Yellowstone National Park
Wyoming
USA
Coyote walking in the snow along the edge of the Madison River in Yellowstone National Park.
The coyote (Canis latrans) is a canid native to North America. It is smaller than its close relative, the gray wolf, and slightly smaller than its other close relatives, the eastern wolf and the red wolf. It fills much of the same ecological niche as the golden jackal does in Eurasia, though it is larger and more predatory. It is listed as least concern by the International Union for Conservation of Nature due to its wide distribution and abundance throughout North America, southwards through Mexico, and into Central America. Wikipedia
For information on these canids visit: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coyote
Tags: Yellowstone In Winter 2017 Wyoming USA National Park Coyote Canis latrans North America Carnivore Smaller than the Gray Wolf IUCN Least Concern Sue Roehl Lumix DMC-GH4 100 - 400 mm Lens Cropped
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Yellowstone National Park
Wyoming
USA
The American bison is the national mammal of the United States.
This bison is from the Central Interior herd, which numbers approximately 1400 individuals, and can be found along the Madison River valley where it was photographed.
The Yellowstone Park bison herd in Yellowstone National Park is probably the oldest and largest public bison herd in the United States. The Yellowstone Park bison herd was estimated in 2015 to be 4,900 bison.
The American bison (Bison bison), also commonly known as the American buffalo or simply buffalo, is a North American species of bison that once roamed the grasslands of North America in massive herds. They became nearly extinct by a combination of commercial hunting and slaughter in the 19th century and introduction of bovine diseases from domestic cattle, and have made a recent resurgence largely restricted to a few national parks and reserves.
Their historical range roughly comprised a triangle between the Great Bear Lake in Canada's far northwest, south to the Mexican states of Durango and Nuevo León, and east to the Atlantic Seaboard of the United States (nearly to the Atlantic tidewater in some areas) from New York to Georgia and per some sources down to Florida. Bison were seen in North Carolina near Buffalo Ford on the Catawba River as late as 1750. - Wikipedia
Tags: Yellowstone In Winter 2017 Wyoming USA Yellowstone National Park Bison Male Free Ranging Near The Madison River Valley Herbivore 4900 Total In Park Once Numbered from 25 million to 60 Million By 1880 Almost Extinct There Were 23 Individuals in 1880 Prairies Plains Open Grasslands Can be found above 8000 Feet Sue Roehl Lumix DMC-GH4
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Yellowstone National Park in Winter
Wyoming
USA
Three otters were photographed while playing along the banks of a river in the park. It had been snowing earlier in the day. The temperature was between 28 to 34 degrees.
The North American river otter (Lontra canadensis), also known as the northern river otter or the common otter, is a semiaquatic mammal endemic to the North American continent found in and along its waterways and coasts. The river otter is protected and insulated by a thick, water-repellent coat of fur.
The river otter, a member of the subfamily Lutrinae in the weasel family (Mustelidae), is equally versatile in the water and on land. It establishes a burrow close to the water's edge in river, lake, swamp, coastal shoreline, tidal flat, or estuary ecosystems.
North American river otters, like most predators, prey upon the most readily accessible species. Fish is a favored food among the otters, but they also consume various amphibians (such as salamanders and frogs), freshwater clams, mussels, snails, small turtles and crayfish.
The range of the North American river otter has been significantly reduced by habitat loss, beginning with the European colonization of North America. In some regions, though, their population is controlled to allow the trapping and harvesting of otters for their pelts. River otters are very susceptible to the effects of environmental pollution, which is a likely factor in the continued decline of their numbers. Several reintroduction projects have been initiated to help stabilize the reduction in the overall population. – Wikipedia
Tags: Yellowstone National Park in Winter Wyoming USA North American River Otters Lontra canadensis Youngsters Semiaquatic Found Along Waterways and Coasts Lutrinae Family Mustelidae Weasel Family Continually Under Decline in the US Habitat Loss Pollution Sue Roehl Lumix DMC-GH4
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Masai Mara National Reserve
Kenya
East Africa
The common eland (Taurotragus oryx), also known as the southern eland or eland antelope, is a savannah and plains antelope found in East and Southern Africa. It is a species of the family Bovidae and genus Taurotragus. It was first described by Peter Simon Pallas in 1766.
An adult male is around 1.6 metres (5') tall at the shoulder (females are 20 centimetres (8") shorter) and can weigh up to 942 kg (2077 lbs) with an average of 500–600 kilograms (1,100–1,300 lb, 340–445 kilograms (750–980 lb) for females). It is the second largest antelope in the world, being slightly smaller on average than the giant eland. - Wikipedia
Tags: Kenya 2015 Masai Mara National Reserve Kenya East Africa Eland Taurotragus oryx Savannah and Plains Bovidae Family Taurotragus Genus 5 Ft tall at Shoulder 1100 to 1300 LBs Male Second Largest Antelope in the World Sue Roehl Lumix DMC-GH4 Coth5+ Sunrays+5
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Cuiaba River
The Pantanal
Brazil
South America
The giant otter or giant river otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is a South American carnivorous mammal. It is the longest member of the Mustelidae, or weasel family, a globally successful group of predators, reaching up to 1.7 m (5.6 ft). Atypical of mustelids, the giant otter is a social species, with family groups typically supporting three to eight members. The groups are centered on a dominant breeding pair and are extremely cohesive and cooperative. Although generally peaceful, the species is territorial, and aggression has been observed between groups.
The giant otter is diurnal, being active exclusively during daylight hours. It is the noisiest otter species, and distinct vocalizations have been documented that indicate alarm, aggressiveness, and reassurance.
The giant otter ranges across north-central South America; it lives mostly in and along the Amazon River and in the Pantanal. - Wikipedia
For more info go to: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giant_otter
Tags: Brazil Trip 2016 Cuiaba River The Pantanal Brazil South America Giant River Otter Pteronura brasiliensis Longest Otter Mustelidae Weasel Family Highly Social Aggressive Highly Territorial Diurnal Noisiest Sue Roehl Lumix DMC-GX8 Coth5+ Sunrays+5
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