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Selja Gorges
Selja Gorges (from the traditionnal transcription fr. ''Gorges de Selja'') or the Thelja Gorges as more recently transcribed from Arabic (arabic حلق الثالجة) are located in southern Tunisia in Gafsa Governorate. The gorges link the Gafsa Valley with the Redeyef plateau. The area contains abundant phosphate deposits. Ramsar Wetland The Gorges are a several kilometers long natural valley with deep ravines through which the Thelja Wadi runs a very sinuous course towards the Chott El Gharsa. The surroundings are mountainous and arid and form a part of the Djebels of the Saharan Atlas (with an altitude between 210m and 450m). An area of 675 ha is protected as Ramsar wetland, where the wadi's waters are present all year around (albeit with a very small flowrate). The site contains 45 types of plants and trees among which: esparto or "alfa" grass Macrochloa tenacissima, compact rush Juncus conglomeratus, French tamarisk Tamarix gallica, caper Capparis spinosa, le Batoum, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Lézard Rouge
The Lézard Rouge (French for "Red Lizard") is a Heritage railway, historic Tunisian train, once the property of the Bey of Tunis,Simms, Wilfrid F., "The Railways of Tunisia," (1997) but now used for tourists. It runs from Metlaoui to Redeyef and passes through the spectacular Selja Gorges, taking some 40 minutes for the journey. The railway was built for mining trains carrying phosphates. References See also * "I treni di Tozeur" Tourist attractions in Tunisia Named passenger trains of Tunisia Metre gauge railways in Tunisia {{Tunisia-stub ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rüppell's Fox
Rüppell's fox (''Vulpes rueppellii''), also called Rüppell's sand fox, is a fox species living in desert and semi-desert regions of North Africa, the Middle East, and southwestern Asia. It has been listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List since 2008. It is named after the German naturalist Eduard Rüppell. Description Rüppell's fox is a small fox, measuring in total length, including a tail measuring long. There is no pronounced sexual dimorphism, but males appear slightly larger than females. Both sexes are reported to have an average weight of . Their coat is sandy with some brown, ticked with numerous white hairs, and fading from reddish along the middle of the back to pure white on the animal's underparts and on the tip of its tail. The flanks are also paler. The head has a more rusty tone on the muzzle and forehead, with dark brown patches on the sides of the muzzle, stretching up towards the eyes. The chin and the sides of the face are white. The whiskers are long, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Sand Martin
The sand martin (''Riparia riparia''), also known as the bank swallow (in the Americas), collared sand martin, or common sand martin, is a migratory passerine bird in the swallow family. It has a wide range in summer, embracing practically the whole of Europe and the Mediterranean countries and across the Palearctic to the Pacific Ocean. It is a Holarctic species also found in North America. It winters in eastern and southern Africa, South America, and the Indian Subcontinent. Taxonomy This species was first described by Carl Linnaeus in his 1758 10th edition of ''Systema Naturae'', and originally named ''Hirundo riparia''; the description consisted of the simple "''H rundocinerea, gula abdomineque albis''" – "an ash-grey swallow, with white throat and belly" – and the type locality was simply given as "Europa". The specific name means "of the riverbank"; it is derived from the Latin ''ripa'' "riverbank". The pale martin of northern India and southeastern China i ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Rock Dove
The rock dove, rock pigeon, or common pigeon ( also ; ''Columba livia'') is a member of the bird family Columbidae (doves and pigeons). In common usage, it is often simply referred to as the "pigeon". The domestic pigeon (''Columba livia domestica'', which includes about 1,000 different breeds) descended from this species. Escaped domestic pigeons have increased the populations of feral pigeons around the world. Wild rock doves are pale grey with two black bars on each wing, whereas domestic and feral pigeons vary in colour and pattern. Few differences are seen between males and females. The species is generally monogamous, with two squabs (young) per brood. Both parents care for the young for a time. Habitats include various open and semi-open environments. Cliffs and rock ledges are used for roosting and breeding in the wild. Originally found wild in Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, pigeons have become established in cities around the world. The species is abundant, ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Barbary Partridge
The Barbary partridge (''Alectoris barbara'') is a gamebird in the pheasant family (Phasianidae) of the order Galliformes. It is native to North Africa. Distribution The Barbary partridge has its main native range in North Africa, and is also native to Gibraltar and the Canary Islands The Canary Islands (; es, Canarias, ), also known informally as the Canaries, are a Spanish autonomous community and archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, in Macaronesia. At their closest point to the African mainland, they are west of Morocc ... (''Alectoris barbara'' ssp. ''koenigi''). It has been introduced to continental Portugal and Madeira islands, Madeira, though there are no recent records of this species on the latter islands. It is also present in Sardinia. Description The Barbary partridge is a rotund bird, with a grey-brown back, grey breast and buff belly. The face is light grey with a broad reddish-brown gorget. It has rufous-streaked white flanks and red legs. When disturbed, i ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Eurasian Eagle-owl
The Eurasian eagle-owl (''Bubo bubo'') is a species of eagle-owl that resides in much of Palearctic, Eurasia. It is also called the Uhu and it is occasionally abbreviated to just the eagle-owl in Europe. It is one of the largest species of owl, and females can grow to a total length of 75 cm (30 in), with a wingspan of 188 cm (6 ft 2 in), with males being slightly smaller.''Owls of the World: A Photographic Guide'' by Mikkola, H. Firefly Books (2012), This bird has distinctive ear tufts, with upper parts that are mottled with darker blackish colouring and tawny. The wings and tail are barred. The underparts are a variably hued buff, streaked with darker colouring. The facial disc is not very defined and the orange eyes are distinctive.Penteriani, V., & del Mar Delgado, M. (2019). ''The eagle owl''. Bloomsbury Publishing. Eurasian eagle-owls are found in many habitats, but are mostly birds of Mountain ecosystems, mountainous regions or other Rock (geolog ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Cerastes Cerastes
