Working On This One Took Me Forever. I’m Very Happy With The Result Though Because I Wanted A Pose

A new animal has been unveiled—one of the forest’s best-kept secrets: the Northern Olingo!

A member of the Procyonidae family (which includes the well-known raccoons and coatis), the olingo stands out with its elusive nature. Little is known about its behavior in the wild, making it a true mystery of the treetops.

I’m excited to share that this illustration is sponsored by [sponsor name] and [park name], a fantastic place to spot and photograph this rare creature.

Want to uncover more about the unknown? Join the club to get this week’s exclusive PDF and explore the secrets of the Northern Olingo! Link here

Hello! My art print featuring all Zebra species and subspecies, including those already extinct, is now available in my store.

Leave you the link in case you are interested: Zebras of the World

Vietnam Mouse Deer

This is a story of hope. The last specimen seen was in 1990 when a hunter killed one and donated it to scientists. For more than 30 years there was no sight of this animal. Only locals were assured to see it but those sights were nothing more than just words.

After years of research, investigation, and close work with locals, in 2019, camera traps finally registered sights of the animal. It was worldwide news that brought joy for the rediscovery of a species and hope for many others that today are believed to be extinct.

According to scientists, it’s rediscover was possible due to the close work with the locals who knew their environment, knew what can be found and how to find it.

It’s unknown its current population. What is known is that wire snares have been putting in danger not just the Vietnam Mouse Deer, but the entire population of species that inhabits the jungles of Vietnam and many other regions of Asia. The decline of wildlife due to snares has no precedents. Some of the densest jungles are now called ghost forests because no animals are seen.

This is the last member of this family. A very interesting one which I must say I didn't know much but that now I want to know more. The next one is a very unique and small family.

------------------------------

More about awesome animals: Instagram,Nice Posters: here

Thanks for all the love. Follows, likes, reblogs, good comments, bad comments, everything is appreciated.

Onager is the ass of Asia. However, the biggest difference from the African Wild Ass is that the Asian Ass could never be tamed. They are considerable bigger that its African cousins at about 290 kilos in weight. They are also among the fastest mammals on planet, being able to reach up to 70 Km/h.

The two species, (African and Asian Ass) shared the same ancestor: The Kiang, which will be described later, and which was considered a subspecies of the Onager. Nonetheless, further studies acknowledge as a distinct species.

Five subspecies are recognized. Two of them are close to extinction, other two are threatened and one, unfortunately, is extinct. There is the possibility of another subspecies, The Gobi Khulan but there is still debate on it.

Mongolian Wild Ass: It is the most widespread from all subspecies but has lost about %50 of its former distribution range in just 70 years. It’s main threat is poaching and competition for grassland with livestock.

Turkmenian Kulan: Also called Transcaspian Wild Ass or simply Kulan, the animal has slowly decline in former distribution ranges but its population has increase where it’s been re-introduced such as in Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Ukraine where they used to inhabit. Also in Israel where th subspecies is making hybrids with Persian wild Onagers.

Persian Onager: Also called the Persian Zebra or Gur, The Persian Onager has been close to extinction. It is highly protected and hunting it is strictly forbidden. Breeding programs in different zoos associations in Europe and North America are keeping hope on this animal. That various spring born in captivity has been returned to its natural environment. Some other new borns in Khar Turan National Park, in Iran (it’s native environment) has been reported.

Indian Wild Ass: Also called Ghudkhur, Khur or Indian Onager. Form barely 300 animals in 1960, strong seizures of protection and adding better resources to its environment such as water holes, by 2004 its population increased to almost 4000. The most recent census in 2015 stated that its population is close to 5000. When you want you can.

Syrian Wild Ass: Known also as Hemippe, Achdari or the Mesopotamian Onager, he couldn’t make it to today. Huge herds used to be seen in the 15th and 16th centuries but its number began to drop precipitously during the next centuries due to overhunting by Europeans. Its existence became uncertain during the World War I (Nothing god from wars) and its last specimen was fatally shot in 1927 near Azraq Oasis in Jordan. The last specimen died the same year, in Vienna.

