Animal fun facts

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....

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....

Starfish are marine echinoderms with habits that are uncommon in most other animal species. One fascinating example is the ability of sea stars to grow new limbs if they are severed from the body. Some species can even grow entirely new organisms from the severed arm, but only in the right circumstances....

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....

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...

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...

Cats are independent and playful animals, but they are also very affectionate and loving. Many new cat caregivers may not know this and may even be surprised when their cat decides to curl up next to them at night. It's actually very common for cats to sleep on top of their caregivers at night for a...

Have you ever looked for your cat everywhere, only for them to emerge from the most unlikely of places? Cats love to hide in remote, dark, warm and quiet places. This is a common behavior among all felines and its origin lies in their wild ancestry. Despite having lived with humans for thousands of years,...

Cats have beautiful eyes. This is not just because of the shape of their eyes, but also due to the colors their eyes can be. The most common colors are: blue, green, yellow, hazel/brown or mixed. However, each cat will have their own shade of these colors. And then, there are other, rare colors that...

Overweight cats are prone to serious health issues such as diabetes, liver diseases, arthritis and more. This is why it's so important to make sure our cat stays within a healthy weight. In this AnimalWised article we're going to tell you how to tell if your cat is overweight, the health risks that come...

The Boxer dog breed is a very popular animal with many guardians. People fall in love with their affectionate and playful character as much as their distinct features. However, there are many people unfamiliar with the dog who find them intimidating. Since they are an athletic and muscular breed, some...

Some people only see horses alone in a stable, rarely in a field with other company. For this reason, it is too easy for some to see them as solitary animals. This is not the case. As with humans, horses are social animals which need contact with others to maintain their well-being. Horse communication...

If we see our dog has bit a rat, we will likely think about the reputation of these rodents. Although any wild animal can be a vector, rats are particularly associated with the spread of disease. This is partly due to their history, but it is largely a result of their nature. Rats live in close proximity...

Have you ever noticed the hair on your dog's back stand on end? It might be the hair along their spine stands up, almost like a hedgehog backed into a corner. These hairs are known as hackles and raised hackles are a normal reaction for the dog, similar to how we humans can experience goosebumps. Similarly,...

Cats are well-known for enjoying heights. With their supreme jumping ability, it would seem a shame not to use their natural skills. Cats will not only jump up to high places, but they can spend long periods sleeping there. It is a behavior of both cats in the wild and domestic cats. Although the impulse...

Food shortages and low temperature pose two serious challenges for small rodents living in the wild. These two factors become more serious during winter. This is why we can observe many species hibernating through winter for survival. However if you have a domestic hamster, you may be asking yourself whether...

There are many important reason to neuter your dog. For the larger animal community, sterilizing dogs lessens the problems caused by overpopulation. For the individual, sterilizing can help the dog avoid various behavioral and health problems caused by the reproductive organs. These can range from avoiding aggression...

The deep sea is full of interesting and weird animals. Many of them seem to come from a horror movie as they share certain characteristics such as large teeth, blindness or even transparent skin. Little is known about this ocean layer however marinebiologists are now making more expeditions in order to...

Snakes are vertebrate and ectothermic animals. They are also one of the few organisms that propel themselves by sliding their bodies on the ground. This movement is called slithering. It's extraordinary how snakes are able to move their limbless bodies through various terrains including rocks, sand,...

Water birds are a group of birds which make up one of the most charismatic fauna which inhabit wetlands. There are many types of birds which live on and around bodies of water. Some water bird species are not fully adapted to the aquatic environment and only use these locations part of the year, depending...

Snakes are carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes. These long and legless animals have a very unique anatomy that make us question how exactly their body works. This is especially true given that this group of animals have gone through a great variety of adaptations and physiological and anatomical...

There are many different species of birds, not all of which you will want to keep in your house. Although all animals are beautiful, trying to keep a seagull in a cage is not going to be a happy experience for anyone. This is why some birds are kept as pets and others are not. Some pet birds are suited...

Birds are endothermic vertebrates that come in all different shapes and sizes. Their main characteristic is the fact that their bodies are covered in feathers. However, many people ask themselves if featherless birds exist. While some species of birds are already born without feathers, others are born with...

We can often tell the difference between two similar animals by looking at their scientific grouping, known as their taxonomic order. However, when looking at the difference between a frog and a toad, you will see they actually belong to the same taxonomic group. This group is known as the Anura order....

Snakes are an animal which has fascinated humans since we have been aware of them. They have entered the folklore of ancient cultures which still resonate today. For some they induce fear and terror, others fascination and wonder. Many in the latter group even keep snakes as pets. Such fascination often...

