Peacock Facts (Pavo sp. and Afropavo sp.)

Peacock Facts (Pavo sp. and Afropavo sp.) Peacocks are birds known for their showy plumage and piercing calls. While both males and females are often called peacocks, really only the male is the peacock. The female is a peahen, while the young are peachicks. Collectively, they are properly known as peafowl. Fast Facts: Peacock Scientific Name: Pavo cristatus; Pavo muticus; Afropavo congensisCommon Names: Peacock, Indian peacock, blue peafowl, green peafowl, Java peafowl, African peacock, Congo peafowl, mbuluBasic Animal Group: BirdSize: 3.0-7.5 feetWeight: 6-13 poundsLifespan: 15-20 yearsDiet: OmnivoreHabitat: Forests of India, Southeast Asia, and Congo Basin of AfricaPopulation: ThousandsConservation Status: Least Concern to Endangered (depending on species) Species Peafowl belong to the pheasant family (Phasianidae). The three genera are Pavo cristatus, the Indian or blue peacock; Pavo muticus, the Java or green peafowl; and Afropavo congensis, the African peafowl or mbulu. There are also subspecies of green peafowl. The male green peafowl and female Indian peafowl can mate to produce a fertile hybrid called a spalding. Description Peacocks are easily identified by their fan-like crest of feathers and long train of colorful eye-spot feathers. Male birds have spurs on their legs which they use for territorial disputes with other males. While peahens have a feathered crest, they lack the elaborate train. Both males and females have iridescent feathers. Actually, the feathers are brown, but crystalline structures produce vibrant blue, green, and gold colors by the scattering and interference of light. The body of the blue peacock appears blue, while the body of the green peacock appears green. The African peacock is a darker blue-green and brown. Chicks bear cryptic coloring in shades of tan and brown that help them blend in with their environment. Both males and females are large birds, but males are about twice the length of females because of their feather train. On average, adults range from three to over seven feet from beak to tail tip. They weigh between six and thirteen pounds. African or Congo peafowl have shorter trains the green or blue peafowl. Stan Osolinski, Getty Images Habitat and Distribution Originally, the Indian peacock came from the Indian subcontinent. Now it is widely distributed across South Asia. Green peafowl live in Southeast Asia, including China, Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, and Java. The African peacock is native to the Congo Basin. The three peafowl species do not naturally overlap ranges. All three species prefer forested habitats. Diet and Behavior Like other pheasants, peafowl are omnivorous, basically eating anything that fits in their beaks. They eat fruits, insects, crops, garden plants, seeds, insects, small mammals, and small reptiles. At night, peacocks fly to tree branches to roost in family units. Reproduction and Offspring The breeding season is variable and depends largely on rain. Males fan their feathers to attract a mate. A female may select a mate based on several factors, which include the visual display, its low-frequency vibration (picked up by the females crest feathers), or the males call. A blue peacock has a harem of two to three peahens, while green and African peafowl tend to be monogamous. After mating, the female scrapes a shallow nest in the ground and lays between four and eight buff-colored eggs. She incubates the eggs, which hatch after 28 days. Only the female cares for the chicks, which follow her around or may be carried on her back when she flies to roost. Peafowl reach sexual maturity at two to three years of age. In the wild, they live between 15 and 20 years, but they may live 30 years in captivity. Green peahen with chicks. Ronald Leunis / EyeEm, Getty Images Conservation Status Peafowl conservation status depends on species. The IUCN classifies the conservation status of the Indian peacock as least concern. The bird enjoys wide distribution across Southeast Asia, with a wild population over 100,000. The IUCN lists the Congo peafowl as vulnerable and decreasing in population. In 2016, the number of mature birds was estimated to range between 2,500 and 10,000. The green peafowl is endangered. Fewer than 20,000 mature birds remain in the wild, with a decreasing population. Threats Peacocks face numerous threats, including habitat loss and degradation, hunting, poaching and predation. Green peacocks are further endangered by introduction of hybrid birds into wild populations. Peafowl and Humans Blue peacocks are agricultural pests in some regions. Peafowl readily breed in captivity. They are most often kept for the beauty and their feathers and sometimes for meat. Peacock feathers are collected after the male molts each year. While peafowl are affectionate toward their owners, they can be aggressive toward strangers. Sources BirdLife International 2016. Afropavo congensis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22679430A92814166. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22679430A92814166.enBirdLife International 2016. Pavo cristatus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T22679435A92814454. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-3.RLTS.T22679435A92814454.enBirdLife International 2018. Pavo muticus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2018: e.T22679440A131749282. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2018-2.RLTS.T22679440A131749282.enGrimmett, R.; Inskipp, C.; Inskipp, T. Birds of India: Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, and the Maldives. Princeton University Press, 1999. ISBN 0-691-04910-6.  Johnsgard, P.A. The Pheasants of the World: Biology and Natural History. Washington, DC: Smithsonian Institution Press. p. 374, 1999. ISBN 1-56098-839-8.

