The Indonesian Shortfin Eel is a deep-brown to light-yellow eel that inhabits the Indian Ocean, Western Pacific Ocean, and Indonesian waters. It is a unique subspecies of the Shortfin Eel, characterized by its shorter dorsal fin beyond the pectoral fins. This catadromous eel lives in freshwater rivers and streams.
During the breeding season, these eels swim against the current and return to the ocean. Moreover, the Indonesian Shortfin Eel embarks on land excursions, using its slender body and sharp pectoral fins to explore new territories. They undertake these journeys at night when they emerge from their burrows and crevices.
Scanning their surroundings for prey, they mainly feed on small fish, crustaceans, and other invertebrates.
The Banggai Crow, unique to Indonesia, sports a length of around 15 inches, a mid-size in the crow world. Its glossy plumage is predominantly black, while its dark eyes have pale irises. This species is adapted to dense forest habitats in the Banggai Islands.
Previously thought to be extinct, searches in the early 2000s rediscovered them. Since then, local communities and governments have taken measures like awareness campaigns and promotion of forest protection. Today, they are critically endangered, with less than 250 mature Banggai Crows in the wild3.
The Black Giant Squirrel has a striking black coat contrasted by cream to cinnamon hues on its underparts. Their body can grow up to 15 inches while their tails can be twice as long.
It's an arboreal animal found in Southeast Asia's mature forests that feeds on seeds, nuts, fruits, leaves, insects, bird eggs, and young birds.
Like oriental giant squirrels, this squirrel rarely ventures to the ground, preferring the trees' safety, where it communicates with its fellow squirrels through distinct calls.
The Tufted Titmouse gets its name from the Old English words "tit," meaning small, and "mase,” meaning bird. The word "mase" eventually became obsolete and was replaced with the word "mouse.”
The quick-moving tiny bird probably reminded people of the house mouse. The tufted part of its name likely comes from the small upward-swept tuft of feathers on its head.
There are five titmice species endemic to North America. The Tufted Titmouse is a sedentary south-based species that seems to be steadily expanding its range northward.
The Sooty Falcon is a prey bird inhabiting North Africa and the Middle East. They exhibit a streamlined body with an overall grey-blue color. Even more striking is its sleek, curved yellow beak. The adults are approximately 13-16 inches long and weigh around 0.5 pounds, lending them a moderate build.
This type of falcon undertakes remarkable long-distance migrations. An adult Sooty Falcon traveled over 3400 miles from UAE to Madagascar in 13 days1.
The Sooty Falcon is a skilled hunter, using its swift and agile flight to catch prey in mid-air. Its diet consists mainly of small birds and flying insects, although it prefers dragonflies. Interestingly, it likes to hunt at dawn or dusk.
