Human Interest Reference Libraries

The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca), also known as the panda, is a species of bear that is native to southwestern and central western areas of China. Its range includes mountain ranges located primarily in Sichuan province, but pandas can also be found in the Gansu and Shaanxi provinces. It once preferred a habitat within lowland areas, but human encroachment has driven the giant panda...

The Bornean bearded pig (Sus barbatus), also known as the bearded pig, is native to Southeast Asia. Its range includes the Malay Peninsula, Borneo, Sumatra, and other small islands. It prefers a habitat within mangrove forests and rainforests. This pig holds two subspecies, and is recognizable by its furry beard and sometimes by a tuft of fur on its tail. The Bornean bearded pig lives in...

The Scolopendra heros, also referred to as the Giant Redheaded Centipede, calls parts of the southern central and southwestern United States, as well as a significant portion of Mexico, its home. It has not been found west of the Colorado River. Varying in length from 6.5 to 8 inches, its trunk has 21 to 23 pairs of legs. The body is aposematically colored. This is a defensive coloration...

The Mexican prairie dog (Cynomys mexicanus) is a rodent that is native to Mexico. It is related to squirrels and chipmunks. These prairie dogs prefer to burrow in soil without rocks on plains, and can live at altitudes between 5,250 and 7,200 feet. Its northern range includes San Luis Potosi and its southern range includes areas of Coahuila. The Mexican prairie dog can reach an average body...

With the start of summer upon us, we start thinking of things to do on the weekend and how to keep the kids busy. Here are a few things that may just help accomplish that and also to stay safe during this summer. #1 Weather is always a big player in whichever season it maybe, but the summer is a when the United States experiences some of its most severe weather such as Tornadoes and...

The king colobus (Colobus polykomos) is an Old World Monkey that can be found in Africa. Is range stretches from Gambia to Côte d'Ivoire. It is also known as the western black-and-white colobus and can be distinguished from other members of the Colobus geuns by looking at the location of the white within its long fur. The king colobus will form small groups that contain up to four females,...

The Middle East blind mole rat (Spalax ehrenbergi), also known as the Israel Mole Rat (Nannospalax ehrenbergi) can be found in Iraq, Israel, Egypt, Libya, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, and Syria. It prefers a habitat within Mediterranean-type shrubs and vegetation. The Middle East blind mole rat is in danger of habitat destruction. Currently, it appears on the IUCN Red List with a conservation...

Symbol: ZWDI Group: Lichen Family: Uncertain Lichen Family Growth Habit: Lichenous Native Status: NA    N Synonyms:   PHDI14 Pharcidia dispersa (J. Lahm ex Körb.) Winter ex Rabenh. Classification:       Genus   Zwackhiomyces Grube & Hafellner – zwackhiomyces lichen Species   Zwackhiomyces dispersus (J. Lahm ex Körb.)...

Symbol: ZOTE Group: Monocot Family: Poaceae Duration: Perennial Growth Habit: Graminoid Native Status: L48    I PR    I Synonyms:   ZOMAT2 Zoysia matrella (L.) Merr. ssp. tenuifolia (Willd. ex Thiele) T. Koyama   ZOMAT Zoysia matrella (L.) Merr. var. tenuifolia (Willd. ex Thiele) Sasaki Distribution: County distributions for the following U.S....

Symbol: ZILA3 Group: Monocot Family: Poaceae Duration: Perennial Growth Habit: Graminoid Native Status: HI    I Synonyms:   ZICA2 Zizania caduciflora (Trin.) Hand.-Mazz. Distribution: Zizanialatifolia(Griseb.) Turcz. ex Stapf distribution:USA(HI) Classification:       Kingdom   Plantae – Plants Subkingdom   Tracheobionta –...