20 SHOCKING Nocturnal Predators
- 6 years ago
Did you know that Grey Wolfs love to hunt at night? Check out these 20 shocking nocturnal predators that you should watch out for !\r
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Dwarf Crocodile -- This is the smallest species of croc with a body length of up to 6.25 feet (1.9m) and weighing between 40-70 pounds (18-32 kgs). Theyre found in swamps and rainforests of western and central Africa. During the day they hide in tree roots or burrows. Theyre ive at night, feeding on frogs, toads and crustaceans in particular.\r
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Caracal -- Found in Africa, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent, this medium-sized wildcat measures up to 20 inches (50 centimeters) at the shoulder and can weigh up to 40 pounds (18 kilograms). The Caracal comes out at night to prey on birds, rodents and small antelopes, usually killing with a bite to the neck. They can leap up to 10 feet (3m) in the air from a crouching position and use a swat of their paw to kill a bird in flight.\r
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Malayan Civet -- Theyre found in various habitats in southeast Asia, from grasslands, to forests and brush. They spend a lot of time on the ground but can easily climb trees if the need arises. Theyre solitary animals, feeding on rodents, birds, snakes and insects.\r
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Margays -- Native to Central and South America this small cat is known for its amazing ability to run down a tree head first or use one paw to hang from a branch. These animals usually prey on birds, lizards and frogs.\r
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Ocelot -- Also known as a dwarf leopard, the Ocelot is found throughout South America through Central America and into Mexico. Sightings in Texas have even been reported. They spend most of the day sleeping in lower tree branches and come out at night to feed on rabbits, reptiles, monkeys and birds. Theyre also known to be good swimmers.\r
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Grey Wolves -- These are apex predators that can be found from North America to Asia in a wide variety of habitats, from woodlands and forests to grasslands and arid landscapes. These animals are highly social and can live in packs of 2 to 36 individual wolves, forming a tightly knit group that is highly organized. As carnivores their prey often depends on whether theyre hunting as a pack or alone. If theyre in a pack, the Gray Wolf will prey upon larger animals like moose, reindeer and yak. Theyre known to howl to assemble the pack or to locate each other across vast distances.\r
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Coyote -- These animals can reach speeds up to 43 mph (69 kph), and are one of the top 10 fastest land animals in the world. Theyre often found in North America, in open woodlands and prairies. When hunting large prey theyll work in pairs or small groups. Almost all of its diet consists of animals matter, including sheep, bison, deer, and birds.\r
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Tasmanian Devil -- Weighing up to 26 pounds (12 kgs) these are the largest carnivorous marsupials, Found in habitats in Tasmania and Australia, they hide out in their den or dense bush during the day and become ive at night. They have a varied diet and will feed on birds, fish and reptiles. Theyre also known to eat carrion even more than hunt live prey. Did you know that should the needs arise, they can consume up to 40% of their body weight within a half hour. They might be best known for inspiring “Taz”, the cartoon charer from Looney Tunes.\r
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Fer-de-Lance (Bothrops asper) -- These are some of the largest and deadliest snakes in Central and South America. In Costa Rica this reptile accounts for 50% of all snakebites there. Unpredictable and excitable, theyre known for striking quickly and aggressively. Growing to about 7 feet long (2m), it can spit its venom at least 6 feet (1.8m). They spend their days coiled and hidden amongst leaf-litter. Come nightfall, those long bodies uncoil and theyre on the hunt for prey. The name ‘fer-de-lance refers to the snakes flat head; in French that means ‘lance head.\r
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Aye Aye - These creatures can only be found on the island of Madagascar. Although they may not look like it, these animals are primates, related to chimpanzees. Although from their frightful appearance, many people think theyre related to gremlins. Maybe thats why they sleep in trees during the day and only come out at night. Their diet consists of wood boring larvae, seeds and nectar. Maybe not the biggest predator out there, but hey … they do look shocking!\r
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Giant Striped Mongoose -- Also known as Grandidiers Mongoose, the French naturalist and explorer. It lives in a small area of Madagascar, and weighs up to 1.3 pounds (600 g). Because of the intense heat of its environment, the animals come out at night to forage and hunt after temperatures cool off. As befits a giant striped mongoose, it favors giant cockroaches as well as scorpions for its dining pleasu
