IMG 2423-crop [104 kB]
8/13/05 10:29 AM
Female ostriches (Struthio camelus.) Indigenous to Africa, the ostrich is the largest of all birds and the only bird with two toes. Ostriches can grow as large as 200-300 lbs and 6-8 feet tall. Ostriches are born brownish-grey, as the ones pictured, but the males turn black as they get older. Female ostriches share a common nest, and males share the responsibility of tending the nest during the 6-week incubation period. Ostriches are generally aggressive and can run as fast as 45 MPH.
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IMG 2424 [189 kB]
8/13/05 10:31 AM
Sicilian Donkey (Equus asinus.) A native of Italy, the Sicilian donkey is a relatively small species of donkey, rarely exceeding 100-200 lbs in weight and 3 feet in height. The donkeys live to be 10-15 years old and are capable of bearing one foal at a time with a gestation period of 11 months. The males are called jacks and the females jennys, which is potentially useful information if you're ever involved in a war of insults.
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IMG 2425 [150 kB]
8/13/05 10:33 AM
Addax (Addax nasomaculatus.) Hailing from the Sahara Desert, the addax has evolved broad, flat hooves to prevent sinking into the sand and a light coat to reflect the desert sun. The species is highly endangered but breeds well in captivity, bearing one calf at a time with a gestation period of 8 1/2 months. Addaxes can grow to 250 lbs in size and live about 20 years in captivity, and their horns (possessed by both males and females) can grow as long as 3 1/2 feet.
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IMG 2426 [158 kB]
8/13/05 10:35 AM
Closeup of a female ostrich
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IMG 2428 [190 kB]
8/13/05 10:38 AM
Llama (Llama glama.) The South American llama is the pack animal of choice on the steep trails of the Andes Mountains. Mature llamas can weigh anywhere between 100 and 300 pounds and can live to a ripe old age of 28. They are raised for their wool, and they bear one "cria" at a time (twins on occasion) with a gestation period of 11 months. Llamas are known for their stubborn nature and will often spit when irritated.
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IMG 2429 [205 kB]
8/13/05 10:44 AM
Southern White Rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum.) Linebackers of the animal kingdom, the highly endangered African white rhino weighs in at 2 to 2 1/2 tons when fully mature and can live 40 or 50 years in captivity. Rhinos are capable of bearing one calf at a time with a gestation period of 16 months.
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IMG 2432 [205 kB]
8/13/05 10:48 AM
Nilgai female (Boselaphus tragocamelus.) A native of India, the Nilgai is the largest Asiatic antelope, weighing as much as 250-300 pounds when fully mature. They can live as long as 15 years in captivity and bear 1-2 young with a gestation period of 8 months. The males have very short horns (no more than 10") and turn grey as they mature, whereas the females are brown and lack horns altogether.
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IMG 2433 [187 kB]
8/13/05 10:49 AM
Dama Gazelle (Gazella dama.) Hailing from Africa, the Dama gazelle is lightweight (60-75 lbs when fully mature) and fast. They can live as much as 15 years in captivity, and they bear one offspring at a time with a gestation period of 7-8 months. Horns are possessed by both sexes.
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IMG 2435 [240 kB]
8/13/05 10:54 AM
Damaraland Zebra (Equus quagga antiquorum.) Indigenous to Africa, the Damaraland zebra can weigh 600 lbs when fully mature and can live as long as 25 years in captivity. Zebras bear one foal at a time with a gestation period of 1 year, and they are known for their aggressive behavior. One of this zebra's friends nosed into the passenger-side window of the car and grabbed the feed sack right out of the passenger's lap!
