One for the Macaque

The Lion-tailed Macaque (Macaca silenus) is an endangered species of macaque endemic to the southern part of the Western Ghats. The tail of this monkey has a black tuft at its end, similar to that of the lion, and that is how it gets the name. Lion-tailed Macaques are classified as endangered by the IUCN, and it ranks among the rarest and most threatened primates, with just around 3000 living in parts of Kerala. Deforestation is pushing the animal and the entire ecology of the ghats to the brink of extinction.

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Before Porcupines Make Love

Mating in porcupines is a bizarre affair. It begins with a nose-rubbing gesture by the male to nudge the female. If step 1 impresses her, she will allow the male to (well, this isn't for the squeamish) urinate all over herself. This isn't a bout of kinkiness that the female experiences, as you might think, but is meant to enable her to judge whether the pheromones are acceptable or not. If the female approves of step 2, she presents her soft underbelly (which is devoid of quills) for the male to mount.

Porcupines are the third-largest rodents after capybaras and beavers.

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Insect issues

A proboscis is an elongated appendage from the head of an animal. In invertebrates, it usually refers to tubular mouth parts used for feeding and sucking. The proboscis contains muscles which enable its operation. Suction of nectar, water, blood or other fluids occurs due to the contraction and expansion of a sac present in the head.

Vertebrates too have proboscides such as the nose of the proboscis monkey and the elongated snout of the tapir.

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Vermin Lessons

Rats are among the most prolific reproducers of among mammals. They can breed throughout the year with the female producing up to five litters. The gestation period is just 21 days, and litter numbers can go up to 14. Rats reach sexual maturity at around 5 weeks and have lifespans of up to three years.

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