Snow Leopard

 

The Estonia Post has issued the stamp series of zoo animal. On the year 1999, the series of zoo animal stamp issued that featured the Snow leopard or Uncia uncia . Only one single stamp and one First Day Cover issued.

The snow leopard (Uncia uncia or Panthera uncia) is a moderately large cat native to the mountain ranges of South Asia and Central Asia. The snow leopard's habitat in central and south Asia is rugged mountainous regions of approximately 1,230,000 square kilometres (470,000 sq mi), which extends through twelve countries: Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.

Snow leopards are smaller than the other big cats , exhibit a range of sizes, generally weighing between 27 and 55 kilograms .Body length ranges from 75 to 130 centimetres , with the tail adding an additional 75 to 90 percent of that length.The snow leopard has a short muzzle and domed forehead, containing unusual large nasal cavities that help the animal breathe the thin, cold air of their mountainous environment.

Snow leopards have long thick fur, and their base colour varies from smoky grey to yellowish tan, with whitish underparts. They have dark grey to black open rosettes on their body with small spots of the same colour on their heads and larger spots on their legs and tail. Unusually among cats, their eyes are pale green or grey in colour.

Snow leopards show several adaptations for living in a cold mountainous environment. Their bodies are stocky, their fur is thick, and their ears are small and rounded, all of which help to minimize heat loss. Their paws are wide, which distributes their weight better for walking on snow, and have fur on their undersides to increase their grip on steep and unstable surfaces; it also helps to minimize heat loss. Snow leopards' tails are long and flexible, helping them to maintain their balance, which is very important in the rocky terrain they inhabit. Their tails are also very thick due to storage of fats and are very thickly covered with fur which allows them to be used like a blanket to protect their faces when asleep.

Snow leopards live between 3,000 and 5,500 metres (9,800 and 18,000 ft) above sea level in the rocky mountain ranges of Central Asia. Their secretive nature means that their exact numbers are unknown, but it has been estimated that between 3,500 and 7,000 snow leopards exist in the wild and between 600 and 700 in zoos worldwide.

During summer months the species ranges on the edge of perpetual snows at an altitude of about 4 km, but it has occasionally been met even higher than 5 km. For the winter it moves a couple of kilometers downwards in the wake of its prey, mountain goats and mountain sheep.

Although protected in most of its range since several years ago, the species is still in serious straits. Under the guidance of Helsinki Zoo, successive attempts have been made at studying and breeding this spectacular cat in captivity.

Blogger Tags: Snow leopard, Uncia uncia, Estonia

The Banded Iguana of Vanuatu

The Vanuatu Post has issued the stamp series features the Banded Iguana in four single stamps and one souvenir sheet with specific shape consisted of two stamps on November 7, 2007. The issued stamp are support the  Vanuatu government formed the National Advisory Committee on the Environment (NACE) to remind the environmental concern.

The Banded Iguana or Brachylophus fasciatus are believed to have evolved from green iguanas that rafted on debris from South America across 11,000 kilometres of the Pacific to Fiji and then by way of introduction to other Pacific islands including Vanuatu.

Vanuatu has 19 lizard species of which 13 are skinks and 5 are geckoes. The other is the Banded Iguana and it is found only on the main island of Efate. A few kilometers out of the capital Port Vila at Mele, is the Secret Garden, which has a community of Iguana that is a natural attraction for visitors showing how the reptiles live in the wild.

The Banded Iguana is a spectacularly beautiful, large (between 60 and 80cm), emerald-green lizard, named for the highly distinctive, broad, light blue, vertical stripes on the body and tail of males. Females, by contrast, are usually uniformly green, and are smaller than the males. The extremely long tail makes up to two thirds of the lizard's total length, and is used for balance as it climbs amongst the forest branches. Being an arboreal creature, usually preferring trees and bushes with lots of branches where they can best hide themselves, they are very good at climbing and leaping through branches, and can even swim.

