What do Hippos Eat

If you are one of those people who were not aware of the fact that hippos are herbivores, the article... 'What do hippos eat'... will give you the details of the same. Continue reading, for more information about the dietary habits of this animal.
Many people tend to get surprised when they realize that the fierce looking hippopotamus are actually herbivorous in nature. In fact, the hippo is one of the largest animal in the herbivore animals list. Several interesting facts about this animal species continues to elude people, and the dietary habit of these creatures is just one of them. Before we move on to what do hippos eat, let's get some more information about this animal.Hippopotamus: General InformationHippopotamus is a herbivorous mammal native to the continent of Africa. It is generally found in the rivers and lakes of the grassland regions of West Africa and East Central Africa. Hippos are the second largest mammals on the land, next only to the elephants. Standing 5 ft tall and 11 to 17 ft long, an adult hippo can weigh anywhere between 3,000 to 4,000 lbs. Being semi-aquatic animals, they tend to spend most of the time of the day lazing in the water bodies, and come out for feeding only after dusk. Their large size also contributes to their abnormal appetite. Those who know what do hippos eat must be well versed with the voracious eating habits of these creatures. On an average, the lifespan for a hippopotamus ranges between 40 to 50 years, though several individuals are known to make it to 55 with ease. Even though the hippos may generally appear to be quite lazy and docile, these creatures are known to be very aggressive towards humans beings.What does a Hippo Eat?The hippopotamus feeds on a wide variety of vegetation, that grows in Sub-Saharan Africa. Their diet predominantly consists of grass, but they are also known to feed on fruits, leaves, nuts etc. Being semi-aquatic, these creatures also feed on several aquatic plants and reeds that are found in their natural habitat. Though rarely, hippos are also known to feed on small animals and animal carcasses. Hippos prefer spending time lazing in the water or basking on the banks of the river throughout the day. They have the amazing ability of holding their breath and staying under the water for extended periods. It is during this time that they resort to aquatic plants and reeds. They move out of water only during the night time in order to search for food. This is where their voracious feeding habit comes into the picture, as a herd of hippos eats a hundred lbs of vegetation in one go. On an average, they graze for four to five hours every night, and cover approximately a mile or two in this while. Though they prefer to stay close to the water holes, hippos are known to wander as far as six miles from the water hole in search of food.This was brief information about what do hippos eat, along with a passing reference to the general information about this animal species. Found all over Africa at one point of time, the hippo population has been restricted to a few regions in East Africa as of today. The drastic fall in hippopotamus population can be attributed to the large scale hunting and loss of habitat. Hippos have lately featured on the poacher's radar owing to their soft ivory tusks. Human encroachment in their natural habitat has resulted in loss of habitat for these creatures. More importantly, they are also killed for the meat by the locals in this region. This large scale hunting has depleted the number of hippos in this region to a great extent, owing to which this animal has been included in the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) list of vulnerable species.

Coral Banded Shrimp

Coral banded shrimp is a shrimp like decapod, but not true shrimp and is a member of the family, Stenopodidae and the genus, Stenopus. The scientific name of this decapod crustacean is Stenopus hispidus . Commonly, it is also known as banded coral shrimp, banded prawn, banded boxer shrimp and barber-pole shrimp. Apart from the regular banded coral shrimps (Stenopus hispidus), you can find three other types, yellow coral banded (steponus cyanoscelis), blue coral banded (Steponus tenuirostris) and gold coral banded shrimp (Steponus zanzibaricus). Coral banded shrimps are immensely popular among aquarist. What makes these shrimp like invertebrates so attractive is their colorful body. Moreover, they are so easy to maintain and care for that they can be an excellent addition to many marine aquariums. However, the beginner aquarists need to know some basic facts about banded coral shrimp, in order to introduce them to their aquariums.

Coral banded Shrimp Facts

Banded coral shrimp is one of the most widely distributed shrimps in the sea, though it is basically a native to the oceans of Indonesia. Usually, it can be found hanging upside down in the caves and crevices. It normally reaches a size of 5 cm. The female banded coral shrimps are usually larger than their male counterparts. The body of coral banded shrimp is of prickly texture, and its whole body is covered with short spines, which it uses for defense. Banded coral shrimp is colorful, with striking red and white bands all over its body. It also possesses long white antennae and pinchers, which are often held erect. This gives it an appearance of a boxer, who is ready to fight. This is the reason why it is also known as 'banded boxer shrimp'.

