Sunday 18 November 2012

Mammals of Latvia - 2007



In yearly Latvia Post released the stamp series feature the wild mammals which found in their country. On November 16, 2007, a set of two stamps was issued and the wild mammals depicted on stamps are Red fox or vulpes vulpes and Alces alces   or Moose.

Vulpes vulpes  or Red Fox

The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the largest of the true foxes and live around the world in many diverse habitats including forests, grasslands, mountains, and deserts. They also adapt well to human environments such as farms, suburban areas, and even large communities. The red fox's resourcefulness has earned it a legendary reputation for intelligence and cunning.

Red foxes has a long history of association with humans, having been extensively hunted as a pest and furbearer for centuries, as well as being prominently represented in human folklore and mythology. 

Because of its widespread distribution and large population, the red fox is one of the most important furbearing animals harvested for the fur trade. Because of these factors, it is listed as Least Concern for extinction by the IUCN. It is included among the IUCN's list of the "world's 100 worst invasive species".

Red foxes are solitary hunters who feed on rodents, rabbits, birds, and other small game birds—but their diet can be as flexible as their home habitat. On occasionally, Red foxes will eat fruit and vegetables, fish, frogs, and even worms.  The average life span ranges 2 to 4 years.

 

Alces alces   or  Moose

The moose (North America) or Eurasian elk (Europe) (Alces alces) is the largest extant species in the deer family. Moose are distinguished by the palmate antlers of the males. 

Moose typically inhabit boreal and mixed deciduous forests of the Northern Hemisphere in temperate to subarctic climates. The life span of an average moose is about 15–25 years.

Currently, most Moose are found in Canada, Alaska, Scandinavia and Russia. Their diet consists of both terrestrial and aquatic vegetation. The most common moose predators are wolves, bears, and humans.Moose are solitary animals and do not form herds

Moose are mostly diurnal. They are generally solitary with the strongest bonds between mother and calf. Although moose rarely gather in groups, there may be several in close proximity during the mating season.

Their mating season in the autumn (September and October) can lead to spectacular fights between males competing for the right to mate with a particular female. The males are polygamous and will seek several females to breed with.

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