Antiguan Racer

Alsophis antiguae

The Antiguan Racer is believed to be the rarest snake in the entire world. It is so rare, in fact, that in 1995 there were only 50 left! The Racers grow to lengths of around 1m, prefer to live in shady areas, and are completely harmless to humans.

Unfortunately, humans were farm from harmless toward the Racer population, which dwindled due to human involvement and introduced predators. When colonists arrived on the island of Antigua, they inadvertently brought Black Rats along with them. The Rats multiplied quickly, feeding on crops and Racer eggs, among other things. The farmers, wanting to get rid of the rats, introduced Asian Mongooses. Unfortunately, the Mongooses also fed on Snakes, and not just their eggs. It wasn't long before the Antiguan Racer was completely extinct on the island of Antigua itself. They continued to survive in small numbers on the Mongoose free Great Bird Island.

Though they were free from Mongooses on Great Bird Island, the snakes still had to worry about Rats, natural disasters (like hurricanes and droughts), and a loss of genetic diversity due to inbreeding. In 1995, when the population hit 50 individuals, a successful effort was made to eradicate all Rats from Great Bird.

The population doubled with the loss of the Rats, but it was discovered that the island was too small to sustain a larger snake population. Efforts are ongoing to remove Rats and Mongooses from other offshore islands, so that the snakes can be reintroduced there as well.

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IUCN Status : Critically Endangered
Location : Antigua
Size : Length up to 1m

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Sauropsida -- Order : Squamata
Family : Colubridae -- Genus : Alsophis -- Species : antiguae

Aquatic Warbler

Acrocephalus paludicola

Today's animal is one of the most threatened Passerine birds in Europe, and is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN. The species was once widespread and numerous, found in wetland areas throughout the continent. At present, the Warblers are restricted to only a few dozen sites across six countries, and it is estimated that there are less than 12,000 males left.

So why are these once abundant birds now threatened with extinction? It all has to do with their habitat needs. Aquatic Warblers live in very specific marshes and fen mires, and as those areas are taken over by human activity, the Warblers have no where to go. The only breeding populations left are found in Eastern Europe, and luckily there have been efforts made to maintain the habitats that are still viable.

But it isn't just their breeding sites that need protecting-- Aquatic Warblers migrate up to 7,500 miles (12,000km) every year to Sub-Saharan Africa. Their stopover points need protection as well, and so do their wintering grounds. Until recently, no one knew where the birds did their wintering, but a site was discovered in Senegal that houses up to 10,000 birds each year (potentially half the worldwide population). Obviously it will be very important to keep this site preserved as well, and promotional efforts are being made to do so.

So now that conservation measures have been discussed, we can move on to some other facts. Aquatic Warblers have a really fascinating breeding system. From May to July, the males fly about and sing as loudly as they can, trying to attract as many females as possible. They have no parental duties, so they are free to advertise themselves continuously. But don't think that the males are the only ones to have more than one mate! Females will also breed multiples times, and around 60% of all broods are fathered by more than one individual!

Aquatic Warblers are insectivores, though they do sometimes eat fruits as well.

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IUCN Status : Vulnerable
Location : Europe, Asia
Size : Length up to 5in (13cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Passeriformes
Family : Acrocephalidae -- Genus : Acrocephalus -- Species : A. paludicola

American Dipper

Cinclus mexicanus

I confess, when I hear the term "Songbird," I usually think of a bird that lives up in the trees, flitting around eating seeds or insects. But today I learned that there are Songbirds that actually submerge into water for their food! Meet the American Dipper, the only truly aquatic Songbird in North America!

You'll find these birds around fast moving, rocky rivers. Their range runs down the western side of North America, from Alaska all the way down to Mexico. American Dippers are residents, and when it gets cold they move to larger rivers that do not freeze. The also adapt to the cold by having a thick coat of feathers and a low metabolism.

Did you know that American Dippers molt all their wing and tail feathers at once (a simultaneous molt) and cannot fly for a short period of time? Though many waterfowl species do this, most songbirds do not, making the Dippers even more unique (Songbirds molt, but it is a more gradual process).

American Dippers feed on underwater insects and larvae. They have membranes over their eyes that let them see well underwater, and have oily feathers that keep them insulated in the cold streams. When searching for food they will dip their entire body underwater over and over. That dipping motion is what gives them their name. They will also search for prey by walking on the river bottom!

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IUCN Status : L:east Concern
Location : Western North America
Size : Length up to 7in (16cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Passeriformes
Family : Cinclidae -- Genus : Cinclus -- Species : C. mexicanus

Tailless Tenrec

Tenrec ecaudatus

Today's animal is native to Madagascar, and has been introduced to the Mascarene Islands. But happily, unlike some of the other critters we've talked about this week, the Tailless Tenrec is not on the verge of extinction! These interesting little mammals actually have a stable population, no major threats, and a wide range.

So now that we've got conservation status out of the way, what on Earth is a Tenrec?! The answer is... interesting. Tenrecs are members of that weird African Superorder known as Afrotheria. Their hodgepodge of relatives includes Elephants, Manatees, Hyraxes, Aardvarks, and Sengi. Tenrecs themselves look a bit like shrews or opossums, and some species even resemble Hedgehogs. This is due to convergent evolution-- Tenrecs evolved to fill the ecological niches that were normally filled by the aforementioned creatures. They May look alike and act alike, but they aren't actually related!

The Tailless Tenrec is the largest of the land-dwelling Tenrecs. They actually do have tails, despite the name, though the tails are very, very short. They look a bit like a Shrew crossed with a Hedgehog, and the younger Tenrecs even have spines to protect them while they grow up (adults have long, coarse hairs).

The Tailless Tenrec is one of the largest insectivores in the world. They detect prey with their long whiskers (they are nocturnal), and capture it with their mouths. Aside from insects, they do also feed on small vertebrates and plants.

You will only really see these Tenrecs in groups during a  few times each year-- during the breeding season when males attract mates, and after the young are born when females are taking care of their offspring. They are very solitary otherwise. Tailless Tenrecs can have massive litter sizes-- up to 32! The young are helpless for the first week or so, but they grow fast and will be on their own after about 5 weeks. They reach sexual maturity around 6 months of age.

Tailless Tenrecs communicate in a number of different ways. When threatened, the ridge of hair on their back rises up. They also hiss, squeal, and even scream!

