#667: Rosella

There are six species of Rosella spread across Australia and the surrounding islands. These colourful parrots inhabit forests, woodland and suburban parks. Diet consists mainly of seeds, fruit and vegetables. Several species are popular in aviculture, where they breed readily and live for over 20 years - but can be aggressive towards other birds.  This fellow is the Crimson Rosella of east and southeast Australia. He and the Eastern Rosella have also been introduced to New Zealand, probably escapees from aviaries, and have established localised populations.

#655: Ribbon Seal

If you are wondering why the alphabet is a bit out of order here - I was initially intending to draw a Ringed Seal today. However, when I googled for images, I stumbled upon this species, and her striking colouration (plus the fact she starts with R too), persuaded me to illustrate her instead.

The Ribbon Seal is a strikingly-coloured pinniped. She can  be found in the Arctic and Sub-Arctic regions, rarely coming to land but spending her life either on ice or in the water.  She will dive to depths of 200m to catch food in the form of fish, cephalapods and crustaceans.  In April, she comes up onto the pack ice to give birth and mate again. Pups are born pure white and are sometimes mistaken for harp seals. She remains with her pup for his first month, then returns to the sea, abandoning him. Over the next few weeks he loses his dense white fur, moults into his adult coat and loses a dramatic amount of weight, before heading out to sea himself.

#653: Rhinoceros

The Rhinoceros are five species of odd-toed ungulate, of which three species are found in Asia and two - including this white rhinoceros - inhabit Africa. All are characterised by the horns, which are formed of keratin and grow constantly throughout the Rhinoceros's life. These horns are prized on the black market, where they are crushed into a powder and used in traditional medicine. Poaching has eliminated two of the Asian species from much of their range, and reduced populations to critically low levels. The African species suffer a similar plight with only the southern white rhinoceros surviving in sufficient numbers.

It is unknown how the white rhino got its name, for she certainly is not white - although her colouration is slighter lighter than that of the black rhino. It has been considered a variation of wijd, a Dutch word meaning "wide" and referring to her lips, which are wide and allow her to efficiently graze, but this has not been linguistically proven. The black rhino as narrower, prehensile lips, which he uses to browse leaves and twig from trees. 

#647: Red Panda

The Red Panda is not related to the Giant Panda. He is actually more closely related to the Racoons. The reason the two were once considered related is because they both bear a pseudo-thumb, used for better grasping bamboo.

More information to come tomorrow.

#646: Red Fody

I always feel it's cheating a little bit to use an animal that can be alphabetised based on an adjective, but I missed this fellow for "F" and I need more Rs, so here he is.

The Red Fody is a small weaver bird native to Madagascar. His range encompasses much of the island and he is at home in forest clearings, grasslands and cultivated areas - where he has become a serious pest on rice crops. His diet consists mainly of seeds, nectar and insects. During breeding season he replaces his olive-green plumage with a vibrant orange or red and forms a monogamous partnership. He weaves a somewhat primitive nest  from grass strips, with a side entrance tunnel near the top. His mate then lines it. The pair are able to raise two broods in a season.

Art Clean-out: Make an offer

I have a large amount of Art Cards in my collection and it it time to add a few to your collections, so  if you wish to own an original piece of my miniature art, pop along to the blog and look for the "Available" tag (currently tagged back to N).

Then comment underneath (or email me if you prefer) with the price you are willing to pay. All offers will be considered, but I reserve the right to decline. These cards are generally sold for $10 each. Some I will let go for much less, others I am more attached to.

Declining will not necessarily be due to low offering price - I would also like to spread my art out between as many people as possible, so if you request a lot of cards (or all the best ones), you may find some declined.

If an offer has already been made but not yet declined or accepted, please DO NOT outbid the original offerer. This is NOT an auction. Wait and see if I accept it. If it is declined, then you can make your own offer.

Payment is via Paypal or bank deposit (NZers only), cash may be accepted in special circumstances (such as I know you personally). Payment must be received before cards will be posted. Postage will be an additional extra of $2.50 international, $0.80c NZ. Combined shipping for up to 7 cards. Any more than that and you may find some are declined!

I am not accepting Art Card trades at this time. Sorry.

Please note that whilst most of these cards do measure 2.5 x 3.5 inches, some are over-sized. If you make an offer on an over-sized card, I'll let you know and you can withdraw the offer if you like (or I can trim the card, but will lose some of the image).