I had a nice discussion a few day back about subspecies. My friend was arguing that subspecies is silly because some of the differences are just molecular, dental, and barely hard to see. Me, on the other hand, I think subspecies is the first step for a new species to come. The subspecies of one species are found in environments that usually has small variables in between but somehow force the animal to change in order to survive.

These adaptations are what make the animal a subspecies, small changes. However, we all know that the environment is not still and it will eventually change, probably a lot. And if the animal wants to survive that environment, it also has to change, a lot as well. To the point that it might become a new species. So I think subspecies is something very subtle but can be the beginning of a new animal. Interesting isn’t it? Anyway, is just my thoughts from the little I know about the subject. If someone have another approach I’d love to hear it.

PD. My next family will be the camelidae, so if you know about this family or have good pictures of them, you are very welcome to help me with this investigation. 

Nice Posters in my store: Here 
 Follow my Instagram: Species of the World

Przewalski's Horse:

The Przewalski Horse is the only truly wild horse that remains. Extinct at some point for more than 30 years, it was the zoos who actually brought them back. By 1940′s its number began to decline rapidly and by 1969 after a fruitless search, only one individual was spotted in the wild. Only a handful of this animals were surviving in some of the zoos of Europe.

A breeding program began in the Netherlands by 1977. By 1979 the program was able to maximize the genetic diversity from the almost 400 individuals spread in 16th different facilities. By early 1900s, the number of horses increased by over 1500. The horse is now reintroduced to its natural habitat and today it’s numbers remain stable. 

Zoos are controversial but I personally think they are crucial at the conservation of the species (I’m talking about zoos that are actually working on precede the life of many species, not the ones that are created just for our own selfish enjoyment). There is of course room for improvement but a zoo is not what it used to be 40 years ago. There is a better understanding of the behavior of the animals today and this allow us to make better enclosures that are a more friendly space for the animals inside. 

On the other hand, we are making the world an uncertain place. Many of the habitats are being vanished from earth and many species have seen their numbers drastically reduced because of this. Maybe the zoos are the new futuristic Noah’s Arc. A place for recovery, where endanger animals can survive in this uncertain times. Then, we can have more time to learn how to live on earth without destroying it and put them back where they belong once everything is safe again.

If is not for zoos, the Przewalski Horse would have vanished from earth many years ago.

PD. I change a little the layout. What do you think?

Follow my Instagram: Species of the World  My store: Red Bubble store

Burchell's Zebra Equus quagga burchellii Family: Equidae Genus: Equus Subspecies: 07 Feed: Herbivore Habitat: Dry Steppe Status and Conservation: Least Concern ______________________________________________ Despite enjoying working on equines I cannot wait to finish them. Just 5 more to go but it seems eternal. Still, I love the result, and is a very interesting family that I cannot wait to study. Join the club to see more about this project. All the Mammals of the World including subspecies. Here

Vicuña The last species of the family and the smallest too. And like many small things it is also the most precious treasure. The wool of the vicuña is among the most expensive textiles worldwide. A meter square can reach an impressive $3000 US. being mostly exclusive for the most prestigious high couture brands in the world. 

In a move that I found very smart from the governments where the animal can be found, is that the exportation of these animals is strictly prohibited making these countries the only ones who can manage the vicuña’s wool business. Good for them!

Once widespread in millions, it was vastly hunted when the conquerors discovered America (A repeated story), until 1950 where its numbers plumped to mere 10.000. Today is heavily protected and its situation is stable. However,  Scientist state that its stable population depends of the different laws of protection. If those laws would be lifted, the animal will be at the brick of extinction in just five years.

The next family is a very grumpy cute looking giant. 

________

I’ve been improving the illustrations of the animals making it more realistic in order for the information to be clearer. Can you tell the difference of these ones compare to the previous ones?

Thanks again for your support, likes, reblog and follows, means a lot to me. Don’t forget that if you want to buy some of the posters of the previous families of animals you can find them here: Poster of Species   On my Instagram account, I’m planning to post part of the illustration process. Don’t miss it:  Species of the World See you next time.

