Animal fun facts

Snakes are rare in the United Kingdom: while you can find other reptiles relatively easy, such as sand lizards or turtles, there are only three species native to the British Isles - more specifically to Great Britain, as Ireland - including Northern Ireland - is famously snake-free. Are there venomous...

We tend to assume that it's always the mother who takes care of her offspring, but in fact there are many species in which the father does everything within his reach to help his young survive, nurtures them, and ensures they stay healthy and happy. In this AnimalWised article we'll list the 10 best animal dads:...

All animals have evolved skills that help them survive in their environment. However, some animals have an extraordinary physical power that makes them true athletes. Some animals, for instance, can jump very high or for a very long distance. Of course, we are discussing animals without wings to fly. How...

Have you ever seen an Ukrainian Levkoy cat? With their hairless coat and slender silhouette, you might have confused them for a Sphynx cat; however, their strange folded ears are an easy way to tell them apart. This Eastern European breed is very new: so much so, that the Ukrainian Levkoy hasn't yet...

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...

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...

"Deer" is the generic name for different species of mammals from the Cervidae family. Some of them, like the fallow deer, are very common all over the world. Others, like the white-tailed deer of America and the reindeer or caribou of the northernmost regions, are very characteristic of a particular area. Known...

According to Hindu tales, the Rainbow Fish was as large as a whale. This sea creature ate Lord Buddha, the incarnation of Lord Vishnu, but since Vishnu was a god, the mythical giant fish did not survive the experience! When the Rainbow Fish was caught and killed by fishermen, Lord Buddha - Vishnu - was freed...

Have you been reading about Hindu mythology? Or perhaps you've noticed certain cobra sculptures in Hindu temples? Whatever the reason may be, you've come across the mythological creature “Naga” and want to learn more. In this AnimalWised article, we're going to talk about what Naga is in Hinduism. We'll...

Mattu Pongal is a lively festival that takes place in India where people offer prayers to cows, bulls and other farm animals. The intention is similar to that of the American thanksgiving, where people give thanks for their blessings. In this AnimalWised article we're going to talk about Mattu Pongal,...

The spiritual son of Lord Vayu, the God of Air, Pawan Putra Hanuman is venerated by Hindus worldwide. Born to the couple Kesari and Anjana, he is one of the Vanaras, an ancient forest-dwelling community identified with monkeys and represented as such. The Vanaras helped Lord Rams fight the evil Ravana...

The sacred bull Nandi or Nandin is the vehicle and gatekeeper of Hindu deity Lord Shiva, the creator, which is why it is enshrined in the form of statue at Hindu Shiv temples. The revered Nandi is the reason why bulls are considered sacred vahanas or vehicles of Lord Shiva. In the ancient Hindu treatise...

Monkeys are common primates in India with the western hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) being the only known ape. The most common Indian monkey is the rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta), but there are many other monkey species which can be found in this vast Asian country. These monkeys can be found in many...

Emperor Ashoka, who reigned the Indian subcontinent between 268-223 BC, is known as Ashoka the Great. What makes him one of the greatest Indian kings in history is the beautiful edicts he propounded after witnessing the bloodshed caused by his military conquests. The wise king embraced Buddhism after seeing...

Land fowl, namely chickens, quails and pheasants, are all closely related - but that is where the similarity ends. When it comes to size, color, plumage, diet and habitat, each of these birds differs from the other. Even though all three animals reproduce by laying eggs, there are many distinguishing characteristics...

Across the vast Asian continent, stretching from the Middle Eastern deserts to the jungles of Southeast Asia, some of the most lethal and dangerous animals can be found. From the deadly Komodo dragon to the deadliest of them all, the King Cobra, Asia is home to some of the most dangerous animals in the world. Big...

Each country has their own national animal. In the United States there is also a corresponding state animal, including a mammal, fish, dog or even reptile. In this AnimalWised article, we're going to give you a complete list of all the state animals and national animals of the United States. Continue...

The Sierra Nevada region is a mountain range in California which is teeming with wildlife. Sierra Nevada National Park covers over 86,208 ha and it is one of the biggest national parks in the United States. The highest peak in the range is Mount Whitney at 14,505 ft (4,421 m), but there are 14 peaks...

If you're wondering whether bats are dangerous to humans or pets, you should know that the short answer to that question is “not if they are left alone.” While it is true that most cases of rabies being transmitted are due to bats, and there is a health liability, a bat that bites you may or may not...

Who doesn't love the cheerful and adorable Golden Retriever? If, like us, you are a big fan of this breed, or if you're considering adopting one, it is essential that you read this list of 10 things you should know about Golden Retrievers. As you know, Golden Retrievers are tremendously popular because...

While imported dog breeds such as the Alaskan Husky, the Chihuahua or the Afghan Hound grow in popularity in the UK, some native breeds are at risk of disappearing. Although the pet industry also has fashions and fads, this is not the only reason these native UK breeds are endangered. Many British breeds...

Many animal lovers have heard about the liger, but what about the tigon? Now that we're thinking about it, have you ever heard of other big cat hybrids? There are many possible combinations, but they share some common characteristics. Ligers, tigons and other crossbred animals are possible because...

The hippopotamus is an even-toed ungulate mammal. There are only two species of hippos in existence, the common and the pygmy hippopotamus. The name "hippopotamus" comes from the Greek word hippopotamos, meaning horse of the river. Out of all the names that can be given to a hippopotamus, however,...

The mangroves of the world are currently under threat; since mangroves are subtropical and tropical forests that grow in saline or brackish coasts, they are at risk because of climate change and water pollution, as well as changes in salinity. In this article, we'll cover the animals that rely on mangroves...

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 deadliest...

