Creature Feature #323: Huia

The Huia was a wattlebird, once found in the North Island of New Zealand. It was remarkable in that the bird's beaks showed sexual dimorphism - the male's was short and stout, the female's long and curved. The male used his adze-like beak to chip away at decaying wood to reveal the invertebrates hidden within, whereas the female used hers to probe into crevices. The two did not feed cooperatively, but this manner of foraging meant that neither were in direct competition with the other and could best exploit their available resources. Huia were prized for their tail feathers, which were treasured amongst the Maori. When the Europeans came, bringing with them rats and stoats, they also took to hunting this unique bird. Alas, the scarcer the Huia became, the greater the demand for their skin. The last confirmed sighting was in 1907, with several unconfirmed since.

Creature Feature #322: Howler Monkey

There are fifteen species of Howler Monkey, spread across the forests of Central and South America. They are most famed, and named, for their loud howling call, which can travel up to five kilometres, and is used to define the boundaries of their territory and communication. They are widely considered to be the loudest land animal. Troops consist of up to 15 individuals, with a few adult males and the rest comprised of females. Once they become self-sufficient, juveniles leave their natal troop to join another. His sense of smell is very keen, and he is capable of scenting fruit from up to 2 kilometres away. 

Creature Feature #321: Horseshoe Crab

Despite its name, the Horseshoe Crab is not a crustacean but belongs to an ancient Class of arthropods known as Xiphosura, of which there are only two surviving species. They are, in fact, more closely related to spiders than crabs. These bizarre creatures spend most of their lives at sea, swimming upside down and foraging on the sea bed for worms and molluscs. Once a year, however, they come ashore in great numbers to breed. The male finds and mount a female, fertlizing her eggs as they are laid then buried in the sand. Females can lay 120,000 eggs in this one night - which is a good thing, because the next day the sea birds descend to feast. Horseshoe Crabs will occasionally by upended, and once on their back they rely on their long tail to help them back upright again. Those with broken tails are likely to become dessicated beneath the sun.

Creature Feature #320: Horse

The Horse was domesticated around 4,000-3,000 BC in central Asia. Now feral populations exist throughout the world. Although descended from domesticated animals, feral horses are wild-born and have (generally) never known human contact, meaning they revert to their ancestral behaviour. Feral horses form small bands lead by a dominant mare and containing other mares and their foals, along with a dominant stallion. These will sometimes share territory with other bands, and this behaviour is known as "herding".  One of the most well known populations of feral horses are the mustangs of America, although Australia actually has the largest populations of feral horses. There is also a population in New Zealand. Due to the damage they do to the ecosystem, there is a lot of conflict over these wild populations and

Creature Feature #319: Horned Owl

The Horned Owls are the most widely distributed "true owls" in America. There are two species - the Greater and the Lesser - and numerous sub-species, occupying much of North and South America. Highly adaptable, she favours forested areas. She is one of the larger owls and her barred colouration offers her substantial camouflage, especially during the day as she sleeps. If crows can locate her daytime perches, they will mob her aggressively, endeavouring to chase her from their territory. At night, she calls several times before taking to the wing to hunt for small mammals such as cottontails and voles.

Creature Feature #318: Horned Lizard

The Horned Lizard is sometimes known as the "Horned Toad" due to his blunt snout and squat, toad-like body. He inhabits the dry desert areas of North America. His body is covered in an array of scales, modifed into spines, and he bears 'true' horns on his head. These, combined with his general camouflage, are the first step towards preventing predation. If these measures fail, he will puff up his body to make himself into an unwieldly mouthful. Some species are also capable of squirting blood from their eyeballs as a further deterrent. This not only confuses the predator, but tastes foul to mammals and most will go off in search of an easier mouthful.

Creature Feature #317: Hornbill

The Hornbill Family can be found in tropical and subtropical Africa, Asia and Melanesia.  They are characterised by their large, down-ward curving bill, which rather resembles the horn of a cow. The first and second neck vertebrae are fused, creating a stronger platform for supporting this unwieldly appendage. He follows an omnivorous diet, enjoying fruit and small animals. Most species form monogamous partnerships, and nest in natural cavities. The female decreases the size of the entrance hole with a wall of mud, droppings and fruit pulp, leaving just enough space for her to squeeze through. The male then seals her in so that only her beak can protrude. This is thought to be a means of preventing rival Hornbill pairs from stealing her nest and destroying her brood. When her chicks are old enough, she will break her way out.