#865: Yellow-tailed Moth

The furry Yellow-tail Moth is spread throughout Europe and across Russia. Her wingspan can measure up to 45 mm, and she is pure white, except for her yellow abdomen. When at rest, she keeps her wings steepled and, if disturbed, will lie on her side, wings closed, feigning death.

#856: Yag Baligi

This ray-finned fish, belonging to the carp Family, is found only in one habitat within Turkey: Lake Egridir and its tributaries. He was thought to have become extinct, due to the introduction of the zander fish. However in 1993 a small population was discovered. He is now classified as Endangered.

#855: Yaffle

Yaffle is an English folk name for the European green woodpecker, inspired by his laughing call. He is widespread across Europe. Ants make up the majority of his diet, and he forages on the ground for them, probing at ant burrows with his beak. Once located, he uses his tongue to lick them up. His tongue is long enough to curl around his skull. Unlike other woodpeckers, his beak is relatively weak, and is most useful on soil or decaying wood.

#852: Xerosecta

There are a number of  Xerosecta, a Genus of terrestrial hairy snails found in various locations about Europe. Many of the species, like this Xerosecta giustii, are on the brink of extinction with many classified as Endangered, some even Critical. Xerosecta are simultaneous hermaphrodites, being able to reproduce both as a male and a female. The so-called "love dart" is a calcareous or chitinous appendage, which develops after the snail's first mating. The courtship dance can last for many hours, with both partners circling one another, making contact with one another, and drawing closer. Eventually they will simultaneously fire their darts, locking together, after which mating can begin.

#839: Wolpertinger

Found in the Barvarian forests of Germany, the Wolpertinger has relatives in Austria and Sweden, and is closely related to the American Jackalope. Elusive and solitary, the best way to catch a glimpse of a Wolpertinger is to be a beautiful young woman (or in the company of one). The Wolpertinger is irresistably drawn towards beauty and, if the woman visits his territory during the full moon, he may be drawn out of hiding.

#824: Weasel

The Least Weasel is the smallest in the mustelid Family, but he has the courage of a lion. Measuring no more than 260mm in length, he preys predominantly on rodents, although will also go after birds and even rabbits. Found naturally in Europe, North America and North Africa, Weasels have been introduced to many countries, mostly islands, including New Zealand.

Here's a Bridled Weasel I drew a few years ago. As you can see, they're stoatly different.
Or not...

#813: Waldrapp

The Waldrapp is a Critically Endangered species of ibis. Once he ranged across much of the Middle East, northern Africa and parts of Europe. The reasons for his decline are not fully understood, but there are estimated to be 500 birds surviving in the wild, with a further 1000 in captivity. Populations are being heavily monitored and breeding programs are working to train and re-establish captive-born birds in the wild.

An Austrian fellow succesfully bred this birds in captivity and helped re-establish a wild colony. In the process, he had to teach the birds their migration paths.
You can watch part one of the video here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pZ4My_ZUeU

#755: Thrush

The Thrush are medium-sized songbirds of the Family Turdidae. Many species, like this Song Thrush, have a speckled belly, but this Family also includes the American Robin (named such for his red breast), the Blackbird and the Ouzel. The Blackbird and the Song Thrush are English in origin, but have been introduced to New Zealand, where they are a common sight in urban gardens. Thrush follow an insectivorous or omnivorous diet. The Song Thrush is particularly fond of snails, and will often use a favourite stone as an "anvil" to crack open the shells. He will also rummage through leaf litter in search of worms and insect prey.

#723: Starling

Whilst there are quite a few different species of Starling, the most widely known is the European Starling, aka the "rat with wings". The European Starling is native to Europe, but has been introduced across the world for pest control, as he enjoys a diet of grubs and insects. However, he has become the pest in America (North and South), Australia, South Africa, Fiji, New Zealand and a number of other islands. Firstly, Starlings are flock birds, gathering in large numbers to decimate crops. They are also colony breeders and nest in cavities, which leads to them taking up residence in the eaves of houses. In the UK and Ireland, Starlings are on the decline and they are a protected species.

If you live in North America, you can blame Willian Shakespeare for the Starling. They were introduced to New York because the American Acclimitization Society wanted to introduce all birds mentioned in Shakespeare's plays. They now range from Alaska down to Central America.

