Akhal-Teke

Akhal-Teke

Today's animal is one of the oldest breeds of horse in the world. It is also, in my opinion, one of the most stunning. They originated in Turkmenistan, with ancestors dating back over 5,000 years. They share a common bloodline to the Arabians, and have been influential in the creation of several other breeds, including the Trakehner and the Nez Perce.

Though the Akhal-Teke's come in a handful of colors, they are best known in their buckskin and palomino varieties, where their coats have a famous metallic sheen to them. They have very little in the mane and tail department, and posses slim bodies that make them excellent for endurance work.

As mentioned, ancestors of the breed first showed up in Turkmenistan thousands of years ago, and the horses were bred there by tribesman until the country was taken over by Russia in 1881. Members of the Russian government and military took a liking to the striking horses, and they developed a breeding program and produced the first official studbook in 1941. It was from a Russian general that the breed got its modern name-- derived from the Teke Turkmen who lived near the Akhal Oasis.

The horses nearly died out post WWII however, due to the slaughtering of horses for meat. Even today there are only around 3,500 in the world. They remain a national symbol of Turkmenistan today.

Akhal-Teke horses excell in distance running, jumping, and dressage. Several Akhal-Tekes have even medaled in Dressage at the Olympic games. They are very lively horses, but are said to attach themselves to only one owner.

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Status : Domesticated
Location : Turkmenistan
Size : Shoulder height up to 16hands (64in, 1.6m)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Perissodactyla
Family : Equidae -- Genus : Equus -- Species : E. ferus -- Subspecies : E. f. caballus

Menyambut dan Mensiasati Peluang Usaha 2013

Tahun baru sudah datang, keadaan ekonomi negera kita yang masih seperti ini membuat masyarakat mau tidak mau harus lebih kreatif dalam menyikapinya. Menemukan berbagai ide peluang usaha di tahun 2013 ini saya rasa tidak jauh berbed dari tahun sebelumnya. Semua kesempatan usaha jelas akan ada dan tidak jauh dari tempat kita. Selagi kita bisa mensiasatinya maka bukan tidak mungkin kita akan mempunyai sebuah bisnis yang bisa menjadi sumber penghasilan tambahan bahkan sebuah penghasilan utama. Oleh karena itu kita sebaiknya wajib untuk selalu berusaha dan tidak mudah menyerah dalam menemukan setiap ide bisnis serta dalam memanfaatkannya.

Bagaimana sebaiknya kita menyikapi dan mensiasati setiap kesempatan yang ada? Bagaimana pula dalam menghadapi berbagai halangan dan kendala yang kemungkinan ada di setiap langkah yang kita tempuh ketika menjalankan bisnis tersebut? Sebenarnya semua itu sudah lama ada dan hadir dalam pikiran kita, dari tahun ke tahun hal-hal semacam ini yaitu kendala halangan bisa diprediksi akan dijumpai disetiap bisnis apa saja yang akan dijalani. Bahkan mulai dari perencanaannya saja bisa jadi sudah banyak kendala dan rintangan, entah itu modal, kesiapan sumber daya manusianya atau hal-hal lain yang menjadi bagian dari usaha bisnis yang akan dijalankan. Ini wajar, dan ketika kita sudah mengetahui bahwa ini adalah suatu hal yang biasa saja dan sewajarnya bisa terjadi, maka gidak ada gunanya jika kita menyerah ditengah jalan atau belum mulai sudah kalah duluan, sama-sama dalam kondisi yang penuh kendla dan rintangan lebih baik kita berpikir positif dan berusaha terus maju menemukan berbagai solusi untuk permasalahan yang sedang kita hadapi.

Peluang Usaha 2013 tidaklah susah untuk ditemukan. Mulai dari bisnis jasa ataupun produk semua bisa kita siasati. Jika kita memang tidak memiliki modal untuk melakukan usaha akan tetapi kit memiliki ide yang cemerlang dan kalkulasi dari ide bisnis itu yang bisa dirasionalisasi dan bisa direalisasikan selagi ada modal, maka kita bisa menggandeng pemodal untuk membiayai ide usaha anda tersebut. Hal ini cukup efektif, anda tidak perlu susah-susah mencari pemodal, memang ada strategi mencari pemodal namun tidak bisa saya tulis satu persatu disini, namun yang menjadi catatan bahwa ide bisnis usaha anda haruslah membuat calon pemodal bener-bener tertarik dan membuat dia yakin kedepan bisnis usaha tersebut akan bisa maju dan terus berkembang. Dan usahakan bisnis ushaa tersbeut tidak hanya eksis di tahun 2013 saja, namun sebaiknya peluang bisnis tersebut memang bisa dijalankan dalam jangka panjang.

Namun bagaimana jika anda ada modal namun tidak tahu harus bagaimana? Padahal peluang usaha di tahun ini banyak sekali. Atau anda memang tidak sempat meluangkan waktu untuk membangun usaha tersebut akan tetapi anda memiliki bujetnya. Nah dibalik saja, anda bisa jadi pemodal dengan sistem bagi hasil profit dengan team yang mengeksekusi bisnis yang diambil. Lalu bagaimana kita menemukan teamnya? Cobalah ngobrol dengan rekan kerabat atau kolega terdekat, sampaikan uneg-uneg anda bahwa anda memiliki modal namun tidak memiliki ide bisnis yang cemerlang, atau anda

punya modal dan ide bisnis namun tidak punya waktu ntuk melaksanakannya. Dengan saling bertukar informasi dengan kolega teman terdekat maka saya rasa nanti akan ada atau muncul gagasan atau ide usaha bisnis yang bisa anda ambil pada waktunya. Sebenarnya semua tinggal kemauan dan strategi saja dalam menemukan ide seputar usaha dan juga melaksanakannya. Banyak jalan...

Jika anda memiliki modal, dan atau amda sebagai team yang memiliki modal minim namun punya ide bisnis yang cemerlang. Silahkan komentar di bawah artikel ini mungkin semua bisa saling berbagi tips dan strategi memanfaatkan ide peluang usaha di tahun 2013 ini dengan sesama pembaca. Semoga sedikit pengantar tulisan awal tahun ini bisa menjadi referensi dan catatan bagi kita semua dalam menemukan berbagai ide dan kesempatan bisnis dan usaha untuk tahun ini dan tahun yang akan datang.

Terima kasih.

Achilles Tang

Acanthurus achilles

The Achilles Tang is a beautiful species of Surgeonfish that cane be found in the tropical waters of the Pacific Ocean. They are moderately sized, with adults reaching about 10in in length.

