Taxonomy:
Analysis Reveals Snow Leopards are Killed Out of ‘Revenge’, Finds Refuge in Kyrgyzstan
There are only about 4,000 snow leopards scattered across the mountains of Central Asia. There are found across 12 countries that sweep around the Himalayan and Tibetan plateaus. Despite their secretive nature, the cats are dying at the hands of humans, according to a new report by TRAFFIC and World Wildlife Fund. Out of the twelve countries, over 90% of the reported poaching occurred in just five countries: China, Mongolia, Pakistan, India, and Tajikistan.
Since 2008, poachers have killed a conservative estimate of 220 to 450 of this endangered species annually. On average, that’s four cats per week. The report addresses that possibility that the number could be substantially higher since many illegal killings in remote areas go undetected.
The feline urinary system is one of the biological systems necessary to maintain the cat’s health. It works to maintain the proper amount of water in the body, as well as the body chemistry. Therefore, it has several important functions: gets rid of waste products created when food is transformed into energy, maintains the correct balance of water and electrolytes within the body’s cells, and processes vitamin D. The urinary system also produces the hormones erythropoietin and renin, which maintain healthy blood pressure, producing blood cells, and absorbing salt.
A cat’s urinary tract is a system made up of the kidneys, ureters (which connect from kidneys to bladder), the bladder, and urethra. These organs work together to produce, transport, store, and excrete urine.
Major Organs
The first major organ is the kidney. Like humans, cats have two kidneys located in the abdominal cavity under the backbone, close to where the last rib meets the spine. The indentation of the “bean” in the been-shaped organ is called the hilus. This is the area where the blood vessels, nerves, and ureters enter and leave the kidney.
When water and nutrients are absorbed into the bloodstream in the small intestine, the bloodstream takes the water to the kidneys for filtration. In the kidney, there are hundreds of nephrons, microscopic filtering units, that have the ability to form urine itself. Each nephron consists of a circular ball-shaped cluster of small blood vessels called a glomerulus and a renal tubule, a small tube. Once the unwanted substances are excreted in the urine, the rest, such as water and certain salts, are returned to the bloodstream.
By regulating fluids, kidneys regulate the acid-base balance of the blood and blood pressure. This keeps the feline’s body chemistry in balance while it removes toxins. The kidneys also monitor and maintain the balance of body water, ensuring that body tissues receive enough water to remain hydrated and function properly.
To move the liquid waste products, the ureters, two small tube-like organs, connect the kidneys to the bladder.
The bladder is a collapsible muscular organ shaped like a balloon. It is also located in the abdomen just in front of the pubic bone of the pelvis, held in place by the ligaments in the region. The bladder functions as a means for temporary urine storage.
A circular muscle called a sphincter controls the outlet opening of the bladder, keeping the urine from leaking out. Once the bladder reaches a certain point of distention, nerves in the bladder wall notify the brain to empty the bladder. When
appropriate, the animal will voluntarily relax the sphincter to release the urine, which will enter the urethra to be carried outside the body.
Diseases and Disorders of the Urinary System
A well balanced diet is important to keep the urinary system healthy. An improper diet can lead to urinary tract problems such as struvite crystals. Struvite crystals are comprised of magnesium, and phosphorous, and may collect in the bladder or within the urethra, where they block the urinary pathway.
References:
Understanding the Feline Urinary System
Structure and Function of the Urinary Tract in Cats
Just like humans, cats reproduce sexually between two partners, a male and female. Both genders have their own set of reproductive system, In male cats, the genital tract provides the pathway for semen, which contains the sperm cells. In female cats, the genital tract includes both the ovaries, which contain the egg cells, and the womb, which will carry and nurture the young as they develop.
Male Organs
The penis is the male copulatory organ. It contains vessels and connective tissue specialized to produce an erection, which facilitates penetration of the penis into the vagina of the female. The tip is called the glans and is covered with 120 to 150 penile spines, directed backward. These spines appear at about 12 weeks of age and are fully developed at puberty. They are absent in neutered male cats, disappearing by six weeks after castration.
It is located within the prepuce, which acts as a moist protective covering for the non-erect penis, and not erect, it is only visible on the posterior of the body.