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IUCN Status : L:east Concern
Location : Madagascar, Mascarene Islands
Size : Length up to 15in (39cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Afrosoricida
Family : Tenrecidae -- Genus : Tenrec -- Species : T. ecaudatus

Wattle-necked Softshell Turtle

Palea steindachneri

Wow, this week is becoming an unofficial Mascarene Islands theme week, and sort of by accident too! I came across today's animal while browsing around a site that listed the reptiles and amphibians of Hawaii. I zeroed in on a Softshell Turtle, as they are very interesting looking creatures... and what do you know, they've been introduced to Mauritius!

And though I found the animal in a Hawaiian context, they aren't native Hawaiians. The Wattle-necked Softshell Turtles are actually native to Vietnam and southern China, and were introduced to islands elsewhere. Interestingly, most of what we know of their biology and behavior comes from those Hawaiian individuals.

Wattle-necked Softshell Turtles belong to an entire family of Softshell Turtles, Trionychidae, but they are the only species in their genus. Like their cousins, they have flat shells covered with leathery skin rather than bony scutes. They also have long, retractable necks that have wattle clusters around the base (hence the name).

Unfortunately, like many other Softshell Turtles, the Wattle-necked Softshell Turtle is Endangered. This is due in part to their desirability in the food trade in Asia. Captive breeding farms have been set up to keep the wild Turtles from being hunted. But those farms may actually be hurting the Turtles, as they make the food more popular. The introduced populations in Hawaii and Mauritius may some day be the only populations left.

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IUCN Status : Endangered
Location : Southeast Asia, Hawaii, Mauritius
Size : Length up to 10in (25cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Reptilia -- Order : Testudines
Family : Trionychidae -- Genus : Palea -- Species : P. steindachneri

Réunion Kestrel

Falco duboisi

A few days ago we learned about an entire genus of Tortoises that went extinct from the Mascarene Islands in early 19th century. Today's animal didn't make it that long-- the Réunion Kestrel was gone before 1700.

It is a similar sad story, with the arrival of man prompting a fast decline... But the exact cause of the extinction is still a bit of a mystery. European colonization was in full swing by the mid 17th century, and the last time one of these birds was recorded as being alive was in 1672. A few may have hung in there for a while longer, but by 1700 they were considered extinct. Persecution probably played a part in their decline, but if there were other factors, they remain unknown.

Everything we know about the Réunion Kestrel comes from fossils and a few notes written by in the 1670s. They probably lived throughout the island, inhabiting open areas. They probably fed on smaller birds, as other Kestrels do, and may have taken domestic chickens (prompting some of that persecution). Unfortunately, little else is known about their behavior and lifestyle, as they were only known to science for a few short years before completely disappearing.

Réunion Kestrels are the only Kestrels to have gone extinct. Interestingly, the nearby island of Mauritius has its own extant Kestrel species, though it is listed as Vulnerable.

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IUCN Status : Extinct
Location : Reunion Island
Size : Length up to 14in (36cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Falconiformes
Family : Falconidae -- Genus : Falco -- Species : F. duboisi

Giant Water Bug

Lethocerus sp.

Today we'll be talking about an entire taxonomic family-- Belostomitidae. Insects within this group are more commonly referred to as Giant Water Bugs. There are around 160 different species, organized into nine different genera.

The "Giant" name is certainly apt, as some members (especially those in the genus Lethocerus) can reach lengths of several inches. Even the smallest group members are a few centimeters in length.

Giant Water Bugs can be found all over the world, and are most concentrated in the Americas and in South Asia and Australia. All of the insects, regardless of continent, live in ponds and other shallow bodies of water. They spend most of their time in the water, but they must surface for air, as they do require it to breathe. Respiration takes place thanks to two appendages that extend from the abdomen. Speaking of abdomens, the eggs of two of the genera, Abedus and Belostoma, are deposited on the backs of the males, who carry them around for a week or two until they hatch!

Giant Water Bugs are amazingly little predators. They ambush hunt other bugs, small crustaceans, and even fish, birds, and amphibians! They strike, biting down with their powerful mandible and injecting a digestive saliva that liquefies the insides of their prey. Once that process has taken place, the Water Bugs can slurp up their meals. These bites can be very, very painful to humans, but are not dangerous overall.

Final fun fact of the day-- Giant Water Bugs are considered a culinary delicacy in some parts of the world. They are eaten both raw and prepared!

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IUCN Status : Not Listed
Location : Worldwide
Size : Length up to 12cm

Classification : Phylum : Arthropoda -- Class : Insecta -- Order : Hemiptera
Family : Belostomatidae

Cylindraspis Tortoises

Cylindraspis peltastes

There were five different Tortoise species within the Cylindraspis genus:

• Cylindraspis indica - Réunion giant tortoise
• Cylindraspis inepta - Saddle-backed Mauritius giant tortoise
• Cylindraspis peltastes - Domed Rodrigues giant tortoise
• Cylindraspis triserrata - Domed Mauritius giant tortoise
• Cylindraspis vosmaeri - Saddle-backed Rodrigues giant tortoise

All five have been extinct for around 200 years.

The Cylindraspis Tortoises were once found on the Mascarene Islands of Rodrigues, Réunion, and Mauritius (home of the Dodo). This small group of islands is located in the Indian Ocean, off the coast of Madagascar. They were first discovered by Europeans in 1507, and were colonized around a century later. When humans arrived, the Tortoises were abundant across the island chain, but within 100 years they were almost completely wiped out. A few decades after that they were gone entirely.

How and why did this fast extinction happen? Well, it is a story very similar to that of one of their more famous island neighbors-- the Dodo. These Tortoises were very large, and very slow moving. This made them easy targets for hunting, much like the Dodo. The Tortoises also required very little food and maintenance, which made them ideal creatures to take on boats as a food supply.

Some of the species saw a decline faster than others (the Réunion Giant Tortoise was nearly gone by 1730, for example). Most were eliminated by 1800, with the last individuals dying out by 1840.

Sadly, the Cylindraspis Tortoises are not the only island turtles to be negatively affected by humans, and even the popular Galapagos Tortoises have faced extinction (some subspecies are gone entirely). Hopefully modern conservation measures and learning from the past can prevent more Tortoises from going the way of the today's animals.

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IUCN Status : Extinct by 1840
Location : Mascarene Islands
Size : Varies

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Reptilia -- Order : Testudines
Family : Testudinidae -- Genus : †Cylindraspis

Calandra Lark

Melanocorypha calandra

Meet the Calandra Lark, a bulky member of the Lark family that can be found in different parts of Europe and Asia, depending on the subspecies and time of year. Some of the populations are residents, such as those in Western Europe that live near the Mediterranean year round. Others, like those farther east in Russia, will migrate north and south with the seasons. They live in open grassland habitats where they feed on grasses and seeds.