You can identify this Tang from other Tangs by their black scales, orange spot near the tail, and bright orange tail with white edging. They live near coral reefs, and tend to move in groups. The Achilles Tangs feed on various types of algae

Achilles Tangs are very difficult to keep in captivity. Though they can be kept as pets, only a very experienced saltwater aquarist should consider this species. They require large tanks (180+ gallons) that have strong water flows, and are difficult to feed. They can also become very aggressive and are susceptible to ich and other diseases.

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IUCN Status : Not Listed
Location : Pacific Ocean
Size : Length up to 10in (25cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Actinopterygii -- Order : Perciformes
Family : Acanthuridae -- Genus : Acanthurus -- Species : A. achilles

Steppe Mammoth

Mammuthus trogontherii

The Steppe Mammoth is an interesting creature because it actually predates the Woolly Mammoth that we known so well. These monstrous Proboscideans lived between 600,000 and 370,000 years ago, roaming about the steppes of Europe and Asia.

Steppe Mammoths were one of the largest members of their entire order, living or extinct. At the shoulder they stood around 13ft, which would make them just slightly taller than an average male African Elephant today. Even larger specimens have been found, with some reaching as high as 15ft, and sporting tusks around 10ft long.

Unlike the Woolly Mammoths, whose preserved carcasses have actually been found, and whose skeletons and tusks turn up regularly, the Steppe Mammoth is a more rare find. Most of the fossils found have been teeth, and only a handful of near-complete skeletons have been unearthed. A very rare skull was actually just located in France back in 2008.

Steppe Mammoths most likely followed the Southern Mammoths in terms of evolutionary history, and may have been directly followed by the Woolly Mammoths once the ice age completely set in.

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Status : Extinct for about 370,000 years
Location : Europe and Asia
Size : Height up to 13ft (4m)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Proboscidea
Family : Elephantidae -- Genus : Mammuthus -- Species : M. trogontherii

Coconut Octopus

Amphioctopus marginatus

The Coconut Octopus is a rather unusual Cephalopod, in fact, they are one of only two different Octopus species that has been observed walked in a bipedal nature. Furthermore, depending on how you look at it, they actually use tools!

The tropical waters of the western Pacific Ocean is where there creatures call home, dwelling in areas where there is a sandy bottomed floor. They aren't especially large-- their heads are about 3in long, while the tentacles measure an additional 6. They feed on small Crustaceans and Clams.

Coconut Octopuses get their name from the fact that they use coconut shells for protection and shelter. They pick up discarded half shells and carry them around their soft bodies. When threatened, they can cover themselves with the shells, creating a permanent hiding place. There are many scientists who argue that this constitutes tool usage, while there are a handful that dispute the claim.

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IUCN Status : Not Listed
Location : Pacific Ocean
Size : Arm length around 6in (15cm)

Classification : Phylum : Mollusca -- Class : Cephalopoda -- Order : Octopoda
Family : Octopodidae -- Genus : Amphioctopus -- Species : A. marginatus

Lissodus

Lissodus

Normally when one thinks of prehistoric sharks, they imagine gigantic sea dwelling monsters like Megalodon-- huge beasts with jaws the size of human beings that could devour anything and everything.

Today's animal breaks that stereotype. Lissodus was an entire genus of Sharks that lived on this planet for over 100 million years, spanning from the Triassic into the late cretaceous. They swam not in the oceans, but in fresh water, and their fossils have been found all over the world. So far there have been ten different species identified.

Other differences between these sharks and their giant counsins? Lissodus was tiny. Especially compared to some of the super sharks. These guys measured only 6in long! They also had very interesting teeth, which they used for a specialized diet. Lissodus had flat teeth that allowed it to crush and eat clams.

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Status : Extinct for 100 million years
Location : Worldwide
Size : Length up to 6in (14cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Chondrichthyes -- Order : † Hybodontiformes
Family : Lonchidiidae -- Genus : Lissodus

Antilopine Kangaroo

Macropus antilopinus

The Antilopine Kangaroo, also referred to as the Antilopine Wallaroo, is one of the lesser known Kangaroo species. They aren't as popular as the Grey and Red Kangaroos, though they are common and abundant, and decently large in size. (The name confusion stems from the species being very large and slender compared to other Wallaroos, but smaller than the other Kangaroos).

"Antilopine" means "antelope-like," a reference to their long legs and speed. Males and females differ in both size and color, with males being larger and more red, while females are small and grey. They live only in northern Australia, inhabiting the forests and tropical woodlands there. The Kangaroos often live in groups of three or more, and they move about their territory grazing on various grasses and plants.

Typically only one offspring is born per year, and the young kangaroos emerge from the pouch each year during the wet season. Males will try and breed with many females each year, and do not take part in the care of their offspring.

Though they are listed as Least Concern, increased global temperatures could spell disaster for the Antilopine Kangaroos. One prediction is that a 2 degree Celsius increase could reduce their range by 90%!

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IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : Australia
Size : Weight up to 70kg

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Infraclass : Marsupialia
Order : Diprotodontia -- Family : Macropodidae -- Genus : Macropus -- Species : M. antilopinus

Ide Bisnis Jasa adalah Peluang Usaha yang menarik

Apakah anda termasuk rekan-rekan yang sedang mencari sebuah ide bisnis saat ini? Bingung dan tidak tahu harus memulai dari mana? Jika kondisinya seperti ini, maka pertama kali yang harus kita lakukan adalah cobalah membuat pikiran lebih tenang dan rasional dalam arti apapun kondisinya saat ini ya saat inilah yang sedang kita jalani, maka berpikir positif dan siap untuk maju adalah pilihan terbaik menurut saya. Gali ide usaha, persiapkan semua yang menunjang ide itu, take action segera.

Namun bicara memang mudah, kondisi setiap orang berbeda akan tetapi saya bicara juga berdasarkan pengalaman pribadi dimana saya dan rekan rekan seperjuangan mulai dari awal menggali dan mencari berbagai peuluang usaha yang sekiranya saat itu bisa kami lakukan. Dengan menggali resource atau sumber daya yang ada misal keahlian masing-masing apa, dan juga bekerjasama dengan menggabungkan skill dan juga visi dan semangat untuk berbisnis, akhirnya terbuka juga ide bisnis usaha yang sebelumnya tidak kami kira bisa kami lakukan.

Sedikit pengantar diatas hanya sekedar gambaran bahwa siapapun kita, saya rasa memiliki kesempatan yang sama dalam menangkap peluang bisnis dan memanfaatkanya. Namun yang ingin saya sampaikan lebih detail lagi di artikel kali ini adalah sebuah ide usaha yang bergerak di bidang jasa yang bisa kita coba dan lakukan. Apa saja jenisnya? Apa saja kiatnya? Mari kita bahas bersama.

