Gerenuk

Hello all,

I hope all of my readers are doing "okay", but I further hope that all of those who have commented my blog are doing well and blessed with joy and fortune.

I am also flattered by the amount of success my last blog enjoyed, as it has established a record for the most amount of comments. I hope this trend continues and the amount of constructive comments continues to grow and flourish like I promised in my very first blog, the golden age.

I hope everybody does well in finals, but it should NOT under any circumstance take away your valuable time and attention away from this blog and the appreciation of these underappreciated animals. At the end of the day, what is truly more important? Doing well in school or taking a moment of your time to realize that these animals deserve recognition. I know all of you are chuckling, perhaps engaging in a laugh out loud moment, because the answer to my previous question is obvious.

Now down to business:

The picture listed below is of the Gerenuk.



As per the previous blog comments, I have decided to implement a new feature. I apologize that it is nothing flashy, but I ultimately think that it would take away from the purpose of this blog - appreciating animals.



The Gerenuk is a long-necked species of antelope found in dry bushy shrub and steppe in East Africa. The word Gerenuk comes from the Somali, meaning “giraffe-necked”, and leads to another common name, the Giraffe-necked Antelope. Here is were the underappreciation exists. Not only is it immature to think of these animals as giraffes merely because of a similar neck, but it is furthermore immature. This type of behavior is racist and truly takes away from what the Gerenuk was intended to be - an antelope who should be respected for all that it is - not a giraffe.

In addition, spell check does not even recognize it as a word. This same misfortune was felt by the Aardwolf. Instead, it thinks I'm spelling greenhouse, greenfly, or greenback. What is clearly wrong with this imagery is the fact that the Gerenuk hates the color green. Why else do you think it consumes grass? It is attempting to rid the earth of anything green because it cannot stand the sight of such color. For spell check to group the Gerenuk with the color green is downright wrong and is distasteful.

The Gerenuk's eats by climbing trees and swallowing food that then enters their throats. These animals are also so exclusive, that they often do not ever drink in their lifetime. This type of adaptive property is a unique trait that I wish I had as I am constantly thirsty... especially when I am eating pretzels.

This blog has been brought to you by the highly worshiped scholar Michael J. DeFelice

SunBear

Before I post about the latest underappreciated animal, I would like to make it clear that I am a sinner. I did not kill any any individual, abuse any soul, or even taken the lords name in vain. Much worse, I have not been contributing to this blog on a regular basis. As a direct result of my negligence, the lack of promotion of these animals is causing even more underappreciation. In theory, my very blog is causing what I set out to combat. This type of disrespect is not only wrong, but it is racist. In order to deter this racism, I will change. As John Adams once passionately declared, "The Revolution was in the minds and hearts of the people". We can furthermore extend this very principle and use it as a guiding precedent to my blog. As long as the appreciation towards the animals I blog about exists in the minds and hearts of all of my faithful readers, then this blog is as successful as the Battle of Saratoga and Sherman's March to Sea.

Now that I have gotten that necessary information out of the way, it is time to turn our attention to even more necessary information,

The animal featured below is the SunBear



Now you may be wondering... why exactly is this SunBear underappreciated? Well, if you examine the name, the answer to this question becomes immediately apparent.

The SUNbear actually HATES the sun. That is correct. If you look closely at the picture, you can clearly see that the sun causes this animal severe dehydration and it causes it to look very unappealing. It is not only wrong, inconsiderate, brash, careless, and ungracious, but it is furthermore racist to name an animal by something it absolutely hates. Take for instance the kiwi, this animal actually despises not only the taste, but the very sight of a kiwi. This has been shown by various studies basing their findings on empirical evidence. We can further extend this principle to humans. It would be terrible self-centered of me if I were to call Joey "Rascal Flatts", "Tony Stewart", "Duke Basketball", "Big Ten", or even "Pencader Dining Hall". There is a reason for why we do not call him by these names! It would be indelicate and intolerant and furthermore reckless behavior.

Secondly, Adult SunBears have almost no predators except humans, due to their fierce reputation and formidable teeth. While it is believed that George Washington's teeth were made of wool, this is nothing more than an erroneous fallacy. In fact, George Washington established the trend for using the teeth from sunbears. This trend continues even today and your grandma or grandpa could even wear teeth made from these underappreciated animals.

