Animal fun facts

In terms of taxonomy, it can be a little difficult to understand what constitutes a monkey. While many people will differentiate them from apes, both are part of the infraorder Simiiformes. Monkeys are also broken down into two large families known as New World monkeys (Platyrrhini) and Old World monkeys...

Cats progress through a number of life stages in their lifetime. As a cat guardian, learning how they change physically and behaviorally will help you to provide the right level of care at every stage of development. Remaining ignorant of these stages can mean you provide the wrong care, making natural...

There are few creatures in the animal kingdom which are so similar, yet have such different reputations. One is considered a wonder of nature and a joy to witness. The other is generally perceived as a pest and a threat to wool cardigans everywhere. Despite having many similarities, there are key differences...

Parrots belong to the family Psittacidae, which in turn is divided into three different subfamilies: Lorinae, Cacatuinae and Psittacinae. Together, these three subfamilies comprise the more than 350 species of parrots. All species are monogamous, meaning they have a single partner throughout their lives, which...

The red panda is slightly larger than a domestic cat, has a bear-like body and dense, reddish-brown fur. It lives in temperate zone forests with bamboo understory in the Himalayas and other high mountains. Red pandas, like giant pandas, are bamboo eaters native to the high altitude forests of Asia....

A famous axiom claims ‘dogs have owners, cats have staff’. This is due to the cat's reputation as being aloof and even contemptuous of their human guardians. While dogs may bound to our side if they hear us shuffling in a different room, you could call all night for a cat and they won't leave their comfy...

When we think of the relationships between humans and dogs, we think of them being our best friend. This is reasonable considering the relationships we see with our friends and their animal or even on various social media platforms. If we adopt a dog and find they are not immediately our best friend, it can...

The pine processionary moth (Thaumetopoea pityocampa) is a moth in the subfamily Thaumetopoeinae in the family Notodontidae, known for the irritant hairs on its caterpillars, its processions, and the economic damage it causes in coniferous forests. It is notable for the behavior of its caterpillars, which overwinter...

Animals come in all shapes, sizes, and species. The Dreadnoughtus was the largest animal ever known to exist. This Tintanosaurus lived 77 million years ago and measured about 85 feet (ca. 27 meters) long. It was the largest animal ever known. Today, the African elephant is the largest land animal, with an...

Also known as a woodchuck, the groundhog belongs to the order Rodentia and the family Sciuridae. This is the family to which squirrels belong, making them very close relatives of tree squirrels. Theirs is the genus Marmota which is divided into two subgenera, 15 species and 42 subspecies. They are generally...

Reproduction is a fundamental process for all animal species on our planet. Without it, there wouldn't be any animals left to populate it. Reproduction has to adapt to each specific animal for it take place correctly. This is due to various factors, including individual morphology and external environment. The...

There are many species of cetaceans, which are divided into two major groups: Mysticetes, which have beards, and Odontocetes, which have teeth. There are several families of dolphins, and most of them are distinguished by their social skills, even with humans, and by their striking way of communicating....

Animals and other organisms are distributed all over the world. Even in the seemingly most inhospitable habitats, life can often find a way. However, not all creatures are up to the task. For life to survive, organisms have developed various adaptations and processes to allow them to live in harsh environments....

Amphibians belong to a group of vertebrates with specific characteristics, because from the point of view of structure, they are between fish and reptiles, and because of this, they can live both on and off land in most cases. There are currently three types of amphibians, commonly known as frogs and...

The term killer whale is partly very apt. Although beautiful and fascinating marine mammals, they are intelligent and prolific hunters. Although they survive only in water, they are able to catch prey from land close to the water's edge. Their massive strength, sharp teeth and great intelligence make them...

Cats have a reputation for being selfish and unaffectionate. While they may be generally more independent than some other pets, the bonds with they forge with their human guardians can be as strong as any companion animal relationship. Their level of affection and interaction will depend on the individual,...

