ZooTrophy Animal-a-Day Database: wader

About the Project

The ZooTrophy Animal-a-Day project began on October 15th, 2013 as illustrator Angela "LemurKat" Oliver began working her way, systematically but selectively, through the alphabet and presenting, via social media, an illustrated animal to the world. Daily.

All pieces are drawn as 2.5 x 3.5 inch collectible cards, using a combination of polychromos and prismacolor pencils, along with other art materials. Many are still available for purchase ($10) or trade, so drop her an email if anything captures your eye or if there is an animal you wish to request.

It is predicted this project will take her at least two years to complete - with approximately 36 animals being drawn for each letter. She has also used the images to create a collectible hardback encyclopedia series, playing cards and a desk calendar, as well as the ZooTrophy collectible trading card game.

Monday, February 8, 2016

#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

Friday, May 1, 2015

Creature Feature #559: Oystercatcher

Just as Oxpeckers do not only peck oxen (given oxen is a term given to a neutered bull cattle), Oystercatchers do not feed exclusively on oysters.

The Oystercatchers are a Family of very similar wading birds with a cosmopolitan distribution. This fellow is a European Oystercatcher, characterised by the white chin-stripe. All species are either piebald or pure black (in various shades). With their stocky body and long bill, the Oystercatcher stalks the coastal regions, and open pastures, foraging predominantly on invertebrates such as crabs, annelids and insect larvae. They are also one of the few animals capable of opening oysters - hence the name. The bill shape varies between (and within) species, with some having finer tipped bills for digging up worms, and broader tipped bills for cracking open shellfish.

And that, my friends, is the final O animal. Tomorrow we begin the Ps.