As always, I pose several questions:

1) Can you think of an animal that is called by something it truly hates? If so, how do you think this animal feels?

2) Can you think of things your friends hate? How would you feel if you called them by this instead of their respected name?

3) Did you feel something missing this week in your life because my blog was not updated? (If I did, I really apologize)

4) What features would you like to see added to this blog?

Be well and be safe

This blog has been brought to you by honored scholar Michael J. DeFelice

Numbat

Hello to all my beautiful and dedicated followers. I hope your Thanksgiving was filled with food, joy, and sex.

Now down to business... Today the focus of discussion is on the Numbat featured below:



Now the only reason why I am posting a picture of another animal below is to make a clear and precise point:



Now here is a great example of an animal who was named after a bat and as you can tell it is well justified. Here below is quite possibly the greatest and most useful and diversified pokemon.



As you can notice blatantly, the Numbat in no way shape or form resembles the appearance of a bat or even a Zubat for that matter. To name the innocent Numbat after a bat is not only wrong and shallow, but it is furthermore racist. This very action goes against the dream of MLK who desired to be judged by the "content of our character." It appears as if the individual who discovered the Numbat did not take a close enough look at its character and give it its own respected name, but instead had a narrow perception and simply named it after a bat. How far fetched?

Did Abe Lincoln not free the slaves with the Emancipation Proclamation for a reason? Did the morality and views of those who agreed with John C. Calhoun not die in flames with the burning of the confederation? I once thought the answers to all of these questions was an overwhelming yes, but I am now starting to question my previous views. Its not only scary, but it is alarming.

What is occurring to the innocent Numbat is the equivalent of naming a woman a woman. Under no circumstances should we call woman a variation of a man, for they do not have the same potential as man. Now I am not saying the Numbat does not have the same potential as a bat, for it could potentially have more, more necessary research is needed, and this is not my expertise, I only inform regarding why underappreciation exists.

So, I pose a few questions to generate lively discussion. Remember, while it is nice to simply read my blog, there is a special place in my heart for those who read and comment my blog. Not just here and there, but on a CONSTANT basis.

1) Can you think of anymore examples of an animal that was demoralized and named after another animal with no striking resemblance?

2) What do you think of my blog thus far? Do you feel it has lived up to my claim of the "golden age" (see blog 1 for more details)

3) What animal do you feel can be justified as being the most underappreciated animal thus far as mentioned per my previous blogs.

This blog has been brought to you by the awe inspiring scholar Michael J. DeFelice

Red Panda.

Hello my faithful readers. I would like to discuss the misfortunes of the Red Panda with you. It is an absolute tragedy that this species is continually being ignored and underappreciated. These pandas are commonly found roaming about in the trees of the Himalayan region of Northern Burma. They have beautiful coats of red and brown fur and measure approximately 40-60 cm long, which is about the size of a small domestic cat. Their tails are distinctly marked with about 12 alternating red and brown rings.

These creatures are primarily herbivores that feast on the three B’s- berries, blossoms, and bamboos. They search for food at night, running along the ground or through the trees with speed and agility and, after finding food, use their front paws to place the food into their mouths. Red pandas drink by plunging their paw into the water and licking their paws.

Red pandas are highly underappreciated and are near extinction. I am absolutely outraged to discover that these creatures are being hunted for their high-priced bushy tails and their fur as well. In some areas of China, their fur is used for wedding ceremonies, serving as a “good luck charm” hat for the newlyweds to parade around in. Although wedding ceremonies represent a crucial point in which the completely separate lives of two individuals are joined, I do not see any definite correlation between taking away an animal’s life and ensuring “good luck” for the newlyweds. This act is racist in itself and should no longer be continued.

There is only one point in the year in which red pandas interact with one another. Yes, you guessed it. Mating season! This occurs during winter time, where scent markings increase, and female red pandas invite males to mount her on the ground. Males also leave their scent by urinating or rubbing anogenital areas on trees. These creatures are not monogamous during mating season and typically have 2-3 partners in one season. Do these creatures at any point engage themselves in the act of killing and using another animal’s body part as a good luck charm? I think not. Just because these animals do not believe in monogamy does not give any human the right to walk around their wedding ceremony wearing a dead panda’s hide. Although this animal is known for getting plenty of “tail action“, I highly doubt that using it’s hide would guarantee a bountiful sex life for any newly married couple.