Ada beberapa bisnis usaha jasa yang mungkin bisa menjadi inspirasi buat kita semua diantaranya adalah:

Usaha Cukur Rambut

Usaha jenis ini seakan tiada matinya, tahu sendiri kebutuhan untuk pangkas rambut bagi sesorang bisa dibilang akan berlangsung terus menerus, market pasar terbuka lebar baik dari kalangan usia anak-anak, remaja hingga orang tua masih memiliki kebutuhan untuk pangkas/cukur rambut. Modal yang dibutuhkan juga bisa dibilang hanya modal awal dan juga perbaikan saja. Modal awal untuk sewa tempat jika anda tidak memiliki tempat sendiri, dan juga modal peralatan cukur rambut, meja, kursi, kaca, dan beberapa perlengkapan potong rambut. Semua bisa dikatakan hanya sekali beli untuk modal-modal yang dikatakan utama. Yang lain mungkin hanya miantenance saja jika peralatan sudah lama dan perlu diganti. Hal yang peru diingat bahwa kunci utama dari bisnis ini salah satunya adalah tempat yang strategis. Usaha cukur rambut ini sebisa mungkin bisa dilihat orang dengan mudah, ketika orang lewat dipinggir jalan maka mereka bisa mengingat bisnis anda tersebut. Gabungkan dengan strategi cara menjual produk/jasa dalam waktu kurang dari 10 detik saya rasa akan lebih dahsyat (strategi ini hanya ada di ebook peluang usaha).

Broker Properti

Untuk ide bisnis yang satu ini sudah saya sedikit jelaskan di beberapa artikel sebelumnya. Namun usaha makelar/broker properti memang merupakan salah satu usaha yang ga lekang oleh jaman dan dari waktu kewaktu bisnis ini semakin ramai saja. Kita bisa masuk ke dalam peluang bisnis ini jika memungkinkan. Sistem kerjasama dan strategi marketing yang handal membuat anda bisa bersaing dengan para broker kelas atas. Di dunia yang serba online saat ini, salah satu hal yang bisa membantu memudahkan kesuksesan daalam memasarkan produk properti adalah strategi online yang kreatif dan cerdas. Dengan hal ini kita bisa terdepan dan mudah mendapatkan konsumen.

Usaha Piranti Lunak Berbasis Cloud

Untuk yang ini mungkin memerlukan sumber daya manusia yang cukup kreatif, bagaimana kita membuat aplikasi berbasis cloud computing untuk memberikan layanan ke klien dengan sistem langganan dan bagi hasil. Memang dewasa ini cloud computing lagi ramai dan berkembang. Saya membaca salah satu artikel di media online Indonesia bahwa hotel di Bandung sudah akan menerapkan sistem booking online dari pihak ketiga. Nah pihak ketiga inilah yang bisa memanfaatkan peluang dan ide bisnis usaha dibidang ini. Membuat booking engine hotel, aplikasi administrasi sekolah dan puskesmas hingga administrasi kantor berbasis online sehingga kantor tidak usah repot menginstall dan membeli perangkat keras seperti server saya rasa akan menjadi booming di tahun-tahun kedepan. Anda harus memiliki team/orang yang concern dibidang ini, namun tidaklah susah, saya sendiri bersama teman-teman sudah mulai membuat ebuah sistem aplikasi berbasis cloud juga. Namun tidak bisa saya ceritakan sekarang karena masih dalam tahap development.

Bisnis Rental Mobil adalah Ide Cerdas

Di artikel sebelumnya usaha rental yang satu ini sering saya sebutkan juga namun memang merupakan usaha bisnis yang prospek jadi saya sebutkan berulang karena dengan harapan bisa memberikan inspirasi buat kita semua. Namun biasanya kendala utama adalah modal, bisnis ini memang memerlukan modal yang besar untuk pembelian armada. Namun hal ini bisa diakali tentunya, bagaimana kita memiliki bisnis rental mobil tanpa memiliki mobil, dan semua berjalan lancar. Tips ini saya ulas lebih detal di ebook peluang usaha, bisa anda dapatkan disini. Sebagai informasi saja, dua hari kemaren tepatnya 2412/2012 usaha rental mobil kami mendapatkan pre order toyota alphard 4 buah untuk event di grand hyat jogja di bulan februari 2013 , sebagai contoh bahwa saya tidak memilki alphard berjumlah 4 namun saya dan rekan bisa menjalankan bisnis rental mobil dengan menyewakan mobil alphard 4 sekaligus dalam satu event. Semoga lancar amin...

Nah sedikiti gambaran ide bisnis dari beberapa peluang usaha diatas mungkin bisa menjadi gambaran atau inspirasi buat kita dalam menangkap setiap kesempatan yang mungkin hadir dan tersedia di sekeliling kita. Jika kita mau, saya rasa tidak susah kok, memang diawal seperti ada pembatas/penghalng besar ang membuat kita enggan untuk berjalan maju, namun jika kit coba berpikir rasional, jika kit diam saja maka kita akan jalan ditempat, sama sama dalam kondisi saat ini lebih baik kita berani maju dan kreatif untuk memanfaatkan setiap ide bisnis usaha yang ada.

Rambouillet

Rambouillet Sheep

Meet the Rambouillet, a large breed of dual-purpose domestic sheep that has quite an interesting history and legacy.

Before the late 18th century, the Merino sheep breed in Spain were under close guard. They were protected by the government and exportation was forbidden... Until 1786 when the government finally granted a special request by the French King, Louis XVI (the kings were cousins). 359 carefully selected sheep were sent to a farm in Rambouillet, near Paris.

Once the sheep made it to France, they were kept under royal control for a few years, but that did not last. They eventually spread elsewhere in Europe and added their genes to other breeds both on that continent and abroad. By the mid-1800s they had made it to America.

The Rambouillet breed is a large one, with rams growing up to 300lbs and ewes measuring around 200lbs. They have a high wool yield, and long wool at that-- greater than 3in. They are also great meat producers, and are incredibly adaptable. Rambouillet are farmed in all kinds of environments and climates, from hot Texas and Mexico to the chillier regions in Canada and the northern U.S.

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Status : Doemsticated
Location : France
Size : Weight up to 300lbs (135kg)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Artiodactyla
Family : Bovidae -- Genus : Ovis -- Species : O. aries

Platecarpus

Platecarpus tympaniticus

The name Platecarpus means "flat wrist," a title that describe their large steering flippers. These members of the Mosasaur family lived during the late Cretaceous, around 85-80 million years ago, and swam that seas that covered what is now North America, Europe, and Africa.

