Beautiful Animals

Raccoon dogs aren't as cute as the more diminutive American namesakes. They're found in East Asia (Russia and Japan only?). They are more dog and less raccoon being in the canid family. Here's one from Russia:



and here's one from Japan, from the movie Pom Poko (they're using their nut-sacks to parachute):

From Arizona Highways, my pictorial link to the American West, comes this picture of a dove. I'm not a big fan of doves. In fact I think they're the third-lowest life form in New York City, the two lowest ones being rats and stock brokers. But this sure is a beautiful picture of one:


(Photographer: Barry Hart)

Miss Roberta, I had no idea there was such a thing as a racoon dog! I thought at first it was a photoshopped picture and then littlek posted it said where they are from. Do either of you know if they are vicious? I know racoons can be extremely vicious but also can be relatively tame. He is rather a strange looking creature and those eyes are so sweet.

Arella, I know Roberta brought this up already, but you keep using words like vicious! Roberta made a comment about animals not being vicious so much as being what they are: predators. I think of people who think wild animals are dangerous and vicious as people who don't know animals, but you do - you're a horse person! I don't know why I think it's so funny, but I do find it amusing.

Foist, Thomas, pigeons are pigeons (many varieties), and doves are doves (many varieties). Related, but not the same animal. I love pigeons. Oiban boids. The photo you posted of a dove is a beauty. Thanks, kid.

Raccoon dogs were originally native to just a few places in Asia (Japan for one). They were imported to other countries (like Russia and countries in eastern Europe) to improve their fur-bearing ability. They now have a much wider range.

Although they are genetically unique, they are more closely related to foxes than raccoons. They are omnivores. These guys will eat anything.

Arella Mae, I'm not sure I understand what you mean by vicious. If you saw one strolling down a forest path and went to pet it, it would probably run away. If you had it cornered or if it felt threatened, it would probably attack.

Come to think of it, so would I.

I will try to explain what I mean. Take dogs for instance, they are not normally vicious. You can train them, etc. I know you can train racoons and other animals but that wildness is always in them. I think maybe I am just using the wrong term when I say vicious. I used to have a family of racoons come on my porch every night and eat leftover catfood. I loved to watch them because they seemed so tame and sweet. Well, I quickly learned how vicious a racoon can be when the dominant male got angry at one of the younger males. It was almost like he was a different animal.

Arella, I think the word "aggressive" describes what you mean more precisely than "vicious" does. The word "vicious"---literally, "marked by vice"---suggests that the raccoon knows vice from virtue and is choosing vice. But raccoons don't, in fact, know vice from virtue, and cannot make conscious choices about anything. Only we humans can do that. In non-human animals, aggression always comes from instincts, never moral turpitude.

Thank you Thomas! I will remember that.

Arella Mae, What you're describing is not at all viciousness. For animals in which there is an alpha (male and/or female), the alpha will always assert itself. It's the way the order of the group is maintained and the way the other animals can learn and be a part of the group.

In the case you're describing, the younger male overstepped his bounds. The alpha has dibs on all food and all food choices. Don't be pushy with the alpha. EVER!

This principle applies to lions, chimps, meerkats, wild canids, hippos, elephants, monkeys, gorillas, and on and on.

Have you ever seen wild chimps on a hunt? I've seen films of this. Our very closest relatives are very impressive, intelligent, and successful hunters. They hunt and eat monkeys. The alpha leads the charge and gets the goodies. Sometimes it will share with associates.

Chimps have also been known to be at war (territorial issues) with other troops. They will fight to the death. Vicious? Or instinctive?

I do not believe that there is anything "vicious" in the natural world. If a dog is "vicious," it's likely the result of human action.

At this point, I'm guessing that you know that I think there is only one truly vicious animal on the planet. Us.

Wolverine:

That's it! You are exactly right.

The boid is about as puffiny as you can get. Just spent some time looking up osprey aircraft to see if I could detect a resemblance. Couldn't.

Elkhorn coral:

Miss Roberta,

An Osprey aircraft takes off like a helicopter but flies like a plane. I will see if I can find a picture that reminds me of that Puffin. I think I am understanding what you are saying about vicious and thank you for explaining it.

Here is a short video of the Osprey Aircraft in flight. The very last part of the clip looks (to me anyway) the same shape as the Puffin.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMhbfBnGO-o

Thanks for the video link, Arella Mae. I think I kinda sorta saw the similarity--mebbe.

back from the great white north, not many animal pics (and my camera has stopped working, picture wise anyway,but the video still works) but will post the few pics i have plus some videos in the next day or so

Welcome back, dj. Looking forward to whatever you got.

LOL!

Sloth bear:



Three-toed sloth with baby:

That mother and child sloth look so peaceful and content.