The Mole
Latin Name: Talpa europaea
April 26th 2007
Description: The mole has a velvety dark grey to black coat of fur which is made of tiny sensory hairs. The front feet are directed sideways in a spade like shape with long claws. It has a narrow pointed snout and tiny eyes. The mole does not have external ears. It has a tail of about 4cm and a body size of about 11-16cm from head to rump. A mole can weigh between 60-125g, with the male weighing more than the female. (more…)
Farm Wildlife Moles
April 12th 2007
Common Toad
Latin Name: Bufo bufo
Description: The common toad is an amphibian. They are normally grey-brown in colour although they do camouflage themselves with their background so their skin colouring can vary according to the type of soil in their habitat. Their skin is not a moist and smooth texture but dry and warty. They have short legs which they use for crawling around rather than hopping. The male toad is usually slightly shorter than the female toad. The common toad generally grows to about 8-15cm long. The eyes on the toad are orange with black horizontal pupils.
Amphibian Farm Wildlife Toad
April 10th 2007
The Swan
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Swans are large water birds that can swim and fly.
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The male swan is called the cob.
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The female swan is called the pen.
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Young swans are called cygnets.
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Mute swans (Cygnus olor) are found in Great Britain.
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The mute swan is a very large bird which has white plumage, grey-black legs and an orange-red bill with black on it.
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This swan can be found in lowland areas of the UK, on freshwater such as lakes, ponds and rivers, both in the countryside and in towns.
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Swans feed by dipping their heads under water to find food.
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Swans breed from March - May.
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Huge nests are built along the water’s edge, from vegetation.
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The female lays a clutch of 3-8 eggs.
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Incubation of the swan’s eggs takes 35 days.
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When the cygnets hatch out, they are grey and then they grow brown feathers which turn white within the first 12 months.
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During the breeding period the male swan becomes territorial and can be aggressive.
March 31st 2007
Description: The roe deer is a short and stocky deer with a body length of 95-135cm. The adult roe deer has a coat that in Summer is a red-brown colour and in Winter is a grey-fawn colour. Their coat moults in April or May. Roe deer have a black nose with white marks around it and two large eyes. Their ears are also large and are a grey white colour inside. The rump of the roe deer is white and the tail is very short and barely visible. (more…)
Farm Wildlife Roe Deer
Roe Deer
Latin Name: Capreolus capreolus
