Animal fun facts

All animals need periods of rest to help conserve energy and maintain life. While this rest takes many forms, one of the most important types is a state of sleep. However, not all animals sleep in the same way or for the same length of time. For example, many ungulate prey animals sleep for very short...

The anatomy of domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris) is something which is difficult to qualify. The main reason for this is because there are so many dog breeds in the world. More than 300 are officially recognized by standardization bodies such as the FCI as well as the many mixed breed variants which...

There is no doubt over the adorability of kittens. While they will eventually turn into a cute adult cat, it can seem their kitten stage passes by in moments. Cats go through various stages in their development process, evolving as much in physical appearance as maturity and temperament. Each stage is unique,...

We keep receiving news about the decline of our precious bee population. Not only is climate change and human intervention having a negative effect on our world’s bee population, but many are choosing to ignore these important facts. The fact of the matter is, the importance of bees in the ecosystem...

Insectivorous or entomophagous animals base their diet, or part of it, on the consumption of insects. There is a great variety of animals that eat insects, from amphibians to mammals. These animals obtain an important source of protein from these insects, needed to live a healthy life. But which are the...

As a dog lover, you’ve probably noticed that your dog shakes itself a lot, but why? Dogs shake themselves for many different reasons, some being shaking to relieve stress, tension or irritation and or as a symptom of a health problem. If you’re wondering why do dogs shake when they get up and more, this...

Dogs are capable of experiencing a wide range of emotions. Among them is joy. Those of us who have the gift of sharing our lives with a dog will know how happy they can be. While a healthy dog without stress should be happy on a daily basis, there are some occasions when they are particularly ecstatic....

There are more similarities between dogs and humans than we often think. By asking ‘are dogs ticklish?’ we can see another reason for this. As with humans, dogs can be ticklish, but this doesn't mean all are as ticklish as each other. A happy and healthy dog should enjoy being tickled. They enjoy being...

Dogs are complex, fascinating and interesting animals that do things which sometimes, we as humans, do not quite understand. One of the most common dog habits which people tend to question is butt smelling. ‘‘Why do dogs sniff each other’s butts?’’ Did you know that the main reason dogs smell each other’s...

There are many people who are motorcycle enthusiasts and dog guardians. Unfortunately, if a motorbike is your only mode of transportation, it is not always the best idea to bring the two together. This doesn't necessarily mean it's not possible. It just means that there are certain considerations to ensure...

You may have noticed your cat keeps their mouth open when they smell something. When they do this, they make a kind of grimace with their face. You may think they are surprised by a certain odor, but there is something much more fascinating going on. We humans have a certain tendency to associate certain...

The truth is that any animal can be preyed on, but this does necessarily make the animal a prey animal. In fact, prey animals are are easily distinguishable from those that are not. However, the relationship between prey and predatory animals is fundamental when it comes to ecological balance. For...

Many dog guardians ascribe specific personalities to their dogs. Dogs do indeed have personalities and getting to know them is one of the most rewarding aspects of living with canines. However, the extent of this inner life is difficult to determine due to the limits of human/canine communication. We know...

As with terrestrial animals, fish need oxygen to live. Unlike land animals, they have to live the majority of their lives completely submerged underwater. We lung users might be biased on our ideas about breathing. It is true that we have evolved to the point we can breathe on land, but the over 33,000...

Bats have inspired myths and stories for generations. Their reputation is as a vile creature, dirty in its own right and linked to mysterious creatures of the underworld. They are the one animal Ace Ventura, defender of the entire animal kingdom, couldn't stand. Part of their reputation is that some bats...

It is estimated that dogs and humans have lived together for around 3,000 years. Despite our long and happy time together, there are still some new discoveries to be made. Every year new studies in canine ethology are produced, enlightening us about a dog's biology and behavior. Some of these revelations...

Since we were little we have been taught that, just like a cat ‘meows,’ a horse neighs. Have you also heard of a horse’s whinny? It’s important to know, however, that there is a slight difference between a horse’s neigh and whinny, which is usually lower in both pitch and frequency. If you are wanting to...

Like ‘the bee's knees’, the phrase ‘the cat's whiskers’ has become a common expression meaning “an outstanding person or thing”[1]. The reason is because they are something seemingly small and insignificant, but we attribute them as being something amazing. For the cat, they are anything but insignificant....

All dogs have whiskers, be them short or long. These whiskers are visible on a dog’s snout as rigid and firm textured hair. Some people cut their dogs’ whiskers for aesthetic reasons in an effort to meet certain breed "standards." This is, however, incredibly dangerous and can cause unnecessary damage. For...

A navel reminds us of the deep union that once existed between child and mother before birth. It’s quite normal that, as an animal tutor you may to wonder, do dogs have belly buttons? And if they do, where is my dog’s belly button? For more about which animals have belly buttons and whether or not dogs...

