Animal fun facts

Small, exquisite looking and very skilful, the chameleon is the animal kingdom's proof that spectacular things can come in small packages. Originally from the African continent, they are one of earth's most fascinating creatures. They have eyes which move independently of each other, a tongue which can extend...

Splooting is a relatively new term for an ancient phenomenon. It is the process by which an animal can spread themselves out on the ground as flat as possible with their legs outstretched. Social media has been awash with documentation of this fascinating phenomenon in the form of videos and pictures....

Dogs love to sleep with their beloved tutors, because they feel more secure when it comes to enjoying a healthy sleep. Therefore it is not uncommon that animal’s often choose to sleep with or at the feet of their guardians. Animals will take any opportunity to receive affection, and this act of sleeping with...

Dogs do many things that seem strange to us as humans, such as: rolling on grass. Dogs express themselves and explore their environments differently than we do. They capture different stimuli from their environments through touch, feeling, defecation and smell. They do this in order to mark territories and communicate...

The strong reputation dogs hold as main prominent protectors is undeniable. If looking for protection, a person is more likely to adopt a dog than a cat. However, we must not forget that cats too are able to establish a very special bond with their owner as well as protect them from any harm. Many people...

Dogs communicate through smell, vocalization, body language and more. One of the most common ways a dog communicates is through licking. From the moment a dog is born it’s mother licks it, this is can be sign of protection, love or cleanliness. Therefore, one must understand that this habit is habitual...

Have you ever stopped to imagine how our 5 senses as humans help us perceive the world? Due to the difference in anatomical structure between animals and humans, our perception of the world differs. We see color differently and many animals, due to evolution, have gained senses which have been specifically...

When dog owners are absent for a considerable number of hours, many people wonder do dogs have a sense of time? For example, if we have a look at a dog’s perception of time, are dogs aware of this prolonged absence? A dog’s concept of time can be directly related to a dog’s memory. In addition, many studies...

Our planet has climates of all kinds: from raw winters to soft springs. These different types of climate and variety of geographical areas are so great, that in each one different species of fauna and flora can be found. But what kind of animals exist in the desert? In this AnimalWised article we will...

It is not uncommon that, as dog keepers, we sometimes observe distinct behavior in our dog when it sleeps. This behavior can be presented through shaking, twitching, leg movement, eye movement and breathing agitation. And soon after, your dog will either wake up as if nothing has happened, or continue sleeping...

There is the widespread idea that cats are independent animals and are not sociable or affectionate. This description, however, does not define the majority of cats with whom we live. Thus, there are still people who are surprised at the demands of affection from their feline companions. Cats show affection...

The part of our day leaving your dog home alone is one of the most difficult of the day. The undeniable look of sadness in your dog’s eyes when you have to go to work can easily form a lump in your throat. Many animals then howl and cry in reaction. The howling from our animals can cause many problems,...

Among the South American countries, Brazil stands out not only for its continental dimensions and its multifaceted culture, but also for its enormous natural diversity. From North to South of the Brazilian territory, we find diverse ecosystems that make up a privileged bio-diverse landscape. Although...

Many people are surprised when they get home and find a beautiful cat on their doorstep. In general, this cat is most likely seeking food, heat and safety, as life on the street presents many dangers and challenges for its survival. However, there are also some mystical theories that interpret this phenomenon...

There are many reasons animals go extinct. They tend to come under the general groupings of those caused by human interference, loss of habitat, rivalry with other animals in the same ecosystem or even natural selection. Of course, there are many other reasons we do not have the resources to, at least as...

Mexico is a country located in the central zone of Latin America. It is known for its historical past, delicious food and its celebration of the Day of the Dead (Dia de los muertos), which have all given the world picturesque images of its culture. The characteristics of its environment vary. Some areas...

Cats can lick for hours. When you have that much fur, being clean takes dedication. Removing dirt accumulated over the day or detangling knots from their fur, cats use their specially adapted tongues to maintain proper hygiene. However, sometimes this cleaning ritual doesn't stop with their own bodies....

A cat's look is one of its finest features. It is not only due to the beautiful range of color in their irises, but their big imploring eyes can provide expressions which seem to convey so much. As humans and cats don't speak the same language, cats can't explain what it is through their voice. Instead,...

A cat's meow is an odd affectation. We say affectation as it is something which adult cats do not generally do to each other, yet domestic cats regularly do to us. The main theory is that meowing in adult cats is related to the time when cats do normally meow, specifically when they are kittens. Kittens...

Our dogs give us great comfort and joy, staying by our side during good times and bad. They become an integral part of the family, so losing them can be one of our biggest fears. Unfortunately, the nature of dogs means that getting lost is a possible risk we must accept when adopting them into our homes....

