Tanza Erlambang Update: Critters

Showing posts with label Critters. Show all posts

The Bengal is a Cross Breeding Cat – Critter 35

Sunday, March 19, 2023

We talked about a cross breeding cat between Siamese and Persian cats, called as the Himalayan cat. Please read the previous post: The Friendly Himalayan Cat – Critter 31 | Tanza

Fig 01- A Bengal stares at you

Bengal is a cross breeding cat between a Common household cat (Felis catus) from California and a Leopard Cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) from Southeast Asia origin.

Jean Mill, a breeder from California conducted cross breeding of these two different species cats in 1963.

We have at least 4 certified breeders who specialize to breed Bengal cats in our state, Louisiana. I know one certified breeder lives in Prairieville area, very close to our city, Baton Rouge.

Fig 02- The Bengal cat looks sleepy

The Bengal in the photos is a male of two years old with a white gray and black stripped or spotted.

He is very friendly, follows the owners on walks or runs. He never roam too far far out of his ability to hear our calling him for dinner or just playing together. The Bengal knows time to go out, sleep and get dinners.

Fig 03- A leisure time for a Bengal cat

Do you know this kind of cat?

# Previous postings:

- When Will We Have an Emperor in the Mars? - Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Have you Tasted Alligator Meat? - Part 2 – Sgn 7 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Increasing of Suicide Rate in America | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Free Meal Register for Students in Our City – Sign 9 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Green Lizard on the Window Screen – Critter 6 | Tanza Erlambang Update

The Female Kinglet at the Backyard – Critter 34

Thursday, March 9, 2023

We have talked about a crown Kinglet at previous post:

- A Ruby Crowned Kinglet – Critter 29 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 01- A female Kinglet sitting on the branch.

We just spot a bird we never seen before at backyard a couple days ago. After identification through Google ID, the application said “Kinglet bird.”

So what is different with “a ruby crown Kinglet?”

As I wrote at previous post :”Crown is a sex identification, and red crown refer to males. It is said that crown is important to build communications between a male and a male or a male and a female.”

In addition, you may see a white wing bar (please see Fig 01 above) as one of identifications for female Kinglet.

Fig 02- A garden, Illustration only

Female Kinglets produce eggs just once a year, about 4 to 10 eggs with incubation period for 14 days. Interestingly, both males and females take care their babies.

Fig 03- A male of ruby crown Kinglet (taken from previous post)

Have you seen both male and female Kinglets in your areas?

# Previous postings:

- Is It Difficult to Study Art History? - Part 2 - Art 5 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Is a Good Friday a Holiday in Your Places? - Sign 5 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Fish and Shellfish Sold by Local Groceries – Part 2 - Food Variety 18 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- When is Spring Coming in your Place? - Part 2 - Gardening and Hobby 24 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Neighborhood Watch in Communities – Sign 6 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Bees Love Nectar of Yellow Jessamine – Critter 33

Wednesday, March 1, 2023

We have Yellow Jessamine also called as Yellow Jasmine or Caroline Jessamine at our backyard. Interestingly, the plant is survived without cover during cold winter in our area.

Fig 01- A bee is enjoying Flowers’s nectar.

We saw several kinds of bees visit our Yellow Jasmine. Based on Google ID, the species of bees could be:

- the carpenter bee with scientific name Xylocopa sp (Fig 01)

- the Bumble bees, Bombus sp (Fig 02 and Fig 03)

As you know that bees consume both pollen and nectar which are produced by many flowers:

- nectar is a kind of sugar as source of energy

- pollen as food for larvae, contains protein and nutrients.

Fig 02- A bee on the Yellow Jessamine

I don’t know whether our Yellow Jasmine (Gelsemium sempervirens) is visited by honey bees (Apis mellifera).

Based on internet sources that flowers of Yellow Jasmine could be poison to young honey bees, but further researches need to be done.

Fig 03- Does a bee collect nectar?

Do you know about relationship between Yellow Jasimines and bees?

# Previous postings:

- Why Turtles Produce almost All Female Hatchlings Recently? - Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- The Ways in “Caching” for Speeding Up Web Server – Part 3 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Special Parking for Low Emission Vehicles - Sign 3 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Talented Students to Display Their Paintings – Part 2 - Art 4 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Why Turtles Produce almost All Female Hatchlings Recently? - Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Rare to See Spicebush Swallowtails in the Yard – Critter 32

Sunday, February 19, 2023

We always see monarch butterfly during Spring to Summer seasons in our yards or our city gardens and parks:

- From Caterpillar to Monarch Butterfly – Critter 18 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 01- Colorful of a swallowtail.

