Animal fun facts
1.180 articles
Jellyfish are dome-shaped, gelatinous invertebrates. Many of us have encountered this fascinating animal, either through jellyfish stings or by observing them in the ocean. Jellyfish are not actually fish; they are plankton. Despite their popularity, these intriguing creatures remain somewhat mysterious.
Have...
Dolphins are mammals of the Delphinidae family, which includes more than 90 species of cetacean. One of the common traits of mammals is the presence of hair or fur, something we might not notice when we look at the sleek body of a dolphin. Not all mammals live in the sea, with the vast majority being...
Understanding how cats perceive humans has been an aim of feline ethologists for many years. While biological research has helped us to understand the physical perception of cats, our knowledge of how cats see us emotionally is impeded by the limitations of interspecies communication. Put simply, we cannot...
If you look at a cat tongue up close, you will see there are tiny little white hooks covering its surface. Although we expect the tongues of a fellow mammal to be smooth like our own, different animals adapt their body parts for different reasons. A cat's tongue feels rough to the touch. If we are cuddling...
Storks are a variety of bird species which make up the family Ciconiidae, but not all are known to carry out infanticide. The killing of their young is most commonly associated with the white stork (Ciconia ciconia). As with all storks, the white stork has a long body with a similarly elongated neck and...
Geese, from wild species navigating vast migration routes to domestic breeds living on farms, have evolved distinct characteristics over thousands of years. Wild geese maintain adaptations for survival in natural habitats, while their domestic relatives have developed traits suited to life alongside humans....
While they may look like underwater plants or rocks, corals are actually animals that build the ocean's largest living structures. These remarkable marine creatures, relatives of jellyfish and sea anemones, create complex ecosystems that support a quarter of all ocean life. From tropical reefs to deep ocean...
Many of us speak about calico cats as if they were their own breed. All calicos share distinct characteristics, both physically and genetically, but they are not a specific breed. The calico is a tricolor coat pattern which belongs to various breeds of cat. Of the estimated 600+ million domestic cats in...
While it may appear as if your dog is howling for no reason, this is not the case. It may not be obvious, but understanding a dog's canine instinct and behavioral traits will help you to understand the reason for their howling. To do so, we need to look at the context of the howling. This can include the genetics...
Children tend to learn new words and their meanings quite easily. Not only is this good for their amusement, but it also helps them learn new languages. In addition to English, Spanish is an incredibly important language. In fact, studies show that Spanish is the second most widely-spoken language in...
Pembroke Welsh Corgis are adorable at a royal degree; with their big ears and cylindrical, fluffy shape, it's no surprise that they are Queen Elizabeth II's favorite breed. However, do you know just how much she loves them?
The Queen has had about three dozens of dogs in her life, most of them Welsh...
Wild cats exist in every continent except for Antarctica. Some of them like the European wildcat, are well-known and easily recognizable; others, however, are not so familiar.
In this AnimalWised article we will go over the types of wild cats around the world, discussing the smaller Felidae - that is, felids...
The word dinosaur comes from the Latin dinosaurus "Terrible Lizard", an incredibly suitable name deeming the stars of the famous Jurassic Park movie. Not only were these amazing creatures at the top of the food chain for centuries, but it is also estimated that there were over 1,000 million different dinosaur...
If you have decided to adopt a Shiba Inu dog, or if you are still thinking about it, you might want to know about the various possible Shiba Inu coat colors. This breed of Japanese origin has a very special character that you're sure to fall in love with.
AnimalWised will list the Shiba Inu's different...
Seals are aquatic mammals that live in both marine and freshwater environments. To survive in the water, they have various evolutionary adaptations to make them adept swimmers. One of the most obvious is their flippers. While some may wonder if seals have paws, the answer is not any more. Seals are also known...
The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) are apex predators in their ecosystem and considered to be one of the deadliest carnivores in the world. Not only deadly to their prey animals, polar bears provide a serious risk to humans. This risk has been intensified in recent years thanks to global warming. Bears...