____________________

This post took me some time. Here some nice posters with all the equines.

The first one has all of them, including species and subspecies. Because they are so many I felt that need it a more stiff design so is easy to understand the family and on the genus and subgenus that belong to the family. It is very complete, name, scientific name and also conservation status. 

On the next poster, I just focus in showing the species and named the subspecies. Because they were less to show, gave me some room to play with the design and sizes so the illustrations can be appreciated better.

The last poster is for the zebras. I felt that such an iconic animal deserves a poster. All then subspecies with the scientific names and the conservation status.

If you want to have this nice posters hanging in your wall, just follow the link below. They come in different sizes, prices and mediums. It will help me a lot as well if you throw me a like or reblog any of my post. Thank you all for your support.

Posters: Here 
  Follow my Instagram: Species of the World

Out of all the animals I've studied and illustrated, dolphins have left the strongest impression on me. Although I didn't know much about them at first, I'm now captivated by their unique shapes and vibrant colors. Learning about these creatures has been a truly delightful experience.

Long-Beaked Common Dolphin

The Long-Beaked Common Dolphin has been a topic of controversy in the past, as it was initially believed to be the same species as the Short Beaked Common Dolphin. However, they are now recognized as distinct species within the same family (Delphinidae). These dolphins are likely the most widespread species in the world.

This particular subspecies is exclusively found close to the shores of Africa and is larger and heavier than its counterparts that are found in various locations around the world.

_________________________________________ Credits: Jefferson, T.A., Webber, M.A., and Pitman, R.L. (2015). Marine Mammals of the World: A Comprehensive Guide to Their Identification. Academic Press. Perrin, W.F., Würsig, B.G., and Thewissen, J.G.M. (eds.) (2009). Encyclopedia of Marine Mammals. Academic Press. Long-Beaked Common Dolphin __________________________________________ Thank you all for your positive response to my previous posts on animal awareness. Your support means a lot to me. If you find my content valuable, please consider sharing, liking, and subscribing. Your actions can help spread awareness and promote conservation efforts. Additionally, if you would like to support the project financially, I am preparing some products that I will share in the near future. Thank you again for your support!"

The pygmy hippo is a very hard animal to study in the wild. It is very elusive and lives in inhospitable areas. There are possibly two subspecies of Pygmy hippo, however, one of them, the Nigerian Pygmy Hippo is still not recognizable as a full subspecies. The problem is that it is believed now extinct and the only remains are a couple of skulls collected in the 1800′s. What this means is that we will probably never know if it was a subspecies or not. 

The Pygmy hippo is hunting for what is called bush meat. It is said that its meat quality is as good as wild boars and unlike its giant cousins, its teeth has no value. It is an endangered species that thrive much better in zoos but still the offspring mortality rate arise up to 30%. 

I think is sad when a species vanishes form earth and we still didn’t know much about it. At some point, I found extinction to be part of the game of who can survive to natural changes. The problem is that humans taking over, we are making the game of survival way harder for many species. I’m not so optimistic that a change in perspective will come any time soon but I still have hope we can change the way we see the world.

Dwarf Hippos in Madagascar? There are proof of Dwarf Hippos (known as Malagasy hippopotamus or Malagasy pygmy hippopotamus) that inhabited the island of Madagascar less that 1000 years ago. Resembles more to a Hippopotamus that to its smaller relative the Pygmy Hippo. I decided not to put it on this catalogue because it’s extinction appears not to be related to humans. 

What is exciting is that explorers from Discovery Channel recently discovered skulls from what appears to be a recent dead of a Malagasy Hippo. This might prove the existence of the animal but I feel more investigation needs to be done. The tv program is called “Extinct or Alive”. Leave you the link: here

_____________

Thanks so much for the support. If you like the content please give me a follow or show me your love giving me a like. My instagram account is having changes and now will show more of the drawing process. Leave you the link below, Also, don’t forget to check my store. Nice posters at difference sizes and prices. Cheers.

Posters in my store: Here 
   Follow my Instagram: Species of the World