Contrary, we rarely see the swallowtails butterfly. We don’t know whether this is just for our cases.

Two contradict facts:

1) Monarch butterfly includes in endangered species list by “International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).”

2) The Spicebush Swallowtail butterfly with scientific name, Papilio troilus Linnaeus, is excluded from IUCN list. It means that the swallowtails butterfly should be seen more than Monarch butterfly in nature.

Fig 02- Flowers, just illustration

As reported by UF IFAS (2015: Featured Creatures) that butterfly of the Spicebush swallowtail is “relatively common” in the nature and in the botanical gardens or city parks.

The species distributes in the states throughout the eastern and the mid-western parts of the USA.

Fig 03- A swallowtail is flying under flowers

How often do you see Swallowtail butterfly in the nature?

# Previous postings:

- Bee Swarm Removing Cost – Part 1 - Gardening and Hobby 23 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Women Equality as Conflict Paradigm Example – Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Using Woods for Fireplace in the Winter – Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Could Available Drugs Regenerate beta Cells? – Part 2 - Diabetes 28 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Bee Swarm Removing Cost – Part 2- Gardening and Hobby 23 | Tanza Erlambang Update

The Friendly Himalayan Cat – Critter 31

Wednesday, February 8, 2023

The Himalayan cat is a result of cross breeding between Persian and Siamese cats. Some people said it is the best combines. However, others said that it is just a kind of a Persian version of breeding.

Fig 01- The cat looks at you

They call the Persian version cats it is because the breedings are “super friendly” with a very sweet expression.

Some other important characters that the cats have:

- large round eyes

- a snub nose

- small ears

- and love to stay indoors, sure they will be happy if we bring them outdoors.

Fig 02- The cat is ready to play

The beautiful coat is another reason why many people love this cross breeding critter as a pet.

I love blue coat colors. Some colors may include chocolate, cream, lilac and many others.

Fig 03- A cute Himalayan cat

Have you known about the Himalayan Cat? What do you think?

# Previous postings:

- America is Top Importer of Ornamental Fish – Part 2 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Halloween in Our Neighborhood – Photos | Tanza Erlambang Update

- What Habit may Contribute to Diabetes? - Diabetes 27 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Growing Some Sweet Fruits at Our Backyard – Part 1 - Gardening and Hobby 22 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- 40 million Guests Sleep on Camping Sites in the USA – Part 1 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Food Sources for Coyote in the City – Critter 30

Thursday, February 2, 2023

You may read previous post about coyote at our neighborhood:

- We Spotted Coyote in Our Neighborhood – Critter 28 | Tanza Erlambang Update

Fig 01- The coyote just sitting on the grass

Yes, Coyote is the predator animal, but interestingly this predator may adapt to urban environment by changing its diet.

So many neighbors have observed that Coyotes consume following foods:

- household garbage

- small dogs

- cats

- rabbits

- and rodents

Fig 02- A cat, could be targeted by Coyotes

Strangely, Coyotes at our neighborhood have consumed fruits such as grapes, ficus (figs), fruit of palm trees and loquat.

Hence, they are always found meandering around backyards of our neighbors. It seems that the predators aren't going away and they are getting smarter by the days or times.

Fig 03. Small or medium size dogs are favorite for Coyotes

Some of neighbors hide their outdoor cats and small pets in the safe place and think to have backyards of Coyotes proof.

Fig 04- A Coyote tried to enter backyard

# Previous postings:

- A Low Carbohydrate Food – Diabetes 26 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- We Saw Dozens of Hummingbirds after Hurricane - Gardening and Hobby 20 | Tanza Erlambang

- Banana Spiders in our Neighborhood - Gardening and Hobby 21 | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Is Autumn Favorite Season in the USA? | Tanza Erlambang Update

- Local Jelly at the Farmer Market – Part 1 - Food Variety 15 | Tanza Erlambang Update

A Ruby Crowned Kinglet – Critter 29

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

A beautiful little bird was seen standing on the side door of a car, then he flew away when approached.

Fig 01- A male Ruby Crowned Kinglet

Based on searching through Google image ID, the bird is a Ruby Kinglet with scientific name is a Regulus sp.

Of 6 species from genus Regulus, there are two species living in the USA (North America):

- “the ruby-crowned kinglet (Regulus calendula.)”

- and “the golden-crowned kinglet (Regulus satrapa)”

Since our bird has red crown (please see above photo), hence it is a Ruby Crowned Kinglet.

Fig 02- Ligularia plant, just for illustration

Crown is a sex identification, and red crown refer to males. It is said that crown is important to build communications between a male and a male or a male and a female.