As in the case of people, cats have preferences when it comes to maintaining social relations, for this reason, it is no surprise that they have a favorite person or more than one. But is that really true? Do cats prefer a person above all others? Or is it rather a myth?
In AnimalWised we have decided...
The word dinosaur comes from Latin, whose Greek translation would be "Terrible Lizard", a name that fits the stars of Jurassic Park like a glove. These big lizards that dominated the world were at the top of the food chain and have been there for a long time. In order to be able to fully and honestly address...
Everyone has heard of the famous Game of Thrones series and of course, its incredible dragons, probably the most popular fantastic characters in the series. We know that winter is coming, which is why, in this new AnimalWised article, we are going to talk about what the names of Game of Thrones Dragons...
You've probably heard that calico cats and tortoiseshell cats - that is, cats with particolored coats - are always female. Is that true? Why does it happen?
In this AnimalWised article we'll explain why this type of coat happens to help you find out whether this is indeed a female-only characteristic...
Whether you're thinking about devoting a beautiful phrase of love to your cat or you are looking for funny and weird quotes about your cats, you have come to the right place. In this AnimalWised article, we offer you a list of phrases and quotes you can dedicate to your best feline friend.
Discover...
When we speak of acts of love, adopting is certainly one of them, but not just for our species. Sometimes, we can tell what dogs are feeling, of course not with words, but with a glance. When we go to an animal shelter and look at their faces, who dares to disagree that they are saying, "adopt me!"? A...
Can dogs predict death? This question has been asked by many experts in canine behavior, as many believe that dogs are able to identify the presence of cancer in human beings, among other diseases.
It is also believed that dogs can detect the presence of positive and negative forces in the environment...
The Chihuahua is, by far, one of the most popular Mexican dog breeds. In fact, they get their name thanks to the largest state in Mexico. Probably due to their character, the physical traits they possess, or the joy they convey, these dogs have made them stand out enormously.
Do you have a chihuahua or a...
Although we may not be aware of this, many times the advances that the human being makes would not be possible without the unfortunate participation of animals, even though many times this participation is only fruitful for us. You may have been surprised when you heard that a dog traveled to space, but where...
Whereas domestic cats live with families and regulate their existence as per a human environment; feral and wild cats live in wild settings, without any human influence on them. But this is where the difference begins and the similarities end between feral and wild cats.
This AnimalWised article will...
The dark, dense forests of India are the ideal habitat for venomous animals. These forests offer abundant prey for giant snakes, scorpions, and poisonous spiders.
With 270 species of snakes, 60 of whom are highly venomous, there is no dearth of lethal animals in India, including the king cobra, the...
Rabbits are sweet and adorable animals, but it is not always easy to identify the signals they send us through their body language. They are sensitive and often frightened beings, with very different behavior compared to other animals.
In this AnimalWised article we will show 5 clear signs that confirm...
Whether you are attacked by captive elephants or wild ones, the result can be equally deadly. According to an estimate, around 500 people are killed annually by elephants; they are considered one of the most dangerous animals in India. If you are the victim of an elephant attack, don't think that all...
It is a common misconception that one dog year is the equivalent to 7 human years. While this calculation seems to make sense if thought about momentarily, it doesn't have the scientific proof to back it up. There are other values which allow us to better define the physiological development of a dog,...
We humans have always considered ourselves the "most developed" species; we have seen and regarded all other animals as much less intelligent and evolved creatures than us, up to the point of using them as tools for work, food or entertainment.
However, countless scientific and humanistic studies have...
The term kangaroo actually encompasses various species from the Marsupial subfamily, which, obviously, share significant characteristics. The red kangaroo stands out between all these species because it's the largest marsupial currently in existence, with males measuring 1.5 meters (4'11'') in height...
Heterochromia irides (in Greek), or “differently colored iris” is a genetic default when a living creature has two differently colored eyes. Seen mostly in dogs, horses, and cats, this condition is present in humans as well. Some of the most common heterochromatic dogs include Australian Shepherds, Siberian...
Statistics show that a very high percentage of dog attacks are involving children, approximately 80% of total cases. Do not overlook this figure, as there is a reason for it.
