September Issue Wild Insights
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In this issue:
Introduction to the state of nature
How underground acoustics is amplifying the health of your soil
The glow in the dark pocket shark
Mining activities to damage valuable biodiversity hotspots
Saving the rare Dark-Bordered Beauty Moth
The biting power of Komodo Dragons
A challenging time ahead for the UK's Nightjars
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The Glorious Success of the fish-eating Fen Raft Spider
Highly qualified and motivated professionals
While large spiders may not be to everyone’s taste, a spider that once faced extinction in the UK is making a comeback thanks to dedicated conservation efforts.
The large Fen Raft Spider is now steadily increasing due to the collaboration between Suffolk and Sussex Wildlife Trusts, Natural England, the Broads Authority, the RSPB and the British Arachnological Society.
The species became rare due to the destruction and degradation of lowland, and wetland habitats but since the spiders were introduced to two sites on the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads, sustainable populations have increased.
New study on butterflies and moths reveals something amazing.
Study confirms surprising pollination outcome for lepidoptera
A new study on butterflies and moths has revealed something amazing.
Data published in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface this month (July 2024) has revealed why butterflies and moths are some of the best pollinators even when not landing on a flower.
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ARTICLES
Love animals? Then why not take a look through some of our articles? They are informative and designed to spread the joy of nature.
Herbivores or meat-eating predators?
A startling revelation about Hippos
by Annette J Beveridge
Unpredictable and aggressive, hippos are known to be one of the most dangerous animals in the world but new research has revealed a dangerous new edge to these animals.
Hippos are responsible for about 500 human deaths each year and as they are highly territorial, they will also come into conflict with other animals. The canine teeth which grow up to 20 inches in length is used for fighting off predators and used against other hippos.
Research confirms that these herbivores will also predate upon other animals too.
These are huge animals growing to more than 10 feet in length and up to five feet at the shoulder. Hippos weigh between 3,000 and 10,000 pounds. The females are smaller and weigh about 3,000 pounds on average.
These animals may appear docile but mood can turn in an instant. Jaws open to 180 degrees and clamp down with a force that far exceeds that of a human. A hippo is able to hold its breath under water for up to five minutes and this makes it difficult to detect its presence.
On land, despite its weight, hippos can run up to 20 miles an hour.
Sharks hunting across land and sea
Introducing the tidal pool predator
Tucked away in the crevices of a reef, a small shark waits for the tide to recede exposing a network of rock pools where this shark can hunt without fear of becoming prey.
The Epaulette shark is highly adaptive using its pectoral and pelvic fins to walk and crawl while wriggling its tail to move across the ocean floor emerging to explore the series of rock pools left behind as the tide goes out.
Save the planet one step at a time
The term climate change has become an integral part of everyday language and while this is a good thing because it shows (however slowly) the message is getting across, we are still living on a knife-edge of vast environmental losses.
Every decision we make and every action we take can impact the world around us in a negative way. We are moving closer to a world that none of us would choose or recognise.
Scare tactics can have a debilitating impact on people and instead of taking action, people feel helpless, so a balance must be struck if to achieve the right approach. Even subtle changes can have a positive effect for good.
The Great River Crisis
New research reveals a worrying reality
Rivers are the lifeblood of any country. Who hasn’t taken a walk alongside a river or stream or relaxed on the river bank releasing the stresses of the day? Yet, these precious river systems are greatly at risk and as this new study shows, will impact both aquatic life and people.
New research published in the journal Nature Climate Change revealed that rivers are warming and losing oxygen faster than oceans.
Read the rest of the article here.
Air pollution degrades flower scent impacting pollinators
New research reveals the impact of toxic air on honeybees
Pollinators have long been at risk due to insecticides, fungicides, and herbicides. These neonicotinoids are coated on seeds or sprayed onto soil and permeate the tissue of plants. This eventually affects pollen and nectar.
These harmful chemicals damage learning and memory in honey bees and also, impacts other pollinators.
According to the Wildlife Trust, honeybees which are mostly kept in hives, pollinate up to 15% of the U.K.’s insect pollinated crops.
All pollinators should be protected because without them, it is unlikely, we would be able to pollinate sufficient levels of crops to feed everyone.
The powerful snake-stomping Secretary Bird
A RAPTOR that stalks and delivers a powerful blow to even the most venomous of snakes is facing real threat due to indiscriminate poisoning, habitat loss and habitat connectivity.
Reaching heights of up to 1.5 metres, (more than 4ft) and with a wingspan of up to 2.1 metres, (6 feet) Secretary Birds are tall, distinctive birds like no others. They can be found stalking the grasslands and savannahs of Africa.
A single kick delivers an impressive 195 newtons (43 lbs) of force at the head of targeted prey - snakes, rodents and other small animals.
Secretary birds are terrestrial. Although the birds can fly, it is a laborious and energy-draining process so when they take to the air, they often soar and make use of thermal columns lifting them up to 3, 800m (12,500 feet).
Deadly ambush predators
Intimidating and deadly - enter the world of the largest lizard on the planet - the Komodo Dragon.
Growing to a maximum length of 3m (9ft), dragons can weigh up to 70kg (150lbs). These are apex predators with the strength to take down and consume large animals such as deer or water buffalo. Nothing is off the menu….even people.
Ruthless carnivores, a dragon can gobble down almost its own body weight in just one sitting. Even the smaller dragons are at risk.
The brutal and climate-damaging livestock industry
Farming animals is one of the biggest contributors to climatic changes and more than 80% of animals caught up in the intensive factory farming industry live miserable lives.
The farming of livestock causes more than 14% of greenhouse gases and takes up more than 80% of agricultural land across the world. By reducing meat consumption or opting for a plant based diet, this would reduce land usage by 76% and dramatically cut greenhouse gases.
Emissions occur in multiple ways - through the animal’s digestive processes and of course, its manure which contains traces of salt and heavy metals. If ending up in water, salt and heavy metals begin to accumulate in sediment.....
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