You can identify a Calandra Lark by its robust size, large bills,  and white throat with large black spot. They are also distinct when viewed from below while flying-- they have dark wings with small white contrasting spots. Males and females look alike, though the female has less pronounced black spots on the throat.

Larks are known for their songs, and this Lark is no exception. In spring the males produce very loud songs that contain both beautiful notes, as well as very harsh ones. They also have the ability to mimic the songs of other birds!

Calandra Larks are monogamous. Pairs build their nests on the ground, but not out in the open. They often seclude themselves with small plants and bushes. 4-5 eggs are laid at a time, and they take 2 weeks to incubate. After hatching, around 20 days go by before the young Larks are able to fly. This quick incubation/fledging period allows the parents to produce two broods per season.

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IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : Europe and Asia
Size : Length up to 8in (20cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Passeriformes
Family : Alaudidae -- Genus : Melanocorypha -- Species : M. calandra

Zubron

Zubron

Meet the Zubron, a hybrid creature that is the result of crosses between European Bison (Wisent) and Cattle. Think "Beefalo" but with a longer history and a slightly different Bison in the mix.

The first Zubron dates all the way back to 1847, when a Polish man named Leopold Walicki created crosses between male Wisent and female Cattle. The result was a hardy animal that was less susceptible to disease. Other benefits? Zubron would graze on less desirable tracts of land that didn't need a huge farm infrastructure. They also required far less human interaction. Downsides? First generation males were infertile, though the females weren't. So a female Zubron could be bred back to either Cattle or Wisent, creating fertile male offspring.

Zubron breeding continued through the 19th century and into the 20th. By 1958 the work was taken on by the Polish Academy of Sciences, and several dozen animals were born in those first few years. In 1969 a contest was held by the newspaper Przekroj, and the name Zubron was chosen for the hybrids.

By the late 1980s, however, the results of the crosses were no longer considered desirable and state farms were losing interest. There was also fear that the hybrids would contaminate the gene pools of the purebred Wisent, a Vulnerable species.

There are a few Zubron left now in Bialowieski National Park, and there is still some work being done to create the hybrids, but on a far more limited scale.

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Status : Hybrid
Location : Developed in Poland
Size : Weight up to 2,600lbs (1,200kg)

Classification : Bos taurus × Bison bonasus

Sind Sparrow

Passer pyrrhonotus

Sind Sparrows look very much like the House Sparrows that live throughout Europe and Asia, though they are a tad smaller, and are located only around India and Pakistan. It is easiest to tell the two species apart when looking at the males. Sind Sparrows have short black bibs on their throats. House Sparrows have the same bibs, but they are much larger. Females are much harder to tell apart, tricky birds! They do have different calls though, with the Sind Sparrows having higher, more staccato-like voices.

So why so much similarity? Well, the two birds are definitely relatives-- the share the same genus (along with about two dozen other species). The original thought was that the Sind was a newer species that evolved from populations of House Sparrows cut off during the last Ice Age (around 15,000 years ago). But now, new genetic studies are showing that the Sind Sparrows may have split apart millions of years ago, rather than thousands.

Sind Sparrows live in small little groups that number around half a dozen birds, though these groups can swell to larger numbers during the winter (the non-breeding season). These groups forage for grass seeds in areas near rivers.

When it comes time to reproduce, both sexes help to build the nest, which is an untidy collection of sticks placed a few meters up into the trees. Both parents also help with the incubating.

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IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : South Asia
Size : Length up to 5.5in (14cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Passeriformes
Family : Passeridae -- Genus : Passer -- Species : P. pyrrhonotus

Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher

Ceyx erithaca

Today's animal is an absolutely stunning little bird, sporting bright yellow, red, and bluish-black plumage. Though we'll refer to them as the Oriental Dwarf Kingfishers, they are also sometimes called Black-backed Kingfishers, due to the darker colors that contrast with the bright feathers elsewhere.

If you're looking for a Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, you'll find them (well... maybe... they are very elusive) in south and southeast Asia, where they live in dense forests near small bodies of water. Water plays an important role in their lives-- they breed during the very wet monsoon season and they feed on aquatic animals. And while were are speaking of breeding, these Kingfishers build tunnel-like nests that can measure over 3ft in length!

At present, the Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher is listed as being of Least Concern, but the population is on the decline. Habitat loss is the number one threat to their numbers.

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IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : Southeast Asia
Size : Length up to 5.5in (14cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Coraciiformes
Family : Alcedinidae -- Genus : Ceyx -- Species : C. erithaca

Mountain Pygmy Possum

Burramys parvus

The Mountain Pygmy Possum is a tiny little Marsupial whose prehensile tail is actually longer than the rest of its body! They are only about the size of a mouse, measuring only a few inches in length, and weighing just 45g. They have dense dark fur on the top, with lighter undersides.

Mountain Pygmy Possums are rare and critically endangered. They were actually considered extinct until 1966, when the first live one was found (before then they only known from fossil forms).

Only three populations of these little guys are known to science, and it is believed that there are less than 2,000 individuals left. All three of these populations are found in southern Australia, in either New South Wales or Victoria. The Possums live in rock screes and boulder fields of high elevation areas. They are the only Alpine Marsupials in Australia.

Mountain Pygmy Possums also have the distinction of being more terrestrial than their other Possum cousins. While they are still excellent climbers, they spend most of their time on the ground. They are a nocturnal species, and hunt moths during the evening hours. During the winter months they hibernate, surviving off of stored up fat reserves.

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IUCN Status : Critically Endangered
Location : Southern Australia
Size : Length up to 11cm

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Infraclass : Marsupialia
Order : Diprotodontia -- Family : Burramyidae -- Genus : Burramys -- Species : B. parvus

Yellow-spotted Millipede

Harpaphe haydeniana

Not all Millipedes are gigantic like the big, 15in long African Millipedes. Today's animal is one of those Myriapods on the smaller side of the scale-- it doesn't get much bigger than 2in long!

The Yellow-spotted Millipede is found along the Pacific coast of North America. They are very important members of their ecosystem, as they help to break up leave litter and release nutrients.

As adults, have these Millipedes have predominantly black bodies with yellow patches that run along the sides. When full grown they have 20 body segments. Females have 31 pairs of legs, while males only have 30. The difference in number has to do with the placement of the males' reproductive organs.

Did you know that Yellow-spotted Millipedes have very few predators? Though they live in an area with lots of invertebrate-eating creatures, they remain very safe. This is because they have the ability to secrete Hydrogen Cyanide! The species is sometimes called the Almond-scented Millipede, due to Cyanide's almond-like smell.