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Dwarf Crocodile -- This is the smallest species of croc with a body length of up to 6.25 feet (1.9m) and weighing between 40-70 pounds (18-32 kgs). Theyre found in swamps and rainforests of western and central Africa. During the day they hide in tree roots or burrows. Theyre ive at night, feeding on frogs, toads and crustaceans in particular.\r
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Caracal -- Found in Africa, the Middle East and the Indian subcontinent, this medium-sized wildcat measures up to 20 inches (50 centimeters) at the shoulder and can weigh up to 40 pounds (18 kilograms). The Caracal comes out at night to prey on birds, rodents and small antelopes, usually killing with a bite to the neck. They can leap up to 10 feet (3m) in the air from a crouching position and use a swat of their paw to kill a bird in flight.\r
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Malayan Civet -- Theyre found in various habitats in southeast Asia, from grasslands, to forests and brush. They spend a lot of time on the ground but can easily climb trees if the need arises. Theyre solitary animals, feeding on rodents, birds, snakes and insects.\r
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Margays -- Native to Central and South America this small cat is known for its amazing ability to run down a tree head first or use one paw to hang from a branch. These animals usually prey on birds, lizards and frogs.\r
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Ocelot -- Also known as a dwarf leopard, the Ocelot is found throughout South America through Central America and into Mexico. Sightings in Texas have even been reported. They spend most of the day sleeping in lower tree branches and come out at night to feed on rabbits, reptiles, monkeys and birds. Theyre also known to be good swimmers.\r
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Grey Wolves -- These are apex predators that can be found from North America to Asia in a wide variety of habitats, from woodlands and forests to grasslands and arid landscapes. These animals are highly social and can live in packs of 2 to 36 individual wolves, forming a tightly knit group that is highly organized. As carnivores their prey often depends on whether theyre hunting as a pack or alone. If theyre in a pack, the Gray Wolf will prey upon larger animals like moose, reindeer and yak. Theyre known to howl to assemble the pack or to locate each other across vast distances.\r
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Coyote -- These animals can reach speeds up to 43 mph (69 kph), and are one of the top 10 fastest land animals in the world. Theyre often found in North America, in open woodlands and prairies. When hunting large prey theyll work in pairs or small groups. Almost all of its diet consists of animals matter, including sheep, bison, deer, and birds.\r
\r
Tasmanian Devil -- Weighing up to 26 pounds (12 kgs) these are the largest carnivorous marsupials, Found in habitats in Tasmania and Australia, they hide out in their den or dense bush during the day and become ive at night. They have a varied diet and will feed on birds, fish and reptiles. Theyre also known to eat carrion even more than hunt live prey. Did you know that should the needs arise, they can consume up to 40% of their body weight within a half hour. They might be best known for inspiring “Taz”, the cartoon charer from Looney Tunes.\r
\r
Fer-de-Lance (Bothrops asper) -- These are some of the largest and deadliest snakes in Central and South America. In Costa Rica this reptile accounts for 50% of all snakebites there. Unpredictable and excitable, theyre known for striking quickly and aggressively. Growing to about 7 feet long (2m), it can spit its venom at least 6 feet (1.8m). They spend their days coiled and hidden amongst leaf-litter. Come nightfall, those long bodies uncoil and theyre on the hunt for prey. The name ‘fer-de-lance refers to the snakes flat head; in French that means ‘lance head.\r
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\r
\r
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Aye Aye - These creatures can only be found on the island of Madagascar. Although they may not look like it, these animals are primates, related to chimpanzees. Although from their frightful appearance, many people think theyre related to gremlins. Maybe thats why they sleep in trees during the day and only come out at night. Their diet consists of wood boring larvae, seeds and nectar. Maybe not the biggest predator out there, but hey … they do look shocking!\r
\r
Giant Striped Mongoose -- Also known as Grandidiers Mongoose, the French naturalist and explorer. It lives in a small area of Madagascar, and weighs up to 1.3 pounds (600 g). Because of the intense heat of its environment, the animals come out at night to forage and hunt after temperatures cool off. As befits a giant striped mongoose, it favors giant cockroaches as well as scorpions for its dining pleasu