New Species Discovered

Newer and newer species of plants and animals are being discovered more than ever.  Most of these new species have been discovered deep within the Amazon more than 1,200 new species of plants and wildlife have been discovered there over the past decade.  The vast amount of new species founded were 637 plants, 257 fish, 216 amphibians, 55 reptiles, 16 birds and 39 mammals proving that the variety of life living in the Amazon is greater than we could have ever imagined. 

Some of the new species discovered include a new species of anacondas called the Eunectes beniensis this is the first new species of anaconda discovered since 1936! The snake was first thought to be a cross breed of a yellow anaconda and a green anaconda but was then found to be its own breed. 

Another new species discovered in the Amazon was a new species of parrots.  These parrots have bald heads and displays a vast amount of colours on its feathers.  This parrot species was put on the list of near threatened due to its small population. 

Another new species that has been discovered in the Amazon one that I think is really cool to look at is a new type of tarantula that is called the Cyriocosmus nogueiranetoi which has been given the easier name to pronounce as the tiger-striped tarantula due to its very distinct feature of five stripes on its back. 

With all these new species being discovered it makes me wander what new species is going to be discovered next and a better question is what will happen to these new species that are being discovered with their homes being destroyed by deforestation. 

Polar Bears and The Ice

Polar bear experts are expecting a 30 percent decline in the polar bear population within the next 35 to 50 years.  More and more of the polar bears population is decreasing due to melting ice and drastic climate change.  Many polar bears are being found dead due to drowning and even cannibalism.  Polar bears main diet throughout the year is from eating dead whales that drift onto shore, but mainly consist of seals the polar bears need the ice to hunt these seals without it they are forced to move closer to human population to eat scraps of garbage to survive which also creates a bigger risk for the human population.

If the ice does not stop melting some scientists have suggested that the polar bear population could go extinct in the near future.  Many governments are being called upon to recognize the problem of declining polar bear populations and are being asked for their help.