All Banded Iguanas are diurnal, spending their days foraging, basking and watching over their territories. At night, they climb to the treetops, and sleep with their limbs wrapped around the branches for stability. The lizards are omnivorous, subsisting on the many fruits and leaves of the forest and the abundant insect life. Male iguanas are highly visual, and aggressively defend their territories from rival males. Sexual maturity can be reached at an age of around 16 months and breeding occurs from November through January, with between 3 and 6 eggs being laid.

 

Due to habitat destruction and predators, populations of these iguanas internationally have been declining to the point where they were threatened with extinction. This category has now been down graded to “vulnerable”. The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) however has placed the Banded Iguana on its endangered Red List (1996).

 

It is estimated that the Pacific population is less than 10,000 individuals. In 1987, the Vanuatu government formed the National Advisory Committee on the Environment (NACE) to address the nation's developing environmental concerns. The Estuarine Crocodile, Hawksbill Turtle, Banded Iguana, and Flying Fox were the identified threatened species, and Vanuatu Post supports this environmental concern.

Blogger Tags: Banded Iguana, Brachylophus fasciatus, Vanuatu

Pets–Parrot

Macedonia Post has issued the stamp series depicted the pet animal, Parrot on year 2010. The issued stamps consist of 2 stamps with nominal value 20, and 40.

Parrots are popular as pets due to their sociable and affectionate nature, intelligence, bright colours, and ability to imitate human voices.The domesticated Budgerigar, a small parrot, is the most popular of all pet bird species.

Pet parrots may be kept in a cage or aviary; though generally, tame parrots should be allowed out regularly on a stand or gym. Depending on locality, parrots may be either wild caught or be captive bred, though in most areas without native parrots, pet parrots are captive bred.

Parrot species that are commonly kept as pets include conures, macaws, Amazons, cockatoos, African Greys, lovebirds, cockatiels, Budgerigars, Eclectus, Caiques, parakeets, Pionus and Poicephalus. Species vary in their temperament, noise level, talking ability, cuddliness with people, and care needs, although how a parrot has been raised usually greatly affects its personality.

Some large parrot species, including large cockatoos, amazons, and macaws, have very long lifespans, with 80 years being reported and record ages of over one hundred. Small parrots, such as lovebirds, hanging parrots, and budgies have shorter life spans of up to 15–20 years.

Some parrot species can be quite loud, and many of the larger parrots can be destructive and require a very large cage, and a regular supply of new toys, branches, or other items to chew up. The intelligence of parrots means they are quick to learn tricks and other behaviours — both good and bad — that will get them what they want, such as attention or treats.

Blogger Tags: Parrot, pet, Macedonia.

Russian Blue Cat

On November 23, 2009 the Ministry of Communications and Information of the Republic of Belarus issued a souvenir sheet “Cats” comprised of 3 same value of stamps.

The souvenir sheet depicts different images of the Russian Blue cat. Russian Blues are short-haired, blue-grey cats with green eyes. They are known for being very intelligent and quiet animals. Russian Blues are friendly and modest cats.

The Russian Blue is known for being a very intelligent, curious, and tranquil animal. They have been known to play fetch, and are sensitive to basic human emotions. They enjoy playing with a variety of toys and develop extremely loyal bonds to their loved ones. The Russian Blue is also known for getting along very well with other pets and children in a household. They are known also for being quiet and clean animals that are normally reserved around strangers, unless they are brought up in a very active household.

Russian Blues will also sometimes sit in front of your computer screen and bat at the mouse. They also love to play with other small pets, such as dogs and other cats.

The Russian Blue is a naturally occurring breed that originated in the port of Arkhangelsk, Russia. They are also sometimes called Archangel Blues. The first Russian Blues were brought from the Archangel Isles to England and Northern Europe in the 1860s by sailors. The first recorded showing of the breed was in 1875 at the Crystal Palace in England as the Archangel Cat.

Blogger Tags: Russian blue cat, Belarus

Rock Pigeon

The Foroyar Post has issued the stamp series depicted the rock pigeon or Columba livia in two single stamp with different face value on September 2009.

