This collection focuses on animals found in North, Central and South America as well as in the oceans that surround the Americas. It focuses more heavily on bringing attention to animals that are seriously threatened by the exponential amount of plastic entering ocean habitats, as well as fishing nets, boat collisions, the expanding loss of wild animal habitats from prairies to forests, and pollution.
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RUMBLE
(The Redgum Yowie)
As the leader of the Yowie Pack, Rumble is an excitable, rough and tumble character. Cousin to the red kangaroo, Rumble is always ready to make a stand in defence of desert and plain. Inclined to be impatient, Rumble’s bark is far worse than its bite, and underneath there is a heart of gold.
SQUISH
(The Fiddlewood Yowie)
Part playful platypus, Squish is as bubbly as a babbling brook, sparkling as a waterfall and contented as a slow flowing river. Protector of our waterways, Squish is always happy and energetic – the jester of the Yowie Pack and friend to all.
DITTY
(The Lillipilli Yowie)
Ditty is the poet of the Yowie Pack. In love with its habitat and its wildfolk, Ditty spends time foraging with cousin wombat chasing butterflies and conducting cicada and cricket concerts. Always on the lookout for trouble in the woodlands and meadows, Ditty is a determined protector of its habitat.
BOOF
(The Bottlebrush Yowie)
Ruler of its vast habitat of rainforests and mountains, Boof is delightfully unpredictable and the ever-funny clown of the Yowie Tribe. So brim full of joy, Boof is inclined to be a little clumsy as it trips among tree roots and toadstools with cousin bandicoot. But Boof is always around when needed to help friends and wildfolk.
CRAG
(The Mangrove Yowie)
With a touch of cousin crocodile, Crag is the meanest looking of all the Yowie. But behind that crocodilical smile, there beats a heart of gold. Vigilant keeper of marsh, swamp and backwater, Crag leaves nothing to chance when it comes to defending its habitat and all its wet and muddy creatures.
NAP
(The Honeygum Yowie)
Nap is the wise old Yowie of the Pack. Most at home among the tree tops with the kookaburra, the owl, and kinfolk the koala family Nap’s wisdom and understanding are always available. A tendency to doze off at any time at all, caressed in dreams by breeze and gum blossom, doesn’t stop Nap from being an alert and able guardian of its lofty habitat.
Leatherback Turtle
(Cyanochen cyanoptera)
Can swim vast distances between feeding and breeding areas.
Capable of crossing the Pacific Ocean from the US to Southeast Asia.
Largest of all turtles, can grow to 10ft (3m) in length and weighs over 2000lb (900kg), the size of a small car.
Many die after eating plastic bags, mistaking them for jellyfish.
Found from the Arctic Circle to New Zealand.
Attwater’s Prairie Chicken
(Tympanuchus cupido attwateri)
During the breeding season, males put on spectacular displays, inflating their orange throat sacs and making loud booming calls.
Since 1900, population has dropped from about 1 million to a few hundred.
Threatened by loss of prairie habitat.
Now found only in two nature reserves in Texas.
California Condor
(Gymnogyps californianus)
Brought to the brink of extinction in the wild due to hunting and poisoning.
Population slowly growing after being reintroduced to former habitats.
North America’s largest bird, with a wingspan up to 10ft (3m).
Soars up to 15,000ft (4500m) – ten times higher than the Empire State Building.
Native to California and Arizona.
American Eagle
(Haliaeetus leucocephalus)
Powerful symbol of liberty, the majestic Bald Eagle has been the national bird of the United States since 1782.
Large bird of prey unique to North America; wingspan up to 90 inches (230cm), wider than that of any Harlem Globetrotter.
Almost driven to extinction by pesticide use, now fully recovered and thriving.
Ivory-billed Woodpecker
(Campephilus principalis)
There is a $50,000 reward for anyone who can lead scientists to a living Ivory-billed Woodpecker!
Uses its powerful bill to find grubs and small creatures in dead trees.
Threatened by clearing of forest habitat in southeastern USA.
Last confirmed sightings in the 1930s.
Vaquita
(Phocoena sinus)
Rapidly heading towards extinction. Each year many die after being accidentally caught in fishing nets.
World’s smallest porpoise – found only in Mexico’s Gulf of California.
At about four feet (140cm) in length, could fit into the average family bath tub.
