Lesser Tree Mouse

Honestly, it is extremely difficult to find information on the Lesser Tree Mouse. So, personally I think that it is better than a panda just based on the fact that it looks like a little Mouse Deer cross. Kind of freaky but undeniably cute... in a different way(good different).

I mean, who wants to look at the fat, black and white, fur balls called Pandas anyways? The deer like body, legs, and hooves- yeah, they have little hooves- along with the little head that is half mouse and half deer(almost) and the little ears are so much more cute and interesting to look at! Zoos should defiantly have the Lesser Tree Mouse instead of the puff ball Pandas!

Tree Kangaroo

First up, the Tree Kangaroo!

Tree Kangaroos are found in New Guinea, far Northeastern Queensland and surrounding islands. They are more commonly found in mountainous regions. There are about twelve different species of Tree Kangaroos. They're currently threatened due to hunting and lost of habitat.

Depending on the species they are anywhere from 16in- 30in (41cm- 77cm) and and usually weigh about 32 pounds (14.5 kilograms). As with most animals males are usually larger than females.

A Tree Kangaroo's diet consists of leaves and fruits- either in trees or on the ground- on a daily basis. They also will eat grain, flowers, sap, bark, eggs, and young bird when available.

They are slow and clumsy on the ground due to the fact that they have to lean far forward to balance with the massive tail but in the trees they are bold and agile. They will leap from tree branch to tree branch and even between trees. Leaps as big as 30 feet(9 meters) have been recorded. And that's just between trees. Tree Kangaroos have been known to jump from as high as 59 feet(18 meters) to the ground without getting hurt. Their abilities in the trees definitely seem to outweigh the slow and clumsy nature on the ground.

So shall we list?

Pro Tree Kangaroo

• 12 different species
• relatively small
• not an extremely picky eater
• not known to attack humans
• great movers when in trees

Con Tree Kangaroo

• slow and clumsy on the ground

...Yeah that's all I can really think of for Cons. Time for the Giant Panda pro con list.

Pro Giant Panda

• logo for the WWF
• starting to become an emblem all over China
• has a "thumb"
• has two subspecies

Con Giant Panda

• only eats bamboo
• has the digestive system of a carnivore... yet is a herbivore
• lazy
• has been known to attack humans
• the binomial name, Ailuropoda melanoleuca, literally means cat-foot-black-and-white

Cat-foot-black-and-white? Last I checked a Panda was a bear.... That could cause a bit of a identity crisis! Shh!! Don't tell the Pandas! We wouldn't want them to hurt themselves, the WWF wouldn't have a logo then!

So, which do you prefer? The active Tree Kangaroo or the lazy Giant Panda?

Reason Behind This Blog

Last week my English teacher pointed out that the only time we hear anything about any zoo is when Pandas are involved. So during class one day she went on this major rant about how she was sick of Giant Pandas. Frankly, I agree with her. Pandas are too publicized. I don't have anything against them, I'm just sick of hearing about them.

So, the point behind this blog? I'm going to find animals that are more interesting, cute, weird, ugly- whatever you may want to call them- than Giant Pandas.

I'll probably post whenever I have time to look for animals and write a little bit about them and post a picture as well.

Let the blogging begin....