Birds have long been recognized for their beautiful and melodic chirps. We praise their beauty, singing and graceful movements in our poetry, stories and even music. We often observe and hear birds chirping during the day, especially when the sun comes out. However, not all birds follow the same singing...

There are different types of birds that live in different environments. For this, they will need useful feet that will help them survive in their natural habitat. Their type of feet needs to be able to help them hunt, climb, swim, etc., depending on their environment and needs. In this AnimalWised...

Chimpanzees share 99%of our DNA, yet they can't speak like us. So, why can parrots talk like humans, but other animals can't? When observing birds imitate sounds and even pronounce English words, we are often left amazed about how these small creatures can speak our language. They don't have lips and...

Cats often “meow” to communicate certain things, however we've all seen videos of cats meowing similarly to an English word. Can cats talk like humans? In this AnimalWised article we are going to elaborate on cat communication. We will share with you how a cat communicates with humans, if cats can really...

We cannot say whether rabbits have better vision than humans. It is more accurate to say each has their strengths and weaknesses. For example, rabbits have a much greater field of view than humans, but humans have a much greater depth perception. This is because a rabbit's vision is adapted to their needs...

Communication is the foundation of any relationship. For a dog, this includes the relationship they have with us and with any other animal. We know much of what we do about canine communication thanks to studying how dogs interact with each other. However, it is often too easy to make assumptions on...

Having a companion animal in our life is known to be beneficial for people with anxiety. Petting them and reciprocating affection can be great ways to ease stress. Even just watching them sleep can be a very relaxing experience. When we see that our cat is twitching in their sleep, this relaxation may...

The saying claims that dogs are ‘man's best friend’, but it is often with adolescents and the young that dogs are most connected. A well-educated and positively reinforced dog often creates a very strong bond with their human family. Some are particularly fond of children and babies. While they may be willing...

Even for those who have kept rabbits as pets for a long time, it is common to refer to them as rodents. As a small furry animal which runs about on all fours, they bear certain similarities to other rodents such as mice, shrews and rats. In behavior, they procreate rapidly, gnaw continuously and live in...

Many feline behaviors make sense from a human perspective. The way they wolf down their food, curl up in a cosy ball or even purr in delight all seem reasonable to us. Walking in between our legs as if to trip us up or rubbing against us doesn't seem to be quite as understandable. When we guess reasons...

The llama and alpaca are both animals native the Andes Mountains. Both are very important cultural, historical and practical animals for the countries in this region. Their similarities in physical features and behavior show their close relation to each other. Despite such similarities and the fact they...

Among the many myths which circulate about cats, the idea that cats are contemptuous of humans is one of the most damaging. While they are more independent and self-reliant than dogs, this does not mean cats don't have an important bond with their human companions. In extreme cases, such a view can encourage...

There are many different types of animal communication, much of which we don't fully understand. Despite millennia of study, we are always finding new facets about how animals transmit information between one another. The reasons for communication are also complex and not always well discerned. Animals have...

The fastest Olympic swimmer may be impressive on the medal table, but their speed is nothing compared to the fastest marine animals. We can see why when we think of morphology. Our bipedal stance, lack of buoyancy and other physical characteristics mean we are not built for aerodynamic swimming in water....

You have probably heard about birds that ‘head south’ for the winter, or seen videos of hordes of wildebeest travelling across the Serengeti. In fact, many animal species make long annual journeys, for a variety of reasons and in very different regions across our planet. Although we don't always understand...

The American Pit Bull Terrier and related Pit Bull types are among the most controversial dogs, often appearing in heated media debates. Under these circumstances, it is normal that several myths have developed surrounding this breed. How can you separate the myths from the facts? There are a number of...

Having an aquarium at home is ideal for those who do not have much space and want the company of a quiet and colorful pet. Aquariums, regardless of size, are relaxing to watch, because the comings and goings of the fish can be very entertaining. However, you may have noticed that fish sometimes begin to...

Cats like to explore. Their curiosity leads them to running around the house and investigating every nook and cranny. You can also see it in evidence when they stare out the window for long stretches at a time. The interior world holds much interest, but going outside can become a deep fascination for...

Using a hamster wheel, also know as an exercise wheel, is many a hamster's favorite activity. Unless you have a silent hamster wheel, you can hear them rotating with gusto in the early hours of the morning. While every hamster is an individual, if your companion doesn't seem to want to use their wheel,...

Are they dogs? Are they raccoons? Are they a hybrid of the two species? As the name suggests, raccoon dogs appear to be a combination of the two, but this is not the case. Only under very specific circumstances can two animal from different species mate. Raccoon dogs are members of the genus Nyctereutes,...