Animal fun facts

Scavenger animals are those that feed on carrion, i.e. the dead and decomposing bodies of other animals. Food chains are linear structures where one animal preys on another, which preys on another and so on. It is important to remember that food chains are a part of food webs, much more complicated networks...

Octopuses are members of the molluscan phylum, class Cephalopoda, and the order Octopoda. What makes them particularly interesting is that they possess unique characteristics that set them apart not only from other invertebrates, but also from other mollusks. Their remarkable abilities have captured the...

Cockroaches are a group of insects that belong to the order Blattodea, an order which also contains termites. They are particularly well distributed in tropical and temperate climates since they like warmth and humidity, but they have an almost global distribution. In fact, they are famous for being able to...

Axolotls are fascinating aquatic creatures that have become increasingly popular as pets in recent years. As amphibians, they are uniquely adapted to life in water and depend on it for survival. However, many pet owners wonder if it is safe to take their axolotls out of the water, either for cleaning or handling....

The difference between a fawn and a doe deer is to do with age and sex, not with breed. Different types of deer live in different regions, but we use the same terminology for the ages and sex of all true deer species. Many people want to know the difference between the two for hunting purposes, but this...

How a mollusk reproduces varies greatly since there are many different types of mollusks in nature. Their reproductive strategies depend on various factors, including their individual morphology, environment, climate and many others. Despite such variety in how mollusks reproduce, almost all do so through...

Sheep are a type of domestic animal that have been bred and raised by humans for thousands of years. They are prized for their wool, meat, and milk and are found in many regions of the world. There are numerous breeds of sheep, each with their own unique characteristics and traits. One of the most important...

Some of the most venomous mammals in the world include the platypus, skunk, slow loris and the Cuban solenodon, animals we may think of as being more cute than deadly. We often associate the ability to produce venom with animals such as snakes, scorpions and spiders. Predatory mammals tend to have other...

An octopus is a type of cephalopod, a class of marine animals that also includes squid, cuttlefish, and nautilus. Octopuses are fascinating creatures that have captured the imagination of humans for centuries. From their ability to change color and shape to their impressive intelligence, these creatures...

The danger catfish pose to humans depends on the individual species, something which varies greatly. This is partly due to the vast amount of different catfish species we can find. All within the order Siluriformes, there are around 36 families of catfish containing over 3,000 individual catfish species....

Have you ever wondered how birds are able to digest their food, given their unique anatomy and physiology? Understanding the digestive system of birds is essential for bird owners and lovers, as it can affect their health and well-being. Unlike mammals, birds lack teeth and a separate stomach for breaking...

Antlers are one of the most distinctive features of male deer and play an important role in the survival and reproduction of the animal. However, many people are unaware that these impressive structures are not permanent, and that male deer shed their antlers every year. This natural process, known as antler...

Kangaroos are a marsupial species native to Australia. They are known for their characteristic hopping gait, powerful legs, and pouches in which they carry and protect their young. In fact, kangaroos have become a symbol of Australia and are an important part of Australian culture and identity. What many...

There is no doubt that gorillas, the largest living primates, are fascinating creatures that have captured the attention of many scientists and enthralled many nature enthusiasts for decades. With their impressive size and strength, gorillas play an important ecological role in their habitats by helping...

Birds are among the most fascinating creatures on our planet, and their nesting behavior is both complex and diverse. Nesting is an essential part of a bird's life cycle, providing a safe and secure place for them to lay their eggs, incubate them, and raise their young until they can fend for themselves....

Eagles are one of the most famous and admired bird species in the world. They are known for their impressive hunting skills, sharp eyesight and powerful wings. These majestic birds of prey can be found on almost every continent on Earth, from the cold Arctic tundra to the arid savannas of Africa. Despite...

Frogs are amphibians, types of vertebrate animals in nature which have the ability to live between water and land. Frogs are perhaps the most emblematic of these animals, but there is also great diversity among the many frog species we can find. All of them have certain physical and behavioral characteristics...

Reptiles are a diverse group of vertebrates, with almost 12,000 individual species currently falling under this categorization. With such diversity, you may not be surprised to know reptiles differ in various ways, including physical characteristics, behaviors, habitat and diet. Many of these factors influence...

Tigers are majestic creatures that have captured our imagination for centuries. From their impressive physical abilities to their unique behaviors and adaptations, there is no shortage of interesting facts about tigers. In the following AnimalWised article, you'll learn some fascinating and little-known facts...

Ladybugs, also known as ladybugs or lady beetles, are a type of beetle belonging to the Coccinellidae family. They are widely known for their small, round, brightly colored bodies and the black spots on their backs. They have a relatively short lifespan compared to other insects, but this can vary depending...

The pink dolphin, also known as the Amazon dolphin or boto, is a species of freshwater dolphin known for its characteristic pink coloration, which comes from capillaries near the surface of the skin. As its name suggests, the pink dolphin is found mainly in the Amazon River. It is the largest species...

Geckos are small lizards from the infraorder Gekkota. Within this infraorder are 7 families, around 125 genera and many more individual species. While these lizards all share certain characteristics, their diversity in appearance is incredible. Some are dull in color, allowing them to camouflage against...

The monarch butterfly is a fascinating insect that is famous for its remarkable migration. Every year, millions of monarchs make an incredible journey that can take them thousands of miles, from their breeding grounds in North America to their wintering grounds in Mexico. The migration of monarch butterflies...