In this Animalwised article we will discuss the main reasons dogs become aggressive towards children, how we can avoid attacks and...
Learning to communicate with your dog is essential for a balanced and happy coexistence. Often a lack of understanding between dog and owner can lead to unwanted behavior, due to poor non-verbal communication. Luckily, you can improve your relationship with them whilst you attempt to figure out what...
Vertebrates and Invertebrates are the two main types of animals. To put it simply, invertebrates lack a backbone, while vertebrates possess a highly-evolved internal skeleton and skull that encase their well-developed brain. This backbone is also known as a vertebral column (or spinal column in humans...
Woodpeckers are known for their distinctive drumming or pecking on wood with their large beaks against the bark of trees to create a unique sound. Until the 1940s, some people believed that the bird made the sound vocally before birdwatcher Norman Pullen resolved the argument (in 1943) through his recorded...
The stunning beauty of the feline species is even further accentuated by different colored eyes. This is known as heterochromia and cat. What causes these rare creatures to be odd eyed cats? This AnimalWised article strives to find out why do some cats have different colored eyes? Cats with heterochromia...
Considered an ornamental species for thousands of years, the fallow deer, known as Cervidae dama dama; is known for its varying coat colors ranging from black to red, brown and even pure white. A black line runs along backward to the tail. The deer have white spotted backs in summer. The coat is thicker...
Around 100 million years ago, New Zealand was completely forested, and the Kiwi bird flourished with ease here. Now, New Zealand has only 25 percent of its forest cover remaining. This means the Kiwi has less space, resources, and food to survive on. Around 80 years ago, the Kiwi population comprised...
Throughout your life, you will have seen hundreds of butterflies in fields, forests, and even in cities. They belong to the family of the Lepidoptera, most of which are capable of flight.
Butterflies, unlike many other insects, are a species adored by humans. We love to admire their beauty and become enchanted...
The title of this article is: The largest insects in the world. Therefore, this list will differ from many others with the same title, because it exclusively includes insects. This means that it will not include any spiders, centipedes or other related bugs.
The identification of any insect is clear and...
The story of Balto is one of the most captivating real events in US history and proves that dogs are capable of incredible feats. So much so, Balto's adventure hit movie screens in 1995, in the eponymous film, Balto.
AnimalWised will now tell you the true story of Balto, the dog that became a hero. Keep...
There are 13 genera of wolf spiders in the United States alone. Belonging to the Hogna genus, the million dollar question is “are wolf spiders venomous?” given their large numbers in the woods and natural protected areas. With 125 species of wolf spiders in the US, this AnimalWised article will provide...
During the Iraq war in 2003, a new internet sensation hit the online world– the Camel Spider. Stories about how camel spiders are venomous began to abound on the Internet. Many of the rumors also displayed the spiders to be about ½ the size of a human. But, the truth (as they say) is stranger than fiction....
Yes, it may be true that Australia is home to the highest amount of dangerous animals in the World, though not all of them are deadly. Though it is in fact the country with the most dangerous species, we do have to take into account that the area of Australia is much bigger than many countries and that...
There are an estimated two million species of animals in the world. Some, like dogs or cats, can be seen almost daily in our cities and we know endless facts about them, but there are less common animals that are full of curious facts.
This is the case of ovoviviparous animals, which have a certainly strange...
Cats can run very fast, making it difficult for humans to catch them if they run somewhere they shouldn't. They can dart about easily through our legs and even run up vertical surfaces with seemingly little effort. Although they have great speed in small spaces, does this mean cats can run faster than...
The Iberian Peninsula combines territories located in current day Portugal and Spain with the British Overseas Territory and the Principality of Andorra. However, the vast majority 79% is located in Spain. The fauna of this country alone is rich and diverse, harboring certain endemisms, plant and animal...
Many guardians wonder if their cats like kisses or if this kind of display of affection is uncomfortable for felines. Unfortunately, many others do not make this consideration. Instead they kiss and cuddle their kittens without considering their comfort and tolerance levels. It's important to remember that...