''Cerastes cerastes'', commonly known as the Saharan horned viperMallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. (2003). ''True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers''. Malabar, Florida: Krieger Publishing Company. . or the desert horned viper,Mehrtens JM. (1987). ''Living Snakes of the World in Color''. New York: Sterling Publishers. . is a venomous species of viper native to the deserts of Northern Africa and parts of the Arabian Peninsula and Levant. It is often easily recognized by the presence of a pair of supraocular "horns", although hornless individuals do occur. Three subspecies have been described. Description The average total length (body and tail) is , with a maximum total length of . Females are larger than males. One of the most distinctive characteristics of this species is the presence of supraorbital "horns", one over each eye. However, these may be reduced in size or absent (see genus ''Cerastes''). The eyes are prominent and set on the sides of the head. ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Moorish Viper
The Moorish viper (''Daboia mauritanica'' or ''Macrovipera mauritanica''; common names: Moorish viper,Mallow D, Ludwig D, Nilson G. 2003. True Vipers: Natural History and Toxinology of Old World Vipers. Krieger Publishing Company, Malabar, Florida. 359 pp. . Sahara rock viper,U.S. Navy. 1991. Poisonous Snakes of the World. US Govt. New York: Dover Publications Inc. 203 pp. . Atlas blunt-nosed viper,Mehrtens JM. 1987. Living Snakes of the World in Color. New York: Sterling Publishers. 480 pp. . more) is a venomous viper species found in northwestern Africa. No subspecies are currently recognized. Description Reaches a maximum length of 180 cm.Spawls S, Branch B. 1995. The Dangerous Snakes of Africa. Ralph Curtis Books. Dubai: Oriental Press. 192 pp. . Common names Moorish viper, Sahara rock viper, Atlas blunt-nosed viper, Atlas adder,Brown JH. 1973. Toxicology and Pharmacology of Venoms from Poisonous Snakes. Springfield, Illinois: Charles C. Thomas. 184 pp. LCCCN 73-229 ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Malpolon Monspessulanus
''Malpolon monspessulanus'', commonly known as the Montpellier snake, is a species of mildly venomous Opisthoglyphous, rear-fanged snake. Geographic range It is very common in Spain, Portugal and Northwest Africa, being also present in the southern Mediterranean coast of France. The snake's Specific name (zoology), specific name, ''monspessulanus'', is a Latinized form of Montpellier, a city in southern France. Description It is up to long and may weigh up to . Behavior and diet It is active during the day and mainly feeds on lizards. Venom Although it is venomous, only a few cases of envenomation of humans are known, one of which occurred when a finger was inserted into the snake's mouth. The Montpellier snake is not a dangerous snake for humans. The rear fangs reduce the possibility of venom injection, and the venom is of low toxicity. Venom injections are possible in bites of big individuals.Bruna Azara C. 1995. "''Animales venenosos. Vertebrados terrestres venenosos pelig ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
European Bee-eater
The European bee-eater (''Merops apiaster'') is a near passerine bird in the bee-eater family, Meropidae. It breeds in southern and central Europe, northern and southern Africa, and western Asia. Except for the resident southern African population, the species is strongly migratory, wintering in tropical Africa. This species occurs as a spring overshoot north of its usual range, with occasional breeding in northern Europe. Taxonomy and systematics The European bee-eater was formally described by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1758 in the tenth edition of his ''Systema Naturae'' under its current binomial name ''Merops apiaster''. The genus name ''Merops'' is Ancient Greek for "bee-eater", and ''apiaster'' is Latin, also meaning "bee-eater", from ''apis'', "bee". Description This species, like other bee-eaters, is a richly coloured, slender bird. It has brown and yellow upper parts, whilst the wings are green and the beak is black. It can reach a length of , includi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
European Turtle Dove
The European turtle dove (''Streptopelia turtur'') is a member of the bird family Columbidae, the doves and pigeons. It breeds over a wide area of the south western Palearctic including north Africa but migrates to northern sub-Saharan Africa to winter. Taxonomy The European turtle dove was formally described by the Swedish naturalist Carl Linnaeus in 1758 in the tenth edition of his '' Systema Naturae''. He placed it with all the other pigeons in the genus '' Columba'' and coined the binomial name ''Columba turtur''. The specific epithet ''turtur'' is the Latin word for a turtle dove. Linnaeus gave the locality as "India". This was an error and the type locality has been designated as England. The species is now placed in the genus ''Streptopelia'' that was introduced in 1855 by the French ornithologist Charles Lucien Bonaparte. Four subspecies are recognised: * European turtle dove (''S. t. turtur'') (Linnaeus, 1758) – Europe, Madeira and the Canary Islands to weste ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Long-nosed Leopard Lizard
The long-nosed leopard lizard (''Gambelia wislizenii'') is a species of relatively large North American lizard in the family Crotaphytidae. ''Gambelia wislizenii'' ranges in snout-to-vent length (SVL) from . It has a large head, a long nose, and a long round tail that can be longer than its body. It is closely related to the blunt-nosed leopard lizard (''Gambelia sila''), which closely resembles the long-nosed leopard lizard in body proportions, but has a conspicuously blunt snout. The species ''G. wislizenii'', once considered part of the genus '' Crotaphytus'', is under moderate pressure because of habitat destruction but is categorized as "least concern". Etymology The specific name or epithet, ''wislizenii'', is in honor of the German-American surgeon and naturalist Frederick Adolph Wislizenus, who caught the first specimen near Santa Fe, New Mexico. Description ''Gambelia wislizenii'' has granular dorsal scales that can be white, cream, or gray with irregular brown or ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
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