Cats are animals that are found in abundance in our streets. This is mainly because they have a very short gestation period, which means they can cause overpopulation in a very short period of time, but this is a discussion for another day. In this article we will try to give you some tips for shooing...

Giraffes are one of the most popular African animals in the world. But sadly, due to many factors, they have fallen vulnerable to poaching and deforestation. In fact, giraffe population has decreased by 40% in the last three decades. According to the International Union for Conservation of nature, two...

Cats are notoriously curious animals. They are relatively independent and like to explore the limits of their territory, marking this territory with their unique scent. In doing so, they communicate with other animals. The purpose is generally to either warn rival cats to stay away or to signal availability...

Antarctica is the coldest and most inhospitable continent on planet Earth. In fact, the coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth was -90 ºC at Antarctica's Vostok station. Contrary to this intense cold , there are also relatively warm regions in Antarctica, such as the Antarctic Peninsula, where temperatures...

We all know how therapeutic music can be and using this form of therapy for cats could be a no-brainer for some, but do cats like music? Thanks to numerous studies and scientific experiments, it’s safe to say that some cats enjoy specific types of music. However, understanding cat senses and cat hearing...

The North Pole is one of the most mysterious and inhospitable places on planet Earth. The Arctic North Pole, situated in the Northern hemisphere, is known for its extreme weather, climate and incredibly diverse fauna and flora. But which animals make up this full list of arctic animals living in the North...

Animals in the natural world have an incredible range of characteristics. Observing them is why we are all so hooked on nature documentaries. But there is something about animals with big eyes which sets them apart. The expression large eyes give to certain animals is invariably cute, although this is...

You may think a dog only yawns when they are sleepy. While they will indeed release a large yawn when waking up or bedding down, this behavior has a variety of meanings. Such meaning will depend on the context of the yawn and the body language they display when performing it. It may also depend on our...

Dogs, like all animal species, have a different way of expressing themselves. Dogs use specific body language and vocal sounds to communicate their mood and feelings. As dog tutors, it is important to both understand and respect canine nature in order to learn to communicate better with our furry friends....

If we spot a long eared little mammal running across a meadow, it's not always easy to tell if it is a rabbit or hare. In fact, we have to look at the taxonomic classification of these two species to see how they differentiate. If you ask yourself how closely related are rabbits and hares, then it is important...

Puppies, as with human babies, do not have any teeth at birth. Eventually newborn puppies will develop one or two deciduous teeth (also known as milk teeth) which are only partly developed and temporary. During breastfeeding, puppies will exclusively suckle from their mother's breast and don't require...

Australia, as you probably already know, is rich with incredible fauna. From the famous Kangaroo to dingoes to freshwater crocodiles, Australia’s animal world is incredibly diverse! Did you know that many Australian animals, having evolved in an environment devoid of predators, are extremely confident despite...

There are currently 8 different types of bear species in the world. We use the word ‘currently’ for the sad reason that some species are no longer with us and others have dwindling populations. Part of the reason for this is due to the complex relationship bears have with their environment. These environments...

In recent years, the definition of ‘ungulate’ has been up for debate. The debate centers around which animals should be categorized under this term as it is a word applicable to a diverse range of mammals. A common ancestor is believed to link the animals together, but some zoologists and taxonomists disagree...

Puppy dogs are particularly sensitive and vulnerable animals. At birth, they can be completely dependent on their mothers. They require their mother to feed them, keep them warm and even stimulate defecation. Part of the reason is because dogs are altrical animals, meaning they are unable to move around...

Of the many curious behaviors of dogs, sitting on our feet isn't the strangest. It's still peculiar, especially when we consider the dog. Even the largest of dog breeds, some bigger than their human guardians, choose to rest on top of their feet. What is odd is the fact there are many more cosy looking...

Although it is not used much outside of scientific language, we humans are part of the primate order. As one of the great apes, we have relatives in the ape world, some more distant than others. It is the chimpanzee which is considered our closest ‘cousin’, so it is understandable we should share some characteristics...

Ask someone “what is the difference between an ox and a bull?”and they may picture images of two different animals. Although both terms are used to refer to males of the same species, they are terms which carry more specific meanings. These meanings have more to do with nomenclature rather than a breed...

Even at our busiest times, when our dog comes over and lays their head on us, it is difficult to resist. Humans and dogs share a unique bond which doesn't use words to be strengthened. Instead, dogs communicate with body language, vocalizations and facial expressions. Different actions have different...

Sharks are a group of chondrichthyan fish which means they are cartilaginous. In turn, this means they have cartilage instead of bone. This is something you might find a little surprising considering some sharks can be so huge, but they manage to get by alright. Included in this group of fish are rays,...