ZooTrophy Animal-a-Day Database: waterfowl

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.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015

Creature Feature #500: Nene

The Nene, or Hawaiian Goose, is the rarest Goose in the world. Found only on the islands of Hawaii, he is a terrestrial Goose, favouring grasslands and lava plains. The Nene was hunted heavily, as well as falling prey to introduced predators such as mongoose. By 1952, only 30 individuals survived. Luckily, he breeds well in captivity and new populations were established from captive-bred birds. Now his population stands at around 2500 birds, although there are concerns of inbreeding.

Friday, January 23, 2015

Creature Feature #461: Merganser

Merganser are several species of carnivorous ducks characterised by their crested heads and slender bills. They are diving ducks, pursuing fish, crustaceans or other invertebrates, underwater. Their bills have a serrated edge to help grip their slippery prey. For this reason, they are sometimes known as "sawbills". There are four species of extant "typical" Mergansers, and two that are considered "aberrant", that is to say - closely related but not of the same Genus. This species, the Hooded Merganser, is one of the aberrant species. It occurs naturally in North America, although vagrants have been found in Europe.