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IMG 2437 [127 kB]
8/13/05 10:54 AM
Zebe in 3D
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IMG 2438 [139 kB]
8/13/05 10:54 AM
Zebe in profile
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IMG 2439 [151 kB]
8/13/05 10:55 AM
Eland Antelope bull (Tragelaphus oryx.) Largest of all antelope species, the African native Eland Antelope can weigh between 1/2 and 3/4 of a ton when fully mature. So it's a good thing they're docile ... The Eland is common in Asia as well, and they are in fact raised as livestock in Russia. They live to about 25 years of age in captivity and are capable of bearing one calf at a time with a gestation period of 9 months. The Eland is also capable of jumping as high as 6 feet.
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IMG 2441 [83 kB]
8/13/05 10:56 AM
Eland Antelope bull in 3D
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IMG 2442 [137 kB]
8/13/05 10:58 AM
Blesbok (Damaliscus dorcas.) The Blesbok, an African native, weighs between 120 and 150 pounds when fully mature and can live up to 17 years in captivity. They bear one offspring at a time with a gestation period of 7 1/2 months. Blesbok are generally solitary and territorial
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IMG 2443 [191 kB]
8/13/05 11:04 AM
Fallow Deer buck (Cervus dama.) The tame and sociable fallow deer can be found all over Africa, Asia Minor, and the Mediterranean. Adults weigh as much as 200 pounds and live about 12 years in captivity, bearing one fawn at a time with a gestation period of 7 1/2 months. Antlers are flattened, similar to those of a moose, and are possessed by males only. Fallow deer can have white, brown, or spotted coats.
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IMG 2446 [166 kB]
8/13/05 11:05 AM
Another Fallow Deer buck
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IMG 2447 [188 kB]
8/13/05 11:06 AM
White Fallow Deer buck
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IMG 2449 [198 kB]
8/13/05 11:07 AM
White-bearded Gnu or Wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus albojubatus.) Hailing from Africa, the gnu is one of the largest members of the antelope family, weighing in at 550 pounds when fully mature. They can live to be 18 years old in captivity and can bear one calf at a time with a gestation period of 8 1/2 months. Both sexes have horns, which can be up to 2 1/2 feet long.
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IMG 2451 [215 kB]
8/13/05 11:08 AM
Barbado sheep. Native to Europe, Barbado sheep are a cross-breed of domestic European species with introduced species from the Mediterranean. They can grow to 100-180 pounds in weight and live up to 20 years in captivity. Barbado sheep bear 1-2 lambs at a time after a gestation period of 6 months.
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IMG 2452 [180 kB]
8/13/05 11:09 AM
Barbado sheep in 3D
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IMG 2456 [130 kB]
8/13/05 11:11 AM
Barbado sheep sans horns
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IMG 2458 [242 kB]
8/13/05 11:14 AM
Springbok antelope (Antidoras marsupialis.) Mature African springboks weigh only 70-80 pounds and can jump as high as 10-12 feet. The springbok will jump up and down and raise a row of white hair on its back (called "pronking") when danger is afoot. Springboks live up to 12 years in captivity and bear one offspring at a time with a gestation period of 5 1/2 months. Horns are possessed by both males and females.
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IMG 2465 [185 kB]
8/13/05 11:18 AM
Aoudad or Barbary Sheep (Ammotragus levia.) Natives of Africa, Barbary sheep are really more closely related to goats than sheep. They can grow to 140 lbs when mature and are known for their surefootedness on steep terrain. Barbary sheep live up to 20 years in captivity and can bear one "kid" after a gestation period of 6 months. Horns are possessed by both sexes and can be as long as 3 feet.
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IMG 2468-crop [72 kB]
8/13/05 11:21 AM
Barbary sheep (closer than it appears)
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IMG 2469 [237 kB]
8/13/05 11:21 AM
Miscellaneous unidentified ungulate
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IMG 2471 [212 kB]
8/13/05 11:23 AM
Barbary sheep in the middle of the road
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IMG 2474 [149 kB]
8/13/05 11:40 AM
Ringtail Lemur
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IMG 2477-crop [153 kB]
8/13/05 11:55 AM
Reticulated giraffe
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IMG 2481-e+17 [125 kB]
8/13/05 12:03 PM
Closeup of reticulated giraffe
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