Fauna of Hungary 2013

 

Magyar Posta issued the stamps present the breeds and species of animal indigenous to Hungary on stamps on April 09, 2013. The issuance features the protected predatory and insectivorous mammals like : the stoat, pygmy shrew, European lynx and greater mouse-eared bat  on the stamps in the series, and the northern white-breasted hedgehog is shown on a numbered stamp block.

 

Stoat (Mustela erminea) •

 

The stoat (Mustela erminea), also known as the short-tailed weasel, is a species of Mustelidae native to Eurasia and North America, distinguished from the least weasel by its larger size and longer tail with a prominent black tip.

This long, slim animal favours damp habitats and avoids closed forests. It mainly eats small rodents and birds. It is an opportunistic, skilful predator.

Its winter coat is entirely white except for the black tail, and in the summer its coat is sandy brown on the back, white on its belly and chest, and black at the tip of its tail.

The stoat is classed by the IUCN as Least Concern, due to its wide circumpolar distribution, and because it does not face any significant threat to its survival. It is listed among the 100 "world's worst invasive species".

Seafood Creatures of Faroe Islands

 

In Faroes,  the Norwegian Lobster with its elegant and succulent meat is very much sought after by the restaurants, but also new-comers like the Brown Crab and the Deep Sea Red Crab are gaining more and more popularity.

To devoted the specific seafood in the Faroes Island ,  one set  of four stamp series  has been issued on February 25,2013, designed by Astrid Andreasen features the edible popular sea-animal, Brown Crab (Cancer pagurus), Deep Sea Red Crab (Chaceon affinis ), Shrimps ( Pandaulus borealis), Lobster ( Nephrops norvegicus ).

 

Brown Crab - Cancer pagurus

The Brown Crab ( Cancer pagurus) also known as the Edible Crab . The shield is reddish brown and claws have a purple tinge with black tips.  The difference between male and female crabs by the tail below the belly side, which is wider on females. The shield can be 30 cm wide, rarely more than 20 cm, and the crab's total weight can reach up to 5 kg.

It is most often found on hard seabed, that is, rock. The crab's diet consists mostly of benthic invertebrates such as mussels and horse mussels. In summer, the Brown Crab lives on 1 to 30 m depth, and in winter between 30 to 50 meters depth.

When the Brown Crab is 5 - 6 years old, it becomes sexually mature. It changes shield in the summer, and when it has thrown the old shield and got a new one, it will mate.

Endangered Species - Giant Panda

 

In year 2013, continuing the previous edition, Guernsey Post issued special stamps for endangered species, featuring the animal species,  Panda .

 

 

Peaceful and secretive creatures, Giant Pandas have steadily lost their forest habitat to China’s expanding human population. These striking animals, which were once widespread in southern and eastern China, are now confined to fragmented forest patches high in the southwestern mountains. 

Classified by the IUCN as Endangered, the most recent study of Giant Pandas and their habitat revealed there are only around 1,600 left in the wild. Restricted and degraded habitat is the greatest threat to Giant Pandas. The animals’ range has contracted due to the conversion of forests to agricultural areas, poaching, and large-scale development activities such as road and rail construction.

As member of the bear family, the Giant Panda is the only species in its genus. The animals have the digestive system of a carnivore, but have adapted to a vegetarian diet. They depend almost exclusively on bamboo as a food source and can eat up to 80 pounds of this fibrous plant in just one day.