The rock pigeon (Columba livia) is a member of the Columbidae family which comprises about 300 species that live everywhere in the world apart from the Arctic and Antarctic.

The rock pigeon was one of the first birds domesticated by man and, from them, birds of all colourings and physical varieties have been bred over the years.The carrier pigeon in particular is most familiar, and the rock pigeon is the progenitor of these pigeons, and many birds among the multi-coloured city flocks more or less resemble the feral rock pigeons.

In many places, domesticated pigeons interbreed with the feral variety and thereby constitute a major threat to the original populations of rock pigeons, which have disappeared from many countries for this reason. One of the world’s least interbred populations of rock pigeons lives in the Faroes.

CYPRUS FOWLS

Fowls are egg-laying feathered vertebrates with a beak. Since the most ancient times, man has been aware of the importance of fowls for his life and succeeded in taming many of them and progressively domesticating them, so as to obtain by breeding (agriculture) more abundant and tasty meat and a large quantity of eggs. As shown by archaeological research, numerous kings of fowls, such as the hen, the pigeon, the duck, the goose, etc., were also domesticated as early as the prehistoric period.

Some of these fowls, the pigeon, the turkey, the cock and the duck are represented in the series "Domestic Fowls" of the Cyprus Postal Services on stamps of €0,22, €0,34, €0,43 and €0,51 respectively.

Source: Stamps and Philatelic Services, Cyprus Post

MAMMALS OF CYPRUS

Cyprus Post issued the stamp series featured Mammals, the Rhinodolphin, the Cyprus Fox, and the Hare on September 09, 2004. The stamp issuance represented in three setenant stamp set.

The Rhinodolphin (Tursiops truncatus) is the most common dolphin in the Mediterranean Sea. It is usually found in schools of 10-20 dolphins, mainly near costal areas but also in the open sea where the schools are even larger, comprising of hundreds of dolphins. It is of medium size and over 3 meters in length. It mainly feeds on cephalopods (squid, octopus) and fish. Twelve months after mating it produces an offspring of approximately half a meter.

The Cyprus Fox (Vulpes vulpes indutus) is the second largest mammal of the Cyprus fauna after mouflon. It is a quick agile animal but also quite clever and intelligent. This combined with its strong senses characterizes it as makes it an animal with an effective hunting ability. It can be found throughout the island, in costal and mountainous areas but also in built-up areas depending on the availability of food. Its reproductive period begins around January or February. The gestation period lasts 50-55 days. It lives in rock caves, in holes in the ground that makes itself and in thick shrubs. The main sources of food for the fox are small rodents, insects, birds, fruit, plant bulbs, eggs, worms as well as corpses of large mammals.

The hare (Lepus europeus cyprium) is found in nearly all parts of Cyprus and at all altitudes. It is very quick and clever animal. It is usually active during the night, while during the day it hides in shrubs and other vegetation. It usually breeds 2-4 young, 3-4 times a year, depending on climatic and other conditions. It is an exclusive vegetarian mammal and the main type of game on our island.

Source: Department of Postal Services, Republic of Cyprus.

Blogger Tags: the Rhinodolphin, the Cyprus Fox, the Hare, Cyprus, Mammals

Snakes of Slovenia

Slovenia Post issued the stamp series depicted snakes, Vipera aspis, Coronella austriaca, Natrix natrix, Vipera ammodytes on September 24, 2009. The stamp set comprised of 3 stamps and one souvenir sheet.

The asp viper (Vipera aspis) is distinguished from our other venomous snakes by its dorsal markings, consisting of two rows of alternating dark transverse stripes. It is smaller than the horned viper and larger than the common European adder. The tip of the snout is slightly upturned. In Slovenia it only lives to the west of the Soča. Until 2001 it was considered extinct in Slovenia but has since been observed several times in the area of Breginjski Kot, on Kobariški Stol and in the area around Sabotin and Korada, at a height above sea level of between 230 and 1,000 metres. It lives in sunny, extensive karst grassland with relatively sparse vegetation, usually by piles of rock, where it finds hiding places. It preys on small mammals (mice, voles) and, more rarely, lizards and birds. It bears live young. For human beings, the bite of an asp viper has painful and unpleasant consequences, but it is not usually fatal. In Slovenia it is considered an endangered species (IUCN: E) and is protected.