Treating Jellyfish and Man-O-War Stings

Treating Jellyfish and Man-O-War Stings Its beach weather! The ocean is full of fun, but its also full of wildlife, including jellyfish. Do you know what to do if you or someone with you sees a jellyfish or is stung by one? You should know the answer to these questions before you go to the beach since an encounter with a jellyfish can be a painful or possibly lethal experience. As a matter of practical chemistry, your biggest risk from a jellyfish or man of war sting may come from improper first aid intended to deal with the venom, so pay attention...Question: What should you do if you see a jellyfish?Best Answer: Leave it alone.If its in the water, get away from it. If its on the beach and you need to walk around it, walk above it (dune side) rather than below it (surf side), since it may be trailing tentacles. Keep in mind a jellyfish does not need to be alive in order to sting you. Detached tentacles are capable of stinging and releasing venom for several weeks.My Actual Answer: It depends on what kind of jellyfish it i s.I realize if it looks like floating jelly, its considered a jellyfish, but there are different types of jellyfish and also animals that look like jellyfish but are something else entirely. Not all jellyfish can hurt you. The jellyball pictured above, for example, is common off the coast of South Carolina, where I live. What do you do when you see one? If you are a kid, youll probably pick it up and throw it at another kid (unless its alive and then you avoid it because they kind of hurt when the waves throw one at you). This is a non-venomous jellyfish. Most parts of the world have non-venomous jellyfish, which tend to be easy-to-spot. Its the jellyfish you dont see that present the biggest threat. Many jellyfish are transparent. You probably wont see them in the water, so if you are stung you wont know exactly what got you. If you see a jellyfish and dont know what type it is, treat it like a venomous species and get away from it.Question: How do I treat a jellyfish sting?Answer: Act quickly and calmly to remove the tentacles, stop the stinging, and deactivate any toxin.Here is where people get confused because the best steps to take depend on what type of animal cau sed the sting. Heres a good basic strategy, especially if you dont know what caused the sting: Get out of the water. Its easier to deal with the sting and it takes drowning out of the equation.Rinse the affected area with sea water. Do not use fresh water! Fresh water will cause any stinging cells that havent fired (called nematocysts) to do so and release their venom, possibly worsening the situation. Do not rub sand on the area (same reason).If you see any tentacles, carefully lift them off the skin and remove them with a stick, shell, credit card, or towel (just not your bare hand). They will stick to swimwear, so use caution touching clothing.Keep an eye on the victim. If you see any signs of an allergic reaction, call 911 immediately. Symptoms could include difficulty breathing, nausea, or dizziness. Some redness and swelling is normal, but if it spreads outward from the sting or if you see hives on other parts of the body, that could indicate an allergic response. If you suspect a reaction, do not hesitate to seek medical attention!Now... if you are sure the sting is fro m a jellyfish and not a Portuguese Man of War (shown below, the Man of War is not a true jellyfish) or any other animal, you can use chemistry to your advantage to inactivate the toxin, which is a protein. (Technically the venom tends to be a mixture of polypeptides and proteins including catecholamines, histamine, hyaluronidase, fibrolysins, kinins, phospholipases, and assorted toxins). How do you inactivate proteins? You can change the temperature or acidity by applying heat or an acid or base, such as vinegar or baking soda or diluted ammonia, or even an enzyme, such as the papain found in papaya and meat tenderizer. However, chemicals may cause the stinging cells to fire, which is bad news for someone allergic to jellyfish toxin or anyone stung by a Portuguese Man of War. If you do not know what caused the sting or if you suspect it is from a Man of War, do not apply fresh water or any chemical. Your best course of action is to apply heat to the affected area since it penetrates the skin and inactivates the toxin without causing more venom to be injected. Also, heat quickly helps alleviate the pain of the sting. Hot seawater is great, but if you dont have that handy, use any warmed object. Some people carry aloe vera gel, Benadryl cream, or hydrocortisone cream. Im not sure how effective the aloe is, but Benadryl is an antihistamine, which may help limit an allergic response to the sting. Hydrocortisone can help reduce inflammation. If you seek medical attention and used Benadryl or hydrocortisone, be sure to alert the medical professionals. Acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen commonly are used to relieve pain.The Portuguese Man of War (Physalia physalis) looks a lot like a jellyfish, but it is a different animal. While the blue or pink sail cannot harm you, the trailing tentacles pack a potentially-lethal sting. The tentacles can sting you even if the animal is dead.