Viviparity is a form of reproduction that is found in most mammalian creatures as well as some reptiles, fish and amphibians. It isn't, however, limited to the animal kingdom as viviparous plants also exist. Viviparity is a term which has some variation, but is generally accepted to refer to live birth of...

Like anyone with a cat in their family, you are completely besotted with your feline friend. So much so, you think they are the most beautiful cat in the world. They spend their time performing all day, even when just going about their usual business. Even when at rest they are adorable/funny/handsome,...

How many times have you seen your dog scratching their bed before laying down? It's not quite the same a fluffing your pillow before you rest your head at night, so why do they do it? This behavior may seem silly or compulsive, but understanding this compulsion simply requires us to think the way a dog...

It has been estimated that human and dog have lived together happily for between 2,000 and 3,000 years. However, although historical sources do not provide a precise date, it is widely believed that the domestication process of wolves began between 10,000 and 30,000 years ago[1]. This is because wolves...

In the wild, an animal's eyes might be the first thing you see as they walk toward you in the dark. While your cat may be a domestic animal, they are no exception. This is because the glow in your cat's eyes derives its purpose from their wild ancestry. Just because they are not as large as a tiger or...

As dog owners, seeing our dog asleep can also make us feel peaceful. Tuckered out from a long day of playing, investigating and spending time with us, they are so adorable when at rest. We even may wonder what our dogs are dreaming about. However, sometimes our pet's breathing seems to get very fast while...

Has it ever happened to you that you go in to bathroom to have a moment of privacy, but just as you close the door your feline friend slips in to join you? Perhaps they are already in there anticipating your moves. You may even see the evidence of a raid as there are knocked over pots or talcum powder...

If you have more than one cat at home, you will know the joy of communal cat living. Not only do you have more felines to share your life with, but they have pals they can socialize with when you're unavailable. They can form a great bond together and it is not uncommon to witness real sadness when one...

Any cat owner will be aware that felines like their independence. Unlike dogs, they are solitary animals in the wild. This doesn't mean they don't require socialization, but it does mean it's not unusual for them to spend most of the day outside and barely greet you when they return. On the contrary,...

If you see your male dog mounting other male dogs, then it can may seem like confusing behavior. It raises certain questions about their actions and it may even embarrass some others at the dog park, not that it should. Much of dog behavior can seem odd to the uninitiated or uninformed. We also often attribute...

Chickens are often kept in roofless enclosures or even let to roam free in back yards of domestic chicken keepers. This would understandably give the impression chicken's can't fly. Then you see them standing on a high fence and you get the oposite idea. The truth is a little bit of both. Chickens can...

It is easy to see the link between domestic cats and their big cat brethren. They have sharp canine (or should that be feline?) teeth which mimic the ferocious pictures we see in magazines like National Geographic. While their prey may not be as big as the beasts of the plain, you can see them pounce...

Calico cats are appropriately named. Calico is a material which is easy to produce, but is also able to be dyed in many different colors for printing and clothing. Calico cats are a common variety which take different colors from their ancestors and combined them in a three colored coat. This can make...

If you've seen a dog with a blue tongue, your first thought might be ‘where did they get the money to buy Jolly Ranchers?’ However likely this might seem, there just might be a more natural explanation. The Chow Chow is a dog which is estimated to have originated in China 2,000 years ago. Their distinctive...

From ancient times, the figure of the cat has been surrounded by myths that say they have supernatural powers, from the ability to transmit "bad luck" to the ability to anticipate events that have not yet occurred. Leaving superstition aside, there are 7 things cats can predict. They have nothing to...

The word dinosaur comes from Latin, whose Greek translation would be "Terrible Lizard", a name that fits the stars of Jurassic Park like a glove. These big lizards that dominated the world were at the top of the food chain and have been there for a long time. In order to be able to fully and honestly address...

Today, we'd like to take the opportunities to share some highly compelling stories, those that are not usually told in the media, but that definitely make this world a better place, as it is not only humans that have acts of kindness and bravery, more often than not, animals are the kindest and altruistic creatures...

It's hard to resist a delicious ice cream or a nice piece of pie, isn't it? In fact, candy is a real temptation for many people. But what is delicious for us can be a threat to the health of our pets. Many sweet foods, mainly industrialized ones, can cause severe digestive disorders and poison their...

It is difficult to choose a single dog as the strongest dog breed in the world. There are several characteristics that give great strength to a dog, such as their body and bite. Despite the strength of a dog, they should never be used to fight. They must be educated from an early age with positive reinforcement...

If you have witnessed two cats mating you will know that they make a lot of noise. The truth is that meowing begins when the cats go into heat, to attract the attention of males. They also respond with meowing and this is how the procession begins. But it is during copulation that the screams and meows...