Animal fun facts

While we may love our dog enormously, too many of us see petting them as a right rather than a privilege. Even though a healthy dog will want interaction, it doesn't mean they don't have boundaries. Dogs have sensitive areas on their bodies just like us. These are places where they either don't like to...

Cheetahs, leopards and jaguars are all types of big cat, wild cousins of the domestic feline. They all come from the Felidae family, meaning they share certain traits and similarities. They are expert hunters, have excellent vision, can run at high speed and are extraordinary stealthy. Their teeth and...

The word ‘lizard’ covers a great variety of reptile groups which can be found in different types of habitats, almost anywhere in the world. This is why these animals are often present in our homes. This is especially so if we have gardens, orchards or any place they can enjoy the right conditions for...

The feral or wild hog (scientific name Sus scrofa) is a mammal belonging to the Suidae family, which also includes pigs. It corresponds to the genus Sus, a type of even-toed ungulate animal. Wild hogs are native to Europe, Asia and some parts of Africa. However, they have also been introduced into the...

We usually associate certain traits or particular characteristics with certain animals. It is hard for us to imagine them without these distinctive features. For example, when we think of an elephant, its large size, long trunk and striking tusks immediately come to mind. But is it true that all elephants have...

Many people purchase a parakeet because their find their birdsong and chirping to be an enjoyable sound. Not only is it pleasant for us, but it is a necessary form of communication for the bird. However, we may not think as much about whether the parakeet enjoys our sounds. This doesn't just mean the...

In this AnimalWised article, we want to address a common doubt about animals which can enter our home. While we may see rats, mice and insects as nuisance pests, lizards can often be more welcome guests into our home. Unless you have a particular fear of lizards, they often seem to be more docile and we...

Every culture across the world and its history has used animals in their folklore and mythology. The natural world is an inspiring place in many ways, so it is understandable we might see different cultures let their imagination run wild. But how much of these legends are based on actual creatures?...

What a cat will look like physically is, for the most part, dictated by their genetics. The genes carried by their parents will determine what is their eventual body shape, coat type and color. Although cats will look different when compared to being a kitten with being an adult cat, it doesn't mean they...

If we have a cat in the family, it is likely we love nature and have a respect for living beings. We might not think about it too much, but our cat likely feels the same. While many housecats are happy to remain indoors where it is safe, those with experience of the outside world have their curiosity...

When we think of trunked animals, the first one we might think of is the elephant. This large mammal has a large appendage sprouting from their face which is known as a proboscis. There are other animals with trunks of varying size, some of which appear in place of a nose or seem to emanate from their mouths....

Whether we like it or not, dogs will not keep the same sleep schedule as their human guardians. While this can be disruptive if they are making noise when we are trying to sleep, it actually offers us an opportunity to observe them. A dog's health and well-being can be assessed in many ways and watching...

The Kangaroo belongs to the Macropodidae family, which also includes a variety of lesser-known and smaller individuals. Thus, depending on the species, they can be medium to large in size, however, generally the term kangaroo is used to refer to the larger ones. But, how are kangaroos born? In this AnimalWised...

Cats are world-champion sleepers. While it will depend on their age and health status, cats will sleep an average of 13 to 20 hours per day. The type of sleep will vary with some periods of light dozing and others of REM deep sleep. However, there are many factors which affect the quality of their sleep,...

The natural world never fails to amaze us with the wide range of fascinating animal behaviors. The incredible feats some animals can perform with only their instinct to guide are incredible and can help us humans better understand the world around us. These behaviors don't occur in a vacuum. They are...

Each cat has their own individual behaviors and idiosyncrasies. While we might think drinking water with their paw is unique to our cat, it is actually a fairly common behavior. Not all cats will do it all the time, but some will almost exclusively only drink with their paw. There are several perfectly...

You may heard it said that cats choose their humans, not the other way around. We may have spent a lot of time considering what cat might best suit our needs, perhaps the decision wasn't down to us in the end, at least not entirely. There is truth the maxim that cats choose their owners. They are intelligent...

