balotelli holly henderson: September 2011

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Dogs For Sale

Dogs For Sale

If Great Dane breeders could predict canine coat color, they would be able to make breeding decisions much easier. Through techniques such as DNA testing and gene mapping, scientists are learning insightful information about coat color in dogs that challenges long-held beliefs. Even so, the genetic complexity of canine coat color is filled with surprises. Great Dane breeders can contribute to genetic research on coat color as well as other traits, Schmutz says. She attributes much of the coordination of Great Dane DNA studies currently under way to J.P. Yousha, owner of Chromadane Kennel in Texas and Chairman of the Health and Welfare Committee of the Great Dane Club of America. Yousha also helped Schmutz to understand the terms many Dane owners use when describing their dogs’ coat colors and patterns...

Dogs Great Escape

Saturday, September 3, 2011

Baby Elephant Seals

The Consortium for Ocean Leadership applauds Hawaii Congressman Neil Abercrombie (D-1st) for introducing the National Marine Mammal Research Program Act of 2008 (H.R.5106). The bill will create a national marine mammal research program to be administered by the Marine Mammal Commission. Implementation of this research program will greatly improve our understanding of marine mammals, especially the impact sound has on these animals.

The need for increased support for marine mammal research was identified by the National Research Council (NRC) and the U.S. Commission on Ocean Policy (USCOP). In their most recent report to Congress, the Marine Mammal Commission stated as their first recommendation: "Establish a coordinated national research program on the effects of anthropogenic sound on marine mammals and the marine environment."

"Marine mammals deal with major threats in the ocean, including entanglement in fishing gear, contaminants, harmful algal blooms, disease, habitat loss, and environmental change," said Robert B. Gagosian, President & CEO of Ocean Leadership. "Understanding the biology of these animals will provide the federal agencies with the tools to develop conservation and management protocols that will allow the military and maritime industries to coexist with marine mammals."

Baby Elephant Seals

Elephant Seal Bull

Male Elephant Seals

In December, male and female adult northern elephant seals haul out their huge bodies to fight, give birth, and mate at raucous rookeries on the Farallon Islands and at the Point Reyes National Seashore. The male elephant seal is a sight to behold, up to 15 feet long, 4,500 pounds, with a huge bulbous nose that inflates with air and makes a thundering noise used to intimidate other males.

Female elephant seals are paltry and delicate in comparison, a third of the size of males at 10 feet and 1,500 pounds, a perpetual smile seeming to play upon their large faces. Bulls vocally threaten each other for access to females, sometimes rearing up their two-ton bodies to slash and bite each other, while the females are preparing to give birth and nurse their pups. On South East Farallon Island, approximately 300 pups will be born this breeding season, quadrupling their body size before being weaned.

Southern Elephant Seal

Many came to know the elephant seal because it was near extinction as they were widely hunted in the 19th century. Because they were protected the population is up around 600,000 though it should be noted that the numbers are declining, but no one knows exactly why. Many believe that the number is simply stabilizing as the species may have grown to quickly while being protected and the natural order of things is simply taking place. Needless to say, conversationalists are watching the numbers of the elephant seal closely.

Southern Elephant Seal

Southern Elephant Seal

Southern Elephant Seal

Southern Elephant Seal

Southern Elephant Seal

Southern Elephant Seal

Southern Elephant SealThe elephant seals are generally found in the sub Antarctic regions around the world. The species used to be seen quite often in large numbers around Tasmania, but this is no longer the case as the sealing industry led to the decline of the species and now they are only occasionally seen. Today they are often seen off the coast of South Africa and New Zealand, Macquarie Island, Peninsula Valdes, Heard Island, and Kerguelen. One of the most substantial populations is located in the Sub Antarctic islands, especially around South Georgia.

Elephant Seal

True Wild Life | Elephant Seal | There are two types of elephant seal found in the worlds oceans. The northern elephant seal is found in the Northern Hemisphere in the Pacific Ocean near to the coast of Mexico, Canada and the USA. The southern elephant seal is found in the southern hemisphere on the coast of Argentina, South Africa and New Zealand. The elephant seal is the largest species of seal in the world with the average male elephant seal growing to around 5 m long. The female elephant seals are generally quite a bit smaller than the male elephant seals, and the female elephant seals therefore grow to around 3m.