Creature Feature #140: Crowned Pigeon

With her regal appearance and proud crest of feathers, the Crowned Pigeon is a handsome bird. There are three species, all of whom are found in the Papua New Guinea region. She is the largest extant pigeon and is believed to be related to the dodo. Whilst quite capable of flight, she leads a terrestrial existence, foraging on the forest floor for fallen fruits, seeds and snails. She is sociable, and will hang out in small flocks. If disturbed, she takes flight directly up, into the trees, where she remains until the danger has passed, motionless except for the occasional flick of her tail or low, cooing call to her fellows.

Creature Feature #139: Crowned Crane

The elegant Crowned Crane makes his home in the wetlands and open areas of southern Africa, where he spends most of his day looking for food. Omnivorous in diet, he dines upon plants, seeds, grains, lizards and frogs, as well as stamping his feet to flush out insects, which are quickly caught and gobbled up. Sometimes he will hang around with herds of grazing animals, benefiting from the insects disturbed in their foraging. Although he mostly leads a terrestrial existence, he is one of the few crane species that is capable of roosting in trees - due to his long hind claw. When courting, both male and female dance together: bowing and jumping, and emitting booming calls. After mating, they construct a large and clumsy nest, in which 2-5 eggs are laid. Chicks are precocial, and can run soon after they hatch.

Creature Feature #138: Crocodile

The Crocodile is a large, aquatic reptile who makes her home in the tropics. She is a strict carnifore, feasting on fish, birds and mammals. The Saltwater Crocodile is the largest living reptile and also the most aggressive. She can be found in SouthEast Asia and Northern Australia. Found in both saltwater and brackish estuaries she is an apex predator and will eat almost any creature that comes into reach of her powerful jaws.

Creature Feature #137: Cricket

The Cricket is a nocturnal insect noted for his strident, chirping call. A long toothed vein runs along the bottom of each wing, and he runs the top of his wing across it. The wings themselves act to amplify the sound. This song serves multiple purposes - attracting a mate; warning off rival males - he even performs after a successful mating. He has powerful jaws and feeds on a diet of dead organic matter, fungi and plants. He, in turn, becomes part of the food chain, being eaten by lizards, birds, small mammals and even humans.

Creature Feature #136: Crawdad/Crayfish

Crayfish, or Crawdad, is the name commonly given to freshwater lobsters. These crustaceans make their home in bodies of water that do not freeze to the floor, with a preference for running water and lots of crevices to hide in. An omnivore, she feeds predominently on dead plant and animal matter, along with anything living she can locate as she scuttles across her aquatic habitat. She is vulnerable to pollution, and also features on menus across the world.

Creature Feature #135: Crake

The Crake are a small, innocuous addition to the Rail Family. These secretive birds live deep in marsh habitats, where he rarely flies, prefering to stalk through the reeds. His main diet consists of invertebrates - sandworms, crabs and snails. Other species inhabit dense rainforest - anywhere where they can hide. Whilst capable of flight, they are not skilled fliers and several species have fallen prey to introduced mammals such as rats and cats. This Black Crake lives in sub-Saharan Africa. He is an aggressive bird and will attack - and even kill - larger rail invaders on his territory. Whilst many Crake are crepuscular, his species are diurnal and more confident, and are often seen feeding out in the open.

Creature Feature #134: Crab Spider

Crab Spider is a fanciful name commonly given to members of the Thomisidae Family, for their crab-like appearance or tendency to sit with their front legs slightly raised. Predominently, she is an ambush hunter, hiding amongst flowers and waiting for insects to drop by. Some species are even known to change colour, camouflaging with their flower haunts, whereas others resemble bird roppings. Her flattened body allows her to crawl into narrow crevices and hide in small cracks. Her front legs are very strong, and when she locates her prey she snatches it close, incapcitating it with a venomous bite. Although they do not build webs, Crab Spiders use their silk as drop lines, lowering themselves into new hunting environments.