Butterflies are beautiful insects that go through a four-stage process to become the lovely butterflies we see roaming in our garden. If you're curious about these interesting insects, keep reading this oneHOWTO article where we will explain how long is the life cycle of a butterfly. We will also explain...

There are more than 5,000 extant species of lizard. Their diversity is incredible, as is their adaptability to some of the harshest terrains in the animal kingdom. From the smallest gecko to the largest monitor lizard, these reptiles have fascinating traits in terms of morphology, reproduction, feeding...

Few reactions a cat makes receive the attention of hissing. It is a sound not quite unique to cats, but it is one we don't want to hear with any regularity. If we get scared, worried or defensive when we hear a cat hissing, it is not surprising. This is the point of the cat making this particular sound....

Many people believe that cows have 4 stomachs. Some even go on to say that they have 4 or 7 stomachs. This is completely incorrect. Cows only have one stomach, however, that stomach is divided into 4 compartments: rumen, reticulum, omasum and abomasum. In this AnimalWised article we're going to explain...

Can dogs understand that we love them by how we care for them and the affection we give them? Dogs are actually able to understand more than what we give them credit for. In this AnimalWised article we're going to explain how dogs know we love them. We will also answer other questions related to this...

You may have arrived here by searching for the cat breed with no tail, maybe under the assumption there is only one tailless cat breed. Likely the most famous is the Manx cat, a feline with no tail from the Isle of Man. Although it may be the first which comes to mind for many, there are indeed other tailless...

Dogs have a complex body language which is relayed through body postures and facial expressions. They can often go unnoticed if we don't pay enough attention. It's harder not to notice when the dog leans on us directly. For many of us, this is not only a normal occasion, but it is welcome behavior. Our...

Any responsible guardian sees happiness as a basic care need for their dog. If we provide them with food, shelter and security, it's a good start to keeping them happy. However, since canine and human communication is different, we also need to know how to confirm our dog is happy. While we might simply...

Invertebrate animals are those that do not have a backbone. The majority of the world's animals are found in this group, representing 95% of the existing species. Being the most diverse group within this kingdom, its categorization has become very difficult. In this AnimalWised article we're going to...

Rabbits can be ideal companion animals for children. They are adorable, help us to form strong bonds and can teach lessons about responsibility. One of the most important responsibilities rabbit guardians have is ensuring their health. This not only means looking out for physical symptoms of illness, but...

There are two types of reproduction in the animal kingdom, asexual and sexual reproduction. Whereas asexual reproduction doesn't involve the fusion of gametes, sexual reproduction does, thus resulting in an offspring genetically different to its parents. This type of reproduction can also be found in...

Understanding canine behavior is all about context. A dog will often act differently around their family than they do with a stranger. The same can be said when they greet other dogs or animals of a different species. As a species, the domestic dog is a gregarious animal and very sociable. Greeting is a...

We know that many companion animals go into heat and behave erratically, but not all do. Known as the estrus cycle, the heat period can cause dogs and cats to behave erratically and present various symptoms. The estrus cycle can also influence the animal's health and well-being in various ways. For those...

Cats are affectionate animals that love to relax on the sofa with their companions. They love being caressed in the back of their ears and their neck. Others love being scratched at the base of their tail, however, what does it mean when a cat lets you touch its paws? In this AnimalWised article we're going...

There are several reasons why a cat may need to be sedated or anesthetized. This ranges from aggressiveness during veterinary checkups to invasive surgery. It is important to know that anesthesia, even general anesthesia, is relatively very safe. Contrary to what many cat guardians believe, the fatality rate...

Asexual reproduction occurs most often in unicellular organisms which do not need a partner to proliferate. In fact, it is very uncommon in multicellular eukaryotic organisms such as animals. Animals most often carry out sexual reproduction, making asexual animals in the animal kingdom to be very rare....