Leopards are large and graceful cats, known for the beautiful pattern on their coat. Leopards are usually thought to be African animals, however, they also live in other continents. In this AnimalWised article, we're going to explain where leopards live. We'll also talk more about leopards and their natural...

Tigers are the largest members of the Felidae family, that is, of all cats. These predators, scientifically known as Panthera tigris, are one of the most charismatic and well-known mammal species on the planet. However, tigers are also endangered animals. Over the past century, tiger numbers have decreased...

The Bengal tiger, also called the Royal Bengal tiger and scientifically known as Panthera tigris tigris, is found in a multitude of habitats. This majestic predator can be found in high altitudes, tropical and subtropical rainforests, grasslands, and mangroves. Their encompasses territories across Bangladesh,...

The Thar Desert, the pride of Rajasthan, is also called an ocean of sand. The Thar or Great Indian Desert has an unmatched variety of fauna; while its climatic and geographical conditions are harsh, various desert animals and plants have adapted to live in them with ease. There are currently 11 national...

The snow leopard is endangered. This beautiful and graceful predator is hunted for its bones, skin, and organs. Valuable in traditional Chinese and Asian medicine, its body parts are coveted for this purpose. Human encroachment is further pushing the limits of the natural habitat of snow leopards and overgrazing...

The Himalayas, also called the Abode of the Gods, are the longest and highest mountain range in the world. The Himalayan mountain range stretches over 1,500 miles and covers the nations of Nepal and Bhutan, as well as the south of Tibet and the north of India; this range is at least 70 million years old. Home...

India is home to many wild species of birds and animals. Its diversity also means that many endangered species can be found in India. While some are critically endangered, others are on the verge of extinction or near threatened. India has a wide range of natural habitats which are home to endangered...

It can be very difficult to tell the difference between a crow, raven and rook as they are all members of the genus Corvus and share various similarities. They are birds with predominately black plumage and dark beaks, although individual species vary in terms of coloration. Knowing their differences...

The slowest animals in the world are so sluggish because they don't always need to move fast. Whether this is because they don't have many predators or they have better ways of protecting themselves than fast movement, these animals spend most of their time either moving minutely or not moving at all. These...

Dolphins are among the most popular, charismatic and intelligent creatures of the animal kingdom. With their expression that makes them look like they are always smiling, dolphins are a symbol of joy and freedom. Dolphins inspire pure and positive things - who doesn't remember Flipper? Dolphins are...

Giraffes reside in savannas, open woodlands or grasslands. This is because those areas are rich in acacia growth. Acacia is a genus of shrubs and trees which giraffes feed on, forming the largest part of their staple diet. Giraffes are mostly found in East Africa and Southwestern Africa, especially Angola...

Cawing in crows is a form of communication, as with any vocalization from an animal. This does not mean all cawing occurs for the same reason. What a crow wants to communicate will depend on the context of a given situation, such as where they are directing the caw, their state of health and many other...

Some creatures seem to be almost as old as planet Earth itself. Although they aren't, it's true that some animal species have survived the most extreme circumstances, from natural disasters to mass extinctions. They are often referred to as "living fossils". They have been able to survive by evolving particular...

While we can define a carnivore as an animal that eats the meat of other animals, this is a very general description. Carnivores have great variety within the animal kingdom. Although they are defined by their diet, they can be many different types of animals, from mammals on the land, birds in the...

Animals that are solitary are those which have minimal interaction with other members of their species. This is in comparison to gregarious animals which live in social groups, although the size of these groups can vary greatly. Living in groups allows animals to pool resources to find food and provide...

Albino dogs are not the same as white dogs; albinism is the result of genetics, as it is manifested when particular recessive alleles are passed down and the individual does not have the right amount of the enzyme tyrosinase, which is involved in the production of melanin. Consequently, albinism is a congenital...

When you get nervous at the sight of a wasp or a bee flying towards you, they can both look almost identical in terms of appearance. However, nothing is further from the truth. Wasps and bees are very different insects in terms of their morphology, diet and behavior. In this AnimalWised article we will...

The pet population in India is somewhere over 15 million in 2016. On an average, estimates hold that 600,000 pets are adopted each year; according to Euromonitor International, India has the fastest growing pet market in the world. Rising pet ownership rates have created massive demand for pet food and health...

Fish can be divided into two categories: Freshwater fish and saltwater fish. Freshwater fish live in habitats where water salinity is low, as is the case in rivers and lakes, while saltwater fish enjoy life in the ocean, lagoons and coral reefs, where the salinity is higher than 0.05%. No matter their...

The wild water buffalo (Bubalus arnee) is considered an endangered animal. The current estimates of the remaining world population of this bovine species is under 4,000 with less than 2,500 mature specimens; there has been a population reduction of at least 50 percent over the past three generations. Each...

Animals are great as pets... Only some species, though. Wild animals live by their own rules, and some of them have evolved particular characteristics that make them extremely dangerous. India is known for its rich wildlife diversity and animal-friendly culture. However, from the deadly king cobra to the lethal...

The scientific name for the impressive water buffalo is Babulus bubalis. This species is also known by several other names, most of them referencing its habitat. They include: Asian buffalo Indian wild buffalo River buffalo Swamp buffalo Wild Asian water buffalo Wild water buffalo Water buffaloes are...

Hindus all over the world revere and worship cows. In fact, in India, cows are considered to be a manifestation of the Mother Goddess and a sacred animal that provides life-sustaining milk, considered the divine prasadam or holy offering. In India, the cow is a holy, maternal figure revered as a symbol...

Dogs usually tremble for two reasons: Because they are cold, or because they are scared and afraid. However, Greyhounds are a breed with very special characteristics. While the previous general rule applies to them, it is also true that Greyhounds can tremble for several other reasons. There are several...

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...