The scrotum is located beneath the anus and only visible when the tail is lifted upwards. It is a pouch divided by a thin wall into two cavities, each of which is occupied by a testicle, an epididymis, and the tail end of the spermatic cord. The layer underneath the skin is called the dartos, a layer of tissue that is made up of muscle and connective tissue.
Because of its location and lack of fact, the scrotum functions as a temperature regulator for the testicle and epididymis. The temperature within the scrotum is generally several degrees lower than the abdomen. This lower temperature is essential for the normal manufacturing and maintenance of sperm.
The testicles perform two major functions: production of sperm and testosterone. Each contain seminiferous tubules that manufacture sperm. Special cells near the tubules called sertoli cells support and supply nutrition to the sperm cells.
The epididymis is an enlarged tube positioned along the edges of the testicle. It consists of an elongated structure composed of a long convoluted or twisted tube. They are the organs where sperm are stored and are used to slowly transport sperm to the ductus deferens. The length of the epididymis and the slow transport of sperm are important in allowing the sperm time to become mature.
The ductus deferens or vas deferens begins at the tail of the epididymis and runs along the border of the testicle. The sperm is transported through the ductus deferens towards the back of the abdomen, passes through the prostate, and empties into the urethra. The ducts are thin muscular tubes that are made up of three layers of muscle.
The prostate gland is very small in the cat. It is normally located near the front of the rim of the pelvis, surrounding the beginning of the urethra as well as the end of the ductus deferens. This organ has multiple openings into the urethra. It is a relatively unimportant organ in the male cat.
Diseases and Disorders of the Male Feline Reproductive System
Female Reproductive Organs
The female cat’s reproductive tract consists of the female genital organs including the ovaries, uterus, vagina, vulva, and mammary glands. It is responsible of producing and storing egg cells as well as where the embryo develops. Like the male, the reproductive organs are located in the abdomen.
Mammary glands are located in two rows along the outside of the abdomen, running from the groin to the chest. They are composed of connective tissue to provide support, structure, blood vessels, lymphatic vessels, and glandular tissue. Each gland stores and secretes milk. Usually, a cat has four pairs of mammary glands.
Ovaries are located just behind the kidneys and contain the eggs that are waiting to be fertilized. They are suspended from the top of the abdomen by a broad ligament called the suspensory ligament. Other than storing the eggs, the ovaries also produce the female hormones estrogen and progesterone. To connect the ovaries to the uterus are the oviducts or the fallopian tubes. Where the ovaries and oviduct connect is a funnel-like structure, the infundibulum, which catches the egg when it is released from the ovary.
The uterus of the cat is Y-shaped, with the arms, called horns, of the “Y” being longer than the stem, also known as the body. The uterine horns extend from each ovary to join together to form the body of the uterus. The walls are lined with a vascular and glandular lining (mucosa) and contains smooth muscle. The muscular substance of the uterus is called the myometrium; the inner lining is called the endometrium.
It serves as the site for implantation of fertilized eggs and for the growth and development of the fetus. When the female is pregnant, the fetuses are arranged in a row in both horns.
Where the uterus ends, the cervix begins. It contains connective tissue and muscle that form a firm tube-like sphincter. It is usually closed to prevent infection. Only during fertilization and birth is the sphincter of the cervix relaxed or opened.
The cervix separates the uterus from the vagina, which passes through the pelvis. The vaginal walls are made up of an inner mucosal layer, a middle smooth muscle layer, and an external coat of connective tissue. The vaginal mucosa contains numerous folds, which allows for expansion and stretching. It provides a protected passage for fetuses to move from the uterus to the outside and protects the opening of the urethra, where urine leaves the body.
The opening of the vagina is protected by the vulva. It also provides external markings that identify the feline as a female.
When a cat is spayed, the ovaries, oviducts, and uterus are removed.
Diseases and Disorders of the Female Feline Reproductive System
References
Structure and Function of the Male Feline Reproductive Tract
Structure and Function of the Female Feline Reproductive Tract
For Others in This Series:
Hormonal Balance: A Look Into the Feline Endrocrine System
Under the Weather: A Look Into the Feline Immune System
Taxonomy:
Like the black-and-white giant panda, the red panda is equally admired with a worldwide popularity. The arboreal “other bamboo eater” shares the giant panda’s rainy, high-altitude forest habitat, but has a wider range. Surprisingly, red panda fossils have been discovered in North America that date as far back as five million years. Today, however, red panda are only found in small, isolated mountain territories above 4,00 feet in central China, Nepal, Bhutan, and Burma.