World’s most endangered cetacean, with perhaps less than 100 surviving.
Palila
(Loxioides bailleui)
Feeds mainly on the seeds of the endangered mamane tree, which are deadly to most animals.
Found only on the slopes of Mauna Kea volcano in Hawaii.
Lives at altitudes up to 9500ft (2900m), more than three times higher than the world’s tallest building.
Threatened by clearing of native forest.
Black-footed Ferret
(Mustela nigripes)
Hunting in prairie dog burrows at night, relies on sharp hearing and powerful sense of smell to locate prey.
Stealthy nocturnal predator found on the Great Plains of North America.
Long, slender body and short powerful legs ideal for hunting in burrows.
Endangered by habitat loss and decline in prairie dog numbers.
Jaguar
(Panthera onca)
An all-round animal athlete with enormous strength. Adept at climbing, crawling and swimming.
Stealthy, powerful predator found from US Southwest to Argentina
Largest cat in the Americas, capable of killing prey as big as anacondas
Usually spotted. Black specimens harder to find in the wild
Numbers declining due to habitat loss and illegal hunting.
Devil’s Hole Pupfish
(Cyprinodon Diabolis)
Found only in one geothermal pool in the Nevada desert. Possibly the world’s most endangered fish.
Less than one inch (25mm) long (shorter than a paperclip).
Breeds on a small rock ledge one foot (30cm) below the water surface.
Eats algae growing in the warm water.
Florida Manatee
(Trichechus manatus latirostris)
With lungs about two thirds the length of its body, it can stay underwater for up to 20 minutes.
Marine mammal that feeds on sea grass in warm shallow waters around Florida
As big as a cow, weighing around 1200lb (500kg)
Threatened by pollution, collisions with boats and entanglement in fishing nets.
Golden Lion Tamarin
(Leontopithecus rosalia)
Golden Lion Tamarins are critical to the health of their forest habitat, helping spread the seeds of many trees.
Small monkey found in coastal forests of south-eastern Brazil.
Only about 1000 left in the wild, restricted to small, isolated areas.
Highly vulnerable to predators, due to reduction in forest cover.
Phantasmal Poison Frog
(Epipedobates tricolor)
After breeding, the male takes care of the tadpoles, carrying them from place to place on his back.
Less than one inch (25 mm) long, the size of your little finger.
Brightly colored skin warns predators of its highly toxic compounds.
Deforestation rapidly destroying its threatened mountain forest habitat in Ecuador.
Horned Guan
(Oreophasis derbianus)
Rarely comes to the ground, and even drinks water that collects in plants growing among trees branches.
Turkey-sized bird found in mountain forests of Mexico and Guatemala.
Bony horn is covered with red skin, and grows longer as the bird matures.
Habitat rapidly disappearing as forest is cleared for agriculture.
Utah Prairie Dog
(Cynomys parvidens)
Provides habitat and food for other animals, making it a very important ‘essential species’.
Lives in large colonies with complex burrow systems for shelter and safety.
Lookouts stand guard around the colony, barking out warnings if predators approach.
Highly social mammal, native to Utah.
American Crocodile
(Crocodylus acutus)
Although similar in looks to an alligator, it has a narrower snout, paler skin and prefers saltwater habitats from Florida to northern South America.
Grows to almost 20ft (6m) in length, longer than a minivan.
Can weigh more than 1000lb (450kg), heavier than five average adults.
Less aggressive than other crocs, attacks on humans very rare.
California Tiger Salamander
(Ambystoma californiense)
Many killed crossing roads while migrating from their burrows to winter breeding ponds.
Young hatch and grow in ponds, transforming from tadpoles into adults.
Wards off predators with bright yellow spots which indicate toxicity.
Native to California, USA.
South American Tapir
(Tapirus terrestris)
Superb swimmers and divers, they can walk underwater along river and lake beds, much like a hippopotamus.
Large mammal found near rivers and lakes in the Amazon basin.
Long flexible nose grabs food such as leaves, fruit and grass.
Can hold its breath underwater for up to three minutes to escape predators.
Whale Shark
(Rhincodon typus)
Despite its enormous size (as long as a city bus) it poses no danger to humans and even allows divers and snorkelers to swim alongside it.
World’s largest fish, grows to more than 40ft (12m) in length.
Threatened by humans fishing for meat, oil and skins.
Found in oceans in tropical climates.