How to build an android application Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words - 1

How to build an android application - Essay Example Android 1.0 was released in 2008 and featured in HTC dream. In Feb 2009 Android 1.1 update was released for the use in T mobile (Böhmer, 6). On 30th April 2009, cupcake version of android (Android 1.5) was unveiled with more enhancements than the previous version. It had Bluetooth and camcorder support, animation and on screen keyboard. Android version 1.6 Donut was released later in September the same year as the cupcake version. In October 2009, Android 2.0 Eclaire version was released with a few improvements made on the version 1.6. It had an improved user interface, speed, on screen keyboard. The release of versions 2.0.1 and 2.1 (SDK ) followed on 3rd December 2009 and 12th January 2010 respectively. Android 2.2: Froyo was then released on 20th May 2010 with such improvements as home screen widgets, camera control and multilingual keyboard support. On 6th December 2010, Android version 2.3: Gingerbread was released. This version had a more refined user interface which improved simplicity of the UI. The simplified user interface ensured an increased speed. The support for screens with higher resolution was another one of the improvement made in this version in addition to sensor compatibility (Böhmer, 8). Android 3.0: Honeycomb was released on 22nd February 2011 with an optimized user interface specifically for tablets. The on screen keyboard was redesigned for accuracy and speed in the entry. It enables Bluetooth tethering which allowed more devices share network connections. In 19 October 2011 Android version 4.0 : Ice cream sand which was unveiled with refined user interface, wifi direct support , network data control and face unlock among other enhancements. Android version 4.1:Jelly Bean was released on 9th July 2012 followed closely by Android 4.2 Jelly Bean 4.2 on 29th October 2012. A number of ways exist through which android development can be created. For windows, the following steps should

