Least concern. Adapt well to captivity.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full Classification:
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Mustelidae |
| Genus: | Taxidea |
| Species: | T. taxus |
American Beaver
By D. Gordon E. Robertson - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=9381782
Castor canadensis
Beavers are semiaquatic, nocturnal mammals and the largest rodents in North America. They have a large, flat tail and webbed hind feet. Their front paws are smaller and unwebbed and have claws that are used for digging and foraging. They have a transparent membrane that covers their eyes, allowing them to see underwater. Their nostrils and ears are also sealed while submerged. They have a double coat that is black-brown to red-brown. Their yellow teeth are constantly growing.
Range: Native to North America, they are found everywhere except the northern regions of Canada and the southern deserts of the United States and Mexico.
Habitat: Beavers are mostly aquatic, living in temperate forests and freshwater areas. They typically build lodges on lakes, ponds, and islands.
Size: 13-32 kg (28.63 to 70.48 lb); 90-117 cm (35.43 to 46.06 in)
Life Span: 10-20 years in the wild; 15-24 years in captivity
Feeding: Herbivore (lignivore)
Reproduction: Monogamous. Beavers are driven away from their colony around 2 years old and find a mate and begin a new colony several kilometers away from their original. They first breed around three years. They mate between January and March in cold areas and in late November and December in the south. They are pregnant for 3 months and have a litter of 3 to 6 kits. Kits are born fully furred with open eyes. They are capable of swimming within 24 hours and can leave the lodge to explore within a week. Kits are weaned after two weeks but can take up to 3 months. Kits stay with their parents for two years.
Conservation Status: Least concern. Beavers tend not to do well without large, complex habitats to mimic their natural environment.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full Classification:
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Rodentia |
| Family: | Castoridae |
| Genus: | Castor |
| Species: | C. canadensis |
American Black Bear
By Jim Martin - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=7816500
Ursus americanus
American black bears are a medium-sized bear endemic to North America. They have broad heads with narrow muzzles and are distinguishable from brown bears by their lack of shoulder hump. They have round, short claws, a small tail, and small, rounded ears. They are dexterous, intelligent, and highly intelligent. Black bears can range in colour from white, blond, cinnamon, brown, silver-grey and black. Males tend to be physically larger, while females have a sharper snout.
Range: Their native range is the near entirety of Canada down to southern California and New England with pockets occurring in much of the western United States and northern Mexico.
Habitat: Black bears have a preference towards habitats with thick vegetation, inaccessible terrain, and abundant sources of food. Can be found in temperate forests and scrub lands.
Size: 39.0-409 kg (85.90 to 900.88 lb); 120-200 cm (47.24 to 78.74 in)
Life Span: 10-32 years in the wild; 25-44 years in captivity
Feeding: Omnivore
Reproduction: Polygynous. Breeding season occurs from June to mid-July with the egg not implanted until autumn and gestation technically lasting only 10 weeks. Births occur in January and February, typically while the female is hibernating, to one to five cubs. Cubs are born blind and naked, remaining in the den with their mother and nurse throughout winter. Cubs are weaned around 6 to 8 months but remain with their mother until around 17 months when their mother forces them out of her territory. Females reach sexual maturity from 2 to 9 years old and males at 3 to 4 but continue to grow until 10 to 12 years old.
Conservation Status: Least concern. American black bears can adapt well to captivity as long as their habitat and enrichment requirements are met.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full Classification:
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Ursidae |
| Genus: | Ursus |
| Species: | U. americanus |
American Marten
By Bailey Parsons - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26359879
martes americana
The American marten are long, semi-arboroal, slender weasels with large, rounded ears, short limbs and bushy tail. Their long fur ranges from pale buff to tawny to near black. Their heads are typically lighter than their body with a dark tail and legs. They have a throat and chest patch that range from pale yellow to orange. They have sharp, curved claws.
Range: Native to northern North America from Alaska to northern Canada down to northern California, the Great Lakes, and northern New England.
Habitat: Martens are found in forests with a preference towards mature evergreen forests. They den in hollow trees or ground burrows.
