The Bat-Eared Fox, Delalandes Fox or Bakoorvos (Otocyon megalotisis) is an insectovorous mammal of the dog family. The Bat-eared fox is found mainly in open woodlands and grassy plains in southern Africa where it feeds predominantly on insects - the only member of the dog family to do so. Bat-eared foxes are characterised by their large, wide ears which are used for hunting, have a short, narrow mouth and long legs like those of a jackal. Bat-eared foxes have for centuries been hunted by indigenous people for their pelts, but in sustainable quantities providing no danger of extinction to the fox. Research Bat-Eared Fox More pictures of Bat-Eared Fox
The Beautiful Arches (Blepharita satura) is a moth of the family Noctuidae with a wing span of between 40 and 45 mm found in the temperate zone throughout the Palaearctic sub region living in woodlands and forests. A single generation is produced flying from August until October. Research Beautiful Arches
The cow-wheats are British plants of the family Scrophulariaceae. Yellow cow- wheat (Melampyrum pratense) is a slender plant with smooth, narrow leaves arranged in pairs, and long-tubed yellow flowers arranged in pairs in the axils of the leaves. It occurs in woodlands. The purple cow-wheat (Melampyrum arvense) bears rosy purple bracts and long terminal spikes of yellow and purple flowers in late summer and is sometimes found in corn fields. Research Cow-Wheat
Cychrus is a genus of beetles of the family Carabidae, resembling the genusCarabus, but with a longer head. They feed on snails, earthworms and other small creatures by night, hiding under moss and loose bark during the day. The only British species is Cychrus caraboides living in damp woodlands at altitudes below 2000 metres and growing to between 12 and 20 mm in length. Research Cychrus
The dog's tooth violet (Erythronium Americanum), or American adder's tongue is an American plant of the family Liliaceae. It is a beautiful early spring flower of the Lily family found in the eastern USA growing in damp, open woodlands from New Brunswick to Florida, and west as far as Ontario and Arkansas. The flower, which appears in April and May, is a handsome, large, pendulous, lily-like flower with the perianth divisions strongly recurved, bright yellow in colour, often tinged with purple and finely dotted within at the base, and bear six stamens. Research Dog's Tooth Violet
Earth-star is a fungus found in wet woodlands in the south of England. It has a ball-like spore-case raised on a short stalk, with back-turned petal- like appendages. Research Earth-star
Geoffrey's Cat (Leopardus or Oncifelas geoffroyi) is a South American wild cat (Felidae) named after the natutalist Geoffrey St Hilaire, and resembling a Eurpoean or American domestic cat in appearance and habits. The Geoffrey's Cat is generally pale brown or tan in colour and covered with small, uniformly sized and shaped black spots. The Geoffrey's Cat is found in a range of habitats, always with good ground cover, such as scrub, woodlands, open bush in Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Uruguay, where they typically eat small mammals, birds, lizards, rodents and fish.
The Geoffrey's Cat is widely hunted for its fur, but is also domesticated and kept as a pet by native peoples of South America. They generally live to an age of about fourteen years, but can live for up to twenty years. The Geoffrey's Cat, like many other cats, is typically a nocturnal hunter, loves trees and swimming. Research Geoffrey's Cat
The Green Woodpecker (Picus virdis) is a large, pale, bright coloured bird of the Woodpecker family Picidae, natural order Piciformes. The Green Woodpecker has a cylindrical, barrel-shaped body with pale green, brownish plumage and a striking yellow rump and a red cap to the top of its head. The Green Woodpecker spends most of its time on the ground feeding on ants, ant eggs and larvae. The Green Woodpecker nests in a large hole in a tree, and is to be found near woodlands, feeding in grassy clearings before flying back to the trees when danger approaches. Green Woodpeckers are found in England, Wales and across Europe, but are absent from Scotland, Ireland and Scandinavia except the southern parts. Research Green Woodpecker More pictures of Green Woodpecker
The grey squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) is a predominantly grey-coloured mammal of the family Sciuridae, order Rodentia characterized by a long bushy tail, large dark eyes, short snout with long whiskers. The grey squirrel is found in woodlands and parks with trees where they forage for food on the ground, and nest in a drey built high in the treetops. Grey squirrels are skilled acrobats and are renowned for their games, chasing each other up and down trees, juggling with twigs and performing somersaults and mid air twists. The purpose of these games are to help the animals keep coordination finely tuned, and to perform finely executed courtship displays. Research Grey Squirrel
The Probert Encyclopaedia was designed, edited and programed by
Matt and Leela Probert
Abbreviations
Research Bat-Eared Fox
