The Malayan tiger is the national animal of Malaysia which inhabits mainly in the Malay Peninsula. The Malayan tiger is biologically known as Panthera tigris jacksoni and it is very much close to the Indochinese tiger in characteristics. In 2004, the Malayan tiger was declared a separate species from the Indochinese tiger.  The Malayan Tiger is one of the smallest tigers of all of the subspecies and the average length of a male Malayan tiger is 8 ft 6 in (259 cm), and of a female Malayan tiger is 7 ft 10 in (239 cm). The males reach about 235 centimeters from head to tail, while females are approximately two meters long.

A proud Malayan Tiger - Image by Rene Mantej

The natural habitat of the Malayan tiger; the Malay Peninsula is located in the southern tip of Thailand and the Malaysian Peninsular. The Malay Peninsula comprises of small and dense forests and abandoned agricultural lands. Being a carnivore and a powerful tiger species, the Malayan tiger usually prey large mammals like wild boars, deer and wild goats.

A Malayan tigress sitting after a nap - Image by Al Notter

The average age of the Malayan Tiger is about 15 years in the ideal circumstances. The gestation period in a Malayan tigress is of about 3.5 months and she gives birth to three or four cubs. The males are solitary creatures, and will not usually be found hunting or living in packs. The cubs remain under the shelter of their mother till the age of 18 months old and after that they will break away and live independently.

Cute Malayan tiger cubs playing together - Image: Karl Drilling

Habitat destruction and poaching are the main enemies of the Malayan tiger; the national animal of Malaysia. The commercial  plantations have resulted in more frequent encounters between tigers and livestock. The local people also kill the Malayan tiger to safeguard their cattle and their number in Malaysia is reached to an alarming stage.

The people of Panama consider the Panamanian Golden Frog as a symbol of their good fortune. The Panamanian Golden Frog is the national animal of Panama.  The Panamanian Golden Frog is biologically known as Atelopus zeteki. Although the Panamanian Golden Frog apparently seems like a species of frog but its binomially considered as a “true toad” (Bufonidae). The Panamanian golden frog prefers semaphoring over vocalization; semaphoring is a hand-wave used to grab the attention of other frogs. Atelopus zeteki or the Panamanian Golden Frog is listed as critically endangered by IUCN.

The Panamanian Golden Frog

The Panamanian Golden Frog prefers to inhabit in the tropical forest regions, particularly on mountains, near the water bodies. In the wet tropical forests which are ideal for their growth, the male can grow to 48 mm and weigh up to 12 g, and the female can be as large as 63 mm and weigh up to 15 g. Panamanian golden frog population is on the verge of extinction, and the species is listed as critically endangered. Some experts believe the frog to be extinct in the wild.

Atelopus zeteki : Image by Adam Fink

Another amazing feature of the Panamanian Golden frog is the production of toxins in their skin that make them noxious meals for predators. Panamanian golden frogs are insectivores. They feed on a wide variety of small invertebrates in the forests near their streams. The Panamanian Golden frogs are sexually dimorphic and in the season of mating the females deposit light-sensitive eggs. They hide their egg clutches in dark crevices under rocks to avoid exposing the developing eggs to light.

The Panamanian Golden Frog has the great significance in the culture of Panama. A great local myth associated with the Panamanian Golden Frog is of turning of it into gold after death. The greatest threat to the population of the Panamanian golden frogs in the wild is habitat loss and other human activities such as illegal collection for the pet trade.

Nataile Hershlag Portman, the brilliant film star was born on 9^th of June, 1981 in Jerusalem, Israel. She did her graduation from Harvard College with a B.A. degree in psychology. Portman, who is commonly known with her stage name Nataile Portman, was introduced by an agent at the age of 11. Although she started her career in modeling but later she proved herself as a prominent actress from Hollywood. Nataile Portman started her film debut in the movie Leon: the Professional which was released in 1994. Portman belongs to a Jewish family and she possesses dual nationality of America and Israel.

Nataile Hershlag Portman

Nataile Portman performed in many films during the mid 1990’s from which Heat , Everyone says I love you and Beautiful Girls are notable. Nataile Portman earned global fame when she appeared in the independent movies Garden State and Closer. Portman won Supporting Actress Golden Globe Award as well as a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress for her fantastic performance as Alice in Closer. In 2006, Nataile Portman portrayed a roll of a working woman in a fantastic revolutionary drama V for Vendetta which was actually an adaptation of the V for Vendetta comic book by Alan Moore and David Lloyd. The movie had put remarkable revelation in the current socio political scenario.

Natalie Portman as Alice Ayres/Jane Jones in "Closer"

The most compelling performance of Nataile Portman which also rewarded her with the Golden Globe Award and the Academy Award for Best Actress was Black Swan. Portman played the role as a veteran ballerina in this movie.

Natalie Portman poses with her Academy Award for Best Actress in a Leading Role for "Black Swan"

Nataile Portman, the brilliant film star is also a renowned social and political activist and she is a famous advocate for animal rights. She is a vegetarian and she does not eat animal products or wear fur, feather or leather. In 2007, Nataile Portman launched her own brand of vegan footwear.