Only three birds make the "top #100 invasive pests" list, and they are the Common Starling, the Indian Mynah and the Red-vented Bulbul.

If anyone has any tips on how to dissude starlings from nesting in your house's roof cavities, please let me know. We are currently playing landlord to at least three starling families and whilst I can cope with the scratching noises and the shrilling chicks, I do not really wish to encourage this continued behaviour due to the mess and other potential damage.

#721: Stag Beetle

The Stag Beetles are a group of over 1000 species of beetle, characterised by the large jaws of the male. Most commonly, however, the term refers to one species, the English Stag Beetle, Lucanus cervus. These large beetles require decaying wood, a habitat that is now threatened due to forest management (which removes older trees). The female lays her eggs in rotting wood, buried in soil, and the blind white larvae feed upon it. It takes 4-6 years, and several instars (developmental stages) before the larvae pupates. After three months, the Beetle hatches and flies unsteadily out into the world. His diet now consists of tree sap and nectar. He only lives a few weeks in this form, long enough to reproduce.

#659: Robin

Whilst there are numerous birds across the world known as "robin", the name originates from the Robin Redbreast of Europe. He is a member of the Old World Flycatcher family. He is one of the most recognisable birds in England and the national bird. The male is highly aggressive, and will attack other males and smaller birds who stray into his territory. He favours an insectivorous diet, and will often hop about near gardeners, taking advantage of freshly turned soil.

The American Robin is a member of the thrush family, and as such not closely related. Nor are the Robins of Australia and New Zealand.

the more I look at this wee fellow, the less satisfied I am with my rendition of him. Although, I do like his smile.

#631: Rabbit

Rabbits are eight species in the Leporidae Family, which also includes the hare and pika (as seen earlier in this blog). The most significant is the European Rabbit - who will be featured here shortly - which has been widely introduced across the world, farmed and domesticated. He can be naturally found in southeast Europe and northern Africa, which means he is not even native to England. Although in his native range he is on the decline, he has established himself as a pest in New Zealand and Australia. Rabbits are social, with up to ten individuals sharing the same warren, or tunnel system. At dawn and dusk, he ventures out of his burrow to graze on grass or browse on leaves. He will sometimes come out during the day - provided there is good cover to protect him from danger. Rabbits are noted for their reproductive capacity - female ovulate immediately upon being mated and give birth to up to twelve kits at a time. She is sexually mature at four months of age and can produce multiple litters each year. Dominant males will have multiple mates, whereas lower ranking males form a monogamous partnership.

One of my favourite books of all time, is "Watership Down", and much of its information about rabbit behaviour is factually correct.

This rabbit is an Enderby Island rabbit. This "rare breed" was introduced to the sub-Antarctic Enderby Island to provide a food source for sailors. They quickly spread across the island, lacking in predators. In the 1990s, the island's restoration period began, with a number of the rabbits being removed and the remainder exterminated.

Creature Feature #550: Otter

There are thirteen species of Otter, aquatic members of the mustelid Family. They range in size from the Giant Otter, at almost two metres in length, to the diminutive Small-clawed Otter, at 60cm. The other large species, which I have not yet drawn, is the marine Sea Otter.

The Giant Otter (above) is the "wolf of the river", living in social groups consisting of a dominant breeding pair and their offspring - from various years. Older, grown youngsters help raise the new pups. Voracious diurnal fishers, they consume everything from crabs and other invertebrates, catfish and characin, and will even devour small caiman. Growing to almost 2 metres in length, Giant Otters are considered an apex predator of their environment, although youngsters are still vulnerable to predation from jaguars.

The European Otter (below) leads a more solitary lifestyle. He hunts at night, spending the day sleeping in his burrow (known as a "holt"). His territory often encompasses that of a female, but after mating he has nothing to do with raising the pups. Fish form the majority of his diet through the summer and spring months, but during winter he relies more on insects, crustaceans, amphibians and even birds or small aquatic rodents.

