Rainforest & Zoo Research Paper
Essay by 24 • October 30, 2010 • 1,176 Words (5 Pages) • 2,130 Views
Rainforest & Zoo Research Paper
1. Adaptation.
The Australian Rainbow Lorikeet is found in the areas of northern, eastern, and southeastern Australia. The Lorikeet is only about 10 to 12 inches in its overall length and weighs only about 2.5 to 5.5 ounces. It is magnificently colored and each is colored exactly the same. The Lorikeet's habitat consists of lowland wooded countries, which include the rainforest, mangroves, and the Riparian Woodland, as well as freshwater swamp forest areas. The Lorikeet's diet consists of pollen, nectar, seeds, and fruits. If a Lorikeet were to have the beak of a duck, it would not be able to support the weight of the bill since it is such a small bird. The bill of a duck would also be insufficient for the Lorikeet to collect the pollen and nectar nutrients that they need as a necessary part of their diet. It would also be unable to pick up small seeds and eat certain kinds of fruits. Also, if the Lorikeet were to have webbed feet like a duck, they would be unable to grasp onto tree branches when they are at the highest parts of the trees, where their nests are usually found. The wing span of a ducks wings would also be very insufficient on a Lorikeet's body. It would not look proportional with the size of its body and would not make the Lorikeet very graceful while it is flying in the highest part of the trees.
The African Elephant is found in Africa, south of the Sahara. They are found mostly in the Savanna, river valleys, dense forests, and desert scrubs. In the wild, an elephant's diet may consist of leaves, bark, roots, fruit, twigs, and grass. They are fed hay, fruit, and vegetables while they are living at the zoo. Males can grow to be up at least 11 Ð... feet tall and weigh as much as 12,000 pounds. Females on the other hand, can grow to be about 9 feet tall and weigh anywhere between 6,000 to 10,000 pounds. If an elephant were to have the long, thin legs of a giraffe, their legs would not be able to support the weight of the elephant's body. They would just buckle and collapse. If an elephant were to have a long, thin neck like a giraffe, it would not look proportional with the thick legs and heavy body.
3. Keystone Species.
Africa's great apes are one of the many groups of mammals that are part of the endangered species list. Africa's great apes consist of the gorillas, chimpanzees, and bonobos. The orangutan, Asia's only
2
great ape is also being coming close to being endangered. These apes live in war-torn regions and are being threatened by hunting for commercial trade. There has been an excessive amount of habitat loss in Africa, which is causing the apes to decrease in population. Diseases, such as Ebola, are also causing the apes population to decrease. If these mammals become extinct, humans will lose their closest relatives. Humans could be next on the keystone species list if these great apes happen to become extinct.
The bald eagle is also keystone specie. It has been declared as endangered in 43 states and threatened in 5. Alaska and Florida are the only two states in the United States that the bald eagle is not considered as being endangered. They are said to have a sizable amount in their region. The bald eagle sits at the top of the food chain, which makes them more prone to ingesting toxic chemicals from the environment. Once joined with its mate, the bald eagle will stay with their mate until the other dies. After that, it will not hesitate to accept for another mate. The bald eagle is a beautiful creature and serves as a national symbol of the United States of America. To see this animal become extinct would be a terrible tragedy.
5. Biological Success.
The Kookaburra is a small bird that is known by its remarkable laugh.
...
...