J – L introduces us to some splendid animals often threatened by man’s thoughtlessness and greed. Our Around the World in 50 weeks takes us across oceans and forests today. All three species this week are strong swimmers!
- Jaguar – file from wikimedia commons
Jaguar power.
Adaptable cat. At home
in tree or in sea.
The jaguar is the largest and most powerful wild cat in the Western Hemisphere. Jaguars are found on the American continents; they live in Texas, in the Cerro Colorado Mountains in Arizona, the southern part of California, and New Mexico, in the United States, and are found in rain forests in Central and South America. The largest known population exists in the Amazon rain forests. Black jaguars live in South America.
The jaguar is near threatened and its numbers are declining. Hunting and trapping for its highly prized fur, and loss of habitat to forest clearing for farms, pastures, roads, and airstrips for mining and exploration have all been factors in the jaguar’s decline.
For more information on the jaguar, I did a post here, comparing them to that other graceful big cat, the leopard.
- Killer Whale – File from wikimedia commons
Killer Whale – Orca.
Socialites, playing in pods.
Divas of dolphins.
In fact it is the largest of the dolphin species and has even been known on rare occasion to attack other whales. Killer whales are one of the most well-recognized sea mammals and are easily spotted by their black and white coloring.
Killer whales are extremely intelligent, well-organized and follow highly complex social structures within their pods often consisting of large groups of family members and is considered one of the most stable social structures of any of the animal species.
Having no known predators the killer whale is known as an apex or alpha predator, which is able to hunt freely without fear of being attacked by another animal. However it has recently been discovered that is is one of the most polluted animals on earth. The IUCN currently assesses the orca’s conservation status as deficient in data. Some local populations are considered threatened or endangered due to prey depletion, habitat loss, pollution, capture for marine mammal parks, and conflicts with fisheries.
Leopard Shark - file from wikimedia commons
Leopard Shark- zebra.
Dozing on sea bed by day.
Nighttime forager.
The leopard shark, sometimes referred to as the zebra shark, is a loner, in complete contrast to the killer whale. he has a docile nature and is generally considered harmless to humans.
Leopard sharks are strictly nocturnal. They are rather sluggish during the day and disposed to what appears to be nearly continuous slumber in sheltered areas, often seen lying on sandy sea bottoms. By night they become active and can be found slowly foraging on the reef.
Leopard sharks are classified as ‘Vulnerable’. Fishermen catch them for their meat, which is eaten fresh or dried salted. The rest of the body is made into fishmeal. The oily liver of this animal is used to make vitamins. Its fins are used for shark fin soup or in the traditional Chinese medicine trade.
Sharks play a crucial role in reef and ocean ecosystems. They prey on weak and diseased animals. Human choices and interference have caused their numbers to decline.
In my 20's, with only my guitar and a rucksack, I wandered the continents, immersing myself in the lives of some wonderful people, projects and stories, which changed the way I view my responsibility to others and this earth. Right now I'm a European transplant in the US who writes books for children and young adults. Stories can help us not only navigate our world but can connect us to others, and allow us to inspire and help each other. I believe that equity and empathy should be at the core of our all actions, words, and stories.
I am also a school librarian and I get a kick out of book-matchmaking! And I use the pronouns she/her.
I love these haiku! What a fun way to learn about endangered species.
Thank you, Kirsten. I think it is always good to explore different ways of conveying information.
Really cool Miss Marple!
Thanks, Erik!
As always, what a great way to learn more about endangered animals. These haiku are inspired! Thanks, Joanna.
Thanks, Beth, it is fun trying to share some information with so few syllables permitted!
Coole Serie! Ich lese sie gerne.
Danke für deine Unterstützung, Iris!
I really look forward to this series Joanna. I love that you have such a strong passion in making sure that kids and adults alike know about endangered species and their plight. Nice post. The jaguar is my favorite.
Thank you, Pat. I can’t get enough of big cats myself!
Seriously, Joanna, when is your book of endangered animal haikus due to be published? Such a great idea – poetry, information on an important topic, and beautiful photographs… what’s not to love?!
Susanna, you are too kind! Now, if I could just get a publisher to sponsor me to take my own photography trip, I would be in heaven!
Query, whet their interest with your awesome ideas, and maybe you’ll get lucky 🙂
I love my fellow writers’ support!
So glad you are continuing this. The leopard shark is new to me. What a beautiful creature!
Thank you, Hannah. He is truly a docile and attractive shark!
I just saw an article about the numerous chemical contaminants found in orca whale samples. So distressing, thinking of its position at the top of the food chain, and what that means in terms of overal ocean health.
I second all the comments here, hoping these find their way into a publication soon!
Cathy, I was also shocked by these facts, and how such a predator could be so contaminated! I do think the idea has potential for a children’s book, too! 🙂