Local Fidelity Is Key to Humpback Whale Recovery
It is widely known that humpback whales can migrate thousands of miles to reach feeding grounds each year. But, a new study concluded that their fidelity to certain local habitats, passed on through generations of whales, and the protection of these habitats are key to understanding a global recovery of the endangered species.
This study, published in the journal Endangered Species Research, documented the local recruitment of whales in the Glacier Bay and Icy Strait in Alaska over a 30-year period. Researchers found that contemporary whales that utilize these rich feeding grounds were usually descendants of whales that previously used the area. In order words, the population recovery of humpback whales in the Alaskan region depends on cultural knowledge of migratory routes passed on from mothers to their calves. It is not a product of whales from outside the area “discovering” a rich feeding ground.
Continue reading “Conservation News: Whales, Finches, and Lions”
A cat’s endocrine system is responsible for the balance of hormones and regulate each hormone’s level in the bloodstream. Its major function is to regulate the numerous bodily functions using hormones to communicate.
Hormones are chemical messengers that have a variety of different functions that regulate the activity or structure of their target organs. Some regulate cell metabolism, change or maintain enzyme activity in receptor cells, control cell growth and development, metabolic rate, sexual rhythms, and reproduction. All are important for life. Some familiar examples of hormones include insulin, dopamine, and cortisol and an imbalance can cause the development of diseases such as diabetes.
Continue reading “Hormonal Balance: A Look Into the Feline Endocrine System”
Taxonomy:
The lion’s mane jellyfish is one of the largest jellyfish in the world. It gains its common name from its characteristic mass of long, thin, hair-like tentacles found hanging from the underside of the bell-shaped body.
This jellyfish has a global distribution, although it is mostly found in the northern hemisphere in the North Atlantic, North Pacific, and North Sea. They can also be found in Australia and are especially prevalent near the east coast of Britain.
Despite being found globally, the lion’s mane jellyfish is a pelagic species and only found in open ocean. It is not present in brackish and shallow waters as it requires areas with higher salinity.
New Study Identifies Viable Snow Leopard Habitats To Combat Climate Change
Previously, a study reported that nearly 40% of protected snow leopard areas throughout Asia were too small to support a sustainable population. In fact, only eight existing protected ranges can hold 50 or more breeding females.
However, the remote, high elevation regions of the Tibetan Plateau and its surrounding mountain ranges, also known as High Asia, are experiencing rates of warming higher than most other regions of the world. Because of this, how climate change will impact High Asia and its endangered snow leopards has become a significant conservation dilemma.
Continue reading “Conservation News: Snow Leopards, Beetles, and the END Act”
The immune system is a complex network of specialized cells and organs designed to defend the body against bacteria, viruses, toxins, parasites and any foreign material that invade the cat’s body. Millions of different types of immune cells pass information back and forth, resulting in a extremely protective system that is always ready to produce a fast and effective immune response. It is responsible for recognizing and fighting off foreign substances called antigens.
Interestingly, the immune system has the ability to distinguish between the “self” cells (cells of its own body) or “nonself” substances (foreign substances). Every cell in the body carries a molecule that identifies it as “self”, so that the immune system does not attack its own tissues.
Continue reading “Under the Weather: A Look Into the Feline Immune System”
Taxonomy:
This magnificently graceful bird of prey is unmistakable, with its reddish-brown body, angled wings, and deeply forked tail. It is almost entirely restricted to Europe. In Britain, it is presented throughout the year, while the majority of birds residing in central Europe move south to spend the winter in Iberia.
Formerly a common and widespread bird, this raptor was almost wiped out into extinction. By 1900, it was extinct in England and Scotland with only a remnant population surviving in central Wales. However, it was saved by one of the world’s longest running protection programs. It has been successfully reintroduced to England and Scotland and the bird has recolonized Northern Ireland and Wales.
Animal Almanac 