Animal of the day (169)

As far as turtles go, the Diamondback Terrapin is a pretty one, but also a bit of an oddball. While its closest relatives thrive in the fresh waters of lakes and rivers, this one is specially adapted to living in brackish waters. It is found throughout the East Coast of the United States, the Gulf of Mexico coast, as well as in Bermuda. Like its more distantly related cousins the sea turtles, it has skin that is largely impermeable to salt and glands that help get rid of excess salt through tears. Staying relatively small with a shell length that reaches 5 inches in males and 7.5 inches in females, it feeds on various crustaceans, mollusks and fish.

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Animal of the day (164)

Although declared extinct in the wild in 2019, not all hope is lost for the Spix's Macaw. This gorgeous bird once inhabited the drainage basin of the São Francisco River, in Brazil. It had a very restricted natural habitat due to its dependence on a particular tree species. The 2011 animated movie Rio actually portrayed the story of the supposed last pair of Spix's macaws. Thankfully, the species is now maintained through captive breeding programs, and efforts are being made to restore its natural habitat and reintroduce it to the wild. Mating for life, a pair typically also enjoys sharing food and mutual grooming.

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