(The Real) Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them - Bears

This article was originally published by Youth Time International Magazine

This edition of (The Real) Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them will focus on bears! These immensely powerful yet cuddly-looking critters can be found roaming the forests, mountains, deserts and tundra of four different continents. This small group of mostly large omnivorous mammals has been divided into eight different species, all of which we take a closer look at below.

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Brown Bear

With a population of over 200,000, Brown bears are one of the most numerous and undoubtedly the most widespread of the bear family. Like many species, they have been divided into subspecies which include the famous Grizzlies that prowl the forests and mountains in the interior of North America. Contrary to popular belief, Grizzlies are so-called not due to their temperament, but for their white or tan-tipped fur (“Grizzly” means sprinkled or streaked with grey). Other subspecies can be spotted in the mountainous regions of southern and western Europe and across most of Asia.

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Giant Panda

Perhaps the most celebrated of all bears due to their striking pattern and friendly nature, the Giant Panda population is restricted to a few isolated patches of bamboo forest across six mountain ranges within China. Enormous conservation efforts have helped to ensure that the Giant Panda has been saved from the brink of extinction, but the species’ conservation status is still listed as vulnerable. In 2014, a nationwide census recorded 1,864 wild Giant Pandas with much of their overall population remaining in zoos and specialized sanctuaries.

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Polar Bear

The largest of all bears and the biggest land predator that roams the earth today, the Polar bear is one of the most iconic species on the planet. They are considered as marine mammals due to the fact that they live most of their lives on the sea ice of the Arctic Ocean. While there population is estimated at 22,000 – 31,000, their numbers are rapidly decreasing due to loss of habitat caused by climate change. Despite their appearance, Polar bear fur is actually transparent and is made up of an outer layer of long 5-15 cm guard hairs and a thick undercoat of short insulating hairs.

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Sloth Bear

Easily distinguishable against other bears for their shaggy hair and white U-shaped marking across the chest, Sloth bears are a long and stocky species that can be found in only four countries – Bhutan, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. This relatively small species also sports a pale muzzle and well-developed hook-like claws that are perfectly suited to climbing trees and digging up their termite prey. Despite an estimated 7,000 – 10,000, spotting a Sloth Bear in the wild can be tricky, owing to the fact that they’re a predominantly nocturnal species.

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Spectacled Bear

South America’s only living bear species, the spectacled bear is so named for its distinctive beige-coloured facial pattern which sometimes extends down the neck. Also known as the Andean Bear, they can be found only in the Andean region of South America which spans across Argentina, Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. The Spectacled Bear is technically the largest carnivore on the South American continent, but the fact their diet is made up of only around 5% meat, causes most to award the title to the Jaguar. Their population is estimated at between 6,000 – 10,000 individuals.

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Asiatic Black Bear

The Asiatic Black Bear is similar in appearance to the brown bear, but is easily distinguished for its smooth black fur coat and white V-shaped fur pattern on its chest. There are no accurate estimates of their population, with the species listed as a vulnerable by IUCN. Despite the lack of knowledge regarding their numbers, they are relatively widespread. Asiatic Black Bears can be found in many areas across Asia from mainland countries including Iran, Pakistan and China to island nations such as Japan and Taiwan.

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Sun Bear

The Sun Bear, (also known as the honey bear) is the smallest of all in the taxonomic family and also happens to be the rarest of all bear species. It is estimated that the population of Sun Bears has decreased by 30% over the past 30 years due to habitat destruction. Despite their low numbers, Sun Bears are relatively widespread across the forests of Southeast Asia, with the densest population found in Cambodia’s Mondolkiri Province.

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North American Black Bear

With an estimated population of up to 600,000 individuals, the North American Black Bear is the most numerous bear species on the planet. Along with the brown bear, they are the only member of the bear family to be listed as least concern by IUCN. One of the densest concentrations of North American Black Bears lie in the state of Maine, USA with around 30,000 individuals. The species has been divided into several subspecies, including the Louisiana Black Bear, Florida Black Bear and Mexican Black Bear.

All photos are Shutterstock. Graphics by Leigh Woods.

(The Real) Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them - Big Cats

This article was originally published by Youth Time International Magazine

Occupying every continent except Antarctica and Oceana, the big cats are revered among zoologists and general animal enthusiasts alike for their power, agility and grace. From the “King of the beasts” (lion) to “He who kills with one leap” (Jaguar), we take a closer look at the majestic felines that prowl the forests, deserts, plains and savannahs around the globe.

