Birds and Arachnids

Species ID

Ostrich

Scientific Name- Struthio camelus

Kingdom- Animalia

Phylum- Chordata

Class- Aves

Order- Struthioniformes

Family- Struthionidae

Genus- Struthio

Species- camelus

The Ostrich is located in various parts of Southern, Central and Northern Africa. They are omnivores meaning they will eat both plants and animals. They eat mostly plants, grasses, foliage and seeds. They also eat small vertebrates and invertebrates. The habitat of the Ostrich is the dry savannahs as well as the open and desert areas of Africa.

Greater Road Runner

Scientific Name- Geococcyx californianus

Kingdom- Animalia

Phylum- Chordata 

Class- Aves 

Order- Cuculiformes  

Family- Cuculidae  

Genus- Geococcyx

Species- californianus

A Bird that lives in dusty and arid climates throughout western America. It is a poor flier, and will run rather than fly when startled. It can run up to 15 miles per hour. They are approximately 18-22 inches when fully grown. They can weigh up to 15 oz.

Lappet-Faced Vulture

Scientific Name- Torgos trachelitotos

Kingdom- Animalia

Phylum- Chordata

Class- Aves

Order- Accipitriformes

Family- Accipitridae

Genus- Torgos

Species- trachelitotos

The Lappet-Faced vulture is the largest vulture beside the Cinereous vulture, which is closely related to it. It has a black-brown mixture of feathers and a bald head. It feeds on carcasses of any animal. It is known to catch fish but is not very good at it, so they usually just wait until the fish dies to eat it.

Arizona Bark Scorpion

Scientific Name- Centruroides exilicauda

Kingdom- Animalia

Phylum- Arthropoda

Class- Arachnida

Order- Scorpion

Family- Buthidae

Genus- Centruroides

Species- exilicauda

A small, tan scorpion residing in south western America and north western Mexico. It is aggressive and very resilient. They are known to survive US Nuclear testing in deserts with no adverse effects. It's poison is painful and potentially lethal. They can grow to be 8 cm in length and live up to 6 years.

Western Black Widow Spider

Scientific Name- Latrodectus mactans

Kingdom- Animalia

Phylum- Arthropoda

Class- Arachnida

Order- Araneae

Family- Theridiidae

Genus- Latrodectus

Species- mactans

The Latrodectus (Western Black Widow Spider) is a Western spider with a particularly harmful bite to humans, but is usually not fatal. The Latrodectus is dark in color with a small hourglass shape on it's back.