Banded coral shrimp has an unusual power of regenerating its arms and claws at the time of molting. As far as temperament or behavior is concerned, it is usually peaceful. Banded coral shrimp is not aggressive, if it does not encounter any other members of its species and smaller shrimps of different species, with the only exception being a mated pair of coral banded shrimp. Banded coral shrimp is territorial, and it can kill and consume other shrimps. It normally goes along finely with aquarium fish, corals and other invertebrates. But, it can pinch the corals and anemones and steal their foods, for which many do not consider it as a very good choice for reef aquariums.

Coral Banded Shrimp Diet

Banded coral shrimp is omnivorous, which means that you can feed it a variety of foods. It would simply devour anything from dry, frozen foods, dead fish and shrimps to pellets and flakes. Sinking pellets is the most convenient food that can be used by aquarists. In addition to these, banded coral shrimp would eat Polychaete worms as well. The ideal method for feeding this invertebrate is to place the food in front of it with the help of a feeding stick.

Coral banded Shrimp Care

If you are considering to keep the banded coral shrimp in your aquarium, then it is better to acquire some basic knowledge about its care and maintenance. As mentioned already, this shrimp like crustacean is very easy to be taken care of. Only a certain things need to be kept in mind in order to keep it healthy. First of all, the aquarium water pH should be usually within the range of 8 to 8.4, in order to keep coral banded shrimp. The ideal temperature is 72 to 80 degree Fahrenheit. The minimum tank size should be about 30 gallon, so that it gets enough space to move around freely.

It is usually recommended that banded coral shrimp should be slowly and gradually acclimated to the environment of marine aquarium. Usually one hour acclimation is enough, so that it can get adjusted to the environment of the aquarium. This invertebrate like many other invertebrates cannot tolerate nitrate and copper levels. As mentioned already, coral banded shrimp is territorial and it can literally attack other members of the same species, small shrimps, worms and other crustaceans like, snails, corals and hermit crabs. It is usually kept singly or as a mated pair. Do not keep it along with lionfish, eels, snappers and triggers. These fishes are large and they can eat up the small banded coral shrimp.

Coral banded shrimp usually does not breed in captivity and even if it does, either the other members of the aquarium consume the larvae, or the larvae get sucked in by the filter system. So, it is quite rare to get success in breeding these invertebrates. Many also do not try to breed them, as banded coral shrimps are so readily available. Coral banded shrimp usually lives for 2 to 3 years. Apart from its attractive look, banded coral shrimp eats away parasites, detritus and other unnecessary objects or debris from the surface of fish. In this way, it helps to keep the fish, as well as the water of the fish tank clean, which can be termed as the most important benefits of keeping coral banded shrimp in a tank.

What do Crayfish Eat

Crayfish are also known as crawfish or crawdads. There are more than 540 different species of crayfish found all across the world. Crayfish are crustaceans that live in freshwater. In a natural environment, they are found in running water of small streams and rivers. Even though they are aquatic, they can survive in land as well provided their gills remain wet. They look very similar to small sized lobster and are related to them. On an average, the lifespan of crayfish is in between two to three years. When you have decided to have this amazing creature as a pet, then you must have the knowledge of some basic facts including what do crayfish eat.

Basic Facts About Crayfish

The color and size of the crayfish varies form one species to another. In general, adult crayfish are deep reddish brown in color while young ones have light tan body color. Some of its species can be found in other colors like green or blue. The size of the crayfish varies from two to six inches in length. In some species, larger sizes can also be found. Their body is covered with a hard shell. Their legs, pincers and other appendages consist of sensory bristles that help them to eat, touch, feel, hear, smell, etc. They breathe through their gills.

At home, they should be kept in a fresh water fish tank where the water is well aerated and its temperature is around 65 - 77 degree Fahrenheit. They prefer hard water which is slightly alkaline in nature. If the water is soft or its pH value is low, then they can suffer from calcium deficiency that may affect their reproduction. To make their living more comfortable, you should put some rocks, small PVC pipes and plastic plants in the aquarium. They are nocturnal creature and like to hide themselves during daytime. They will use these places for hiding. Do not keep any other fish or live plants in the aquarium as they will try to eat them up. Do not overcrowd the tank with too many crayfish.