Some animals have an intense coloration which can easily attract attention. Often these colorations can present in various patterns and shapes, with some animals looking as if they were painted by a Cubist artist. We can see these beautiful works of nature in frogs, butterflies, birds, insects and more....

Cats are almost synonymous with sleep. Although they can be very active and agile, they need to spend the majority of their dat at rest. While asleep, we may see them make noises or movements, something which can lead us to ask if cats can dream? Taking it further, if they can dream, do cats have nightmares? In...

Many of us may think there is only one type of tapian snake, but there are more. All snakes within the genus Oxyuranus are types of tapian snake, of which there are three individual species. They are known as being one of the most venomous snakes in the world. Combined with the fact they can strike incredibly...

In the suidae family are several species of animals commonly known as pigs and wild boars. In the latter family, the wild boar sus scrofa is usually referred to as a pig. There are other species that are referred to this way, such as the desert warthog ( Phacochoerus aethiopicus ) and the common warthog...

Turtles of all kinds, both aquatic and terrestrial, belong to the order Testudines, characterized by a shell mainly made up of their ribs.Turtles are an ancient order, but modern turtles differ significantly from what is documented in fossil records.There are 360 living and recently extinct species of turtles,...

Some dog behaviors, such as mounting, can make us uncomfortable and even embarrassed. However, it is important that you do not punish or suppress your dog for these behaviors, because they are perfectly normal. What may seem strange to us is often natural behavior in dogs. We tend to anthropomorphize our...

Seasonal changes are common in most ecosystems, and in some cases they can be very extreme. Animals are often affected by these changes as temperature and precipitation cycles change throughout the year. These changes affect, among other things, the animal's ability to reach food or water. For this reason, cold-blooded...

We know that cats do not show love to their guardians in the same way humans do with each other. They cannot speak verbally with us, so they have to rely on body language and other forms of communication. When we see them rubbing their face against us, it is a clear sign of affection or perhaps a petition...

Otters are perhaps best known for being adorable. Their expressive face, dexterous paws and mischievous manner make them prime fodder for memes and YouTube videos. Although controversial and something we believe should be discouraged, they are even becoming popular as pets. Despite such increased visibility,...

It is often believed there are two types of camels. These are recognized as a camel with two humps versus a camel with one hump. There is some truth to such conventional wisdom in that we can broadly recognize two distinct camelid groups, but their classification is more complicated. All camels are camelids...

All living beings have the ability to produce new cells and tissue. These are important actions for the organism as they help maintain functionality. They are also very important when they receive trauma or other damage such as when sustaining a wound. In the animal kingdom, there are some species which are able...

The lemur is a primate are wet-nosed primates of the superfamily Lemuroidea that is only found in Madagascar. Their classification has been controversial, resulting in the identification of a wide variety of species and whose number has changed as research progresses.There are currently 33 species of...

Birds are a group of vertebrates with an impressive diversity in the animal kingdom. Aside from their beautiful physical features and the variety of their songs, birds also vary greatly in size. While there are some birds that are quite small, like insects, there are others that are so large that they remind...

If you were to think of a pigeon, there is likely one specific species which springs to mind. Perhaps it is surprising that we can find 369 identified species within the Columbidae family, the family in which all pigeons and doves can be found. These birds have various sizes, but generally all have...

The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is a wild cat found on the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe, and more specifically Spain. It is currently listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, which is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. In the last...

In 2011, the animated film “Rio” was released in theaters. The movie brought to light an issue that had long been ignored by many, the devastating extinction crisis of birds around the world. In fact, in 2021, nearly 13% of the world's feathered species were listed as endangered. The movie, however, focused...

Flies are a group of invertebrates that belong to the class Insecta and the order Diptera. The name Diptera derives from the Greek and means “two”. Flies are included in this group because unlike most insects, they have two wings instead of four. There are several species of flies and these are classified...