The smooth snake (Coronella austriaca) is a relatively small non-venomous snake that can grow to a length of up to 75 centimetres. Its appearance is somewhat reminiscent of the common European adder. It is of a similar size and colour and has a dark pattern on its back. Females retain the eggs within their bodies and in late August or early September give birth to live young. As a result, in summer they can be very fat. The behaviour of the smooth snake is also similar to that of the common European adder. They move relatively slowly and hiss loudly when disturbed. People often mistakenly identify them as venomous and kill them mercilessly. Not only that, but the smooth snake is often found in the vicinity of human habitations, while in Slovenia the common European adder is almost exclusively found in the mountains and hills. The smooth snake can be found all over Slovenia at a height above sea level of between 140 and 1,100 metres, except on the coast. It preys above all on lizards (including slowworms) and occasionally on small mammals. In Slovenia it is considered a vulnerable species (IUCN: V) and is protected.

The grass snake (Natrix natrix) is known in Slovene as belouška ('white-eared snake'), a name deriving from the two light patches on its head. It can vary greatly in terms of colour and entirely black specimens are common. It is one of the commonest snakes and is found throughout Slovenia, from the coast to a height of approximately 1,500 metres above sea level. It can grow to up to two metres in length, although specimens this size are rare. The females are larger than the males. It is not dangerous to human beings although its saliva is slightly venomous. It preys mainly on amphibians and their larvae. The grass snake's venom helps it paralyse its prey while it is consuming it. Even so, it is sometimes possible to hear a frog croaking from inside the belly of a grass snake. Grass snakes are quick to flee from human beings. When they are unable to flee, they defend themselves aggressively by raising the front part of the body, flattening the head, hissing and puffing themselves up. But they never bite. Reproduction is oviparous. In Slovenia the species is not considered to be in danger of extinction (IUCN: O1) but is protected.

The horned viper (Vipera ammodytes) is the largest venomous snake found in Slovenia. It can be recognised by the little horn on the tip of its snout and by its distinct and usually contrasting dorsal markings consisting of dark, connected diamond-shaped patches. The underside of the tail is frequently red. Males are usually grey while females are brownish or brownish-red, but different specimens can vary greatly in colour. The horned viper can be found throughout Slovenia except in Prekmurje; it is also very rare on the coast. In the mountains it can be found up to a height of roughly 1,700 metres above sea level. Horned vipers like warm, rocky areas with sparse vegetation. They prey mainly on small mammals (mice, voles) and, more rarely, on lizards, birds and birds' eggs. They are good climbers and like to climb through bushes and shrubs. The female horned viper bears live young. It is mainly active at twilight, basking in the sun during the day. It has a powerful venom which is, however, not usually fatal to human beings. In Slovenia it is considered a vulnerable species (IUCN: V) and is protected.

The ducks of Luxembourg

On year 2000, Luxembourg Post issued the stamp serieds depicted the duck species, The Mallard, The Pochard, and the Tufted Duck.

The Mallard

The Mallard is certainly the most frequently observed waterbird in Luxembourg. The male is easily recognisable with its yellow bill, green head and blue speculum on his wings. Mallards breed almost on every pond and river throughout our regions.

During wintertime, our resident populations are joined by those of more northern countries. The Mallard is a dabbling duck, that means that he never completely dives under water when feeding.

The Pochard

There is no breeding record for the Pochard so far, although several of those birds summer in the Remerschen gravelpits each year. Pochards are diving ducks that spend much time diving for food. The male is attractive and distinctive: The rounded head is reddish-orange, the breast black contrasting with the greyish upperparts. The female has a uniform grey-brown plumage and is not so distinctive.

In winter time, the Pochards spend their time on the rivers, such as the Moselle river between Luxembourg and Germany.