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IUCN Status : Not Listed
Location : Western North America
Size : Length up to 2in (5cm)

Classification : Phylum : Arthropoda -- Superclass : Myriapoda -- Class : Diplopoda
Order : Polydesmida -- Family : Xystodesmidae -- Genus : Harpaphe -- Species : H. haydeniana

Dunia Mainan Anak adalah Peluang Usaha

(gambar sumber : niatusaha.com)

Dunia anak-anak adalah dunia yang menyenangkan, bermain bebas tanpa beban, dan segala mainanpun tersedia saat ini, lebih bervariatif dan harganyapun juga terjangkau. Nah melihat hal ini, ambil sisi bisnisnya yaitu peluang usaha berjualan mainan anak-anak.

Bagaimana peluang usaha ini berjalan? Sebelum mengupas lebih lanjut mengenai hal ini, perlu diingat bahwa trend mainan anak saya raasa ga akan ada habisnya untuk beberapa tahun kedepan dan dimasa yang akan datang. Seiring bertambahnya anak-anak baru :) yang memang sebagian besar butuh mainan anak oleh karena itu coba kita mulai berbisnis disini.

Pada dasarnya, bisnis jualan mainan anak ini sangat mudah dan tidaklah sulit. Intinya, silahkan mencari grosir mainan anak di daerah anda dan bisa mengambil dalam jumlah yang sedang atau besar tergantung bujet anda. Setelah itu ada dua cara menjualnya yaitu  dengan menjual eceran ke tempat-tempat tertentu misal sekolahan dan yang kedua adalah mensuplai toko-toko kelontong di daerah pasar dan pinggit jalan (jadi barang dagangan anda akan dititipkan disana kerjasama saling menguntungkan).

Hany itu saj asih pada dasarnya, tapi mungkin kita bisa lebih kreatif aoabil amodal kita cukup yaitu dengan meminta bantuan sales/menggaji mereka untuk berjualan di area sekolahan dan juga bisa juga untuk mensuplai ke daerah luar kota yang tidak terlalu jauh dengan tempat anda. Intinya peluang usaha ini harus disertai sistem marketing /pemasaran yang cukup bagus.

Apapbila anda sudah mendapat langganan dari beberapa toko kelontng yang menjajakan mainan anak-anak maka itu adalah jalan masuk yang cukup bagus. Anda bisa melebarkan peluang usaha jualan mainan anak ini ke daerah luar kota seperti yang diatas disebutkan. Mudah kok ga sulit, tetangga saya soalnya sudah ada yang jualan seperti ini jadi sedikit mengertilah hehe.  Okay selamat mencoba.

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Brown-throated Sloth

Bradypus variegatus

There are four species of Three-toed Sloth in the world, and the Brown-throated Sloth is the most common of the bunch. They can be found in different forested areas of Central and South America, typically living at elevations below 4,000ft.

Brown-throated Sloths can walk on the ground (kind of...), and they can even swim, but they spend almost all of their time up in the trees. They sleep as much as 18 hours a day, though 14-16 is more common. They are active the rest of the time, feeding and moving and protecting their territory, but only in 2-3 hour bursts.

The home range for a Brown-throated Sloth is pretty small-- only around a dozen acres. In this range they will move from tree to tree, feeding slowly on different leaves and fruits. Their metabolism is so slow that it can take a month to digest a single meal! In fact, the Sloths will usually only descend from their arboreal homes in order to go to the bathroom. This happens only once every eight days!

Brown-throated Sloth

Brown-throated Sloths have some interesting anatomical features, including their hair-- each follicle has multiple cracks on the surface. These cracks are the prefect places for algae to grow. The algae get a nice host to live on, and the Sloths get some extra camouflage. But the algae aren't the only passengers that the sloth has. A species of moth, Cryptoses choloepi lives in the Sloth fur and lays its eggs in the Sloth's dung.

Other strange anatomy facts? Brown-throated Sloths have 10 cervical vertebrae, and can rotate their necks 270 degrees. They also have a lot of trouble regulating their body temperature due in part to their small hearts and lack of muscle mass. This is why Sloths are only found in tropical warm areas.

Females sloths will make loud vocalizations in order to attract a mate. A male will come to her, and she will usually mate with the first one to show up. After copulation the male leaves, and the female goes through the 5-8 month gestation period alone. They give birth either on the ground or in trees, and the young sloth will cling to its mother's underside for up to 5 months. They wean quickly but stick around for much longer to learn important Sloth skills from mom, including motor skills and which leaves are best to eat.

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IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : South and Central America
Size : Length up to 31in (80cm), Weight up to 14lbs (6.3kg)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Pilosa
Family : Bradypodidae -- Genus : Bradypus -- Species : B. variegatus

Mengintip Peluang Usaha Rental Mobil Modal Nekat

(gambar sumber : cardekho.com)

Selamat Datang Pembaca Setia ...

Artikel yang ke lima sejak blog ini dimunculkan akan saya coba ulas sedikit mengenai peluang usaha yang modalnya nekat tanpa modal uang padahal usaha rental mobil. lho? bagaimana bisa?

Begini, sebelum mengulas lebih jauh mengenai hal tersebut yang perlu diketahui adalah bahwa bisnis rental mobil memang merupakan sebuah bisnis yang cukup ramai dan tidak sedikit pula saingannya. Lalu apakah kita bisa bersaing dengan para pengusaha rental mobil yang sudah bermain sejak lama? Jawabnya bisa bahkan dengan modal yang sangat minim dan tidak harua beli mobil. Yaitu dengan metode "Smart Online Broker".

Jadi sebenarnya bukan dengan modal tanpa uang sama sekali, namun tetep memakai uang tapi nilainya sangat sedikiti tidak sebanding dengan harga mobilnya. Ada sedikit langkah yang bisa anda ambil diantaranya :

1. Cari partner / teman / rekan yang sudah menjalani atau memiliki rental mobil. Sebainya yang bisa dipercaya. Dan ajak mereka bekerjasama. Anda yang memasarkannya dan anda bisa sharing profit dari hasil kuntungannya.
2. Buatlah sebuah website/blog tentang rental mobil tersebut dengan nama usaha anda sendiri tentunya. Jadi seolah-olah memang usaha tersebut milik anda. Jika ada order baru anda ambilkan ke rekan anda yang sudah diajak kerjasama sebelumnya. 
3. Promosikan website anda di social media misal facebook, twitter dan bisa juga iklan koran baris didaerah anda.

Dah sebenernya hanya itu aja sih memulai peluang usaha rental mobil modal nekat ini. Pada prisnispnya kerjasama dengan rekan/partner yang memiliki armada mobil dan anda sebagai broker tapi menggunakan bendera anda sendiri.

