The Black-footed ferret or American Polecat is a unique ferret species native to North America. It has a distinctive black mask, tail tip, and feet. The nocturnal ferret spends the daytime in its burrows.
This type of weasel primarily lives in prairie grasslands to hunt prairie dogs, which comprise over 90% of its diet. Unfortunately, this species struggles with habitat loss, disease, and the poisoning of prairie dogs.
Scientists once considered the Black-Footed Ferret extinct in the wild in 1987. However, conservation efforts such as captive breeding programs, reintroduction initiatives, and vaccination against diseases have helped prevent its extinction. Still, the latest IUCN assessments put the Black-Footed Ferrets in the endangered category today1.
The Red-footed Falcon soars freely across Europe and Asia. This raptor is relatively small, measuring 28-34 cm in length, but it has red feet and 'trousers' that stand out from the rest of its body. The male falcon has a blue-grey coat, while the females and juveniles have a browner shade.
These types of falcons maneuver mid-air to catch their prey adeptly, feeding mainly on beetles and grasshoppers. However, they also hunt small mammals, birds, and amphibians. Red-footed Falcons also hunt in teams.
They prefer open spaces such as marshes, heaths, and farmlands and often occupy abandoned nests of rooks and crows.
Both parents take responsibility for raising their young from egg to flight, and they are naturally monogamous.
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