The Tufted duck

The male of the Tufted duck is very distinctive, looking black and white at a distance. In good light, the dark feathering shows sheen and the yellow eye and the small crest feathers may be seen. The Tufted duck first bred in 1988 in Luxembourg in the Remerschen gravelpits. During winter, some large groups of these diving ducks are observed on the Moselle river.

Endangered Fishes of Macedonia

On Febraury 28, 2007, Macedonia Post issued the stamp series depicts the endangered fishes of Macedonia, Cobitis vardarensis, Chondrostoma vardarense, Barbus macedonicus, Zingel balcanicus, and Leuciscus cephalus-Chub .

Cobitis vardarensis is a species of ray-finned fish in the Cobitidae family.The range of distribution is Aegean Sea basin, from Pinios to Gallikos drainages(Greece, Macedonia).

Their habitat are still waters of lakes, oxbows and backwaters, rarely in flowing water. On mud to silt bottom.The population is very abundant.

Chondrostoma vardarense is a species of ray-finned fish in the Cyprinidae family. It is found in Bulgaria,FYROM, Greece, the Republic of Macedonia, and Turkey. Its natural habitat is rivers. It is threatened by habitat loss.

It is restricted to eastern Greece, Bulgaria and Turkey. It inhabits the following river basins: Aoos, Pinios, Aliakmon, Axios (Vardar), Strymon, Nestos and Evros.

It lives in all sized rivers in fast to strong currents. It is, however, declining and it is suspected that the future impact of dams and sedimentation may result in close to a 30% decline in the next 10 years. On this basis of suspected future population decline the species is assessed as Near Threatened.

Barbus macedonicus is a species of ray-finned fish in the Cyprinidae family. It is found only in rivers in northern Greece and the Republic of Macedonia.

Its status is insufficiently known.Although this species has a small range living in rivers where there is habitat destruction, water extraction and pollution there are currently insufficient data to determine the impacts of the known threat to the species.

Range of distribution are restricted to the Axios and Pinios river basins in Greece and the former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) and the Loudias and Aliakmon river basins in Greece.

Zingel balcanicus is a species of fish in the Percidae family. It is found in Greece and Macedonia. Its natural habitat is rivers. It is threatened by habitat loss.

Leuciscus cephalus-Chub

The European chub (Squalius cephalus), sometimes called the round chub, fat chub, chevin, pollard or simply "the" chub, is a freshwater fish of the family Cyprinidae. It frequents both slow and moderate rivers as well as canals and still waters of various kinds in Europe.This species synonym with Leuciscus cephalus-Chub

European chub are popular with anglers due to their readiness to feed, and thus to be caught, in almost any conditions.Small chub are freely-biting fish which even inexperienced anglers find easy to catch.

Technorati Tags: Macedonia. Fishes,Endangered fishes,Cobitis vardarensis,Chondrostoma vardarense,Barbus macedonicus,Zingel balcanicus,Leuciscus cephalus-Chub .

Birds of Israel

Israel Post issued the stamp series depicts the small passerine bird found in their country. The issuance consisted of three stamps features Carduelis carduelis, Upupa epops, Prinia Gracilis.

Carduelis carduelis

The European Goldfinch or Goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) is a small passerine bird in the finch family.The goldfinch breeds across Europe, North Africa, and western and central Asia, in open, partially wooded lowlands. It is resident in the milder west of its range, but migrates from colder regions.

The average Goldfinch is 12–13 cm long with a wingspan of 21–25 cm and a weight of 14 to 19 grams. The sexes are broadly similar, with a red face, black and white head, warm brown upperparts, white underparts with buff flanks and breast patches, and black and yellow wings.Goldfinches in breeding condition have a white bill, with a greyish or blackish mark at the tip for the rest of the year.

Juveniles have a plain head and a greyer back but are unmistakable due to the yellow wing stripe.

The goldfinch's preferred food is small seeds such as those from thistles (the Latin name is from Carduus, a genus of thistles) and teasels, but insects are also taken when feeding young. It also regularly visits bird feeders in winter.

