The Shoebill

The Shoebill is a tall bird usually ranges from 43 to 55 inches. It mostly appears in wetlands and swamps.  They are very slow even "statue like" They are quite sensitive to human disturbance and may abandon their nests if disturbed by humans. The shoebill is normally silent. They are mainly found distributed throughout the African continent.

The Olinguito

          The olinguito, or Bassaricyon neblina, is a species of procyonid endemic to the cloud forests of Columbia and Peru. In 2013, this arboreal critter became the first member of the order Carnivora discovered in over 35 years. Previously thought to be an olingo, an olinguito was uncovered in Chicago's Field Museum. The specimen's DNA was tested, and it was confirmed that it was it's own distinct species. The olinguito is omnivorous, feeding upon fruit, nectar, and insects. So far, four different subspecies have been described: B. n. neblina, B. n. osborni, B. n. hershkovitzi, and B. n. ruber. Currently, it is unknown whether olinguitos are at risk to deforestation, but with growing agricultural industries, they may soon be. For more information on the discovery, visit this site: http://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/for-the-first-time-in-35-years-a-new-carnivorous-mammal-species-is-discovered-in-the-americas-48047/?no-ist

MacFarlane's Bear

        MacFarlane's bear lies directly on the barrier between cryptozoology and modern biology. Some believe it is a new species, some believe it is a new subspecies, some believe it is a hybrid bear, and some believe that it doesn't even exist.

        In 1864, Inuit hunters shot an enormous, yellow-furred bear in the Northwest Territories of Canada. The hunters gave the bear's skin and skull to naturalist Roderick MacFarlane. Mr. MacFarlane sent the remains to the Smithsonian Institute, where they were soon stowed away and forgotten. After a while, Dr. Clinton Hart Merriam discovered the skull and skin. Merriam deduced that the bear had been shot outside the brown bear's range, and concluded that it couldn't have been a grizzly. In 1918, he described that the bear was an entirely new species, as well as a new genus.

        Although there have been unconfirmed sightings, most people believe that MacFarlane's bear may have gone extinct in the past 150 years. Even if it is extinct, there is still much controversy on the classification of the bear. One of the most popular theories is that the skin and skull belonged to a Grolar bear, a hybrid between a grizzly bear and a polar bear. These hybrids have been documented in the wild, so they're a possible candidate. It is also a possibility that MacFarlane's bear was a representative of a Pleistocene species.

        Modern science may soon reveal the true identity of the bear, but until then, scientists will be divided on their beliefs, whether a grizzly bear, a hybrid bear, or an entirely new species.

The Sumatran Elephant

         The Sumatran Elephant, or Elephus maximus sumatranus, is a subspecies of the Asian Elephant, or Elephus maximus. With less than 3,000 individuals left in the wild, these elephants are on the critically endangered list. They are on a downhill slope towards extinction, having lost 80% of their population in the last 25 years. Over the last three generations, 70% of the Sumatran Elephant's Indonesian habitat has been lost. This elephant can reach a height of up to 10 feet and a weight of over 4 tons. With declining numbers, these majestic animals may become extinct in the near future.

The Mexican Wolf

       The Mexican Wolf, or Canis lupus baileyi, is the most endangered wolf in the world as well as one of the most critically endangered animals in the world. This subspecies of the gray wolf has very few packs left in the wild. With fewer than 85 individuals left in the wild, the Mexican wolf can only be found in Apache National Forest (Arizona), and Gila National Forest (New Mexico). They will kill and eat deer, elk, and javelina, but will also eat an animal carcass if they come across one. With so few numbers, the Mexican Wolf may soon disappear.

The Puss Caterpillar

Deadliest December: The Puss Caterpillar
This insect -although cute and fuzzy- has done severe harm to people throughout the country. Young children have been reported with excruciating pain after petting them, or one having fallen onto them from a tree. The Megalopyge Opercularis (scientific name) is a venomous caterpillar, existing mainly in North and Central Florida These insects hide extremely toxic spines underneath their fuzz, and when pricked, the pain is similar to a bee sting, but worse. The pain increases or decreases based on the amount of spines that prick your skin, and some people have noted that their pain lasted up to twelve hours. The Puss Caterpillar is generally 1 inch long, before turning into female Flannel Moths. This species goes through what is called "boom and bust cycles"which means their population rises and falls drastically based on the season, but in the past 3-5 years their numbers have sky-rocketed without any explanation.

The Siberian Tiger

Deadliest December: The Siberian Tiger

This majestic creature is known as dangerous, deadly, and simply horrific, but as true "Tiger Lovers" know, they are deeply misunderstood. The Siberian Tigers live mainly in eastern Russia's Birch Forests, although there is a scarce population of them in China and North Korea. This fascinating animal is slowly -but entirely- going extinct, and according to the latest research there are only 400-500 of them left. These tigers live in a harsher climate than most, but they do have certain
advantages, such as human density being lower than any other tiger habitat in the world. Panthera Tigris Altaica (scientific name) are known for their strength, agility, and power, while also being graceful, stealthy, and dignified mammals. Their size rockets past every member of the wildcat family, measuring up to 11 feet in length. These incredible forms of life were once a part of a family of eight other species of tigers, that have all gone completely extinct during the 20th century. Over the last hundred years the tiger population has gone from hundreds of thousands, to thousands, to now less than 1,000 tigers. This drastic drop in numbers is due to hunting, forest destruction, human agriculture, as hunting trophies, and some body parts are used in traditional Chinese medicines. Poaching, although extremely reduced, is still a massive issue in the process of saving Siberian Tigers. These tigers have been hanging on by a thin thread, fighting for their lives to remain of this earth, and we, as a race, are obligated to make an effort to salvage them.

Deadliest December: Polar Bear

When you hear "polar bear" a fluffy white bear might pop into your brain. These massive bears look cute and cuddly, but they are actually extreme killers. Polar bears, or Ursus maritimus live mainly in the Arctic Circle. They make dens in the snowy masses of land. Polar bears can swim exceptionally well because of their massive paws, although they prefer land. Seals are their main food source; they use a method of hunting called still-hunting, where they stand near breathing holes in the ice and wait. When a seal comes up to breathe, they kill it. Polar bears are classified as "threatened" in the conservation status. The main reason is because of global warming, and the melting of the polar ice caps. While these animals cause at least ten deaths per year, they are still endangered, and we should help to keep these animals alive.

Northern Goshawk

     The northern goshawk, or Accipiter gentilis, is a ferocious diurnal raptor endemic to central and western north america. These terrifying birds of prey have blood-red eyes, dark grey feathers, a black beak, and long black talons, giving them a mysterious dark appearance. This goshawk is extremely territorial, and will attack any threat to their nest, even humans. They are swift hunters and can catch large prey, such as hares, ducks, and other waterfowl, with one blow from their sharp claws.

Gila Monster

    The Gila monster, or Heloderma suspectum, is America's largest and only poisonous lizard species. It certainly lives up to the term monster. Their bite is extremely painful, as they latch on to their victim to let neurotoxins enter the wound. They are found in the deserts of the southwestern states, and part of Mexico. Gilas spend much of their time in their burrows, only coming out to eat. Due to ever-constant human encroachment, the Gila monster is viewed as threatened.