For such small creatures, mice have a very acute sense of smell. It is a necessary evolutionary trait which allows them to find food sources in dark environments or areas where food is scarce. It is one of the reasons we can see a mouse has eaten through food packaging, since they can smell the food...

When we talk about squirrels, we are referencing animals of the Sciuridae family. While many of us will immediately think of a bushy-tailed red squirrel running up a tree, we should know the diversity of this family is great. In fact, there are so many different rodents in this mammal family that they...

Seals, sealions and walruses are often confused with each other. While they do have specific differences, they are all marine mammals with similar body structures. They have flippers to swim, canines to eat fish and fur to protect them from the cold. When spotted in the water, it can be difficult to tell these...

The cougar is a large felid native to the American continent. Their habitats range over large areas from north to south of the region, making it a mammal with one of the widest distributions of the entire Northern Hemisphere. Such large distribution means it has been given various names by various communities....

Although Australia can have a sometimes inhospitable climate, its relatively small human population means there is much space for its animal life to develop. This has led to a great diversity of animal species. One of the most adorable animals we will find in Australia is the wombat. However, beyond...

Unfortunately, the cognitive functions of rabbits have not been studied as thoroughly as those of dogs or cats. Nonetheless, their growing popularity as companion animals makes us increasingly wonder about their level of intelligence and their ability to remember. Recent studies have shown that, not only do rabbits...

Alaska is the second youngest state in the United States of America, but only by a few months. Despite being only a recent official addition to the country, it is one of the US's most resource-rich areas. While it is the 4th least-populous state, it is the country's largest state by geographical size...

Reptiles and amphibians belong to the group of vertebrate animals, more specifically, tetrapod animals. Tetrapod is a term to describe animals that use four limbs to move or to manipulate things. Reptiles were the first truly terrestrial vertebrates, while amphibians are a group with transient traits between...

Some of us may not be aware there are different types of manatees. These often elusive creatures have a certain otherworldly mystique which has led to them having an almost mythological reputation. Although they may have one time been confused with mermaids, manatees are aquatic mammals which have been...

The diversity of birds on the planet ranges from tiny to very large species. These large species often remind us why birds are one of the closest living relatives of extinct dinosaurs. Birds are also quite different from one another. Some possess a hypnotizing colorful plumage and their feathers are even...

Turtles are known for various characteristic features which are not shared by many others in the animal kingdom. Perhaps most noticeable is their hard carapace or shell which helps protect them from predators. Although there are some turtles which may prey on smaller animals, most are mainly herbivorous....

When considering adopting a cat, many people see their supposed independence as a benefit. Irresponsible guardians will think they can leave the cat alone all day and they will not care. Although it will depend on the individual, cats are much more social than their reputation suggests. Some are more...

We too often rank animals by speed or certain abilities without giving them the correct context. Some animals may be faster than others, but this is only because they have needed to adapt in the way they have. What is more important and more interesting is looking at how and why animals do the things...

The diversity of birds is incredibly vast, so it is interesting to wonder why some stand out in the public imagination. The swan is a bird which has come to have great significance for many cultures, its white plumage and graceful appearance making it a common wonder. However, many of us might not even know...

Many people see cats as having spiritual, mystical or even magical capacities. While there is no empirical evidence to confirm such abilities, we can see the bonds they forge with humans are special. Some people think the relationship people have with their cats is one-sided. They think cats don't care...

Slugs are animals belonging to the phylum Mollusca, a very large group of invertebrates which also includes animals as diverse as clams and octopuses. With such diversity, classifying these invertebrates is no easy task. It takes years of research and reviewing to define them taxonomically. Even when...

If we were to ask you about jumping mammals, the first animals which come to mind may be kangaroos, gazelles or even rabbits. For this reason, it can be easy to forget that dolphins are mammals and that they are some of the best jumpers in the animal kingdom. The difference is that they are aquatic mammals,...