They nest in the outer twigs of tall leafy trees, or even in bamboo, laying four to six eggs which hatch in 11–14 days.

Upupa epops

The Hoopoe ,Upupa epops, is a colourful bird that is found across Afro-Eurasia, notable for its distinctive 'crown' of feathers. It is the only extant species in the family Upupidae. The English name is derived from Latin upupa, which imitates the cry of the bird.

The Hoopoe is a medium sized bird, 25–32 cm long, with a 44–48 cm wingspan weighing 46-89 g.The species is highly distinctive, with a long, thin tapering bill that is black with a fawn base. The strengthened musculature of the head allows the bill to be opened when probing inside the soil. The hoopoe has broad and rounded wings capable of strong flight; these are larger in the northern migratory subspecies.

The Hoopoe has a characteristic undulating flight, which is like that of a giant butterfly, caused by the wings half closing at the end of each beat or short sequence of beats.

Prinia gracilis

The Graceful Prinia, Prinia gracilis, is a small warbler (in some older works it is referred to as Graceful Warbler). This prinia is a resident breeder in Northeast Africa and Southwest Asia, from Egypt and Somalia east to Pakistan and North India, where it is sometimes called Streaked Wren-Warbler.

This active passerine bird is typically found in shrub or tall grass in a variety of habitats with thick undergrowth, tamarisks or similar cover. Graceful Prinia builds its nest in a bush or grass and lays 3-5 eggs.

These 10-11 cm long warblers have short rounded wings, and a long tapering tail with each feather tipped with black and white. In breeding plumage, adults are grey-brown above, with dark streaking.

The underparts are whitish with buff flanks, and the bill is short and black.

The sexes are similar. In winter, adults are brighter sandy brown above with weaker streaking, there is more buff on the sides, and the bill is paler.The long tail is often cocked, and the flight of this species is weak. Like most warblers, Graceful Prinia is insectivorous. The call is a rolling trilled breep, and the song is a hard rolling repletion of zerlip.

Domestic Animal–Horses

On April 15, 2009 Macedonia Post issued the stamp set features domestic animal – Horses. The issuance only consisted of two stamps.

The horse (Equus ferus caballus) is a hooved (ungulate) mammal, a subspecies of the family Equidae. The horse has evolved over the past 45 to 55 million years from a small multi-toed creature into the large, single-toed animal of today. Humans began to domesticate horses around 4000 BC, and their domestication is believed to have been widespread by 3000 BC.

Although most horses today are domesticated, there are still endangered populations of the Przewalski's Horse, the only remaining true wild horse, as well as more common populations of feral horses which live in the wild but are descended from domesticated ancestors.

Horses' anatomy enables them to make use of speed to escape predators and they have a well-developed sense of balance and a strong fight-or-flight instinct.

Depending on breed, management and environment, the domestic horse today has a life expectancy of 25 to 30 years.

Horse breeds are loosely divided into three categories based on general temperament: spirited "hot bloods" with speed and endurance; "cold bloods", such as draft horses and some ponies, suitable for slow, heavy work; and "warmbloods", developed from crosses between hot bloods and cold bloods, often focusing on creating breeds for specific riding purposes, particularly in Europe. There are over 300 breeds of horses in the world today, developed for many different uses.

Horses and humans interact in a wide variety of sport competitions and non-competitive recreational pursuits, as well as in working activities such as police work, agriculture, entertainment, and therapy. Horses were historically used in warfare, from which a wide variety of riding and driving techniques developed, using many different styles of equipment and methods of control.

Many products are derived from horses, including meat, milk, hide, hair, bone, and pharmaceuticals extracted from the urine of pregnant mares. Humans provide domesticated horses with food, water and shelter, as well as attention from specialists such as veterinarians and farriers.

BuzzNet Tags: Horse.,Macedonia,fauna,domestic animal

FLORA-FAUNA OF ARMENIA (V issue)

Armenia Post issued the fifth series of flora fauna stamp wihich depicted Armenian Gampr and Van Cat ( The Turkish Van). The set consist of two stamps.