Creature Feature #548: Osprey

The Osprey is a widespread member of the Hawk Family, occuring across North America, Europe and Australasia, and overwintering in South America and Africa.  He is a specialised piscivore. His outer toe is reversible - meaning he can grasp prey firmly with two claws forward, two back. The underside of his toes are covered in spines, to help hold on to wriggling, slippery prey. Prey is located from the air, with his sharp eyes well adapted to seeking prey beneath water. He hovers for a moment before plunging in feet-first, grabbing the fish with his specially modified talons.

Creature Feature #544: Orange-tip Butterfly

The Orange-tip is a butterfly of the English - and European - countryside, commonly seen fluttering across hedgegrows and through damp woodlands. The male is characterised by his brightly tipped wings, the female a more dowdy white. The underside of their wings are mottled green and white, affording camouflage when he perches on flowerheads. Eggs are laid on wild crucifers, such as cuckooflower and wild garlic. Once the caterpillars hatch, they reduce competition for the host plant by practising cannibalism and also eating any unhatched eggs.

Creature Feature #534: Olm

Olm are a species of cave-dwelling salamander. Due to the nature of his home - deep below the earth with no light source - the Olm is not only blind, but his eyes are undeveloped. He leads an entirely aquatic lifestyle, never leaving the water, and exhibits neotony (as also seen in the axolotl and the mudpuppy) retaining his gills into adulthood. His sense of smell and hearing are excellent, and help him locate  prey - in the form of crustaceans, molluscs and insects. Gregarious in nature, Olm will gather together beneath rocks. Sexually active males, however, become territorial.

Olm are found in European cave systems and are Vulnerable to extinction.

Creature Feature #496: Natterjack Toad

The  Natterjack is a European Toad, living in sandy areas and heaths. He is noted for his loud and distinctive mating call, amplified by the large vocal sac in his throat. Adult toads are quite spread out across their range, and can travel large distances. Thus he needs a loud voice to call to the females. Small pools of water are required for breeding, and these are often ephemeral. The breeding period extends across the summer, allowing the toads to compensate for the risk of the pools drying out.

Currently classified as least concern, but under threat in some areas from urban development and habitat modification.

Creature Feature #493: Nanogoviós

Nanogoviós is the local name for this Pygmy Goby species, found only in Lake Trichonyis, the largest natural lake in Greece, and its smaller neighbour, Lyssimachia. The adult fish measure no more than 3 cm in length, with females being smaller than males. This makes him the smallest European teleost fish.  He inhabits vegetated areas, reaching a depth of around 15 cm.  He is under threat from eutrophication, in which the nutrient levels in the lake rise, creating an explosion in algal growth and deoxygenating the water.

Creature Feature #479: Moose

The Moose is the largest extant member of the Deer Family. During rutting season, the male sports a pair of fine antlers. These project out at right angles from his skull, with an average spread of around 200 cms. These antlers are used in territorial demonstrations and occasional fights. The cows favour males displaying a bigger rack. Outside of breeding season, he discards his antlers to conserve energy. Weighing up to 700 kg, he requires a large amount of fodder to sustain his strength and thus spends much of his day foraging. Whilst mainly terrestrial, Moose will enter the water to graze on  sodium-rich aquatic plant life. Moose are native to North America and around the Arctic Circle, including northern Europe and Russia.

An effort was made to establish the Moose in Hokitika, and then in Fiordland, New Zealand. Ten were released: four bulls, six cows, and subsequently disappeared into the dense forest. Although they are thought to have all perished - it was hardly ideal habitat (as a lecturer once told us, the moose would wander into the fiords to feed, discover they were much, much deeper than expected, and drown) - rumours still persist and occasional signs of their continued existence have been found, albeit nothing concrete (such as an actual sighting).

Creature Feature #478: Moorhen

The Moorhen are medium-sized water birds belonging to the Rail Family.  With his short rounded wings and stocky body, he is a poor flier although quite capable of cross long distances. Some species, especially those in island populations, however, have become almost flightless and three species - the Samoan, the Makira and the Tristan - are presumed extinct, victims of deforestation and predation by introduced mammals. His sturdy legs and splayed toes allow him to walk on uneven, soft surfaces and he is a capable swimmer. Omnivorous in diet, he consumes plant material, rodents, amphibians and eggs. Outside of breeding season he is sociable in nature, but when springs comes he will aggressively defend his territory against all potential competitors.

This is an Australian Dusky Moorhen.