Animal fun facts

Biology has a wide range of vocabulary to classify and characterise different species. In this AnimalWised article we are going to talk about endemism. We will define what an endemic species is and give examples with photos and descriptions so that you have a good understanding of what it is. Continue...

For many years, humans have been changing the ecosystem in many ways. However, in the recent years we have started to realise the negative consequences to our actions and begin to implement certain strategies. After all, we can only thrive on a healthy planet. This is where the umbrella species comes in. What...

Since childhood we have been taught that roosters crow in the morning as the sun rises. However, if you have pet chickens, you must've noticed that your rooster crows might also crow in other times of the day. In this AnimalWised article we will explain why roosters crow in the morning, as well as other...

Swallows are small and beautiful birds that are known to overseas in winter. They often go to Africa, Argentina or even Australia and then return home when the heat begins. In this AnimalWised article we are going to talk about swallows, their habitat, diet, characteristics, etc. We will also mention the...

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...

It is an all too common belief that cats are cold and distant animals. They are often unfavorably compared to dogs which paint the latter as being warm and affectionate where felines are cold and aloof. The truth is this is an unfair and unhelpful characterization, something anyone fortunate enough to...

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...

It's your dog's birthday, why not celebrate it with their neighbourhood dog friends and some cake made for dogs? In this AnimalWised article we are going to help you organize and throw a dog party for your dog's birthday. Continue reading to learn some dog birthday party ideas and an easy step-by-step...

Rabbits are small mammals that are now a common domestic pet. We are oftentimes surprised and entertained by our pet's behaviour. We try to understand their behaviour and experience so as to provide them with a good quality of life. A common question rabbit companions have is, what do rabbits see?...

According the Maya peoples, “the feathers of hummingbirds are magical”. The Mayas were a Mesoamerican civilization who lived between the 3rd and 15th centuries in a region spanning central Mexico to the north of Costa Rica. Their legends, mythology and folklore still resonate today, perhaps most famously...

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’. By ‘man’, the phrase means humans and this includes people of all ages. 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...

Before going to sleep, we often see our dogs circle before laying down. This instinctive behavior comes from their ancestors and continues to be part of their daily routine. But why do dogs spin in circles before lying down? Does it help them in some way? In this AnimalWised article, we are going to...

Ants (Formicidae) are part of the hymenopteran family. They are well known for their interesting social behavior as these insects form large colonies that cooperate as a single unit. This feature has allowed them to take advantage of all available resources and thrive all over the planet. We often see...

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...

One of the most important elements of AnimalWised is our commitment to spreading information about animal and wildlife conservation. While we do this through our articles and videos, one of the best ways to learn about nature is to immerse ourselves in a documentary. Nature documentaries can help to take...

Perhaps the most famous marsupial animal is the kangaroo. They are known for having a pouch in which they develop their embryos and carry their young. This pouch is known as a marsupium and this is from where the collective taxonomic name marsupial is derived. Although not all marsupials live there, many...

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...

Chickens, despite being one of the common farm animals, have recently become more popular as pets. There are many reasons for this, not least the fact that cruel farming practices mean many chickens will have a better life in a domestic setting. However, since chickens being kept as a pet is a new idea...

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...

Anyone who has lived with animals knows that they are capable of improving our physical and mental health in a number of ways. This is as true of cats, dogs and smaller house pets as it is of horses. In fact, Equine therapy - also known as Equine-Assisted Therapy -can be traced as far back as the Ancient...

As you probably know, 70% of our planet is covered in water. Despite this, marine life is still a relatively mysterious and unexplored area for most people. Research is constantly being carried out by scientists in various fields to try to reach a better understanding of the unusual animals that live...

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 are they really? The raccoon dog, also known as the mangut or tanuki, raises all kinds of questions. You may have seen a picture of a tanuki and thought...

The world's oceans cover over 70% of the earth's surface. Unfortunately, climate change is meaning this surface area is increasing to the detriment of life on land. While humans are fascinated by what occurs under the sea, according to the U.S. National Ocean Service, more than 80% of the world's oceans are...

The coloration of a dog's body works in a similar way to humans, even their nose. Melanin is a pigment which binds to amino acids to create various shades and colors. What these colors may be is mainly due to genetics. This does not mean a dog's skin will remain the same color throughout their life....

Looking into another pair of eyes can be an intense experience. We call them the window to the soul for a reason. If a person has eyes of two different colors, the effect can be magical. When a dog displays this feature, the impression is no less enchanting. The medical terminology for this phenomenon...

The color of an animals skin and coat are one of the many characteristics which allow us to distinguish one species from another. Our fascination with the colors and coat patterns is seen throughout history, in particular with art, design, textiles and many other industries. However, there are some animals...

Losing your cat can be a terrible and devastating experience. However, it is crucial to get to work as soon as possible in order to find the missing cat and bring it back home. The more time you let pass, the more difficult it may be to recover your cat. Cats are real survivors, and will be able to use...

Haven't we all dreamed of seeing a whale up close? There are many reasons to marvel at these incredible and beautiful animals. What fascinates us about whales? Maybe it is because we have heard since childhood that whales are the largest living animals in the world; or because we know they are mammals...

Steppes are plains characterized by low rainfall and a semi-arid, temperate climate. As a result, not much vegetation grows on the steppes, which are usually grassland or shrubland biomes usually covered in short grasses or sparse vegetation. Steppes occur in temperate regions - between the tropics...