Armenian Gampr is a breed of livestock guardian dog that originated at Armenian Highlands, including the territories of modern Eastern Anatolia of Turkey and the Republic of Armenia, and bred by local people by primitive selection.

Height in withers in male dogs is 65 cm or more, and female dogs is 62 cm or more. Weight shall correspond to the total size of the dog, and usually varies from 45–50 kg to 60 kg.

Gamprs differ by their vital capacity, independence, mind, strong self-preservation instinct, ability of the trustworthy defence and protection of livestock, and exclusive friendliness to humans.

The Turkish Van, or simply just Van, is a recognized cat breed that is known for its unusual love of water and swimming. They were created from the cats native to the Lake Van area. The cats of this type are named in Turkish Van Kedisi , in Armenian vana katu and in Kurdish (Pisîka Wanê).

Originally called in the West the Turkish Cat, the name was changed in 1979 in the U.S. (1985 in the U.K.) to Turkish Van.Turkish Vans are recognized as patterned cats with colour restricted to the head and tail with the body of the cat being white.

The Turkish Van is a large, semi-longhaired cat with a swimmer's body. The cat is moderately long and its back legs are slightly longer than its front legs These cats are large and muscular and feature short necks. Male Vans grow to about 7 kg, while females tend to be a bit lighter in weight, 5 to 6 kg. A Van will take up to 3 years to reach full maturity. Vans have been known to reach 1 m long from nose to tip of tail.

The Turkish Vans love to play in the water and will join you in the tub for a dip or help you in the sink and are known as "the swimming cat." Many Vans are dedicated to fetching their particular object of interest, and many owners describe them as "dogs in a cat suit" because of their unusual personalities.

BuzzNet Tags: Armenia,Armenia Gampr,Turkish Van

Animals of India–Indipex 2011

St. Vincent & The Grenadine has participated at the International Stamp Exhibition Indipex 2011 and issued the sheetlet composed of 7 stamps depicted animals of India, like as: Indian Peafowl, Indian Elephant, Red Panda, Blackbuck, King Cobra, Indian Leopard, and Indian Rhinoceros.

Indian Peafowl

The Indian Peafowl or Blue Peafowl (Pavo cristatus) is a large and brightly coloured bird of the pheasant family native to South Asia, but introduced and semi-feral in many other parts of the world.They are found mainly on the ground in open forest or cultivation where they forage for berries, grains but will also prey on snakes, lizards, and small rodents. Their loud calls make them easy to detect, and in forest areas, often indicate the presence of a predator such as a tiger. They forage on the ground, moving in small groups and will usually try to escape on foot through undergrowth and avoid flying.

Indian Elephant

The Indian Elephant, Elephas maximus indicus, is one of four subspecies of the Asian Elephant, the largest population of which is found in India. This subspecies is also found in Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Laos, Peninsular Malaysia, Burma/Myanmar, Nepal, Thailand and Vietnam.

Indian Elephants live in or near the forest jungle, although their habitat may vary.They usually are found in hot and tropical region. They tend to be nomadic and roaming in nature and do not stay in one place for more than a few days. They can live in jungles but gravitate towards areas that contain open space and grass.

The WWF considers the Indian Elephant widely distributed, but endangered. The current population of the Indian Elephant is in the range of 20,000-25,000

Red Panda

The red panda (Ailurus fulgens, or shining cat), is a small arboreal mammal native to the eastern Himalayas and southwestern China. It is the only species of the genus Ailurus. Slightly larger than a domestic cat, it has reddish-brown fur, a long, shaggy tail, and a waddling gait due to its shorter front legs. It feeds mainly on bamboo, but is omnivorous and may also eat eggs, birds, insects, and small mammals. It is a solitary animal, mainly active from dusk to dawn, and is largely sedentary during the day. It is only distantly related to the giant panda.

The red panda has been classified as Vulnerable by IUCN because its population is estimated at less than 10,000 mature individuals.