The Rules:
 * Once your offer has been accepted, payment must be made within 3 days via one of the aforementioned methods. After that period, the card will become available again.
* Please do not outbid previous offers. Watch and wait to see if it is accepted.
* If you request more than 5 cards, some offers may be declined.
* When I accept your offer, I will confirm the card is still available (and double-check if it is over-sized) and send you payment details.
* I reserve the right to decline your offer.
* Once payment has been made and address given, the card will be posted to you within 3 days.
* Buyer must pay shipping, combined is available, will be advised of price at time of offer confirmation.
* Cards will be signed and dated on the front, slipped into plastic sleeves (unless oversized) and packaged with card for postage. The back will be signed, dated and give the animal's species.

#644: Ray

The Rays are a superorder of cartilaginous fish. They are characterised by their flattened bodies, wing-like pectoral fins and ventrally-located gills. Well-camouflaged, the Ray spends much of her time on the sea floor.  This particular speciman is a Stingray, and can be recognised by the barbed stinger on his tail. This is used in self-defense to deliver a painful venom to the attacker. Death is rare, with Steve Irwin, the crocodile hunter, being one of the few fatalities. Her diet consists of small sea creatures such as fish, snails, crustaceans and clams. After mating, the sperm can be stored until conditions are right - two captive female Stingrays gave birth two years after they were last with a male - and the infants develop inside the mother's womb.

#642: Rattlesnake

The Rattlesnakes are venomous reptiles native to the Americas. She is named for her rattle: a structure formed of interlocking segments of keratin. By contracting her muscles, she can cause these structures to vibrate against each other, the sound amplified by their hollow interior. This acts as a warning system to predators that might disturb her as she rests. Although her bite can cause swelling, pain, hermorrhaging and heart failture, Rattlesnakes only attack if provoked - and many more Rattlesnakes die by human hands than humans by a Rattlesnake's fangs (about 5 of the latter per year).

#641: Rat

Rats are medium-sized rodents, most commonly represented by the Rattus Genus. This fellow, the Black Rat, is one of the most known. Along with his cousin the Brown Rat, he has colonised much of the world. These "true" Rats are generalists and scavengers, happy to co-exist with humans and taking advantage of our wasteful habits. Both originated in Asia, but migrated with humans, stowing away on ships and inside cargo. Where the two species co-habit, it is the Brown Rat that generally dominates. The Black prefers warmer climates and leads a more arboreal existence. Both are invasive species and have caused massive damage to biodiversity on islands upon which they have been introduced.

#640: Rainbowfish

The Rainbowfish are a Family of small, colourful freshwater fish, found in Australia, New Guinea and its surrounding islands. They are also popular within the aquarium trade. He favours an omnivorous diet, feeding on small crustaceans, insect larvae, algae and insects that float on the water. Spawning occurs year-round, but is particularly concentrated during the start of the wet season. Eggs adhere to floating vegetation and hatch after 18 days.

The unrelated Madagascar Rainbowfish will be featured under his local name of "Zono".

#639: Rainbow Cuckoo Wasp

The Cuckoo Wasps are a colourful Family of wasp, noted for their parasitic behaviours. Their irridescent patterning is achieved by their microscopely structured surface, which interferes with the visibile light to give them a rainbow patterning. There are four sub-families, of which the Chrysidinae are the largest and best known. The female lays her eggs in the nest of a host species. The hatching larvae then devour the host's eggs or larvae, as well as their food source. These wasps cannot sting, with their ovipositor being designed for the placement of the eggs. When threatened, she will curl up into a tight ball, protecting her limbs and vulnerable regions with her sturdy exoskeleton.

#638: Rail

The Rail Family includes an array of semi-terrestrial birds including crakes, coots and moorhen, spread throughout the world. Although generally associated with wetlands, various species have been found to colonise every environment except the very dry and the very cold. Many species are flightless, with the others favouring a terrestrial existence. Island species, in particular, have lost the ability to fly, and with it have been exterminated by introduced predators.

This fellow is a Madagascan Rail, of the Rallus, or "typical rail" Genus. He uses his long bill to forage for invertebrates in his swampy home. His main threat comes from habitat loss, as lowland wetlands are cleared for the formation of rice fields. He is classified as Vulnerable.

#637: Gentoo Penguin

We interrupt the alphabet to give you another penguin! Because who doesn't love penguins?