Xing Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 500 words

Xing - Coursework Example Xing magazine will offer the level of quality advertisement and services that you can expect from a world class magazine. It is therefore safe to say that the company will build its reputation based on results for discerning client base. Xing magazine will give the value for your money because it will provide advertisement services to a wide range of people and entities based all over the globe. As an advertising company, we always strive to improve the quality of service to the clients. To ensure we offer the greatest quality ads. Even though the company will start by first offering hard copy magazine, Xing aims at going digital in the first 6 months of operations. Fashion and style is no doubt a business concept on the rise. That is, the 21st century population loves fashion and always wants to look smart. Fashion is an all-round concept that engages everybody in every industry. From managers, manufacturing, schools to tourists and many more. Irrespective of your industry, be assured that Xing has your style. For instance; for managers Xing will make sure that you and your employees are well dressed and you will be the center of attention whenever you attend executive conferences; for tourists industry, be assured that fashion and style will be incorporated in your adverts to attract as many tourists as possible and these just a tip on the iceberg. Xing is a profession company that will help you in creating the visuals and lay out ads in relation to the latest fashions and styles in the market. Xing magazine believes that there is nothing more fun and freeing than fashion design shopping. After a very tiresome day at work, it feels great to trade in layers of dark tights, delicate dresses, strappy sandals, wedding dresses and much more fashion oriented. Though Xing consider fashion sense classic, we will always choose one trend to try when the seasons change. The idea of Xing magazine is to have a trailblazing

cognitive models and theories

cognitive models and theories

Environmental Issues In Australia Environmental Sciences Essay

Climate alteration has come to a halt and is now a major political speaking point in Australia in the last two decennaries. Persistent drouth and ensuing H2O limitations during the first decennary of the 21st century are an illustration of natural events attributed by the mainstream media to climate alteration 1.1 Energy usage Australia is a major exporter and consumer of coal, the burning of which liberates CO2. Consequently, in 2003 Australia was the 8th highest emitter of CO2 gases per capita in the universe emancipating 16.5 metric tons per capita. Australia is claimed to be one of the states most at hazard from clime alteration harmonizing to the Stern study. Most of Australia ‘s demand for electricity depends upon coal-burning thermic coevals, owing to the plentiful autochthonal coal supply, limited potency for hydro-electric coevals and political involuntariness to work autochthonal uranium resources ( although Australia accounted for the universe ‘s 2nd highest production of U in 2005 ) to fuel a ‘carbon impersonal ‘ domestic atomic energy plan 2 Conservation Conservation in Australia is an issue of province and federal policy. Australia is one of the most biologically diverse states in the universe, with a big part of species endemic to Australia. Continuing this wealth of biodiversity is of import for future coevalss. A cardinal preservation issue is the saving of biodiversity, particularly by protecting the staying rain forests. The devastation of home ground by human activities, including land glade, remains the major cause of biodiversity loss in Australia. The importance of the Australian rain forests to the preservation motion is really high. Australia is the lone western state to hold big countries of rain forest intact. Forests provide lumber, drugs, and nutrient and should be managed to maximise the possible utilizations. Presently, there are a figure of environmental motions and candidates recommending for action on salvaging the environment, one such run is the Big Switch and I Love Earth. Land direction issues including clearance of native flora, reafforestation of once-cleared countries, control of alien weeds and plagues, enlargement of dryland salt, and changed fire governments. Intensification of resource usage in sectors such as forestry, piscaries, and agribusiness are widely reported to lend to biodiversity loss in Australia. Coastal and Marine environments besides have reduced biodiversity from decreased H2O quality caused by pollution and deposits originating from human colonies and agribusiness. In cardinal New South Wales where there are big fields of grassland, jobs have risen fromaa‚ ¬ † unusual to sayaa‚ ¬ † deficiency of land glade. The Daintree Rainforest, a tropical rain forest near Daintree, Queensland covering around 1200 square kilometers, is threatened by logging, development, excavation and the effects of the high tourer Numberss. 3 Invasive species Australia ‘s geographical isolation has resulted in the development of many delicate ecological relationships that are sensitive to foreign encroachers and in many cases provided no natural marauders for many of the species later introduced. Introduced workss that have caused widespread jobs are lantana and the bristly pear shrub. The debut and spread of animate beings such as the cane frog or coney can interrupt the bing balances between populations and develop into environmental jobs. The debut of cowss into Australia and to a lesser extent the warrigal, are other illustrations of species that have changed the landscape. In some instances the debut of new species can take to pestilences and the extinction of endemic species. The introduced species ruddy fox has single-handedly caused the extinction of several species. Tasmania takes the menace of ruddy fox debut so earnestly that it has a authorities sponsored taskforce to forestall fox populations from taking clasp on the island 4 Land glade In the prehistoric culture of Australia the autochthonal Australians used fire-stick farming which was an early signifier of land glade which caused long term alterations to the ecology. With European colonization land uncluttering continued on a larger graduated table for agribusiness – peculiarly for cowss, cotton and wheat production. Since European colony a sum of 13 % of native flora screen has been lost. The extinction of 20 different mammals, 9 bird and 97 works species have been partly attributed to set down glade. Land glade is a major beginning of Australiaaa‚ ¬a„?s nursery gas emanations, and contributed to about 12 per centum of Australiaaa‚ ¬a„?s entire emanations in 1998. The effects of land uncluttering include dryland salt and dirt eroding. These are a major concern to the landcare motion in Australia. The glade of native flora is controlled by Federal Torahs ( indirectly ) , State jurisprudence and local planning instruments. The precise inside informations of ordinance of flora glade differ harmonizing to the location where glade is proposed. 5 Waterway wellness The protection of waterways in Australia is a major concern for assorted grounds including home ground and biodiversity, but besides due to utilize of the waterways by worlds. The Murray-Darling Basin is under menace due to irrigation in Australia, doing high degrees of salt which affect agribusiness and biodiversity in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia. These rivers are besides affected by pesticide run-off and drouth. 6 Water usage Water usage is a major sustainability issue in Australia. During times of drought Water limitations in Australia apply to conserve H2O. Climate alteration may escalate drouth in Australia seting force per unit area on H2O resources and taking to alternate H2O beginnings including building of Water armored combat vehicles, dikes, Water transit and desalinization workss many of which affect H2O catchments and set increasing force per unit area on the environment. www.tu.org/ www.abc.net.au/news/topic/mining-environmental-issues www.abc.net.au/environment/articles/2009/12/07/2764044.htm www.fwrgroup.com.au/10-environmental-problems.html www.ausstats.abs.gov.au/Ausstats/subscriber.nsf/0/ †¦ /46130_2010.pd†¦