Platecarpus could grow as long as 24ft, but even at that size they were considered a medium-length Mosasaur. They sported long, narrow jaws and hunted small fish and squid in the shallow seas. (We know they probably ate softer aquatic creatures because they had less teeth.) Platecarpus swam using its strong, vertically paddled tail, moving in a very snake-like fashion and steering with those aforementioned flippers.

Though they were not the largest Mosasaurs, nor the most ferocious, they were one of the most abundant... at least when it comes to fossils. Remains have been found in three different continents, and were first discovered back in the 1860s, at the early part of the paleontology boom.

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Status : Extinct for 80 million years
Location : North America, Europe, Africa
Size : Length up to 24ft (7m)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Order : Squamata -- Family : †Mosasauridae
Genus : †Platecarpus-- Species : † P. tympaniticus

Kōkako

Callaeas cinereus

The Kōkako is an island bird found only in New Zealand. it is, like many bird of those islands, Endangered. In fact, it belongs to a small family of Wattlebirds that contains only three known members-- the Tieke (listed as Near Threatened), and the Huia, which is already extinct.

The Kōkako comes in two different subspecies-- North Island and South Island, though it is very possible that the South Island subspecies is already extinct (there have been no official sightings in a few decades, but there have been numerous unconfirmed reports). The two differ by their location and by their wattle color, as the North birds sport blue wattles, while the South birds have orange.

Aside from their wattles, the Kōkako are relatively plain looking, with grey feathers and a black mask. They are better known for their voices than their beauty-- in the mornings breeding pairs will single lovely duets that can lost more than a half hour. Other birds will occasionally join in, creating a "bush choir."

Kōkako are featured in numerous Māori myths and legends. The most notable of these is the story where the  Kōkako helped the hero Maui in his fight with the sun. The bird filled its wattle up with water and gave it to the hero. As a reward, Maui gave the Kōkako long legs so that he could move easier on the forest floor. (Interesting note: Kōkako can fly, they are just really bad at it).

There are currently several programs in place to help sustain and rebuild the Kōkako population, including ones centered around reintroduction and pest management. Though they are endangered, the birds actually have an increasing population, which is fantastic for the species!

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IUCN Status : Endangered
Location : New Zealand
Size : Weight about 230g

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Passeriformes
Family : Callaeidae -- Genus : Callaeas -- Species : C. cinereus

Wandering Leg Sausage

Crurifarcimen vagans

Today's animal has to have one of the best common names I've ever seen... or at least the most amusing. The Wandering Leg Sausage is a species that was only recently discovered in 2012, and it looks very much like the name it has been given.

Even its scientific name, Crurifarcimen vagans, translates to Sausage Leg that Wanders. It's it's not really a surprise why-- these large African Millipedes measure about 1.5cm in diameter and grow to lengths of up to 15in!

Despite their size, they are still not match far the Giant African Millipede, but they give them a run for their money. You'll find the Wandering Leg Sausages, as well as many, many other species, in Tanzania's Eastern Arc Mountains.

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IUCN Status : Not Listed
Location : Africa
Size : Body Length around 15in (38cm)

Classification : Phylum : Arthropoda -- Subphylum : Myriapoda -- Class : Diplopoda
Genus : Crurifarcimen -- Species : C. vagans

White-fronted Bee-eater

Merops bullockoides

Today's feature is the White-fronted Bee-eater, a bird found all throughout the Savannahs of Africa. They are identified by their white foreheads, black masks, brilliantly red throats and bright green wings. And as their name suggests, they feed on bees and other flying insects.

White-fronted Bee-eaters are not only very pretty birds, they are also very socially interesting birds-- they have one of the most complex family-based social structures of all our feathered friends.

The Bee-eaters lived in colonies that can number up to 200 individuals. These colonies have large territories that can spread over several kilometers, but they have central roosting sites comprised of holes dug into the earth for use in resting and breeding.

Within these colonies are monogamous family groups called clans, led by a single breeding pair and their numerous, non-breeding family members. These helpers (which may be siblings of the parents, adult offspring, or even in some cases completely unrelated birds) contribute greatly to the raising of offspring that are not their own. They assist in nest building, they bring food to the mother, and they even incubate and feed the young! All in all, about half of all nesting attempts have assistance from helpers!

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IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : Africa
Size : Body Length around 9in (23cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Coraciiformes
Family : Meropidae -- Genus : Merops -- Species : M. bullockoides

Antara Mesin Jahit Kain Perca Keset dan Peluang Usaha

Beberapa hari yang lalu ketika saya mengunjungi kerabat di daerah Klaten dan ketika kami ngobrol ngalor ngidul mengenai hal yang ada didesa tersebut, ternyata lama kelamaan obrolan langsung menuju tetangga yang saat ini memanfaatkan kain perca sebagai bahan baku keset sebagai bisnis usaha mereka. Kerajinan tangan dengan mesin jahit yang cukup lumayan hasilnya. Kualitas yang bagus dan handmade membuat produk keset tersebut didatangi banyak orang yang ingin mencoba memasarkannya.

Sebelum bercerita lebih lanjut mengenai peluang usaha produksi atau jualan keset ini. Perlu saya ceritakan bahwa orang yang membuat keset ini punya cerita yang cukup unik juga. Bertahun-tahun dia membuka usaha toko kelontong dan sempat menjadi salah satu toko favorit para tetangga namun pada akhirnya ditutup juga. Saya tidak tahu kenapa bisnis usaha toko kelontong dia itu bisa ditutup. Apakah modal tidak balik atau faktor apa saya kurang mengerti, namun sebelum warung benar-benar ditutup pun orang ini juga sudah menjalani bisnis sampingan lainnya, yaitu menjadi supplier jahit kain perca. Banyak model jenis kain perca yang dia kelola dari mesin jahitnya itu. Mungkin untuk penghasilan tambahan selain warung kelontong yang mulai kembang kempis.

Nah yang ingin saya sampaikan adalah, seiring berjalannya waktu dia mencoba hal-hal baru selagi didalam hal yang baru tersebut ada sebuah peluang yang bisa dimanfaatkan. Mulai dari belajar menjadi suplier kerajinan kain perca sekarang sudah bisa memproduksi keset dari kain perca sendiri dan sudah mempunyai beberapa orang marketing lepas yang sering mengambil keset tersebut. Mungkin kita juga bisa membiasakan mencari ide bisnis sampingan selagi kita memiliki satu bisnis usaha yang sudah dan sedang berjalan. Jadi ada pepatah jangan taruh telur didalam satu keranjang. Jangan mengandalkan penghasilan hanya dari satu jenis pekerjaan/bisnis usaha, karena jika suatu saat terjadi hal yang tidak diharapkan misalnya bisnis usaha kita berhenti maka kita sudah ada cadangan penghasilan dari bisnis lainnya yang sudah kita create juga.

