Animal fun facts

Hedgehogs are cute mammals which hold an incredibly interesting appearance. Part of the subfamily Erinaceinae, they sport an upturned nose and spines, otherwise known as modified hollow hairs which are stiffened. These spines are commonly known as hedgehog spikes. It is important to keep in mind, that...

In nature we have a vast range of ecosystems, much of our understanding of which is limited. Throughout these ecosystems individual species create bonds and establish relationships, whether they be from their own species or that of another. From multicellular animals like us humans to the bacteria which...

If you have a cat you've probably seen it lying in the sun many times before. But as we know, lying in the sun for humans can sometimes be dangerous but does this apply to our cats as well? Cats lie in the sun in order to relax, that much is clear. Any opportunity they have at enjoying sunshine, they will take...

Jellyfish are dome shaped gelatinous invertebrates. Most of us have crossed paths with this interesting animal, either through jellyfish stings or by noticing them in the ocean. Jellyfish are not in fact fish, they are plankton. This interesting animal still remain, despite being popular, somewhat mysterious. Have...

To know what physical changes have occurred in dog breeds over the last 100 years or so, then we have to go back to 1873. This is when the Kennel Club was founded. This British breeders club was designed, in part, to standardize the morphology (the study of physical shape and form) of dog breeds for the first...

The origins of the domestic dog have long been a controversial subject with much false information and the proliferation of certain unhelpful myths. These myths haven't necessarily been spread maliciously. Much of the confusion lies in the limits of scientific research into the topic. Although there are...

Cats are animals which possess unique and distinctive character traits and behavioral patterns. So much so, that there are many myths surrounding the feline species with some stating that cats can absorb negative or bad energies. One of the main examples of these is the popular saying and belief that black...

The majority of cats, with few exceptions, are especially reluctant to have their belly touched. They may even react aggressively with bites and scratches. Wrapping their arms around your hand and digging in their claws can seem like an adverse reaction to what was meant to be a friendly petting. If...

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...

Pit bull dogs currently suffer unjustified bad press, caused in most cases by improper handling by their owners. However, those of us who have had the opportunity to share our home with these beautiful and noble dogs know that they are excellent companions, capable of providing: love, joy and affection...

Vampires and gods have only one thing in common: the conscious manifestation of our inherent fear of absolute emptiness, represented by death. However, nature has created really amazing life forms that flirt with immortality, while other species experience a fleeting existence. If this topic has caused...

Asian dog breeds have unique features in terms of physicality and personality. Much of this has to do with the history of their domestication and their interaction with their native land. However, while breeds from China and other parts of Asia (such as Japan) are popular, there may be some you have not...

Our dogs are faithful and intelligent animals. And even though they sometimes do things we don't quite understand, we love them nonetheless. Although, most people don't know that most of the weird and funny things that our dogs do are supported by reasonable explanations. Do you want to find out the...

Some people believe cats have a preternatural ability to find their way home. While they have better olfactory function than humans, the idea that they can find their way home whatever the circumstance is both false and dangerous. Cats get lost every day and some may never make it back home. Additionally,...

Understanding more than one language in today's age is incredibly important. Whether for work, studies or self-fulfillment, languages are important in communicating fairly and equally with the rest of the world. Language allows for deeper connection between people and a greater understanding of different cultures. Are...

We all have the potential to be cruel. Some of us act on it more than others, but where this cruelty is directed can say a lot about an individual. The way in which a human treats their pets and other animals reflects something about their psychological well-being. Although a sad and frustrating indictment...

Felines (Felidae) are a family of mammals belonging to the order Carnivora which have inhabited this particular planet for millions of years. The oldest fossil found to date appears to be a snow leopard (Panthera blytheae) that lived in Asia 4.1 to 5.9 million years ago[1]. Interest in these big cats...

The Amazon rainforest is the largest tropical forest on the planet and is bound by the basin of the Amazon River and its tributaries. This jungle is comprised of a large area of South America and is distributed over nine countries, which includes: Brazil, Peru, Venezuela, Colombia, Bolivia, Ecuador, Suriname,...

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...

We all have stresses in our lives which are often exacerbated by life outside the home. This is why coming home to an excited furry friend can be a great antidote to a stressful day. Sometimes our pet can hear us coming along the drive and is right at the door waiting before we can even put the keys into...

Are you passionate about Siberian Huskies? Whether you have adopted one into your family or are simply love watching YouTube videos of these fantastic beasts, you might want to know more about this fascinating breed. If so, you're in the right place. AnimalWised brings you the 10 things you didn't know...

Cats are unique creatures which surprise us daily with their strong personalities and wealth of abilities. They are often enigmatic and still maintain certain features related to their wild ancestry. They have fascinated us humans throughout the ages, being revered by ancient civilizations and loved today...

Many owners claim that their cats can talk pointing out how expressive their beautiful kittens are. And in a way they are right. Although cats do not talk like we do, they do have various forms of communication. One of their main forms of communicating is through the impressive ability of vocalization...

It is not often we have someone try to make eye contact with us when we do our personal business. When a dog looks at us when they poop, it can seem disconcerting. It may even make some people feel uncomfortable as we don't quite understand why a dog wants to share this personal moment with us. Making...

Small, exquisite looking and very skilful, the chameleon is the animal kingdom's proof that spectacular things can come in small packages. Originally from the African continent, they are one of earth's most fascinating creatures. They have eyes which move independently of each other, a tongue which can extend...

Splooting in dogs is a relatively new term for an ancient phenomenon. It is the process by which an animal can spread themselves out on the ground as flat as possible with their legs outstretched. Social media has been awash with this fascinating phenomenon in the form of videos and photos. The reason...