Size: 280-1300 g (9.87 to 45.86 oz); 32-45 cm (12.60 to 17.72 in)
Life Span: 5-10 years in the wild; 12-17 years in captivity
Feeding: Carnivore
Reproduction: Polygynous. Breeding season is from June to August although implantation of the egg is delayed until February with a gestation of 28 days. They give birth to 1-5 kits in late March or early April. They are born blind but develop quickly with their eyes opening at 39 days and weaning occuring at 42 days. They reach full size around 3 and a half months and sexual maturity occurs around 15 months to 2 years.
Conservation Status: Least concern. American pine martens can do well in captivity with suffecient enrichment and habitat variations.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full Classification:
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Mustelidae |
| Genus: | Martes |
| Species: | M. americana |
Arctic Fox
By Photograph by Rama, Wikimedia Commons, Cc-by-sa-2.0-fr, CC BY-SA 2.0 fr, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=14517856
Vulpes lagopus
Arctic foxes are a small fox species adapted to cold environments. It has thick, warm fur and a large, fluffy tail. They have a short muzzle and legs with thick ears. Their body is rounded and minimizes the escape of body heat. They have complex social structures, forming bands in underground dens. Breeding and non-breeding males and females can guard a single territory to increase pup survival, but when resources are scarce, the number of foxes on a territory decreases. There are two colour morphs, white and blue. White has seasonal camouflage whereas blue is typically dark blue, brown, or grey year-round.
Range: Their native range is arctic regions in Eurasia, North America, Greenland, and Iceland.
Habitat: Treeless tundra
Size: 1.4-9.4 kg (3.1 to 20.7 lb); 41-68 cm (16 to 27 in)
Life Span: 3-6 years in the wild; 10-16 years in captivity
Feeding: Carnivore
Reproduction: Monogamous. Breeding season occurs from April to July with an average gestation period of 46 to 58 days. Litter size varies with the lemming population, with some litters containing as many as 25 cubs. They are weaned at 9 weeks and reach sexual maturity in 10 months. Both parents provide for the offspring, and when resources are plentiful, cubs tend to stay in their parents' territory.
Conservation Status: Least concern. Arctic foxes adapt readily to captive environments.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full Classification:
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Carnivora |
| Family: | Canidae |
| Genus: | Vulpes |
| Species: | V. lagopus |
Bald Eagle
By Andy Morffew, Wikimedia Commons, Cc-by-sa-2.0-fr, CC BY-SA 2.0 fr,
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bald_eagle_about_to_fly_in_Alaska_(2016).jpg
Vulpes lagopus
Arctic foxes are a small fox species adapted to cold environments. It has thick, warm fur and a large, fluffy tail. They have a short muzzle and legs with thick ears. Their body is rounded and minimizes the escape of body heat. They have complex social structures, forming bands in underground dens. Breeding and non-breeding males and females can guard a single territory to increase pup survival, but when resources are scarce, the number of foxes on a territory decreases. There are two colour morphs, white and blue. White has seasonal camouflage whereas blue is typically dark blue, brown, or grey year-round.
Range: Their native range is arctic regions in Eurasia, North America, Greenland, and Iceland.
Habitat: Treeless tundra
Size: 1.4-9.4 kg (3.1 to 20.7 lb); 41-68 cm (16 to 27 in)
Life Span: 3-6 years in the wild; 10-16 years in captivity
Feeding: Carnivore
Reproduction: Monogamous. Breeding season occurs from April to July with an average gestation period of 46 to 58 days. Litter size varies with the lemming population, with some litters containing as many as 25 cubs. They are weaned at 9 weeks and reach sexual maturity in 10 months. Both parents provide for the offspring, and when resources are plentiful, cubs tend to stay in their parents' territory.
Conservation Status: Least concern. Arctic foxes adapt readily to captive environments.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Full Classification:
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Aves |
| Order: | Falconiformes |
| Family: | Accipitridae |
| Genus: | Haliaeetus |
| Species: | H. leucocephalus |