Cukup menarik bukan, tidak ada salahnya jika anda melihat kesempatan ini. beli domain (.com) dan hosting cukup 250-300 ribu saja pertahun sudah bisa memiliki sebuah nama website bagi anda. Tapi memang perlu diingat pelayanan juga harus bagus. Ada sedikit tips untuk tahap awal sebaiknya sewa mobil tidak lepas kunci atau hanya mobil saja. Namun sebaiknya satu paket mobil, driver dan BBM supaya aman  semuanya.

Semoga Bermanfaat. Thanks

Memanfaatkan Peluang Usaha di Facebook

Hola dan Halo apa kabar pembaca? Semoga kabar anda tetap baik dan selalu semangat menyambut berbagai pelung usaha yang ada disekitar kita khususnya di Facebook yang akan kita ulas kali ini. Sebenarnya banyak dari kita yang menggunakan Facebook sebagai media sosial berbagi pengalaman dengan teman, kerabat, keluarga serta juga relasi bisnis dan juga kadang dipakai untuk jualan, tapi sebenarnya jika  kita memanfaatkan jejaring sosial tersebut dengan cukup baik maka ternyata luar biasa bisa menghasilkan pundi-pundi rupiah yang tidak sedikit., dan gratis pula bagi kita.

Bagaimana kita memanfaatkan kesempatan ini? sebelum kesitu sedikit saya ingin bercerita bermula dari obrolan dengan teman yang teman dia sudah lumayan sukses berbisnis melalui media sosial ini. Jadi orang tersebut pada awalnya membuka usaha laundry dan menyewa kios serta menggaji beberapa karyawan, tapi tahu-tahu kok usaha laundrynya tutup dan dijual? nah pertanyaan besar ternyata orang ini sudah bisa memanfaatkan media sosial facebook tersebut sebagai lapak pengganti kios laundry dia. Dia menjadi reseller busana muslim dari salah satu kota di Indonesia dan dengan gencar mempromosikan produk tersebut ke teman dan relasi dia di jejaring sosial ini dan hasilnyapun lebih besar dibanding usah alaundry yang sudah berjalan dan bisa dibilang maju tadi.

Apakah kita bisa menirunya? saya rasa jika Tuhan mengijinkan apapun bisa terjadi bukan? orang yg sukses jualan di facebook pada awalnya juga coba-coba hehe.. Namun memang harus ada etika berjualan di foum tersebut supaya teman dan relasi kita di facebook juga tidak terganggu oleh berbagai produk yang kita tawarkan apalagi jika kia mengetag photo produk itu di wall teman begh,,, lama-lama temen akan sebel juga.

Ada beberapa strategi dari mulai pemilihan produk dan juga cara berjualan/promosi di media jejaring seperti facebook diantaranya yaitu:

1. Carilah produk yang bisa dikirim dengan mudah ke seluruh penjuru pelosok tanah air bahkan manca negara misalnya produk pakaian atau souvenier. Pada intinya sebisa mungkin menghindari makanan yang relatif agak ribet jika akan dikirim.
2. Promosikan secara teratur setiap hari, mungkin di jam-jam tertentu misal jam 10 pagi 1 siang dan 5 sore serta 8 malam, dan jangan setiap waktu kita promosikan selalu produk kita tersebut. Hindari selalu mengetag photo produk ke dinding teman. Jadi posting produk adalah disela sela postingan status normal anda.
3. Perjelas sistem pembelian dan pembayarannya, bahwa harga belum termasuk ongkos kirim dan sebagainya.
4. Siapakn nomer khusus untuk pemesanan produk apabila anda mempunyai lebih dari satu handphone, jadi agar lebih mudah merespon konsumen dan juga supaya tidak mengganggu privasi anda di nomer pribadi anda. Biasanya sekarang sudah banyak yg pakai PIN BB.
5. Ingat peluang usaha jualan di facebook ini masih terbuka lebar dan jangan pernah berpikiran bahwa sudah banyak orang dan anda hanya punya kesempatan sedikit. Kesempatan yg sudah sukses dan anda yang belum memulai sama besar jadi ambilah.

Perlu diketahui juga tidak sedikit orang yang berjualan di facebook tapi mereka adalah penipu. Untuk menghindari stigma negatif ini yang berimbas ke bisnis anda nanti sebaiknya anda perjelas sistem jual belinya dengan memungkinkan COD (Cash On Delivery) misalnya bisa ketemuan di mana, atau anda bahkan sudah punya kantor/konter sendiri. Hal ini jelas menambah kepercayaan konsumen untuk berbelanja di tempat Anda.

Mungkin sedikit informasi ini saja yang bisa saya bagi, sebenarnya ingin lebih memperpanjang artikel mengenai hal ini tapi ya intinya hanya itu mau gimana lagi? hehe.. 

Semoga informasi peluang usaha jualan melalui facebook ini bisa anda manfaatkan dengan baik. Jika ada keinginan untuk maju, ga ada salahnya kita selalu mencoba. Tetep semangat dan selamat mencoba.

Peluang Usaha Warung Grosir Berjalan

(sumber gambar : murahgrosir.com)

Jumpa lagi di artikel yang membahas beberapa kesempatan bisnis yang ada di sekitar kita. Untuk kali ini marilah kita membahas sedikit mengenai peluang usaha warung grosir namun berjalan/bergerak. Bagaimana maksudnya? coba kita ulas secara singkat saja ya.

Dari bermula obrolan dengan pedagang angkringan yang anaknya membuka bisnis warung yang barang-barangnya berasal dari hasil diskon berbagai supermarket/mall besar dan di ajual lagi. Nah inspirasinya sebenarnya dari situ. Jika anak pedagang tadi mempunyai warung dirumahnya karena memang memiliki lahan, namun bagaimana jika kita tidak memiliki warung yang letaknya strategis? salah satu cara efektif yaitu dengan kita menjemput bola datang ke konsumen.

Prinsip dasar dari peluang usaha grosir ini yaitu, dimana kita mengumpulkan informasi mengenai tempat-tempat supermarket yang sedang diskon  dan kita harus segera belanja disana dan kita jual lagi dengan harga yang lebih murah dari harga normal. Misal seperti beberapa waktu lalu ketika penulis melihat minuman festea di salah satu supermarket yang sedang diskon disana dijual sekitar Rp.4000 an sekian padahal harga normal bisa Rp.6000-Rp.6500 di eceran, nah jika kita bisa membeli dalam jumlah yang relatif besar maka bisa kita jual lagi dengan harga Rp.5.800 maka sudah terlihat lebih murah dan tentunya kita masih untung.