Kembali lagi ke keset, dibawah nanti coba saya sertakan beberapa photo keset yang saya ambil juga dari sana, tentunya dengan harga yang cukup murah dan bersaing. Mengingat kualitas dan ketebalan keset berbeda dari beberapa keset kain perca yang pernah saya beli. Saya berkeinginan untuk mencoba memasarkannya juga. Dan jika kita menjualkannyapun juga bisa mengambil profit dari sini misal kita membeli harga Rp.5000 bisa kita jual Rp.7500 (size 48cm x35cm)  dan untuk ukuran besar (58cm x 35cm)  misal kita beli dengan harga Rp.7000 bisa kita jual Rp.9000-Rp.10000. Dari sini saja sudah terlihat keuntungan jika kita bisa menjual 5 kodi secara grosir apalai bisa dikirim ke laur kota juga mengingat produknya adalah keset. Dengan stratgei marketing online yang cukup bagus saya rasa bisa kita pasarkan dengan lebih optimal.

Selain menyasar secara online, secara offline pun juga bisa kita ambil juga. Pasar untuk kerajinan jenis ini menurut saya adalah beberapa perumahan, sekolahan, dan juga perkantoran yang memang membutuhkan keset selain rumah tinggal di perkampungan. Selain itu kesempatan untuk menitipkan produk keset ini diwarung -warung kelontong di pasarpun juga terbuka lebar. Intinya ini merupakan salah satu peluang usaha yang cukup menarik dan bisa dicoba siapa saja selagi berminat.

Gambar 1. Salah satu contoh motif keset dari bahan kain perca kaos

Gambar 2. Tumpukan model keset berbagai model

ebook Inspirasi Tips Strategi Peluang Usaha

Dapatkan eBook Inspirasi dan Strategi Seputar Peluang Usaha dari Admin NekatUsaha.CoM. Semoga dengan informasi artikel yang sudah ada di Blog NekatUsaha.CoM ini sudah bisa memberikan gambaran dan inspirasi seputar peluang usaha yang bisa anda ambil, langkah dan strateginya. Namun apabila Anda masih memerlukan informasi seputar:

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Semoga Bermanfaat dan Terima Kasih

Collared Lemming

Dicrostonyx groenlandicus

So I'm stuck at home with a snow day today, so what better animal to talk about than one that turns white in the winter? The Collared Lemmings are members of a genus native to North America. They are the only rodents that change color with the seasons!

Collared Lemmings look quite a bit like large Hamsters. They have round bodies, tiny ears, and very short tails. They also possess very strong claws that allow them to dig out burrows in the ground and in the snow. They line these long tunnels with anything soft that they can find, including grasses and muskox hair.

Even though the Collared Lemmings are able to change from brown to white to camouflage themselves, they are still easy prey for a number of different species. In fact, most Lemmings don't live longer than a year in the wild, due to predation rates. it should come as no surprise them they they breed frequently, and produce large litters. In one year a female can have 3 separate litters of up to 8 offspring each time.

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IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : North America
Size : Body Length around 6in (14cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Rodentia
Family : Cricetidae -- Genus : Dicrostonyx

Patas Monkey

Erythrocebus patas

The Patas Monkey's claim to fame is that it is the fastest of all the primates-- these guys can run at speeds of up to 35mph!

You'll find these quick Primates in the open grasslands of central Africa. Unlike many other Monkeys  they do not live in trees, preferring a terrestrial lifestyle.

They live in social groups that are often led by one adult male, and contain several females and their offspring. Females are the only permanent members of these groups, as the young males leave when they reach maturity. At that time they either join temporary, all-male groups, or they remain solitary for a time.

Communication is very important within the Patas Monkey groups, and they use visuals, vocalizations, and scents. They produce a series of different warning calls, creating different sounds for different predator types. The Monkeys also strengthen bonds through communal grooming and play.

Though they are currently listed at Least Concern, the population is on a decline. Hunting and habitat loss are their main threats, and though some live within protected areas, many do not. They are also relatively rare in captivity-- only 15 American zoos have them.

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IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : Africa
Size : Body Length around 32in (82cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Primates
Family : Cercopithecidae -- Genus : Erythrocebus-- Species : E. patas

Gharial

Gavialis gangeticus

Meet the Gharial, one of the most interesting looking extant members of the Crocodile order. If you take a glance at the body, all seems normal. But the head? Gharials have incredibly narrow snouts, and the males have large bulbous appendages at the ends of theirs. The species actually gets its common name from that round appendage-- "Ghara" is an Indian word for a pot. It is believed that the males use the ends of their snouts for mating or for communication purposes.

Gharials have a range that extends across the Indian Subcontinent, and they are usually hanging about in the calmer areas or large rivers. Because their legs are so weak they seldom come on land-- only doing so to build nests or to bask.

It should come as no surprise then to hear that Gharials primarily eat fish. Their long snouts are excellent for fast, underwater lateral snatches, and their pointy teeth let them hold on with ease.

When it comes to breeding habits, the significantly smaller female Gharials live in harems that are watched over by an individual male. Mating takes place in December and January, and the eggs are laid in nests dug on shore a few months later. As will many Crocodiles, the female Gharials will help their new hatchlings crawl toward water, and will watch over them for several months.

Unfortunately, the odd looking Gharial is in a lot of trouble. They are listed as Critically Endangered, and are one of the most threatened Crocodilians out there. They nearly went extinct in the 1970s due to hunting and habitat degradation, but captive breeding and wild release programs have kept them going.. but barely.

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IUCN Status : Critically Endangered
Location : South Asia
Size : Length up to 20ft (6m)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Reptilia -- Order : Crocodilia
Family : Gavialidae -- Genus : Gavialis -- Species : G. gangeticus

Batodonoides

Batodonoides

Yesterday I finally had a chance to see Extreme Mammals at Chicago's Field Museum. (It closes January 6th, so if you're interested, go now!) One of the very first thing that you come across is a display of both the largest land animal ever (Indricotherium), as well as the smallest.

Batodonoides is that very creature-- the smallest mammal ever discovered. This itty bitty, tiny little shrew-like critter lived during the Eocene between 53 and 42 million years ago. It was so small that is weighed less than a dollar bill and could comfortably sit on the top of a pencil!

