Animal fun facts

Black cats, perhaps more than any other type of cat, evoke such a response in we humans. Culturally, black cats have appeared in folk tales, art, films, internet memes and much more. This is not to say that the image of a black cat means to same to all cultures. Some see black cats as ominous figures,...

A cat’s whiskers, otherwise known as vibrissae, are incredibly interesting touch receptors. These sensory tools help cats maneuver in the dark or in threatening situations. Are you wondering, why are my cat’s whiskers so long? or whether or not cat whiskers fall out? if so, you’ve come to the right place....

Cats have a very well develop sense of smell. It is believed they have between 45 and 200 million olfactory receptors. They use these receptors to pick up on aromas of even the smallest concentration within their environment. The privileged nose of felines means they use it as an important tool to find...

Not counting the almost unlimited possibilities for mixed breed dogs, there are over 300 officially recognized dog breeds across the world. Each dog within these different breeds is an individual with a personality influenced by many factors. How obedient any dog will be is informed most by their socialization...

Undoubtedly, one of the best things about being a dog tutor is that we never really feel alone. In fact, sometimes it may feel as if we are constantly being watched by our furry best friends, who’s eyes seem to follow us everywhere. Have you ever noticed that your dog stares at you constantly, sometimes...

If you envy your cat for the amount of hours it spends sleeping every day don’t worry, you're not the only one! Whether your cat sleeps on top of you , on a chair, under the sun, on the computer and in the strangest and most unlikely places, know that cats are expert sleepers! Although it seems incredible,...

Cats are strictly carnivorous animals, so the mainstay of their nutrition is protein from animal origin, such as; beef, chicken, turkey or fish. However, cats can also benefit from the consumption of some fruits and vegetables, which are actually sometimes good for their health. Cats also sometimes eat plants...

Like most herbivorous mammals, horses are not characterized for spending long periods of time sleeping. But a horse’s basis of sleep and a horse’s sleep characteristics are important to know for any horse lover. Like with all animals, good rest is essential for the proper development and maintenance of a horse’s...

We know that adopting a cat, regardless of breed, color, sex or age, is an act of pure love. In addition, cat adoption gives us the opportunity to live with a charming, caring and beautiful animal. How often have you been genuinely surprised by the skills and abilities that your cat has presented? There...

It’s very disconcerting for a dog owner when their dog cries or whines. Whether they are adults or puppies, it can cause worry for any dog owner. When a dog cries or whines, it usually means that they are trying to communicate with us. If your dog is whining all of a sudden it may be because it is sick, scared...

There's a reason why dogs don't normally wear shoes. The soles of their feet are durable enough for them to walk across different terrain. If we were to go out in the snow without shoes, we wouldn't last very long. Huskies somehow manage to trek across snowy terrain on their paws alone. And yet, a dog's...

There are no tricks to force a bitch accept being mounted. Animals act according to experience, learning and ethology. If your dog does not want to do something it should never be forced. In fact, it should be respected and understood that every animal does specific things in their own time. We must...

Categorizing nature is a worthwhile endeavor. It allows us to see the interconnectedness of all nature and helps us to understand not only where we came from, but where we might be going. It engenders respect for all living beings. Categorization is also not easy and sometimes nature throws a spanner in...

Because of their adorable appearance and their restless nature, hamsters often attract attention and arouse a lot of curiosity, especially among children. However, it is very important to inform yourself about everything you need to know about hamsters before adopting one. Once all the important hamster...

Cats have a reputation of being frightened easily. So much so it has lead to the phrase ‘scaredy-cat’. However, some of the things that scare cats the most might be something you haven't considered before. You may be unaware you have been scaring them which has lead to cat anxiety. This is why AnimalWised...

You’ve probably noticed that your dog loves to sleep in a specific position. But have you every wondered what the meaning of this dog sleeping position is? Firstly, it is important to remember that an adequate amount of good sleep is necessary for a dog’s well-being. Therefore, we suggest respecting your...

Running into a dead whale on the beach is a sad sight. These gracious and beautiful aquatic animals have amazing swimming ability, but if they find themselves beached, it can be almost impossible for them to return to the water. If there is no intervention, the result can be death, but the saga is often...

During the embryonic development of any animal, crucial processes are carried out so that the new individual can form correctly. Any failure, corruption or error during this process can cause serious damage to the progeny, including death of the unborn embryo. The embryo is the early stage of the development...

Did you know that all living beings have origins which are linked to our aquatic environment? Throughout evolutionary history, mammals have been changing and adapting to conditions on the earth’s surface. This is until, several million years ago, some of these animals returned to submerge themselves...

The giant panda is almost synonymous with conservation. The World Wildlife Fund for Nature is the world's largest conservation organization and their logo has incorporated an image of the panda since its inception. Unfortunately, for many years the threat to this species was so grave that they were...