There are many interesting types of reproduction in our animal kingdom. In this AnimalWised article we're going to have a look at hermaphroditism in animals. We'll explain what hermaphrodite animals are and include plenty of examples. We'll also look into how they reproduce and when they use this type of...

The different modes of reproduction in animals is classified based on how they give birth to their young, this includes viviparous, oviparous and ovoviviparous animals. Embryos can be fertilized internally or externally, but the development after fertilization differ greatly. In this AnimalWised article...

Water is essential to all living beings and cats are no exception. Despite this, for something so vital to their well-being, we often overlook its importance. We replenish water once a day or even leave water from the day before. Fortunately, a cat's attitude to water says a lot about their well-being...

Sea urchins are small marine invertebrates which are characterized by having hard and spiny shells. They are sometimes simply called urchins, since there are no freshwater sea urchins to be found in nature. Despite only inhabiting saltwater aquatic ecosystems, they are an incredibly diverse type of echinoderm....

Blue-ringed octopus are small and adorable octopus mostly found in Australia's coral reef. Despite their innocent appearance, these little sea creatures are actually quite dangerous. In this AnimalWised article, we're going to dive deeper into blue-ringed octopus, what they eat, their toxicity and more!

Starfish are fascinating sea creatures full of mysteries. In this AnimalWised article, we're going to explain how starfish breathe. We'll go through their unique anatomy and explain how these sea stars breathe underwater and above water. Keep reading to learn more!

Starfish are very interesting sea creatures. Due to their unique lifestyle, these animals multiply in a very peculiar and interesting way. They have sexual reproduction, like us, although they also proliferate asexually, that is, they make copies of themselves. In this AnimalWised article we're going to...

Ladybugs are beautiful insects we often find flying around the garden. However, many of us don't know much about them. If you've been asking yourself questions such as, what do ladybugs eat or how long do they live for, you've come to the right place. In this AnimalWised article we're going to talk...

In this AnimalWised article we're going to talk about how ants are born, their reproduction system, the organization of their ant colony and more! Keep reading to learn more!

Mice are interesting little rodents. Not only are they cute and intelligent but it's amazing to see how they can fit in just about anywhere. Leaving us to wonder, do mice have bones? In this AnimalWised article we're going to talk about the skeletal system of mice and debunk certain myths about mice....

There are few members of the animal kingdom with as much mystique as the wolf. They have fascinated human civilizations since the two groups first met and much symbolism has been attached to the warrior wolf. Many writers, philosophers, naturalists and entire communities have created legends, had musings...

One of the most characteristic, and unique, cat behaviors is purring. It is a defining trait of cats and can only be found in felids and some species of viverrids. As a vocalization, it is usually associated with a feeling of well-being. Not only does it imply the cat is satiated and content, but it can...

The first thing you might think about petting a cat is the physical experience. As very clean animals, cats keep their coat in premium condition. This not only benefits their hygiene, but it keeps their coat soft to the touch. Petting them simply feels great. However, there are many hidden benefits of petting...

Cats are capable of finding amusement out of most anything. They can make a box into a playhouse, string into a snake or even play for hours with a piece of trash. While me not see why these activities are so entertaining, they don't usually impact on us. When our cat starts licking our hair, we might...

Although we know there are many different breeds of domestic cat, we are often not as familiar with wild cat breeds. Some may be aware of the differences between a Bengal and Siberian tiger, but knowing the different types of lynx might not be as common knowledge. As with all big cats, lynxes are part...

People who share their lives with cats know they will constantly surprise us with their antics. Even if we think we know felines well, they can often do something which seems completely out of the ordinary. When cats are inclined to do so, they can really perform some cool feats. Their abilities to...

There are many unexpected events which occur when you adopt a cat. While we do everything we can to prepare for the arrival of a feline into our family, we need to expect the unexpected. For example, we need to ensure we have the means to pay veterinary bills if some threat to their health occurs. For...