Sargantana De Menorca

Lilford's wall lizard is a species of lizard of the Lacertidae family endemic to the Balearic Islands. It is also endangered due to its habitat loss :( A lovely addition to my collection, gracias Elena :)

Tuatara

Have posted about one of these cool guys already, but whats the harm in reminding oneself of just how interesting they are? :) Because, as much as tuatara looks like a lizard, it is not - its close, but still. Tuatara are reptiles endemic to New Zealand, and are part of a distinct lineage, the order Rhynchocephalia (which, in fact, includes only two living species of tuatara). Their name derives from the Māori language and means "peaks on the back". Like many of New Zealand's native animals, they are threatened by habitat loss and introduced predators, such as the Polynesian rat. They were extinct on the mainland, with the remaining populations confined to 32 offshore islands; until the first mainland release into the heavily fenced and monitored Karori Sanctuary in 2005.

A success story for the survival of this unique species, relatively so but some help is better than none..! Many thanks to Amy, also for the Year of the Monkey stamp :)

 

Endemic Mauritius

Mauritius is located in the Indian Ocean to the east of Madagascar. Due to its isolation, it has a relatively low diversity of wildlife; however, a high proportion of these are endemic species occurring nowhere else in the world. Many of these are now threatened with extinction because of human activities including habitat destruction and the introduction of non-native species. Some have already become extinct, most famously the dodo which disappeared in the 17th century.

This postcard shows some of those wonderful endemic species that are critically endangered - Pink Pigeon. Day Gecko, Mauritius Kestrel, Echo Parakeet, Fody and Mauritius Olive White-Eye. Always a sad story...I mean look at that gorgeous colourful gecko, or tiny bird on human's fingertips...

Conservation work in Mauritius is carried out by the National Parks and Conservation Service (NPCS) and by non-governmental organizations such as the Mauritian Wildlife Foundation (MWF) and Durrell Wildlife Conservation Trust (DWCT). Efforts to preserve native flora and fauna have included captive breeding, habitat restoration and the eradication of introduced species.

Thank you Xahrah :)

Red Panda, China

Though sharing a name with the more commonly recognised Panda, the two species are actually not members of the same family - while Panda belongs to family Ursidae (bears), this cute creature is a sole extanct example of its family Ailuridae; and to have a better idea of it, in superfamily Musteloidea (whose other 'representatives' are weasels and raccoons).

The Red Panda is endemic to the temperate forests of the Himalayas and are specialised as bamboo feeders; as a solitary animal that is sedentary (a new word for me! meaning 'mainly inactive') during the day it is like my soulmate in the animal kingdom :D :D

Big 'Thank You' goes to cream, who also used a lovely pheasant stamp :)

UNESCO - Komodo And Ujung Kulon National Parks, Indonesia

Two excellent Unesco cards from Indonesia - although the 1st qualifies for my lizard collection also :)

Komodos look so cool! They are the largest living species of lizard, growing up to the amazing 3 meters in length and can weigh up to 70kg (so like me, just lankier heh). They are endemic species with 'vurnebale' conservation status, living only on five Indonesian islands. There are so many interesting facts about these unique animals, but I have to stop here!

Ujung Kulon National Park is situated at the western-most tip of the Java island, including the volcanic group of islands Krakatoa and other nearby islands. The park is the last refuge of the critically endangered Javan Rhinoceros - only 35 were indentified.

It always saddens me to realise so many unique animal species are on a verge of extinction. I would like to somehow be involved in their preservation...something to look into.

Thank you shinta, you always bring a smile on my face with your lovely cards, stamps and messages! :)))

New Zealand - Native Animals

Two absolutely gorgeous animal cards from Adrienne!

Such a strange and unique bird, the kiwi. I still remember seeing it in a zoo in Germany as a kid - it was the most exciting experience of the day-trip. We had to enter a dark hallway, and were told there is only a slight chance we'll actually see one. And there it was, so outworldly and cute <3

Tuatara is actually not a lizard, but a part of a separate distinctive lineage...which flourished some 200 million years ago. Wow. The average life span is 60 years, but they can live to be over 100 y.o. Needless to say, its an endemic species of New Zealand, as well as the kiwi. What an amazing place to watch wiildlife..!!

Thank you so much Adrienne, and for the round kiwi stamps :)))