Species Spotlight: Fossa

Name: Fossa

Scientific Name: Cryptoprocta ferox

Conservation status: Endangered

Location: Madagascar

Habitat: Dense forests and woodlands

Diet: Carnivore; lemurs, rodents, frogs, lizards and birds.

Additional information: Despite its feline appearance, including retractable claws, the Fossa is the largest member of the mongoose family that can grow to over 2 feet long and close to 30 lbs. The Fossa specializes in hunting lemurs. Due to its forest habitat requirements this species has seen a population drop of 30% over the past 20 years as Madagascar rainforest is cleared for agriculture and by logging. It is also often targeted by locals for eradication because it will prey on domestic fowl.

Resources

IUCN Red List Entry

Animal Arkive Entry

Species Spotlight: Pink Fairy Armadillo

Name: Pink Fairy Armadillo
Scientific Name: Chlamyphorus truncatus
Conservation status: Unknown/Data deficient
Location: Argentina
Habitat: Desert, and dry, sandy grasslands
Diet: Worms, insects, snails and grasses

Additional information: The smallest of the armadillo species, measuring 3-4 inches long on average. Nicknamed the "sand swimmer" for its extraordinary speed and efficiency when it comes to burrowing. Listed as Data Deficient; little is known about its population status, ecology or requirements. Due to its capture for black market pet trade and the fact that it has a poor survival rate in captivity it is a priority species for future assessment studies.

Resources:
IUCN Red List Entry
Animal Arkive Entry

Species Spotlight: Maui hesperomannia

Common Name: Maui hesperomannia
Scientific Name: Hesperomannia arbuscula
Status: Critically Endangered
Type of plant: Shrubby tree
Habitat: Lowland rainforests
Range: Maui and Oahu

Additional information: This distant relative of the Magnolia resembles a more familiar plant, rhododendrons, in growth and shape. Only 25 individuals are thought to remain of this beautiful plant. The biggest threats come from feral pigs, introduced rats, invasive plant species, trampling by humans and human collection of specimens. Several botanical gardens are propagating this plant to help with species survival.
Animal Arkive
EOL
IUCN Red List

New Resources - Let's learn MATHS!!

I will still be answering questions as I receive them, however, I have been asked to add something additional. As we move forward I will be adding resources for science learning in the online environment. These will not, for the most part be sites for taking classes but rather sites for learning aids or for fun science learning.

The first request was for mathematics resources, so here are some of my favorites...

Math Warehouse
This is an interactive site for students, teachers and just about anyone who needs to brush up on math concepts. The site is easy to navigate by math type or searching.

Math is Fun
Another site that covers a wide range of math topics from geometry and algebra. Each topic has a ton of images, great definitions and activities to reinforce the information. The site is easy to understand and breaks all the topics down to easy to understand and manage topics.

Math.com 
This is a self tutoring site for Kindergarten to Calculus and some other advanced topics in math. The site includes things like study tips and test prep guides as well as practice problems. It is a great all around source for learning new or brushing up on older math knowledge.

Cool Math Games
Learn basic math concepts with some fun flash games.

Numberphile
A great youtube channel that tackles complicated and interesting math topics through series of weekly videos. Also the Numberphile 2 Channel which covers many of the topics more in-depth than the main channel.

TecMath
A youtube channel that shows tricks and tips for doing math and remembering mathematical information.

Mathantics
Youtube channel to review or learn various math principles.

3Blue1Brown
Ever wanted to learn math as entertainment? Then this is the youtube channel for you. Sadly it has been almost a month since they uploaded their last video.

Mathologer
A really fun math channel that explore theories and properties with visual demonstrations.

ViHart
A really fun channel that explores math concepts with humor and a free form style that one might imagine a journal being written in. Bonus for the riotously funny sketches and images that go with it. (And it covers some other topics too.)