Status Updates From Wild Animals of the South

The laughing kookaburra - also known as 'laughing jack' - belongs to the kingfisher family and predominantly lives in Australia. The bird gets its name from the raucous cackling sound it uses to defend its territory. Often heard in the early mornings and late evenings, the laughing kookaburra's distinctive call has given it the nickname 'bushman's clock'. 'Kookaburra' is a well-loved children's song in Australia.

As the sloth spends long periods of time hanging upside down from the tropical trees,this little animal's long fur is neatly parted on its belly to allow rain water to run off it more easily.Its fur shimmers green due to the algae that grows on it,acting both as camouflage and as a source of food for the sloth.The algae brings additional nourishment when leaves aren't enough-or when the sloth is just too lazy tomove.

The glowing yellow and red beak of the toco toucan is a kind of air conditioner. Through countless blood vessels in its beak, the bird releases heat and regulates its body temperature. Fully grown toucans are true masters of cooling down: they can precisely control how much heat they give out from 5% to 100%. And if the toucan gets too cold, it can insulate its beak under its wings to retain heat.

These lemurs are exclusive to Madagascar. A typical group is comprised of 13 to 15 animals and is led by a dominant female. Even during fights within the group, the men usually draw the short straw and are placed at the back of the queue. Lemurs use their showy ringed tail in battle, which they use to wipe a secretion from their underarms and then swing towards their opponent.

Hyenas produce unbelievably strong digestive juices, which means that they can eat almost anything - from caterpillars to elephants, even bones, horns and hooves. They're like the vacuum cleaner of the savannah; perfect scavengers who like to make the most of what others leave behind.

Humankind could exist without tigers, tapirs or ocelots, but it would be wrong to assume that we are the most important creature on Earth. We are intruders in the animal kingdom and with every animal that dies out, our life on this planet loses a part of its power and colour and beauty.