There are three species within the genus, the first of which was discovered back in 1976. All have been found in the western United States. The smallest of the three, B. vanhouteni, is also the oldest-- it dates back 53 million years and weighed less than 2 grams!

Of course, we still have tiny mammals today. The smallest still alive, the Bumblebee Bat, is only a hair bit larger than these Eocene shrews.

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Status : Extinct for 42 million years
Location : United States
Size : Weight up to 2g

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Insectivora
Family : Geolabididae -- Genus : Batodonoides

Hairy-footed Flying Squirrel

Belomys pearsonii

Despite being first described in 1908, not much is known about the Hairy-footed Flying Squirrel, due to their habitat and behavior. These rodents live in central and southern Asia, inhabiting deciduous forests at elevations of between 1500 and  2400m. They also happen to be nocturnal, which makes them difficult to track.

Name for the long hairs on their feet (that keep them warm in cold seasons), Hairy-footed Flying Squirrels have a body length of around 9in, and a tail that is only about 5. Their fur is reddish-brown on the top, with lighter undersides. They live in tree hollows.

We don't really know how well the Hairy-footed Flying Squirrel is doing out there, since they are so little studied. It is believed that their population is on the decline, due to habitat loss from logging and agricultural use.

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IUCN Status : Data Deficient
Location : Asia
Size : Body length around 9in (22cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Rodentia
Family : Sciuridae -- Genus : Belomys -- Species : B. pearsonii

Martelli's Cat

Felis lunensis

Did you know that the Felis genus, which contains domesticated cats, has been around for 12 million years? Today's animal isn't quite that old, but it did live around 2.5 million years ago, and is one of the very first "modern" cats.

Felis lunensis, also known as Martelli's Cat, was discovered in the early 1900s. Its fossils were uncovered in both Italy and Hungary, and the common name comes of the naturalist who first described it-- Ugolino Martelli.

Martelli's Cat may actually be a direct ancestor of domesticated cats. It appears that the Asian Wildcat, F. silvestris, evolved from them. One of the subspecies of that animal, F. s. lybica, is the wildcat that housecats were domesticated from!

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Status : Extinct for 2.5 million years
Location : Europe

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Carnivora
Family : Felidae -- Genus : Felis -- Species : †F. lunensis

Pine Processionary

Thaumetopoea pityocampa

The Pine Processionary is a major pest... well, at least in their larval stage. Those little insects are native to Southern Europe, and they continue to spread to areas that they previously were not found in, causing problems with their dangerous spiky hairs.

The common name for the species comes from their larval form, and their marching behavior. They actually build these strange nests up in the trees, and then come down at night to forage. On their way to food the larvae form long, processional, head-to-tail lines that can numbers into the hundreds.

You would think that long lines of Caterpillars would be easy targets for predators... but it's not that easy. Pine Processionary larvae have those aforementioned long, spine-like hairs that they can eject outward. If you get stung by one of these hairs it causes severe irritation. Despite this, there are still a handful of species that feed upon them in that phase. People (and pets) should stay far, far away!

When the time comes to pupate, the Caterpillars again for their long lines, and search far and wide for soft soil in which to bury themselves. This usually takes place in March, and the adults emerge and fly from May to July. Adults are harmless to humans.

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IUCN Status : Not Listed
Location : Europe
Size : Length around 1in

Classification : Phylum : Arthropoda -- Class : Insecta -- Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Thaumetopoeidae -- Genus : Thaumetopoea -- Species : T. pityocampa

Sordes

Sordes pilosus

Meet Sordes, a small Pterosaur that flew around during the Late Jurassic-- 150 million years ago. It had a wingspan of around 1.5-2ft (so far from the gigantic Pterosaurs we see in pop-culture), and most likely ate small amphibians and insects.

The name Sordes refers to the genus, and it actually derives from a Greek word for devil. The actual species name, pilosus, means "hairy"... but we'll get to that in a second.

Sordes caused quite the ruckus when it was first discovered in Kazakhstan back in the late 1960s. You see, the fossils of these creatures showed that they had small hairs covering their bodies! This was the very first time that proof was given for Pterosaurs having hair. The presence of this body covering gives weight to the theory that Sordes was actually warm-blooded, rather than cold-blooded like many other Reptiles.

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Status : Extinct for 150 million years
Location : Central Asia
Size : Wingspan up to 1.5ft (45cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Reptilia -- Order : Pterosauria
Family : Rhamphorhynchidae -- Genus : Sordes -- Species : S. pilosus

Cozumel Fox

Engraving of the Island Fox, a similar species

Today's animal is so mysterious, and so rare, that there are no photographs of it, despite it being sighted in 2001. In fact, it hasn't even been officially described by science, has no official species name, and there are no known skins or complete skeletons in museum collections!

The Cozumel Fox lives only on the Mexican island of Cozumel. They have lived isolated from the mainland for thousands of years, and have developed a smaller overall size, as many island species do.

We know that they exist from scant archaeological evidence (and rare sightings), but there has never been a full study or survey done. They may even be extinct by now, and if not, they are most certainly critically endangered.

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IUCN Status : Not Listed
Location : Cozumel, Mexico
Size : Length up to 30in

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Carnivora
Family : Canidae -- Genus : Urocyon

Araucana

Araucana

The Araucana is a most interesting breed of chicken, one that had three very distinguishing traits-- blue eggs, no tail, and ear tufts. They originated in Chile, and there are numerous theories on how they got the traits that they have, including crossbreeding with pheasants, crossing with European breeds, and genetic mutation.

The blue eggs of the Araucana are not unique among chickens, but they are rare. Only a handful of breeds produce them. One of those other breeds, the Collonca, was a direct ancestor to the Araucana. There is also a theory that way back, Chilean chickens crossed with Pheasants, and that some of the hens remained fertile. The blue eggs were still rare on the whole in late 19th century Chile, but were grew more and more common only a few decades later.

The Araucanas ear tufts are another distinguishing trait, one that may have arisen from a simple genetic mutation. It is also seen in a few other South American birds, including the Quetro, another direct ancestor. This mutation does have downsides-- it causes a higher percentage of fertilized eggs to be non-viable.

Finally, Araucanas have no tails. This trait was most likely bred for because a tailless chicken was harder for a predator to catch! They are sometimes referred to as the South American Rumpless, due to this lack of tail.

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Status : Domesticated
Location :  Chile
Size : Weight up to 7lbs (3.2kg)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves --   Order : Galliformes
Family : Phasianidae -- Genus : Gallus -- Species : G. gallus

Dzo

Dzo

Dzo is the Tibetan name for hybrid creatures that are the cross between Yaks and domesticated Cattle. The name technically refers to only the male crosses (females are reffered to as Dzomo), but for the sake of ease we'll use Dzo today for a general term.

