The European wildcat, also known as the Felis silvestris , is a species of wildcat found throughout Europe. These carnivorous felines are skilled hunters and have a diverse diet that includes a variety of prey items. The European wildcat is primarily a carnivore, with small mammals making up the majority of its diet. They are known to prey on rodents such as mice, voles, and rats, as well as small birds and reptiles.
The European wildcat ( Felis silvestris silvestris ) is a medium-sized wildcat native to Europe. It is a solitary animal that is difficult to spot in the wild as it is quite secretive and generally avoids contact with humans. European wildcats are among the few remaining wildcat species in Europe and are ecologically important as apex predators that help regulate prey populations.
Giraffes are unique browsers that use the leaves, young shoots, and twigs of a wide variety of trees and shrubs. Dicot forbs count for 1.5% of the food intake and grass 0.5%., flowers, fruits, and pods are preferred and are an important food resource. During wet growing seasons, feeding is restricted mainly to deciduous tree and shrub species.
Giraffes breed throughout the year, although birthing peaks have been observed in numerous populations, including Nairobi N. P. in Kenya Aug and Sep; Waza N. P.in Cameroon, November-January; Serengeti National Park, September; and Northern Namibia in December;
Taxonomy Of A Giraffe The giraffe is considered a polytypic species comprising eight subspecies. Based on pelage patterns, skull morphology, and mitochondrial DNA analysis described six or seven subspecies and the existence of a distinct northern and southern clade. Considerable uncertainty surrounds the geographic and taxonomic limits of all described subspecies. Pelage patterning within subspecies highlights this uncertainty.
Gorillas feed on trees, up to 30 m above the ground. Animals adopt sitting and standing positions for feeding. They twist the branches within reach, often without breaking them. The fruits and leaves are picked with the lips or picked by hand and transferred to the mouth. When fruit abundance is low, adults also bend and break saplings to access foliage, fruit, or vines.
Due to its large size, G.beringei probably has only two major predators. Mainly people and diseases are the major reasons why mountain gorillas are endangered. Humans are the main predator of G.beringei, killing them for their meat, and body parts and in retaliation for crop damage. A few cases of G. beringei predation by Leopards panthera pardus are described.
Upon rising from their night nests, gorillas spread out to forage. The animals sit on their haunches or eat while walking. Gorilla b. beringei is terrestrial for 96% of feeding time. Adults climb for only 4% of feeding time, while immatures feed in trees 18% of the time. Adult males eat up to 30 kg of vegetation per day. There is little competition between individuals, as food is generally abundant.
In 1989 there were approx. 324 eastern gorillas G.b. beringei in Virunga Mts.A census of this population in 2000 led to an estimateof 359–395 individuals , while a 2003 census estimated 380 individuals. A census, taken in of 2010, produced an estimate of 480 individuals.
The herd of giraffes is called a tower. Cows and subadults form breeding herds of 425 individuals, and although large herds may exist, they are rare. A herd of 239 was recorded in the Serengeti and herds of 48 and 68 in the Kruger National Park.