What do Crayfish Eat

Crayfish are omnivorous fish and they eat anything that they can find. They eat vegetables like frozen peas, carrots and even plants like Java Moss that probably nothing else will eat. They also eat shrimp, meat, fish, those insects which accidentally fall into the tank, sinking pellets, table scrap, etc. In their natural habitat, they get plenty of decomposed plant matter such as grass and other plants that are rotten in water. They love to eat these mainly because it is very convenient to rip the soft decayed leaves with their claws. So, if you have rotten lettuce leaves and spinach leaves in your kitchen then you can cut them into small pieces and feed it to the crayfish. It will serve as a special treat for them.

Some pet owners buy tiny fish like guppies or minnows from the market and offer them to crayfish. You can also give them provided they are kept in their own separate tank. If they share the tank with other fish, then in a day or two you may find that they have eaten up your favorite small fish in the tank. You can give them dead fish from other tanks at home as foods. The swampy environment of rivers and streams, which is where the crayfish are used to live in, have lots and lots of algae, bacteria and snails and they love to devour on them. So, your pet will eat up all the algae and bacteria that grow in the tank. The major advantage of this food habit is that it will keep the tank water in purified state and prevent its contamination.

Parakeet Life Span

Are you thinking of bringing home a parakeet? Before you go to the pet shop to select your feathery friend, let me give you some information about these beautiful birds. Parakeets are members of the parrot family. These birds can be found in Asia, Australia, Africa, Central America and South America. As far as their physical appearance is concerned, these are slightly different from parrots. They are smaller in size and have long, tapered tail feathers. You will be absolutely mesmerized when you look at these playful birds. If you are a bird lover, you will find it hard to take your eyes off a parakeet. Once you bring home a parakeet, make sure that you provide them with good food and a proper environment. Keeping parakeets as pets will give you lots of joy because they are very lively, but make sure that you make them feel at home. The parakeet life span will greatly depend on how you treat your pet. Here's some information on factors that will affect the parakeet life span.

Parakeet Life Expectancy

Wondering about the average life span of a parakeet? Though the average parakeet life span ranges from 5-9 years, it can vary depending on how well the parakeet is cared for. Sometimes parakeet life span might also depend on factors such as genetics. Those parakeets who have adjusted well to their surroundings and are well-fed might even live up to 15 years. Pay attention to parakeet care and your parakeet will live longer. Let me give you some parakeet information on how to prolong your parakeet's life span:

Interaction with Parakeets
The playful parakeet behavior makes them very popular as pets. These birds are highly affectionate and playful, so, make sure you interact with them for at least half an hour daily. They love it when you stroke them and talk to them. Therefore, before you get one home, make sure that you are willing to spend time with your exotic pet. If the birds begin to feel isolated or bored, it will have an adverse impact on the parakeet life span. So, talk to the bird in soft mummers and play. Never let the surroundings be quiet or very loud, it might scare the bird. Also get hold of some bird toys, bird swings and bird cage ladders. You must prepare the cage properly. You must get a big airy bird house with numerous bird perches. The bird will feel claustrophobic if the bird house or cage is small. Make sure you keep both the bird and its cage clean. It would be a good idea to cover the cage on a few sides with a cloth at night. This is to make your pet feels secure at night.

Parakeet Food
Giving good food is a must for prolonging the parakeet life span. Your parakeet needs fresh food and water everyday. For that you can buy nutritious bird pellets. Several brands of healthy pellets are available in the market. So, head out and select the best for your pet. Let me tell you another important parakeet care tip. If you give the same food everyday, your parakeet might start showing a disinterest in eating, so, make sure that doesn't happen. Besides the 1-2 teaspoons of pellets, give them seeds, cottage cheese, peanuts, bean sprouts or mealy worms. You can also give them ½ cup of fruits and vegetables such as mangoes, papaya, zucchini, carrots, green peppers. Make sure that you don't give them any processed dried fruit.

Parakeet Breeding
Let's move on to the aspect of parakeet breeding. The parakeet life cycle comprises of stages such as the laying and hatching of eggs, nestling and molting or shedding of the bird's feather. Molting marks the reaching of adulthood. As far as parakeet breeding is concerned, care must be taken that both parakeets must be adults, preferably older than a year. After mating, the eggs that are fertilized take about 18-20 days to hatch. Then it takes about 4 weeks of care before the chicks are fully feathered and ready to be on their own. Before you think about parakeet breeding, it would be a good idea to get in touch with a veterinarian to check if both parents are healthy enough to breed.