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Lion

The Lion is not only one of the most iconic of all big cat species, but perhaps one of the most familiar creatures on the planet. Once widespread throughout Africa, Asia and Southwestern Europe, numbers of this magnificent symbol of Africa have decreased drastically over the past century due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and human-wildlife conflict. In fact, their number has declined from around a whopping 400,000 in the 1950s to about 20,000 individuals today. One of the largest in the feline family (second only to the tiger), African Lions can only be found today in sub-Saharan Africa with 80% situated in eastern and southern Africa. One of the highest concentrations of these majestic animals lies in Ngorogoro Crater in the Serengeti National Park, Tanzania. The endangered Asiatic Lion occupies only one forest in India, but thanks to large conservation efforts, their numbers are steadily increasing. Once on the brink of extinction, their population is now estimated at more than 600 individuals.

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Jaguar

Solitary, elusive, and outrageously beautiful, the Jaguar is the largest native feline to roam the Americas. They can be found mostly in large areas of tropical rainforests close to riverbanks where they typically hunt their prey which includes capybara, peccary and caiman. Over the past 50 years, the world’s Jaguar population has dropped by more than half due to many factors including habitat fragmentation, illegal poaching and conflict with humans. Unfortunately, in Latin American countries their numbers have dwindled to below 16,000, making them a critically endangered species in natural spaces based in regions from Mexico down to Argentina. Spotting a wild Jaguar is no easy feat, but the best chances of doing so are along the riverbanks of the Brazilian Pantanal.

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Snow Leopard

Known by many as the “Ghost of the mountains”, the Snow Leopard is the rarest and most elusive of all the big cats. Prowling the high-altitude mountain ranges of central Asia, the mysterious Snow Leopard is evolved perfectly for its cold and snowy habitat. Sporting a white-grey coat with black rosettes, they blend superbly well to their surrounding rocky sloped environment, making them stealthy hunters. Despite their IUCN listing changing from endangered to vulnerable in the past year, many conservation organizations argue that the species still requires urgent attention if they are to be saved from the jaws of extinction. Scientists now estimate their numbers at somewhere between 3,920 and 6,390 individuals. Due to their low numbers, elusive nature, and excellent camouflage, spotting a wild snow leopard can be extremely difficult, but most sightings tend to occur in the serene and picturesque Hemis National Park in India.

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Tiger

The largest of all the world’s big cats, the Tiger has been divided into many different subspecies – six of which are extant (Siberian, Malayan, Indochinese, Sumatran, Bengal, and South China). According to the WWF, only 3,890 wild tigers walk the Earth today, making these beautiful solitary predators the most endangered of all the big cats. The Tigers distribution range spans from Siberia down to Sumatra, with most of the planet’s remaining individuals occurring in national parks located in central and northern areas of India. Due to its high density of Tigers, Bandhavgarh National Park is probably the best place to spot one of these magnificent creatures in the wild, with most visitors having a sighting within a day or two of touring the park.

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Cheetah

Graceful, slender and claiming the title of fastest land animal, the Cheetah is truly one of the planet’s most magnificent animals. Their refined body is built for speed and aerodynamics giving Cheetahs both advantages and disadvantages in regard to predation. While their specialized anatomy allows them to reach speeds of up to 60 mph to catch their prey, their muscle mass and strength if far inferior to that of lion, leopard and hyena of which they often lose their kill to. For this reason, Cheetah are diurnal animals as opposed to their three formidable competitors – all of which are predominantly nocturnal. Sadly, Cheetah populations have declined from around 100,000 in the early 20th century to an estimated 9,000 – 12,000 individuals today. Around 200 Asiatic Cheetah still live in small isolated populations in Iran, making them critically endangered in the region. Kenya's Masai Mara is regarded as the best place to spot nature’s most fleet-footed beast. 

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Clouded Leopard

Possibly the least famous of all the big cats, the Clouded Leopard also happens to be the smallest. Found mostly in the canopies of central and Southeast Asia’s dense forests, they are widely regarded as the best climber among big cats and boast the largest canines relative to skull size among all cat species, earning them the nickname of “Modern day saber-tooth tiger”. Exact numbers of these secretive tree-dwellers are unknown, but their populations are thought to be on the decline due to habitat loss and illegal poaching. The Clouded Leopard population ranges from the Himalayan foothills to western China and also stretches down to the southern tip of Malaysia. There are no reliable areas to spot this extremely elusive species, but most sightings tend to occur during safaris in India. 