Honey bees are mostly grouped in the genus Apis. However, within the family Apinae are stingless bees, part of the Meliponini tribe. These bees are different from honey bees, producing less abundant and more liquid-based honey. This type of honey, produced by stingless bees, is traditionally used more for...

Did you know that the world’s oldest cat reached up to 30 years old? Scooter was a tomcat and his life totaled to about 136 human years when calculated. As extraordinary as this sounds, a cat that has received all necessary care can in fact experience extraordinary longevity. Many cat carers always...

All living beings need to adapt to their environment to survive. These environments are as wide ranging as life itself, whether underwater, in a desert or even in the body of another living being. Helping to better understand these types of adaptations, we can place them all in three major categories: Physiolog...

There are many reasons that may explain why your dog is shaking or trembling. These reasons range from natural reactions and sensations to diseases and behavioral problems. Therefore, it is essential that you pay attention to the behavior of your dog, its attitude and movements, in order to be able to recognize...

It is important to know that if your dog is urinating where it eats, it is considered an unequivocal symptom of a problem. The act of a dog peeing beside or on food can be due to many causes and can manifest in dogs of all ages. In this AnimalWised article we will be discussing some possible causes...

Elephants are among the largest animals in the world. Tall, heavy, majestic and with huge ears, these animals carry imposing horns and it proves difficult for them to go unnoticed. But, have you ever wondered where elephants live? Learn a little more about these magnificent mammals, their distribution,...

All living beings perform some sort of function. While we may not think of every creature on the planet as being important, they all work together to fulfill a role in any given ecosystem. We may not be aware of what this function is, but without it, said ecosystem will be affected. Whether or not the role...

If you share your home with a cat, you will be privy to a whole host of seemingly odd behaviors. Lying on their back an exposing their belly to you is just one of them. What is even stranger is that they do this, but then attack you like a jackrabbit if you try to pet their stomach. Adding to the confusion...

No matter what you do, your loving feline, despite having its own bed, insists on sleeping with you. Every night after just getting under your duvet, do you feel the weight of those little paws above your body, slowly positioning its own little body on top of yours? There are several reasons why cats...

Many guardians wonder if their cats like kisses or if this kind of display of affection is uncomfortable for felines. Unfortunately, many others do not make this consideration. Instead they kiss and cuddle their kittens without considering their comfort and tolerance levels. It's important to remember that...

Transgenic animals are animals that have been cloned. The medical and biotechnological uses of animal cloning are almost innumerable, as many diseases have been eradicated thanks to the production of these transgenic animals. Due to the controversial concept of cloning and scientific testing on animals,...

Fish experience reproduction in one of two ways. These processes include fertilization inside or outside the body. Fish are either ovoviviparous, viviparous or oviparous. Additionally, it is important to note that reproduction can also change according to the fish’s environment, specifically if it lives in...

Of course, there are many reasons why a cat might cry, mewl or yowl. Each circumstance needs to be considered and the well-being, health and behavioral characteristics of the cat will help us to determine why your cat is crying al the time. However, there are some general reasons and common situations...

The Iberian Peninsula combines territories located in current day Portugal and Spain with the British Overseas Territory and the Principality of Andorra. However, the vast majority 79% is located in Spain. The fauna of this country alone is rich and diverse, harboring certain endemisms, plant and animal...

Guinea pigs, otherwise known as Cavia porcellus, are perhaps the most popular rodents which are kept as pets. This is predominantly thanks to their tender and loving personalities and because they are easy animals to maintain. Native to South America, guinea pigs are herbivorous mammals that reproduces...

Have you ever noticed your cat running away after they have defecated in their litter box? There are times we've gone to the bathroom and wanted to get out of their sharpish, but we don't feel the need to run away like cats sometimes do. They may even seem to escape so quickly from their litter tray that...

Does your dog always sleep next to you or in the same room? There are many reasons why dogs choose to sleep with or close to their guardians. The reasons for this are strongly based on the type of relationship you have with your dog. For example, a dog will most often sleep with the family member they...

All foxes belong to the Canidae family. Foxes are closely related to other canids, such as: dogs, jackals or wolves. Their morphology and appearance has adapted itself to their significant environments. There are approximately 13 ‘‘true’’ fox species. If you want to know more about the types of foxes that exist,...

Honey bees are insects belonging to the genus Apis. Honey bees are a eusocial species, meaning that they belong to the highest level of social organization group of all animals. Bee hives are inhabited by swarms. There are many different breeds of bees that coexist in hives: the queen, the worker bees...

Cats are animals that cling to routine in order to feel safe and secure. Unlike other animals, a cat’s routine is scheduled in such a way that their food, sleep, play, hygiene and socialization times need to always be in order. For this reason, sudden changes to this routine may generate: cat and moving...