The Gentoo Penguin is the third largest living Penguin species. He breeds on sub-Antarctic islands such as the Falklands, South Georgia and Kerguluen, favourite ice-free areas. Awkward on land, he spends much of his time in the water pursuing prey in the form of fish, squid and krill. Dives can last for 7 minutes, and reach depths of 200 meters. Adults form long-term partnerships, working together to construct a nest of stones, moss, grass and sticks, into which are laid two eggs.

#636: Radiated Tortoise

The critically endangered Radiated Tortoise is native to Madagascar. He makes his home in the dry forests of the south and southwest. Here his population is in severe decline. Hunting and habitat loss have taken their toll, aqs is illegal poaching for the pet trade. His diet is vegetarian, with Opuntia cacti being a particular favourite. He can live well over 100 years, with the oldest recorded Radiated Tortoise living 188 years.

#633: Pygmy Marmoset

The Pygmy Marmoset is the smallest monkey in the world, weighing in at just over 100 grams and measuring up to 152 mm (not including her tail). She can be found in the western Amazon baisin, living in troops of up to nine individuals. These mostly consist of family members. Her teeth are adapted for gnawing into vines and trees to extract the gum, which is a main food source. She also eats insects, fruit and nectar. Like most marmoset species, only the dominant female produces offspring - usually twins - which are cared for and taught by the whole family.

The Pygmy Marmoset is currently considered "least concern" on the IUCN database, but she is under threat from deforestation and also poaching for the pet trade. Her small size and generally docile manner make her seem attractive as a pet. One must remember, however, that "exotic animals" are not domesticated and require specialist care and attention. They do not make good pets.

#632: Rabbitfish

The Rabbitfish are a Genus of brightly coloured Perciformes, named for their small, rabbit-like mouths. Other charming names for members of this Genus are foxfaces and spinefoots. The Rabbitfish's fins are formed from spines, which come equipped with venom glands. These are used to
deter predators, and are painful to humans.  This fellow is a Magnificant Rabbitfish. His diet consists mostly of algae and other vegetation. He can grow up to 24 cm in length and makes his home in the eastern Indian Ocean.

#630: Quoll

The Quoll are six species of cat-like marsupials, found in Australia and New Guinea. He is nocturnal in nature, spending the day sleeping in a hollow log and coming out at night to hunt. His prey ranges in size from frogs and reptiles, up to possums, rabbits and hare. Unfortunately, the Northern Quoll has also been known to prey on the poisonous cane toad, with fatal results. Other threats come from foxes and feral cats. Mostly solitary, during the breeding season, all female Quoll come into heat simultaneously. This drives the males into a rampant three-week long, sex frenzy, filled with violent, vigorous mating marathons. During this period they stop eating, deplete their energy reserves and die.

#629: Quokka

The Quokka is an adorable marsupial, among the first seen by Europeans. She is about the same size as a domestic cat and related to the kangaroos. She comes out at night to feed on vegetation. Her range is mostly limited to offshore islands in southern Australia, mainland populations having been decimated by introduced predators such as foxes, cats and dingo. Deforestation is another threat. On the islands,such as Rottnest, she has no fear of humans and is fairly common, however it is illegal to handle her in any way.

Her apparently smiling face and overall adorable-ness, led to an influx of Quokka selfies and photobombs here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/07/quokka-happiest-animal-in-world_n_2426133.html

#628: Quietschbükers

The Quietschbükers is found only in the one lake - Lake Breiter Luzin in Germany. It suffered a population decline in the 1970s, when the lake became degraded and eutrophic, rich in nutrients and thus plant life, that consumed much of the oxygen. However, with water quality restoration, the numbers of this dwarf whitefish have improved. She lives for six years, spending much of her time in the deeper reaches of the lake, where she feeds on insect larvae. In spring/summer, she moves into the shallows to spawn. Although there are no current threats to her population, due to its confined nature and the risks of introduced predators, she is classified as Vulnerable to extinction.

#627: Quetzal

There are six species of Quetzal, of which the Resplendent Quetzal is the best known. He is the national bird of Guatemala and even lends his name to their currency. The male is distinguished by his long tail feathers, which can measure up to 65 cm in length. A weak flier, he forages in the canopy for fruit, particularly wild avocado. These are swallowed whole, and he reguigitates the pits, thus helping to disperse the trees. Solitary in nature, he pairs up with a female only for breeding. Nests are built in tree hollows, and both birds take turns incubating.