From the book Atlas de Zoologie: ou collection de 100 planches by Paul Gervais, 1844 The thylacine (Thylacinus cynocephalus) was first described in 1808 by George Harris (note that the illustration above refers to the animal as Thylacinus Harrisii). Also known by the common names Tasmanian tiger and Tasmanian wolf, the thylacine had a canid … Continue reading The Thylacine: Distinction in Extinction
Month: September 2021
Puppies Allowed to Be Born: Oh the Humanity!
(Stock photo via Pexels) Unborn puppies and kittens have a right to live. This issue is entirely separate from the debate surrounding the reproductive healthcare of women, who are capable of engaging with their doctors and making informed decisions. I've written about pregnant dogs and cats in shelter care in the past so I won't … Continue reading Puppies Allowed to Be Born: Oh the Humanity!
Animals in Art: Dogs
Dynamism of a Dog on a Leash by Giacomo Balla, 1912 Itzcuintli Dog with Me by Frida Kahlo, 1938 Winter Walk IV by Jane Newland Illustration by Violett-le-Duc, Eugene Emmanuel from a 14th century manuscript Diana, goddess of the hunt, leaning against a tree by Pietro Antonio Rotari (1707 - 1762) Another Night Journey by … Continue reading Animals in Art: Dogs
Weekend Finn
Animals in Art: Extinct
Thylacine or Tasmanian tiger by Joseph Wolf, 1853 Drepanosaurus by Nix, 2014 Male and female passenger pigeons by Louis Agassiz Fuertes, from the book The Passenger Pigeon by William Butts Mershon, 1907 Steller's sea cow by Richard Ellis Moa (Dinornis) by Mark Witton, 2018 Eohippus stamp issued in 1996, painted by Don Balke Sinosauropteryx prima … Continue reading Animals in Art: Extinct
Treats on the Internets
A fascinating piece on how we know animals perceive death, even if only at a basic level, using "playing possum" as an example: This does not mean that opossums themselves necessarily have a concept of death, or that they behave this way with the intention of being mistaken for a corpse. On the contrary, it … Continue reading Treats on the Internets
Animals in Art: Scientific Illustrations
From the book Domesticated Animals and Plants by Eugene Davenport, 1910 Two pages from the book Hounds by Frank Townend Barton, 1913 Artist unknown, inventor FHC Mey, from the book Cycling Art, Energy and Locomotion by Robert Pittis Scott, 1889 Artist unknown Cuttlefish illustration from the book Zoology of the Invertebrate Animals by Alexander Macalister, … Continue reading Animals in Art: Scientific Illustrations
Weekend Newt
What is Memphis Hiding?
Stock photo via Pexels From January through August 2021, one hundred animals have died in their cages at the Memphis animal shelter (MAS). Let's be clear, despite best efforts and quality medical care, every open admission shelter is going to have an animal die on rare occasions. Animals come in sick, malnourished and/or orphaned. Not … Continue reading What is Memphis Hiding?
Vintage Zoo Animal Photos
The Hippopotamus at the Zoological Gardens, Regent's Park, photo by Count de Montizon, 1852 These images were taken at a time when zoos obtained their animals from the wild and as gifts from wealthy collectors. Modern veterinary medicine was in its infancy and even so, the medical needs of these wild animals were poorly understood. … Continue reading Vintage Zoo Animal Photos
YesBiscuit! 