Seahorses

Seahorses are a species of fish related to the pipefish. But unlike most fish, seahorses have a horse shaped head. That is how its name 'seahorse' came from. It is also one of very few animals in which the males bear their young. Male seahorses have a pouch on their stomach, in which the female lays its eggs. The male fertilizes the eggs in their pouch. The male keeps the babies inside his pouch until the eggs hatch. The seahorse swims upright. They are only 0.6 inches to 14 inches long.

Diet

Seahorses attach themselves to coral with their long tails and gulp down plankton and small crustaceans that drift by. They graze continually for brine shrimp (a species of aquatic crustacean). A seahorse can eat 3,000 or more brine shrimp in a day.

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Slow loris

The slow loris is a species of primate related to the lemur. They are found in south and southeast Asia. There are only 8 species that are known. All of the slow loris species are either endangered or vulnerable. That is because slow lorises were used to being sold as pets. Their teeth were pulled out and then sold as pets. Their teeth are pulled out due to a belief that they have a 'toxic bite. They have a gland which produces toxins on their arm. They lick the gland and the toxin mixes with its saliva to activate it. That is how the 'toxic bite' is formed.

Diet

Slow lorises are omnivores. Their diet consists of 71% fruit and gums(a secretion from some trees and shrubs which is used in making adhesives) and 29% insects, small birds, reptiles etc. They also eat fruits and nectar.

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Fossa - The mistaken cat

Until recently, the Fossa was thought to be a primitive type of cat. The Fossa is 6 feet long from its nose to its tail tip. Its long tail helps it while hunting and moving through the tree branches. Its fur is reddish brown and its snout looks like a dog. Now it is known to be related to the mongoose. It is found in the forests of Madagascar. The Fossa is one of the most agile animals in the world. It is the largest carnivore in Madagascar. The Fossa is a solitary (lives on its own) animal.

Diet

The Fossa is known to eat lemurs. In fact, lemurs comprise up to half of its diet. It hunts lemurs by sneaking up on them when they are asleep. They hunt small and medium size animals, birds and even insects. They also hunt big prey in packs during the mating season.

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