#docentclasses

BABY GERENUK Litocranius walleri Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens Los Angeles, California There are a few of these babies around, so stnkin' cute. Gerenuk are also known as the giraffe gazelle, is a long-necked antelope found in the Horn of Africa and the drier parts of East Africa. Primarily a browser, the gerenuk feed on foliage of bushes as well as trees, shoots, herbs, flowers and fruits. It stands in it's hind legs regularly elongating it's long neck so it can reach higher branches and twigs better. Acacia species preferred, while evergreen vegetation forms the diet during droughts. The pointed mouth assists in extracting leaves from thorny vegetation. The gerenuk does not drink water regularly. #baby #gerenuk #litocraniuswalleri #beautiful #graceful #longneck #giraffegazelle #adorable #losangeleszooandbotanicalgardens #losangeleszoo #lazoo #lauraquick #mammalia #antelope #africa #savannahdry #portrait #photojourney #docentclasses #hoofstock https://www.instagram.com/p/B8Zv2DkHFYU/?igshid=61hqtc6nlpi6

BABY GERENUK Litocranius walleri Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens Los Angeles, California There are a few of these babies around, so stnkin' cute. Gerenuk are also known as the giraffe gazelle, is a long-necked antelope found in the Horn of Africa and the drier parts of East Africa. Primarily a browser, the gerenuk feed on foliage of bushes as well as trees, shoots, herbs, flowers and fruits. It stands in it's hind legs regularly elongating it's long neck so it can reach higher branches and twigs better. Acacia species preferred, while evergreen vegetation forms the diet during droughts. The pointed mouth assists in extracting leaves from thorny vegetation. The gerenuk does not drink water regularly. #baby #gerenuk #litocraniuswalleri #beautiful #graceful #longneck #giraffegazelle #adorable #losangeleszooandbotanicalgardens #losangeleszoo #lazoo #lauraquick #mammalia #antelope #africa #savannahdry #portrait #photojourney #docentclasses #hoofstock https://www.instagram.com/p/B8X-AgLH4LO/?igshid=wjp5ssnyhf4u

SICHUAN TAKIN Budorcas taxicolor ©Laura Quick Also called cattle chamois and gnu goat, Takin in groups of about 30 inhabit the same dense bamboo forests as the better known giant panda. Despite being large, stocky and relatively slow moving, the Sichuan takin is quite agile in maneuvering its rocky habitat with often steep and challenging slopes. The inaccessibility of the takin’s mountainous habitat has meant that there is little information on this species’ behavior and ecology; specifically on their distribution and population size. Takins have adaptations that help them stay warm and dry during the bitter cold of winter in the Himalayan Mountains. A thick, secondary coat is grown to keep out the chill. The large, moose-like snout has large sinus cavities to warm up the air a takin inhales before it gets to the lungs. Without this adaptation, takins would lose a large amount of body heat just by breathing. Yet another protection is their oily skin. Although they have no skin glands, their skin secretes an oily, bitter-tasting substance that acts as a natural raincoat in storms and fog. Streaks of this oily stuff can be seen where takins rub. They also have an odor that smells like a combination of horse and musk. #takin #cattlechamois #gnugoat #caprine #goatfamily #budorcastaxicolor #©lauraquick #lazoo #glaza #docentclasses #portrait #china #asia #losangelesphotographer #nature photography #traveljourney #musky #rockyterrain #built-inraincoat #photojourney #artiodactyla #bovidae #caprinae #vulnerable https://www.instagram.com/p/B8o05Z3H0ao/?igshid=1c849xhx2g7w8

Two Mangshan Pitvipers Protobothrops mangshanensis In Mandarin, the  word “mǎng” actually means python and “shan” is the word for mountain. The mountain range from which this species is endemic was given the name  Mangshan due to its snake-like shape. These endangered snakes are ambush hunters which eat frogs, birds, insects, and small mammals. They have a white tail tip that they wiggle to mimic a grub so that prey comes into strike range. Their venom causes blood clotting, corrodes muscle tissue and can kill people. The female, unlike other vipers, lays eggs and will guard them until they hatch. These snakes get big, they can reach an adult weight of 6-1/2 to 10 pounds (3–5 kilograms) and a length of up to 6-1/2 feet (203 centimetres). I love the color patterning.

Chipping away at my back taxes and getting ready for 2019 tax filing at the same time. Ugh! Will be glad when at last my post-cancer life catches up to my pre-cancer life. It is astounding what you end up putting on hold to address more pressing health issues. 

Elephant Foot They walk on tiptoe! The balance of the foot is comprised of cartridge and fat encasing the bones. This allows for cushioning. Elephant feet splay out as they walk and contract as their feet are lifted, this allows them ease when walking in mud. Many elephants die of foot infections. #lazoo #glaza #docentclasses #elephantfoot #sideconversation #elephantbiology #lovingthis https://www.instagram.com/p/B3P6LgcHmbn/?igshid=hhxjevsc2e6h

Portrait Female Western Gorilla Los Angeles Zoo Los Angeles, California #western #gorilla #lazoo #glaza #docentclasses #portrait #learningatonalready #photograohy #traveljourney #photojourney #©lauraquick https://www.instagram.com/p/B3QdG3dnG_H/?igshid=5w93c1bgyxiy

Portrait Male Western Gorilla Los Angeles Zoo Los Angeles, California #western #gorilla #lazoo #glaza #docentclasses #portrait #learningatonalready #photograohy #traveljourney #photojourney #©lauraquick https://www.instagram.com/p/B3QeY8yHm4W/?igshid=9w83ycnjdmjo