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Puma

The Puma has many different common names including the mountain lion, cougar, panther and catamount. Prowling the Americas from the Canadian Yukon to the southern Andes of South America, they are the most widespread of any large wild terrestrial mammal in the Western Hemisphere. Of all the big cats, Pumas in are considered to be the least susceptible to extinction, however, subspecies such as the Florida Panther number at only 120 – 230 individuals, making them one of the most endangered mammals in the world. While an estimated 30,000 Pumas roam across the western United States, the best chance of spotting one of these shy and solitary cats is in the impressive Torres del Paine National Park in Chile. 

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Leopard

Photo by Leigh Woods

Often confused with the Jaguar for it similar build and strikingly beautiful coat, Leopards are a slightly more slender species and happen to be the most widely distributed of all in the big cat family. Despite their vast range, Leopards are under threat due to habitat loss, illegal poaching and human-wildlife conflict and for this reason, they are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List across their range. Like most of the big cats, scientists have divided them into a number of subspecies - with the 70 Amur leopards in the Russian Far East being the most endangered of all. The Leopard is a mostly nocturnal species and due to their elusive nature and magnificent camouflage, can be difficult to observe in their natural environment. For the best chances of witnessing one of these beautiful creatures in the wild, head to Yala National Park in Sri Lanka.

All photos except leopard are Shutterstock. Graphics by Leigh Woods.

(The Real) Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them - Sharks

This article was originally published on the Youth Time International Magazine Website

In this edition of (The Real) Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, we take a plunge into the deep blue!

Between 700,000 and one million species are thought to live in the reefs, rivers, seas and oceans of this world – many of which remain relatively unknown. That cannot be said of the next group of fantastic beasts we dive into this week - the sharks!

From much-feared apex predators like the Tiger and Great White Sharks to gentle giants such as the Basking and Whale Sharks, below we learn some interesting facts about the Chondrichthyes and where to find them.

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Great White Shark

Let’s begin with the most famous shark of them all - the Great White Shark. When it comes to estimating populations of marine life, things can get quite tricky with the last global census in 2010 stating that only 3,500 Great Whites remained. However, in February 2018 researchers claimed that at least 8,000 Carcharodon carcharias were present in the waters off Australia, meaning the global population is likely far greater than initially thought. In comparison with other widely distributed species, the Great White appears to be fairly uncommon. They can be found from the surfline to far offshore and have also been known to swim to depths of over 250 meters deep. For the best chances of spotting Great White Sharks, head to Gaansbai in South Africa where you have the opportunity to cage dive with one of the most awesome creatures that ever lived.

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Basking Shark

One of the largest of all extant Chondrichthyes (surpassed only by the massive whale shark), the Basking Shark is a gentle giant that feeds mostly on plankton. They inhabit all oceans of the world, but tend to prefer the cold and temperate waters that lie above the continental shelves. However, through use of GPS tracking devices, researchers recently discovered the species dwelling in warmers waters far south of the equator. Like many animals, their location depends largely on food availability. The southern and southwestern coasts of the Isle of Man in the United Kingdom provide one of the best opportunities to see Basking Sharks close inshore.

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Great Hammerhead Shark

One of the most distinguishable of all sharks for their distinctive head shape, Great Hammerhead Sharks are the largest of the 9 different species of hammerhead. A migratory and nomadic species, they are widely distributed but largely restricted to continental shelves. The Great Hammerhead is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List as they are highly valued for their fins and suffer very high bycatch mortality. The fact that these magnificent predators only reproduce once every two years make them highly vulnerable to over-exploitation and population depletion. Exceptional sightings of Great Hammerhead Sharks can be found in Bimini in the Bahamas, especially between January and March each year where they patrol the shallow sandy shores around the tropical Caribbean island.

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Tiger Shark

Also known as the “sea tiger”, the Tiger Shark is so named for its dark vertical stripes along its body. With the largest ever recorded at a whopping 25 feet, they are considered the fourth largest shark species behind the whale shark, basking shark, and great white shark. The omnivorous Tiger Shark is quite common in tropical and warm-temperate coastal water worldwide. Though not considered to be facing a high risk of extinction, there is evidence to suggest declines of several populations where they have been heavily fished for their fins, flesh, skin, liver oil and cartilage. Despite their bad reputation, Tiger Sharks are a rather docile species. Tiger Beach in the Bahamas is widely considered the world’s best location to dive with Tiger Sharks. For the best chances of spotting them, head there in early April.