Lalu bagaimana sistem pemasaran warung grosir berjalan ini? sama saja seperti pada artikel sebelumnya, kita buat brosur, kita masukan list harga produk kita dan kita berikan keterangan bahwa setiap bulan bisa produk baru yang bisa dipesan, lalu sebarkan brosur tersebut ke berbagai perumahan, warung kelontong, masyarakat sekitar dan ditempat-tmpat yang sekiranya mendatangkan banyak orderan. Jika ada yang pesan maka anda antar.

Dengan sistem seperti ini dimana anda membeli dari sumber yang membrikan diskon serta anda menjual lagi dengan harga dibawah harga normal, maka setidaknya akan memiliki daya saing yang cukup bagus, apalagi anda mengantar sampai depan pintu konsumen dengan harga yang lebih murah daripada konsuemn harus kewarung wah pastinya peluang usaha ini cukup menarik untuk dicoba.

Bulan Ramadhan dan Kesempatan Peluang Usaha

(sumber gambar : herosetyanofario.wordpress.com)

Halo..

Edisi artikel peluang usaha di blog untuk kali ini saya akan mencoba mengupas sedikit kesempatan bisnis yang bisa kita ambil dan manfaatkan di bulan puasa/ramadhan. Sepertinya kita perlu memanfaatkan kesempatan yang hanya sebulan dengan sebaik-baiknya. Dalam satu bulan sekiranya yang paling kenceng bisnis kecil dan menengah adalah makanan dan busana muslim.

Jika kita lihat di bulan puasa, kebutuhan akan makanan khususnya cemilan roti kering dan basah serta berbagai hidangan untuk berbuka puasa menjadi trend selama bulan ramadhan tsb. Selain itu menjelang Hari Raya Lebaran tiba biasanya kebutuhan akan busana muslim dan perlengkapannya juga ada. Jadi bagaimana kita bisa memanfaatkan peluang ini sehingga kita bisa membuka bisnis dan usaha walau hanya sebulan saja.

Untuk masalah makanan kecil dan cemilan, anda bisa mendatangi tempat grosir cemilan, banyak kok dan bisa dijumpai dengan mudah, saya malah klo belanja roti dan hidangan kecil lainnya malah ke grosir tsb karena harga bisa jauh lebih murah dibanding toko biasa. Nah, kesempatan untuk menjualnya di bulan puasa bisa lebih bisa mendatangkan untung yang tidak kecil jika memang kita pintar dalam menjajakan dagangan kita. Peluang usaha ini tidak terlalu sulit, mungkin kita bisa agak kreatif dengan membuat brosur dan sebarkan ke semua perumahan dan kampung sekitar anda, berikan servis antar sampai tujuan sehingga konsumen bisa lebih enak memesannya.

Kalo untuk busana muslim dan perlengkapnnya gimana ya? Nah untuk yang satu ini anda memang harus berkunjung ke pusat grosir dan membutuhkan modal yang agak lumayan juga, namun bisa saja, anda mengambil photo-photo dari berbagai busana muslim tersebut ketika anda maen ke pusat grosir tanya berapa harganya, dan jadikanlah katalog mini dan silahkan tawarkan ke rekan, kolega teman dan juga bisa iklankan ke social media semacam facebook.

Banyak jalan sebenarnya jika kita memang bisa mencari berbagai informasi dan kesempatan untuk memulai bisnis walaupun usaha bisnis kecil-kecilan. Perlu diingat yang besar biasnaya bermula dari yang kecil juga. Semog artikel mengenai peluang usaha ini bisa memberikan gambaran yang bisa menjadi inspirasi kecil buat kita semua.

Green Ibis

Mesembrinibis cayennensis

The Green Ibis is a short little wading bird that also happens to be the only member of its genus. It can be found in Central and South America, living in wetlands and swampy woodland areas. These birds are typically residents of an area, though some may make very small migrations during the dry season.

Though it may not look it, depending on the light, the Green Ibis is actually green. It's a dark green, and sometimes it appears black, but it's green nonetheless. Juveniles have the same coloration, only it is more dull. They look quite a bit like the Glossy Ibis, but are more broad and have shorter legs.

You will find the Green Ibis living either alone, or in very small groups. Pairs are monogamous, and will build large platform nests in the trees, laying between 2 and 4 eggs each brood. They feed on water creatures like fish and frogs, and will take insects as well.

The species has a decreasing population, but it is still very large and they have an extensive range. They are currently listed as being of Least Concern, but that may change in future years.

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IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : South America
Size : Length up to 22in (56cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Pelecaniformes
Family : Threskiornithidae -- Genus : Mesembrinibis-- Species : M. cayennensis

Peluang Usaha Jual Tupperware Online

Halo.. Salam...

(sumber gambar : tupperware.co.id)

Dengan melalui blog ini saya mencoba memuat sedikit informasi mengenai sebuah peluang usaha yang bisa dilakukan oleh ibu rumah tangga, mahasiswa, anak SMA, karyawan swasta dan pengangguranpun bisa juga asal bisa dan tahu mengenai internet.

Broker barang produk yang diminati masyarakat merupakan salah satu peluang bisnis yang bisa diambil jika memang berani dan siap untuk meraup untung yang tidak sedikit. Menjadi makelar online dalam artikel kali ini khususnya menjual tupperware bisa menjadi sebuah kesempatan yang bisa kita manfaatkan. Tai sudahkah anda tahu bagaimana melakukannya?

Buatlah sebuah blog mengenai tuppwerware, postinglah semua produk yang dijual di dealer tupperware dikota anda, eh tapi sebelumnya sebaiknya anda menjadi member disana. Dengan menjadi member maka jika anda berbelanja produk tupperware tersebut maka anda akan mendapat diskon dan anda bisa jual dengan harga normal atau dengan memberi potongan harga kepada pembeli anda. Dan akhirnya masih untung kan? hehehe.. prinsip dari peluang usaha ini sangat sederhana kok tidaklah sulit.

Lalu bagaimana prosedur untuk menjadi membernya? saya tidak begitu mengetahui detailnya, namun dari cerita teman saya yg sudah menjual produk-produk tupperware secara online sangat mudah kok dan tidaklah sulit, silahkan tanya di dealer tupperware setempat yang ada dikota anda saya rasa juga akan lebih jelas disana.

Anda bisa menggunakan blog gratis seperti wordpress atau blogspot, dan silahkan promosikan juga melalui social media seperti twitter, Facebook dan juga BBM jika anda menggunakan smartphone BB untuk komunikasi dengan rekan-rekan anda. Ohya jika ingin lancar dalam menghandle konsumen, maka sebaiknya di blog anda , nomer handphone di tulis besar sehingga konsumen jelas dan mudah menghubungi anda nantinya.

