Tuesday, November 30, 2010

Animals In Mediterranean- 36° 6'40.74"N 31° 9'56.05"E

Mediterranean Monk Seal (Monachus monachus)


The monk seal is a very rare type of seal found only on islands around Greece and Turkey and around the Aegean sea. They like to live in caves along coast line with entrances under water. Males are predominantly black while  females are more grey. The Mediterranean Monk Seal is endangered, with fewer than 600 individuals left. Due to the commercialization of the areas around the Mediterranean Sea, these animals are losing their habitat.



Mediterranean House Gecko (Hemidactylus turcicus)


These geckos are nocturnal and insectivorous. They are approximately six inches long with large, lidless eyes and elliptical pupils. They are a tanish yellow with black spots and stirpes on the tail. They emit a distinctive, high-pitched call which is possilble a territorial message.




Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus)

This animal is an endangered species now located mostly in Spain. They weigh an average of 28 pounds and are 33 to 43 inches as head and body length, with the tail being 4.7 to 12 inches. They prey on smaller animals, usually no bigger than a rabbit.






Barbary Macaque (Macaca sylvanus)


The Barbary Macaque live in the Atlas Mountains of Algeria and Morocco. They typically live 22 years and weigh up to 30 pounds. Although they are mostly herbivorous, eating roots and fruit, they also feed on insects. The mating season runs from November through March. After a gestation period of 147 to 192 days, typically one baby is born per female. Twins have occurred, but it is a rarity.





Kowari (Dasyuroides byrnei)







 This small voracious predator preys on spiders and other insects, small birds, lizards, and rodents. It lives underground in South Australia. It is also the only member of its genus.









Of the species mentioned above, several, such as the Monk Seal and the Iberian Lynx are endangered. For most of the endangered species in the Mediterranean biome, the reason for their decline is habitat destruction. Tourism and the expansion of cities is destroying the forests and shrub lands where many animals live.

Friday, November 5, 2010

Australian Mediterranean- 36° 0′ 0″ S, 139° 30′ 0″ E

Eucalyptus forests are found in the Southwestern forests of Australia. A mature Eucalyptus may take the form of a low shrub or a very large tree. The leaves are long and thin and are covered in oils. The flower colors range from white, cream, yellow, pink or red.







Mediterranean Forests 38° 11' 59.84" N 0° 37' 50.32" W

 Mediterranean Forests, Woodlands, and Scrub ecosystems are characterized by hot and dry summers, while winters tend to be cool and moist. Most precipitation arrives during these months. They are located around the Mediterranean Sea, several spots in Australia, and around San Francisco.


Map of Mediterranean Forests