What are your thoughts on this heinous act? Are there any alternative “good luck” rituals not involving the death of any animal that you could propose?

I would like to wish you all a happy early Thanksgiving. This blog was brought to you by legendary scholar Michael J. DeFelice.

Jerboa

I would first off like to apologize for not blogging in some time. I realize that this lack of effort is not positively contributing to the promotion and thus appreciation of these animals.

The animal I would like to discuss today is the jeroba. This animal is featured below:



These animals are small jumping desert rodents of Asia and northern Africa that resemble mice with a long tufted tail and very long hind legs. The small forelegs are not used for locomotion. In general, Asiatic jerboas have five toes on their hind feet and African jerboas have three; the shapes of their ears vary widely between species. Jerboa fur is long, soft and silky. Diet varies considerably: some are specialist seed, insect, or plant eaters, others are omnivores. Jerboas obtain energy by eating plants.

The very name of this animal is what makes this animal so underappreciatd. "Jerboa" is from the Arabic word "yerbo," meaning "big thighs." It is not only wrong but it is furthermore racist to call an animal by its appearance. You don't see me calling Suzy "big ears" or Matthew "no action". This type of behavior is simply not accepted and is frowned upon. However, the innocent jerboa must deal with this kind of indecency and I cannot help but feel terrible.

I would like to pose a few questions to generate discussion:

1) Have you ever been called by a name that resembles your appearance such as the examples mentioned above? If so, how did this make you feel, and do you see a correlation in how the jeroba may feel?

2) What plan of action do you think could be enacted to make sure this type of behavior does not continue? Is this plan reasonable or even feasible?

Please just don't state your answers for a matter of fact, but explain why you chose the answers you did.

Be safe and well this weekend.

This blog has been brought to you by renowned scholar Michael J. DeFelice.

Vervet Monkey

Hello to all of my fellow blog readers, I hope the week is going smoothly!



The monkey featured above is actually called a Vervet Monkey. The Vervet Monkey ranges throughout much of Southern and East Africa, being found from Ethiopia and Somalia south to South Africa. Why is this specific animal underappreciated? Well, if you observe the picture, the answer to this question will appear quite obvious. This animal suffers from constant blue ball syndrome. This is when an animal is driven to extreme sexual arousal without ejaculation. The net effect is a dull pain in the testicles that lasts for at least three hours. Unfortunately, this unique breed of monkey suffers from this pain constantly. The truth and reality regarding this fact is that this pain is unjustifiable. One must be wondering... why has PETA not interfered and promoted action? Certainly this is a justifiable and worthy cause.

I hope of you will sympathize for the Vervet monkey and please keep this animal in your prays.

Remember... it is one thing to merely read this blog. I urge to all to go the extra mile and comment your thoughts. It really symbolizes that this blog is impacting the community as a whole.

This blog has been brought to you by the great scholar Michael J. DeFelice

Zebu

Before I blog about the underappreacited Zebu, I feel it is necessary to dwell on my previous entry for a brief peiod of time in order to establish necessary clarity. This is in reference to one of the comments that you can presonally read in the previous blog. Under no circumstances do I feel it is morally right to give alcohol to the Aardwolf (or any animal for this matter), I was merely using that reference as an attempt of humor. Reflecting on this, I realize that I was wrong, completly out of line, and using bad judgement. I have no reason to personally attack the Aardwolf, an animal that does all the right things.

Now that I have gotten that remark off my chest, I feel it is necessary to continue and give the Zebu its utmost respect and attention.

As always, here is a picture for you to fully appreciate the beauty of the Zebu:



The Zebu is sometimes referred to as the "humped cattle". This in itself symbolizes just how underapprecaited this animal truly is. One cannot take the time to call it by its proper name, but instead must resort to an insulting alternative name. This is equivalent to calling a human by an unwanted nickname. There is just no room for this type of behavior. In my honest opinion, there should be a war against this type of indecency and a zero tolerance policy.

There are some 75 known breeds of zebu, split about evenly between African breeds and South Asian ones. With this type of population density, it amazes me that these animals remain underappreciated.

Remember, if you only read this blog, that is only doing half of your job as a citizen. Remember one should vote, pay taxes, and comment on blogs. In all of these cases, it is extremly important to voice your own opinion. In other words, it is a tool to help building a sustainable blog that can continue to flourish and thrive.

This blog has been brought to you by prominent scholar Michael J. DeFelice