Menjadi broker tupperware saya rasa masih sangat prospek mengingat produk ini masih sangat banyak peminatnya. Semoga sedikit informasi ini bisa menjadi info peluang usaha bisnis buat anda yang memang sedang mencari kegiatan bisnis sambilan.

Salam

Green Stink Bug

Acrosternum hilare

Today's animal is quite the stinker! Literally! The Green Stink Bug has a very large gland on the underside of its thorax. These glands discharge a huge (for a bug) amount of smelly liquid when the bug is disturbed.

You can find Green Stink Bugs across North America, and they are the most common Stink Bugs on that continent. They are actually considered to be pests in some places, due to their love of seeds, grains, and fruits. They are not at all picky when it comes to food, and can have many, many different types of host plant that they snack on with their needle-like mouths.

Green Stink Bugs are shield-shaped and vibrantly green in color, even as small nymphs. Nymphs come from tiny barrel-shaped eggs that are laid on the undersides of leaves. One new generation is laid each year in the northern range, while two are more common in the south.

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IUCN Status : Not Listed
Location : North America
Size : Length up to 2cm

Classification : Phylum : Arthropoda -- Class : Insecta -- Order : Hemiptera
Family : Pentatomidae -- Genus : Acrosternum -- Species : A. hilare

Chinese Mountain Cat

Felis silvestris bieti

The Chinese Mountain Cat is a very elusive feline. In fact, they are so hard to find that they were the very last cats to be discovered by science! Even then, most of what we knew was taken from skins, and it wasn't until 2007 that the first photograph was taken of one in the wild! They were once considered to be their own separate species, but genetic testing in recent years has led to reclassification.

This subspecies of Wildcat is endemic to China, where it can be found at high elevation grasslands, coniferous forests, and shrublands. They are active at night, and hunt for small animals like Birds, Pikas, and other Rodents.

It should come as no surprise that the Chinese Mountain Cat is a vulnerable subspecies with a small population size. Estimates state that only around 10,000 mature individuals remain. The intentional poisoning of Pikas has a lot to do with the Cat's decline. The Pika population goes down, lowering the Mountain Cat's food supply, and the cats themselves can become poisoned and die as well. Chinese Mountain Cats are listed in CITES II, and are protected in their native country, though the protection isn't as enforced as it is in other animals.

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IUCN Status : Vulnerable
Location : China
Size : Body length up to 33in (84cm), Weight up to 9lbs (20kg)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Carnivora
Family : Felidae -- Genus : Felis -- Species : F. silvestris -- Subspecies : F. s. bieti

Dwarf Crocodile

Osteolaemus tetraspis

Meet the smallest living Crocodile, the appropriately named Dwarf Crocodile! These guys top out at lengths of only 5ft, which is pretty minuscule when you compare them to their larger Nile cousins. Those guys can grow to 16ft or more!

Dwarf Crocodiles are found in tropical west and central Africa. They live in ponds, swamps, and marshes, where they are most active during the nighttime hours.

When it comes to their personality and behavior, Dwarf Crocodiles are pretty timid and slow moving, but that doesn't mean they aren't still effective predators! They feed on all sorts of invertebrates and vertebrates alike, and will also consume carrion when available.

Mother Dwarf Crocodiles are very attentive parents. They build mounds out of decaying vegetation, which generate the heat needed to incubate the eggs. She will guard the mound until the eggs hatch, and then watch over her offspring for up to a year, as their small size makes them very vulnerable to predation.

Unfortunately, Dwarf Crocodiles are listed as Vulnerable. They aren't as well studied as their larger cousins, so the exact population status isn't as understood. It appears that hunting and deforestation are contributing to their decline.

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IUCN Status : Vulnerable
Location : Africa
Size : Length up to 5ft (1.5m)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Sauropsida -- Order : Crocodilia
Family : Crocodylidae -- Genus : Osteolaemus -- Species : O. tetraspis

Eight-spotted Forester

Meet the Eight-spotted Forester, a small moth found in the eastern United States and in parts of eastern Canada. As adults, they have dark black bodies and eight white or yellow spots across their wings, giving them their common name.

Alypia octomaculata

Larvae

Location has everything to do with the lifespans and generations of the Eight-spotted Forester. Only one generation is produced each year in the north, with adults flying from April to June. Two generations are more common in the south. Adults don't live through the winter months, but the pupa do! They bunker down in the soil or in wood crevasses when it gets cold.

Eight-spotted Forester larvae come from eggs that are often laid upon Grape or Virginia Creeper plants. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on those plants (adults feed on nectar). The young Moths are just as boldly patterned as the adults are, with bright orange bands interspersed with smaller black and white ones.

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IUCN Status : Not Listed
Location : Eastern United States, Canada
Size : Wingspan up to 1.2in (3.7cm)

Classification : Phylum : Arthropoda -- Class : Insecta -- Order : Lepidoptera
Family : Noctuidae -- Genus : Alypia -- Species : A. octomaculata

Eastern Long-necked Turtle

Chelodina longicollis

It's easy to see where this animal gets its name-- the Eastern Long-necked Turtle has a neck that can be nearly as long as their carapace! These necks are so long that they aren't pulled directly back into the carapace. They bend in sideways.

These Australian natives have flat carapaces that grow to around 8in in length and are colored in shades that range from black to brown to green. Their undersides (plastrons) are cream colored with very distinctive black lines.

You can find these Turtles living in slow moving freshwater streams and ponds. They have powerful webbed feet that allow them to dig and swim with ease, and they spend a good deal of time basking on rocks and logs. In the wild Long-necked Turtles are 100% carnivorous, feeding on insects, mollusks, tadpoles, fish, and other small creatures. When the Turtles themselves feel threatened, they secrete a stinky fluid from their musk glands. This gives them one of their other common names-- "Stinker."

Eastern Long-necked Turtles can be kept as pets, but they require a good deal of space, as well as a long commitment. These guys can live for decades!

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IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : Australia
Size : Carapace length around 8in (20cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Sauropsida -- Order : Testudines
Family : Chelidae -- Genus : Chelodina -- Species : C. longicollis

Giant Golden-crowned Flying Fox

Acerodon jubatus

The Giant Golden-crowned Flying Fox (also known as the Golden-capped Fruit Bat) is one of the largest bat species in the entire world... but it is also one of the most threatened. These monstrous bats are found only on a handful of islands in the Philippines, and they are in grave danger due to poaching and deforestation.