Dzo are used as pack animals in Tibet and other mountainous regions because they can survive at high elevations as well as Yaks do, but have more strength and size due to the Cattle ancestry. In general, these hybrids have the faces of Cattle, but the shaggy coats of Yaks.

As with many hybrids, a downside to the Dzo is that the males are sterile. Females are not always sterile though, which means that the animals can be bred back to other Cattle and Yaks, creating 3/4 crosses. It is speculated that many supposed purebred Yaks and Cattle actually have genes from the other species, due to this ability to back-cross.

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Status : Hybrid
Location : Asia
Size : Weight around 1,300lbs (580kg)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Artiodactyla
Family : Bovidae -- Genus : Bos -- Species : B. grunniens × B. primigenius

Bisnis Mudah Modal Ratusan Ribu Raup Jutaan Rupiah

Dari judul artikelnya saja sudah cukup menarik, bisnis dengan modal terbatas/ratusan ribu rupiah saja namun bisa menghasilkan untung jutaan, puluhan juta hingga ratusan juta, apakah hal ini mungkin? saya rasa mungkin saja. Marilah kita coba melihat jenis bisnis dan peluang usaha apa saja yang sekiranya bisa seperti ini, dan mudah dilakukan tentunya.

Sebelum itu sebenarnya saya ingin berbagi pengalaman sedikit tentang bisnis dengan modal hanya beberapa ratus ribu rupiah saja namun bisa menghasilkan profit lebih dari 500% dan terus berlanjut tanpa harus susah-susah untuk melakukannya, tapi dijamun halal 100% lho ya, dan tentunya diperlukan kerja keras dan juga kerja cerdas.

Begini, suatu saat ketika saya mengembangkan bisnis web development dan juga digital marketing dan menemui beberapa klien misalnya klien properti dan juga beberapa kolega yang berbisnis rental mobil. Dari hal-hal inilah timbul pikiran dengan memanfaatkan teknologi internet saya rasa siapa saja bisa memasarkan produk tanpa harus membuat/memproduksi produk tersebut dan tentunya banyak keuntungan yang bisa didapat. Diantaranya yaitu dengan modal kecil kita bisa bermain bisnis besar (properti misalnya), dengan modal ratusan ribu kita bisa menjual jasa rental mobil mewah (sewa mobil alphard, camry, new accord dll). Kedua jenis usaha itu sudah saya lakukan dengan rekan satu team dan seluk beluk juga kendala kesulitannya sudah diketahui sehingga bisa saya tuliskan disini. Untuk lebih detail mari kita ulas lagi dibawah ini.

Bagaimana bisa disebut modal ratusan ribu rupiah dan profit jutaan? Begini, kami memanfaatkan sebuah website untuk melakukan promosi penjualan properti dan juga sewa mobil. Untuk membeli domain dan menyewa hosting adalah Sekitar 300 ribu per tahun untuk satu website, jika kita asumsikan dua website properti dan juga sewa mobil maka 600 ribu adalah modal dasar dalam satu tahun. Tentunya keahlian dan kreatifitas juga tidak bisa dilupakan disini misalnya bagaimana kita bisa menjalin kerjasama dengan partner yang memiliki prpduk yang akan kita jualkan, bagaimana negosiasi sharing feenya, dan juga bagaimana menjual secara efektif dari produk-prduk tersebut. Namun  disini saya bicara modal finansial yang terkadang menjadi gangguan atai kendala bagi sebagian orang yang akan membuka bisnis baru sedangkan peluang usaha sudah ada didepan mereka.

Dengan website/blog yang kami buat tersebut tentunya kami rajin untuk mempromosikan jasa atau produk yang ada didalam web terseebut misal di social  media seperti facebook dan twitter, forum-forum online dan juga tentu saja dengan teknik yang terpenting  SEO (Search Engine Optimization) sehingga website kami mudah ditemukan konsumen ketika konsumen mencari sebuah produk yang berhubungan dengan yang kami jual di mesin pencari Google.

Sekedar berbagi pengalaman saja untuk bisnis properti yang kami geluti relatif baru, kami bekerjasama dengan beberapa developer perumahan dan villa, tentu saja setiap penjualan yang kita lakukan akan mendapatkan fee sekitar 2.5%-5% cukup menarik bukan? Ada satu contoh sebuah transaksi yang bisa dinilai cukup besar yang hampir terjadi tapi mungkin belum rejekinya jadi belum terjadi hehe.. beberapa villa produk kami dengan harga 2.7M hampir dibeli buyer, mereka sudah meninjau lokasi, partner kami sudah mengantar dan menjelaskan di lokasi villa tersebut, namun dikarenakan luas tanah yang kurang sesuai dengan permintaan buyer maka transaksi belum bisa terjadi saat itu, jika transaksi terjadi maka fee adalah 5% dari 2.7M sekitar 135 juta rupiah. Kami tidak mau berandai-andai, memang itu belum rejeki jadi saya dan rekan-rekan tetep berusaha terus untuk tetap memasarkan bisnis properti ini. Dari cerita kasus terakhir tersebut yang ingin saya sampaikan adalah modal ratusan ribu untuk membangun sebuah website properti dan akhirnya memiliki kesempatan untuk menghasilkan profit ratusan juta rupiah, Andapun insyaAllah juga bisa !.

Untuk bisnis persewaan mobil tentu saja juga sudah kami lakukan. Keuntungan yang paling banyak adalah menyewakan mobil mewah seperti alphard, karena dengan 12 jam sewa saja, keuntungan sudah bisa mencapai 650rb-1juta rupiah, biasanya konsumen kami yang menyewa adalah 2-3 hari. Tentu saja keuntungan sangat menggiurkan dari bisnis ini. Namun semua itu tidak telepas juga dari kretaifitas saya dan rekan-rekan dalam mempromosikan website sewa mobil tersebut.

Dari sedikit cerita kedua bisnis tersebut bahwa pada intinya yang ingin saya sampaikan adalah kita bisa menangkap peluang bisnis apa saja yang ada disekitar kita. Kreatifitas dan juga kejelian dalam menangkap kesempatan untuk membuka bisnis baru adalah mutlak untuk kita usahakan. Jangan berpikir modal terbatas, marilah kita berpikir dengan modal yang ada, bisnis usaha apa yang bisa kita jalankan. Peluang usaha yang ada disekitar kita tidak selalu menuntut deengan modal finansial yang besar kan. Dengan modal yang minim bisa saja dilakukan. Sebagai contoh kasus saya dan rekan-rekan yang masih belajar dalam memanfaatkan bisnis properti dan juga sewa mobil.