Types Of Life On Earth - 1164 Words

Our solar system consists of 8 planets and three dwarf planets. Of those planets, only Earth has shown signs of life. Although Venus has the same mass, density, and size as Earth, it does not show those same signs of life. Instead, Venus’s drastically different atmosphere makes it unable to sustain life in the same manner as Earth. By delving into these differences, one can come to understanding of what makes life impossible, and how life would have to evolve in order to be able to sustain itself on the planet, Venus. To comprehend Venus’s capability to hold life, we must understand what life needs on Earth to sustain itself. On Earth, all life go through functions to convert certain reagents into energy. There are two types of life on†¦show more content†¦If a cell lives in an extreme temperature which it usually does not reside in, it will be unable to function; thus, it will die. If a cell comes into contact with a harmful element or compound that it cannot withstand, such as an obligate anaerobic organism coming into contact with oxygen, it will cease to function; thus, die. Earth has bodies of water and ozone, as well as a fast rotational period. These stop the surface of the planet from overheating, allowing cells to be able to live in normal temperatures. The cells have also created mechanisms that are able to combat the harmful compounds within the atmosphere, or have relocated themselves to below the water to avoid these compounds. Venus’s atmosphere is 90 times more dense, consisting of 96.5% CO2, 3% Nitrogen, and .5% of other elements. This means the oxygen concentration is very low. In order for aerobic life to be supported, there must be a sufficient amount of oxygen contained within the atmosphere so that cellular respiration can be undergone. Comparing Earth’s oxygen concentration to Venus’s concentration, Earth has around 42 times more oxygen in its atmosphere than Venus. This makes aerobic life on Venus implausible. However, what about anaerobic life. Fermentation does not use oxygen; thus, this is a viable option within this atmosphere. The only problem is that, as a byproduct, fermentation produces CH3COCOO− which breaks down into CO2. This would add more Co2 into