Giant Golden-crowned Flying Foxes (that is a mouthful!) are named for a patch of golden colored hair found on the tops of their heads. The rest of the body ranges in color from brown to black. The "Giant" title comes from their incredible size-- they can have wingspans that measure over 5 ft! Don't worry about that huge size though, these bats are gentle giants. Their favorite food is Fig, and they also eat several other fruit and plant types. They even help to plant the forests since they deposit seeds with their droppings.

These Bats can be found exclusively on nine different Philippines islands, though that number could drop to even fewer locations-- they have already gone extinct on several smaller islands. They live at low elevations, in areas that are uninhabited by humans. When they were more abundant, the Golden-crowned Flying Foxes could be found in combined colonies with the Large Flying Foxes, and these groups could number near 100,000. At present, the largest colonies measure around 5,000.

The species is on the decline, but a number of different programs have been put into place to keep it going. They live in a few protected areas, are under study, and a captive breeding program is underway. However, enforcement in some of the protected areas is very light, allowing poaching to continue.

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IUCN Status : Endangered
Location : Philippines
Size : Wingspan up to 5.5ft (1.7m), Weight up to 2.6lbs (1.3kg)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Mammalia -- Order : Chiroptera
Family : Pteropodidae -- Genus : Acerodon -- Species : A. jubatus

Common Bronzewing

Phaps chalcoptera

The Common Bronzewing is a medium sized species of Pigeon that is found throughout Australia. They live in a wide range of habitats, usually near sources of water,  and can be found just about anywhere that isn't a dense rainforest or a dry desert.

The common name from the species comes from their brightly colored wings. Both males and females sport patches of blue, green, red, and (of course) bronze, on them (though the females are a bit less shiny). These colors stand out when compared to greyish-brown feathers found on the rest of their bodies. The birds also have small white lines under their eyes, and juveniles posses the same coloration, only more dull.

Common Bronzewings are very adaptable birds. As already mentioned, they live in a huge range of habitats and temperature ranges. They also live in all sorts of differently size social groups. Some birds around found alone, others travel in pairs, while others move in small flocks. They are also adaptable when it comes to feeding, taking different kinds of available seeds and grasses while foraging on the ground.

One final example of their adaptability concerns their reproductive habits. They don't have a set breeding season, and will reproduce during any time of the year as long as there are suitable conditions. Males put on a bowing courtship display, displaying their shiny feathers to the females. The pair will build a very flimsy-looking nest, and two eggs are laid at a time. The parents share incubation duties (which is a very short 14-16 day time period) and they both feed and care for the chicks, which are fed "Pigeon Milk" from their parents' crops.

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IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : Australia
Size : Length up to 14in (36cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Columbiformes
Family : Columbidae -- Genus : Phaps -- Species : P. chalcoptera

Plotosus Catfish

Plotosus lineatus

Today let's talk about the Plotosus genus, which is made up of nine different species of Eel-Catfish. All nine species can be found in proximity to the Indian Ocean, ranging from Madagascar all the way over to New Guinea. They are typically found in salt water areas, though some do swim up streams and freshwater rivers. One of the species, P. lineatus, is the only Catfish found in Coral Reefs!

These Eel-Catfish are named for their long, slender, eel-like bodies, but from there they vary in appearance. Some have stripes, some are solidly colored, and others have gradient patterns. They even very in size, witht he largest (P. canius) measuring around 1.5m, while some of the others (like P. lineatus) are only about a foot. All species, especially as juveniles, prefer to swim in schools, rather than alone. Some of these groups can number into the hundreds. The schools feeds by trawling the bottom with their barbels, and by stirring up small invertebrates in the substrate.

Eight of the nine Plotosus species are venomous. They have spines on their dorsal and pectoral fins that can be incredibly dangerous. Though it is rare, these stings can be fatal for humans.

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IUCN Status : Not Listed
Location : Indian Ocean
Size : Length between 14-60in (34-150cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Actinopterygii -- Order : Siluriformes
Family : Plotosidae -- Genus : Plotosus

Gold Dust Day Gecko

Phelsuma laticauda

The Gold Dust Day Gecko is a smallish Gecko, named for the gold specks that develop on their backs and legs as they age. They also happen to be diurnal, giving them the second part of their common name.

The species is native to Madagascar and the Comoros Islands, but they have also been introduced to far away Hawaii, and inhabit several of the islands in that chain. They live in trees and (now) near human establishments. The Geckos live solitary lifestyles, and males can be very aggressive when it comes to their territory.

It isn't just adult males that can be testy, juveniles can be just as aggressive. Up to five pairs of eggs are laid during the breeding season, and they will hatch after a month and a half. The young geckos are only about an inch long at the time of hatching and they disperse quickly, as fighting can occur (the male territoriality starts young!).

Gold Dust Day Geckos are omnivores, feeding on insects, smaller lizards, nectar, and fruits. They can sometimes be found en masse, congregating around a single plant in order to feed. The Geckos can also be very bold in human areas, entering kitchens and snatching food right off the countertops!

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IUCN Status : Not Listed
Location : Madagascar
Size : Length up to 6in (15cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Reptilia -- Order : Squamata
Family : Gekkonidae -- Genus : Phelsuma -- Species : P. laticauda

Blood Pheasant

Ithaginis cruentus

The Blood Pheasant has kind of a disturbing name, but it gets it from the red skin of its face and legs, and the red feathers on the chin, chest, and tail. They are small members of their family, and are the only species found within the genus Ithaginis, though there are a dozen recognized subspecies.

Blood Pheasants are found in the countries surrounding the Himalayas-- China, India, Nepal, and Bhutan. They prefer to live in coniferous forests, and range at elevations of 10,000-15,000 feet during the breeding season, and slightly lower during the rest of the year.

These birds are not the best fliers, and they get around mostly by running on the ground. They even build their nests on the ground, constructing them under rocks and inside shrubs. These ground nests can be problematic, however, as sometimes the eggs must be moved or abandoned altogether if the parents feel there is too much risk. Broods can number over a dozen in size, and the young chicks are able to get up and follow mom around when they are only two days old. They will remain as a group until winter.

The species is very rarely found in captivity, and at present it does not appear that there are any in United States institutions. Blood Pheasants live in very remote regions in the wild, and so have been safe from many of the threats that endanger different pheasant species. However, the population does appear to be on the decline, though it is slow enough to list them as being of Least Concern.

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IUCN Status : Least Concern
Location : Himalayas
Size : Length up to 17in (43cm)

Classification : Phylum : Chordata -- Class : Aves -- Order : Galliformes
Family : Phasianidae -- Genus : Ithaginis -- Species : I. cruentus