Dogs love to sleep with their beloved tutors, because they feel more secure when it comes to enjoying a healthy sleep. Therefore it is not uncommon that animal’s often choose to sleep with or at the feet of their guardians. Animals will take any opportunity to receive affection, and this act of sleeping with...

Dogs do many things that seem strange to us as humans, such as: rolling on grass. Dogs express themselves and explore their environments differently than we do. They capture different stimuli from their environments through touch, feeling, defecation and smell. They do this in order to mark territories and communicate...

The strong reputation dogs hold as main prominent protectors is undeniable. If looking for protection, a person is more likely to adopt a dog than a cat. However, we must not forget that cats too are able to establish a very special bond with their owner as well as protect them from any harm. Many people...

Dogs communicate through smell, vocalization, body language and more. One of the most common ways a dog communicates is through licking. From the moment a dog is born it’s mother licks it, this is can be sign of protection, love or cleanliness. Therefore, one must understand that this habit is habitual...

Have you ever stopped to imagine how our 5 senses as humans help us perceive the world? Due to the difference in anatomical structure between animals and humans, our perception of the world differs. We see color differently and many animals, due to evolution, have gained senses which have been specifically...

When dog owners are absent for a considerable number of hours, many people wonder do dogs have a sense of time? For example, if we have a look at a dog’s perception of time, are dogs aware of this prolonged absence? A dog’s concept of time can be directly related to a dog’s memory. In addition, many studies...

Our planet has climates of all kinds: from raw winters to soft springs. These different types of climate and variety of geographical areas are so great, that in each one different species of fauna and flora can be found. But what kind of animals exist in the desert? In this AnimalWised article we will...

It is not uncommon that, as dog keepers, we sometimes observe distinct behavior in our dog when it sleeps. This behavior can be presented through shaking, twitching, leg movement, eye movement and breathing agitation. And soon after, your dog will either wake up as if nothing has happened, or continue sleeping...

There is the widespread belief that cats are independent animals and are not sociable or affectionate. Although some felines can be more aloof than others, this description does not apply to the majority of domestic cats. Most often displays of affection are welcome and signify a health bond. When this...

The part of our day leaving your dog home alone is one of the most difficult of the day. The undeniable look of sadness in your dog’s eyes when you have to go to work can easily form a lump in your throat. Many animals then howl and cry in reaction. The howling from our animals can cause many problems,...

Among the South American countries, Brazil stands out not only for its continental dimensions and its multifaceted culture, but also for its enormous natural diversity. From North to South of the Brazilian territory, we find diverse ecosystems that make up a privileged bio-diverse landscape. Although...

Many people are surprised when they get home and find a beautiful cat on their doorstep. In general, this is a stray cat begging for something. Due to a lack of resources they are most likely seeking food, heat and safety. As life on the street presents many dangers and challenges for its survival, they...

There are many reasons animals go extinct. They tend to come under the general groupings of those caused by human interference, loss of habitat, rivalry with other animals in the same ecosystem or even natural selection. Of course, there are many other reasons we do not have the resources to, at least as...

Mexico is a country located in the central zone of Latin America. It is known for its historical past, delicious food and its celebration of the Day of the Dead (Dia de los muertos), which have all given the world picturesque images of its culture. The characteristics of its environment vary. Some areas...

Cats can lick for hours. When you have that much fur, being clean takes dedication. Removing dirt accumulated over the day or detangling knots from their fur, cats use their specially adapted tongues to maintain proper hygiene. However, sometimes this cleaning ritual doesn't stop with their own bodies....

A cat's look is one of its finest features. It is not only due to the beautiful range of color in their irises, but their big imploring eyes can provide expressions which seem to convey so much. As humans and cats don't speak the same language, cats can't explain what it is through their voice. Instead,...

A cat's meow is an odd affectation. We say affectation as it is something which adult cats do not generally do to each other, yet domestic cats regularly do to us. The main theory is that meowing in adult cats is related to when they were kittens. Kittens will meow to get attention, just as babies or children...

Viviparity is a form of reproduction that is found in most mammalian creatures as well as some reptiles, fish and amphibians. It isn't, however, limited to the animal kingdom as viviparous plants also exist. Viviparity is a term which has some variation, but is generally accepted to refer to live birth of...

How many times have you seen your dog scratching their bed before laying down? It's not quite the same as fluffing your pillow before you rest your head at night, so why do they do it? This behavior may seem pointless or compulsive, but understanding this compulsion simply requires us to think the way...

It has been estimated that human and dog have lived together happily for between 2,000 and 3,000 years. However, although historical sources do not provide a precise date, it is widely believed that the domestication process of wolves began between 10,000 and 30,000 years ago[1]. This is because wolves...

In the wild, an animal's eyes might be the first thing you see as they walk toward you in the dark. While your cat may be a domestic animal, they are no exception. This is because the glow in your cat's eyes derives its purpose from their wild ancestry. Just because they are not as large as a tiger or...

Has it ever happened to you that you go in to bathroom to have a moment of privacy, but just as you close the door your feline friend slips in to join you? Perhaps they are already in there anticipating your moves. You may even see the evidence of a raid as there are knocked over pots or talcum powder...

If you have more than one cat at home, you will know the joy of communal cat living. Not only do you have more felines to share your life with, but they have pals they can socialize with when you're unavailable. They can form a great bond together and it is not uncommon to witness real sadness when one...

Any cat owner will be aware that felines like their independence. Unlike dogs, they are solitary animals in the wild. This doesn't mean they don't require socialization, but it does mean it's not unusual for them to spend most of the day outside and barely greet you when they return. On the contrary,...