Creature Feature #16: Angelfish

The Angelfish are a perciform fish found in shallow reefs and should not be confused with the cichlid freshwater Angelfish of South America. Part of the Pomacanthidae family, there are over 80 species. They are diurnal fish, using the daylight hours to forage amongst coral - some on zooplankton, others on algae, depending on the species. At night they hide in crevices.

Creature Feature #15: Angelfish

This tropical, freshwater cichlid is popular with aquarists. In the wild in makes its home in the rivers of tropical South America. The stripes aid in its camouflage. This is not just because it is shy, but also because it is an ambush predator and hunts smaller fish, insect larvae and any tasty invertebrates that might stray its way.

If you wish to keep them in an aquarium, it should be noted that they are semi-aggressive and will eat anything that is small enough to fit in their mouth. They require heated water as well.

Creature Feature #14: Anemone

Sea anemones are an Order of  polyp that make their home on the sea bed. They use their tentacles to hunt for prey, specifically small fish that draw too close. They have formed a symbiotic relationship with Clownfish, who use their tentacles as their refuge and do not get eaten.

There are numerous different species of anemone.

Creature Feature #13: Alpaca

The Alpaca of Peru is a domesticated species - there are no known wild populations in existence. It has been farmed for thousands of years by the native people of South America, specifically for its thick coat of luxurious fibre, not unlike wool. Small and stockier than their cousins, the llama, alpaca were not bred to be beasts of burden. Instead they are farmed for their coat and, occasionally, their meat. There are over 52 different natural colours available in their “wool”.

They are vocal creatures, that live in large family groups, lead by an alpha male. Although their defensive behaviour is called “spitting” it is more akin to vomitting, as it contains stomach matter. They use a communual dung pile and, allegedly, can be house trained.

This is the first entirely domesticated species I have unwittingly illustrated as part of my Animal Alphabet. When I reach the “V”s I will illustrate their probable ancestor, the Vicuna.

Creature Feature #12: Akohekohe

The bogan bird of Hawaii, the Akohekohe sports a bright dyed mullet. He is also known as the Crested Honeycreeper, for reasons which I think you will see are self explanatory.

For a time considered extinct, a population of these birds was rediscovered in 1945 upon the island of Maui, Hawaii. They are still hanging in there - with an estimated population of over 3,000 - but are classified as “critically endangered”.

Like most of the honeycreepers, it is vulnerable to bird malaria and is only found now at higher altitudes, where the lowland mosquito does not survive. Predation by rats and competition with introduced birds have also reduced it to 5% of its original range.

For more information on Hawaiian birds and how you can help the birds of Maui, here’s a website: http://www.mauiforestbirds.org/

Creature Feature #11: Alligator Snapping Turtle

The Alligator Snapping Turtle of the South Eastern USA is the largest freshwater turtle in the world and can weigh over 100 kg. Mostly aquatic, only the female comes ashore, and then only to breed. Purely carnivorous, this hefty beast hides itself on the lake floor, with its mouth wide open. The tip of its tongue is topped with a squigly pink appendage -  vermiform - which mimics the behaviour of a real worm and acts as a lure. In this manner, this opportunistic hunter will capture fish and even small mammals or reptiles that venture too near the waters' edge.

Creature Feature #10: Albatross

One of the largest flying birds in the world, the albatross spends most of her life on the wing, or resting on the surface of the ocean. She rarely comes ashore, except to breed, and favours isolated islands over populated main lands.
With a wingspan of up to 3.5m (Wandering Albatross) and weighing up to 12.7 kilos, it can take a bit of flapping and exertion to get airborne, but once aloft, the albatross will rarely flap its wings and glides and soars on the thermals.

This is an Art Card (2.5 x 3.5 inches) and is available for purchase (NZ$10) or trade.
Message me for details.