Weirdest Animals on Earth

Everyone of us are intrigued by the weirdest creatures on earth. Be it the carnivorous flowers that exclusively feed on insects or the scary deep ocean fish, they exhibit certain characteristic features different from other species. But how do you define the weirdest animals on earth? Is a sea dragon that resembles a seaweed sounds weird to you or is it the small Philippine tarsier, which have extraordinarily large and bright eyes. Here, we will take a look at some of the strangest animals on earth, which you will find interesting.

Top 10 Weirdest Animals on Earth

Mention some of the most weird animal species and you can find lots of them, each falling in different groups of birds, fish, reptiles, primates and mammals. As we all know, organisms are gifted with certain features, either external or internal, which have something to do with their adaptation in the prevailing environment. Likewise, the weird characters increase the animal's survival rate. Mentioned below are some of the most weird animals along with their distinctive features.

Komondor Dog
Komondor dog is a large dog breed, originated in Hungary. Excellent as a working dog, it is characterized by a long coat that covers the whole body. Seeing from a far distance, it looks like a sheep with a heavy fur. It is independent and dominating in nature. Hence, for keeping as a house pet, a Komondor dog should be trained properly under the guidance of a qualified trainer.

Leafy Seadragon
Classified under Syngnathidae family, the leafy sea dragon is encountered only in Australia's southern waters. As the name signifies, the camouflaging appendages of this sea creature are adapted in such a way that they look virtually like floating seaweed or plant leaves. At maturity, leafy sea dragon is yellowish green in color and grows to about 45 cm in length.

Star-nosed Mole
Identified as one of the ugliest and weirdest animals on earth, the star nosed mole is a mammal with fresh tendrils surrounding the snout area. Virtually a blind mammal, it uses its 22 nasal appendages for hunting food. Once it touches an insect larva or other prospective prey on the ground, it takes milliseconds to check and eat it up. As per scientists, this is the fastest known reaction in the animal kingdom.

Hagfish
The hagfish is another weird creature of the marine environment, that remains embedded in the mud for most of the time. The characteristic attribute of this fish is the skeletal system, which is entirely made up of cartilage. More than 65 species of eel-like hagfish are identified from the warm seawater of both hemispheres. As a defense mechanism, it secretes excess amount of mucus from side glands.

Tapir
With an elongated trunk, tapir looks like pigs, but it is found to be closely related to rhinoceros and horses. The upper lip and extended nose together make up the prehensile trunk. Four species of tapir are identified, all of which are herbivores feeding on plant leaves and fruits. Though it has a long lifespan (about 30 years), this weird mammal is included in the endangered species list.

Pink Fairy Armadillo
Similar to other armadillo types, the pink fairy armadillo has a bony armor like shell covering the head and body. The smallest of all armadillo species, it has a poor developed eyesight. However, long claws and sensitive sense of smell increase the efficiency of food hunting. When frightened or threatened, it covers itself in the sand within a fraction of minutes.

Axolotl
Axolotl is one of the odd looking animals, which many hobbyists rear as an exotic pet. Unlike other salamanders, it does not metamorphose on a regular basis, hence termed as neotenic. The most amazing fact of this mole salamander is the ability to regenerate its body parts, which is absent in most of the animal species. Considering this, scientists use it as a model organism in research studies.

Blobfish
Called it one of the weirdest animals or ugliest looking animals, the blobfish is a unique fish that inhabits the deepest ocean. Consequently, the pressure of the inhabiting area is extremely high. As an adaptation, the flesh of blobfish is gelatinous, with a density slightly lower than water. It floats on surface and swallows food directly. Hardly encountered by marine biologists, there is less information about this weird fish.

Aye-aye
One of the aye-aye facts worth mentioning is the bushy tail bigger than its body size. Although it looks different from other primates, aye-aye is closely related to apes and chimpanzees. Other characteristic attributes of this small primate is large eyes, magnificent ears and slender fingers. The long pointed claws enable it to dangle from one tree branch to another without falling down.

Narwhal
Narwhal is a type of whale, inhabiting the Arctic ocean. The male species differs from the female by a very long tooth (measuring about 8.8 feet) that outgrows from upper left jaw. Its primary food comprises flatfish and other benthic fish. Previously, it was hunted extensively for meat and ivory. Though hunting is greatly reduced in recent times, the population is not increased up to the expected number.

Aren't these weirdest animals on earth interesting to study? In addition to the above names, you can find a long weird animals list, including sucker-footed bat, proboscis monkey, alpaca, frill-necked lizard, yeti crab, red panda, etc. As you see most weird animals are identified from the least hospitable habitats of the oceans. Thus, with the advancement in marine biology, more strange looking animals will be identified in near future.