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Whale Shark

The Whale Shark’s body dimensions give it the title of world’s largest fish and therefore, also the biggest shark. In fact, they share part of their name with cetaceans for their enormous size - sometimes growing up to 40 feet in length! In addition to their impressive stature, the Whale Shark is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful in the family with light spots on its ventral surface forming unique contrasting patterns against their largely blue-grey coloration. Like the basking shark, these gentle giants feed mainly on plankton, but occasionally consume small animals including jellyfishes, squids and crabs. They tend to prefer coastal areas, but inhabit both deep and shallow water with temperatures between 20-30 degrees Celsius. Many places in the world offer the chance to see and even swim with Whale Sharks with the best places to do so usually depending on the time of year. Those destinations where Whale Sharks can be seen over the course of longer periods are South Ari Atoll in the Maldives and Donsol Bay in the Philippines.

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Bull Shark

Also known the Zambezi Shark, this short and sturdy predator is so named for its brawny body shape and perhaps also due to its hostile nature. Their short, blunt snout and tendency to head-butt their prey before attacking also add to the likeness. One of the most aggressive of all shark species, the Bull Shark has evolved to live in both saltwater and freshwater and is commonly spotted in the Mississippi River in the United States and Ganges River in India. While not currently considered to be vulnerable to extinction, their numbers are likely shrinking due to overfishing for their meat, hides and oils. The “Pitbull of the sea” can be difficult to locate, but they’re regularly spotted by scuba divers in the deep reefs of the Caribbean waters situated off Mexico’s Yucatan coast.

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Blacktip Reef Shark

For the fainter-hearted, the timid and skittish Blacktip Reef Sharks are easily identified for the striking black tips on their fins. Inhabiting the tropical coral reefs of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, they are among the most abundant sharks found off the coasts of Southeast Asia and northern Australia. Another species that has been known to enter freshwater environments, Blacktip Reef Sharks mostly prefer shallow, inshore waters where they feed upon small fishes, squids and crustaceans. There are many small scuba and snorkeling tour operators located in Thailand, Indonesia and the Philippines that offer the chance to get up close to these beautiful predators.

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Blue Shark

Widely regarded as one of the most beautiful of all sharks, the magnificently streamlined Blue Shark are so-named for their striking cobalt blue colour. A common and widely distributed species, the Blue Shark can be found off the coasts of every continent except Antarctica. Observations are made mostly by divers in temperate seas, where the Blue Shark has even been known to approach the shore. While in tropical waters, however, they tend to stick to greater depths. The IUCN currently has the species listed as near threatened, but their numbers are likely dwindling due to the species being a popular choice for shark fin soup. For excellent chances of spotting these sleek and nimble sharks, head to Simonstown, South Africa where scuba and snorkeling tours are offered between November and June.

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Greenland Shark

With a lifespan of 300-500 years old (you read that correctly), the Greenland Shark is widely considered to be the oldest extant vertebrate in the world. Also known as the gurry shark or grey shark, they mainly inhabit the icy waters off the coast of Greenland where they feed upon smaller sharks, skates, eels and bony fish. Scientists have also found the remains of polar bear, seals, horses and moose in their stomachs. The mysterious and elusive Greenland Shark has the slowest swim speed for its size across all fish species with an average speed of 0.76 mph. Sightings of these 21ft long members of the sleeper shark family are extremely rare, but you may be lucky enough to spot one in the waters surrounding Greenland, or areas in the North Atlantic close to Iceland.

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Common Thresher Shark

The shark with arguably the most interesting hunting technique of all, the Common Thresher Shark will literally whip their prey into submission. Using their long, whip-like tails, they stun (and later kill) victims such as herring, sardines and mackerel by slapping them. Though they prefer cooler temperatures, the Common Thresher Shark is also distributed worldwide across tropical and temperate waters. They have been observed both in the open ocean and close to shore and are documented as a migratory species. Unfortunately, like most sharks, they are often victims of bycatch and are fished heavily for their fins. Some of the best places to dive with Common Thresher Sharks include Alor Island and Bali , both in Indonesia.

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Greenland Shark / Photo: Justin / Graphic Design: Leigh Woods

All other photos: Shutterstock / Graphic Design: Leigh Woods