Center for Aquatic Sciences ’s Post

The golden eagle is a truly magnificent bird of prey! Here's some information about them: Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) Majestic Appearance: Golden eagles are large, powerful birds with dark brown plumage and a striking golden sheen on the back of their head and neck. Their wingspan can reach over 7 feet (2 meters)! Powerful Predators: They have sharp talons and a strong beak, which they use to hunt a variety of prey, including rabbits, hares, ground squirrels, and even larger animals like foxes and young deer. Sky Dancers: Golden eagles are known for their impressive aerial displays, soaring effortlessly on thermals (rising air currents) and performing spectacular dives. Wide Distribution: They are found in many parts of the Northern Hemisphere, including North America, Europe, Asia, and North Africa. They inhabit a variety of habitats, from mountains and forests to grasslands and deserts. Nesting Habits: Golden eagles build large nests, called eyries, on cliffs or in tall trees. They often use the same nest for many years, adding to it each season. Conservation Status: While golden eagles are relatively widespread, they face threats like habitat loss, poisoning, and collisions with power lines. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these magnificent birds. Here are some interesting facts about golden eagles: Sharp Eyesight: Their eyesight is about 8 times sharper than human eyesight, allowing them to spot prey from great distances. Fast Flyers: They can reach speeds of over 150 mph (240 kph) when diving! Lifelong Partners: Golden eagles typically mate for life, forming strong pair bonds. Cultural Significance: They have been revered by many cultures throughout history and are often seen as symbols of power, freedom, and strength. If you'd like to learn more about golden eagles, I recommend checking out the following resources: The Cornell Lab of Ornithology: https://lnkd.in/gv75MSNn Audubon: https://lnkd.in/gV3aBa6A American Bird Conservancy: https://lnkd.in/g5sd3CsX You can also find some amazing photos and videos of golden eagles by searching for them on Google Images or YouTube.

There's only one creature we'd feature on #WhaleSharkWednesday during #SharkWeek! Despite the misleading moniker, the whale #shark is indeed a shark, NOT a #whale! They are the biggest #fish in the sea, and if you're lucky you might see one in a sanctuary like #FlowerGardenBanks National Marine Sanctuary. Learn more about this gentle giant: https://ow.ly/Fgey50SybcP #WildlifeWednesday

In this episode of Thando's Tales, our elephant monitor and field guide, Thando Ndzimandze, talks about the stealthy talents of our elephant herd and how one of our famous elephants, Khumbula covered their tracks from our elephant monitors. For a list of all our wildlife, explore the activities tab on our Interactive Map - https://bit.ly/3xZepXb

The Black-legged Seriema (Chunga burmeisteri) bird is native to South America. This bird is noted for its dark, blackish legs and more elusive nature. It prefers drier scrublands, savannas, and open woodlands in regions such as Argentina, Bolivia, Paraguay, and southern Brazil. Black-legged Seriemas are known to be ground-dwelling birds that can run swiftly. The Black-legged Seriema has a sleek, mostly grayish-brown body with a pale face and a slender beak, which is usually light in color. It has blackish or dark legs, distinguishing it from the red-legged variety. Black-legged Seriemas are carnivorous, feeding on small animals, insects, and sometimes even snakes, which they capture and kill with quick strikes. 

"Reflection" - The Chinese Pagoda at Centenary Lakes is a favored locale among residents, home to a diverse array of bird species such as ducks, rainbow bee-eaters, and kingfishers. If children tread softly, they might even glimpse a turtle basking on a log. #andrewtunneyphotography #landscapephoto #cairnsphotographer #landscapephotography #reflection #reflectionphotography

QUESTION: what is the term for a group of rhino? Put your answer in the comments. No prizes, it’s just for fun 😀🦏 Rhinos are often said to be solitary animals, but as the below image shows, they do often come together. It is in fact quite common to see white rhino together but less so black rhino. It is however rare to see black and white together like this (the three on the left are white rhino and those on the right are black rhino). Helping Rhinos #rhinos #question #rhinostrongholds #everyrhinocounts #whiterhino #blackrhino #answerincomments

https://lnkd.in/dXgBRxBy "Why did the monkey like the jungle? Because it had a great ""ape-peal""! 🐒🌿 #junglelife #wildlife #naturelover #bananahumor #monkeybusiness #rainforestfun #explorethejungle #adventureawaits #tropicalvibes #leafmealone"

A great shot of a Starry weaver here in Tenerife at our House Reef This subtropical marine fish, a member of the weevers genus, captivates with its intriguing features and unique behaviors. Weevers, often mistakenly referred to as ‘weaver fish,’ have a name shrouded in etymological richness. The term ‘weever’ is believed to trace its roots to the Old French word ‘wivre,’ meaning serpent or dragon, originating from the Latin ‘vipera.’  Despite occasional nicknames like ‘viperfish,’ the Starry Weever shares no kinship with the true viperfish of the genus Chauliodus. Remarkably, the Starry Weever defies the norm among bony fish, eschewing swim bladders. Consequently, it gracefully descends when not in motion. During daylight hours, this enigmatic creature buries itself in the sand, leaving only its eyes exposed, patiently waiting to ambush prey – a menu that includes shrimp and small fish. While encounters with the Starry Weever can be uncomfortable, the stings, though unpleasant, are generally not perilous. The pain typically subsides within a few hours, even without treatment. In the event of an unfortunate encounter, swift first aid involves immersing the affected area in hot water, providing relief and accelerating the denaturation of the venom. #TenerifeDivemaster #TenerifeDivingAcademy #Divemaster #TenerifeDiving #DivemasterInternshipTenerife #DivemasterTenerife #TDA #TenerifeDivingAcademy https://lnkd.in/gNt5vQM

"Just another day at the office—transporting dinosaurs to Jurassic Park! 🦖🚚 When it comes to hauling oversized loads, we don’t just move equipment; we move history (and maybe a few T-Rexes). Whether it’s a brontosaurus or a bulldozer, we’ve got the logistics down to a science. At Streamline Shipping Solutions, we ensure that every shipment arrives safely and on time—even if the cargo might try to eat us. 🦕💪 Need something larger than life transported? We’re your go-to team for making the impossible possible!" #FlatbedTransport #OversizedLoads #JurassicLogistics #StreamlineShipping

COMMERSON'S DOLPHIN Commerson's dolphin, also known as the skunk dolphin, is a small, strikingly patterned marine mammal found in the cool waters of the southern hemisphere. Named after the French naturalist Philibert Commerson, who first described them in 1767, these dolphins are easily recognisable by their unique black-and-white colouration. The species is divided into two geographically separate populations: one around the southern tip of South America, particularly in the Strait of Magellan and the Falkland Islands, and the other near the Kerguelen Islands in the Indian Ocean. Commerson's dolphins prefer shallow coastal waters and are often seen in bays, estuaries, and near river mouths. These dolphins are small, with adults reaching about 1.5 meters (5 feet) in length and weighing up to 86 kilograms (190 pounds). Their distinctive black-and-white pattern includes a black head, dorsal fin, and flippers, with the rest of their body being white. This bold colouration makes them highly visible in the water. Commerson's dolphins are known for their playful behaviour and high level of activity. They are often seen riding waves, leaping out of the water, and performing acrobatic maneuvers. They are also known to interact with boats, often swimming in their wake or bow-riding. Their diet mainly consists of small fish, squid, and crustaceans, which they hunt using echolocation. Social animals by nature, they are usually found in small groups, although larger aggregations can sometimes be observed. #commersonsdolphin #dolphin #savethedolphins #savetheoceans #matildabishop #illustrator #environmentalillustrator #art #artwork