Semoga sedikit gambaran cerita tersebut bisa memberikan inspirasi bisnis untuk kita semua. Tetap semanngat dan jangan lupa ya untuk mengunjungi sponsor kami yang ada disamping jika sudah selesai membaca dan ingin meninggalkan blog ini. Ohya apakah Anda ingin update ide-ide bisnis yang ada di blog ini melalui twitter? jika iya silahkan follow saja Follow @sinteniki

Terima Kasih

Munchkin

Munchkin Cat

The Munchkin is a very new breed of cat that has only been around for 30 years or so. Its creation has led to controversy, as there are many who believe that significant health issues will arise, and that the breed itself is based completely on a mutation.

Munchkins have very short legs, similar to the Dachshunds and Corgis in the dog world. This trait is genetic, and cats sporting the short legs were reported back in the 1940s. In 1983 in Louisiana, a woman found a pregnant stray and took her in. Half of the resulting kittens had short legs, and it is from that cat that the Munchkin breed descends from.

There was uproar in the early 90s when the breed was first introduced to the cat show circuit. Many believed that these cats would end up having major hip and spine problems, but so far there has been little conclusive evidence for this-- the problems that have arisen are those that can be found across many species of domestic cat. Though there is the issue of breeding-- two crossed Munchkins are likely to have a very small litter size, as kittens with the trait are often non-viable.

The controversy continues, as several cat organizations do not, and will not officially recognize the breed. They cite that it is a cat based upon an abnormality and a genetic disease, and that they are un-sound. There are a handful of registries that do recognize them, including TICA and the United Feline Organization.

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Status : Domesticated
Location : United States
Size : Weight upt o 9lbs (4kg)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Carnivora
Family : Felidae -- Genus : Felis -- Species : F. catus

King Quail

Coturnix chinensis

The King Quail, also known as the Asian Blue Quail, or Painted Quail, is the smallest of all the "true Quail" species. They measure only about 6in in length, and the females are actually larger than the males. You'll find them in south and southeast Asia, Australia, and on several Pacific islands.

Males are where the "Blue" name comes from-- they have slate blue breasts that are not present at all in females. Elsewhere their feathers range from a reddish brown, to lighter shades of brown, to black. This Quail species is quite popular in aviculture, and in captivity there are several other color variations that can be found.

King Quails live in either pairs or in small groups called Coveys. The rainy season dictates when they breed, and the females can lay as many as 14 eggs at a time! The newly hatched chicks are precocial, and go incredibly fast-- they can reach full adulthood after only a month! This quick maturation serves them well in the wild, as they usually only live a few years (they can live more than a decade in captivity).

Because the King Quails are such prolific breeders, and because they have such a massive range, they are listed as being of Least Concern. Some local populations (like those in parts of Australia) are becoming more rare, and are receiving protection.

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IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : Asia, Australia
Size : Length up to 6in (14cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Galliformes
Family : Phasianidae -- Genus : Coturnix -- Species : C. chinensis

Short-tailed Hopping Mouse

Notomys amplus

The last time anyone saw a Short-tailed Hopping Mouse was back in 1896, and everything that we know about this now-extinct desert Mouse comes from two specimens collected over a hundred years ago.

Did you know that there are, in fact, Hopping Mice? And no, they are not Marsupials (like many of the convergent evolution critters in Australia), they are Rodents that arrived from Asia around 5 million years ago.

The Short-tailed Hopping Mice and four of the other species in the genus went extinct during the 19th century. This is due to the spread of introduced predators like cats and dogs, and increased competition for food. All in all, half the species of Hopping Mice are extinct.

We know that the Short-tailed lived in the scrubs and dry grasslands of central Australia, and were the largest of the Hopping Mice. They had the long hind legs, sandy colored fur, and they fed on various seeds.

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IUCN Status : Extinct
Location : Australia
Size : Weight up to 80g

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Rodentia
Family : Muridae -- Genus : Notomys -- Species : N. amplus

Prussian Carp

Carassius gibelio - image by Viridiflavus

If you look closely, and use some imagination when it comes to color, you might just recognize today's animal.

You see, the Prussian Carp, which actually originated in Siberia and not Germany, is the wild ancestor to our domesticated Goldfish. Around 1,000 years ago these fish were selectively bred in China to become the colorful aquarium fish that are so prevalent around the world. Like their domestic progeny, Prussian Carp have also spread from their native habitat, and can now be found in rivers and ponds across Europe and Asia.

Prussian Carp are medium sized members of their family, measuring up to 1.5ft long and weighing up to 6lbs.  They have an omnivorous diet, feeding off of plant matter as well as various small invertebrates.

As adults, the Prussian Carp have a grey, greenish color. But when they are younger they tend to be more golden, which  is where the inspiration for the domestication may have some from.

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IUCN Status : Not Listed
Location : Asia, Europe
Size : Length up to 18in (45cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Actinopterygii -- Order : Cypriniformes
Family : Cyprinidae -- Genus : Carassius -- Species : C. gibelio

Pale-billed Mountain Toucan

Andigena laminirostris

The Andes mountains of South America are where you'll find the Pale-billed Mountain Toucan. They live in the humid forests that sit just under 10,000ft.

You'll identify these birds by all their various color patches. They have blue chests, chestnut wings, splashes of red and yellow near the tail, and ivory, black, yellow, green, and red on the face and bill. They are similar in look to the other species of Mountain Toucan (all of which have a Andean range), but each of the birds differs in the face and bill.

As with all Toucans, the Pale-billed Mountain Toucan is a frugivore, and is a vital spreader of seeds for their habitat. They eat as many as 100 different kinds of fruit (I didn't even know there were that many fruits growing in one place!), and either digest or regurgitate the seeds. This diet even plays into their courting rituals-- males will feed fruit to the females to gain favor.

Pale-billed Mountain Toucans will form monogamous pairs once they reach sexual maturity at age 3. The couple will often take over the nest of another bird and line it with sticks and regurgitated materials. Both the mother and father incubate and care for the chicks.

Sadly, the species is on the decline and is listed as Near Threatened. Habitat loss from logging, human settlement, and agriculture plays a big part in this. The birds do live within nature reserves, more more conservation action is needed outside of those areas.

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IUCN Status : Near Threatened
Location : South America
Size : Length up to 21in (53cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Piciformes
Family : Ramphastidae -- Genus : Andigena -- Species : A. laminirostris