Birds are some of the most fascinating organisms in the animal kingdom. Although they are not the only animal to fly, their ability to do so allows for unique migratory behaviors and other impressive abilities. They also have a diversity and beauty in their appearance which has inspired naturalists since...

The biodiversity of animal species on our planet is great, as evidenced by the many different types of birds we can see. Their differences can be seen in their plumage, diet, vocal sounds and many other physical characteristics and behavioral traits. Size is also an important differentiator, as is the...

Cats are known to love to sleep. They often sleep for hours during the day. In fact, it is not uncommon for a cat to sleep up to 16 hours a day, with some cats sleeping even more. Although this may seem excessive to some, this is completely normal behavior for cats. Even though it is normal for cats...

The elephant is one of the largest and most intelligent animals on our planet. They are known for their extraordinary memory, empathy, and sophisticated social structures. One of the most fascinating aspects of their behavior is their communication skills. Elephants have a remarkable ability to communicate complex...

Echinoderms are a diverse group of marine animals belonging to the phylum Echinodermata. They are characterized by their radial symmetry, that is, their bodies are arranged in a symmetrical pattern about a central axis. Echinoderms are found in all oceans of the world, from shallow coastal waters to the...

Sheep are one of the first animals to be domesticated by humans. This is thanks to their usefulness in providing milk, meat and textiles to various ancient civilizations, as well as their relatively docile nature. Sheep are also known as ovine animals belonging to the genus Ovis. The sheep with which...

Penguins are widely known for their distinctive black and white plumage, upright posture, and waddling gait. In addition to their unique appearance, however, penguins also exhibit a variety of interesting behaviors. Penguins are very social and live in large colonies, sometimes numbering in the millions. They...

When in natural light, we can look into our dog's eyes and see the deep coloration. Although a dog's eyes can be a range of colors, they are all patterned delicately and do not have any natural bioluminescence. For this reason, it can be quite an eerie sensation to see our dog's eyes light up like some...

There are many reasons one might think to ask is a crocodile a lizard? They have a scaly body with four legs, a long tail and a prehistoric face. They are both reptiles and have various similarities physically, taxonomically and otherwise. They both look like contemporary dinosaurs, creatures whose...

The idea of a cat-dog hybrid is a concept that has been around for a long time. People have long been fascinated by the idea of mixing traits of different animals. This has led to the development of certain hybrid animals, such as the liger (lion and tiger), the zonkey (zebra and donkey), and the wolfhound...

While there will be general consistency, most cats will have a somewhat capricious nature. Sometimes they will want to preserve their personal space and have some moments alone. Other times they will be appear desperate for company. As long as you have a good relationship with your cat and a strong bond...

The ocean sunfish, also known as the mola, is one of the most fascinating and unique fish species in the world. With its distinctive flattened shape, long dorsal fins, and enormous size, the sunfish has captured the imagination of marine biologists and casual observers alike. Despite its impressive appearance,...

Frogs are vertebrates, which means they have bones. However, the bones of frogs can tell us a lot about their anatomy, physiology, and evolutionary history. Frogs have adapted to a variety of aquatic and terrestrial habitats, and their bones reflect these adaptations. Moreover, development from tadpole to adult...

Sleep is a state of rest which allows animals to alter various physiological processes. This is necessary to conserve energy, help muscles rest and perform various other functions. Other organic processes change to facilitate this such as altering brain function and slowing respiration. Different animals...

The word "fish" refers to numerous species. So it should not be surprising that there is more than one way to reproduce and be born. Most fish are oviparous, that is, they reproduce through eggs that are hatched after being laid by the parents, as in birds. However, there are also ovoviviparous or viviparous...

Within the group of vertebrates we find the order Testudines, to which all turtles belong, both aquatic and terrestrial. They are among the oldest and most primitive of all reptile groups, evolving millions of years ago. They are easily recognized by their hard shell, which protects them from predators....

Hair is a keratinized structure which can be of varying qualities. It is the same basic material which makes nails, yet it can also be incredibly soft and fluffy. The only animals that truly have hair are mammals. It is generally used for thermoregulation, both to keep the animal warm and to cool them when...

Ants belong to the class of insects and are grouped in the family Formicidae. It is a very diverse group, as there are more than 10,000 species, although it is estimated that this number could be much higher. The ants are distributed worldwide, except for some islands and Antarctica. One of their most outstanding...

Dogs have lived with humans for thousands of years. Some studies show that dogs are descended from wolves and apparently were domesticated about 40,000 to 27,000 years ago. But despite this long coexistence between humans and dogs, knowledge about dog reproduction still raises questions. Female dogs can...

Respiration is a vital function for all living things, from protozoa to higher animals and, of course, humans. Animals have different respiratory systems, depending on the species and the mechanisms that have developed over centuries of evolution. These systems vary in complexity depending on the species,...

An Emotional Support Animal (ESA) is an animal that provides a therapeutic benefit such as emotional support, comfort, or companionship to a person with an intellectual or psychiatric disability. Pets that are recognized as emotional support animals have certain privileges and benefits, such as being...

The animal kingdom is characterized by a great diversity, in which each species has evolved different characteristics and strategies to ensure its biological success. Reptiles are a diverse group, so it's not surprising that they have developed different reproductive methods. The following AnimalWised...

There is increasing awareness of ticks in relation to public health. Much of this is due to the increasing cases of Lyme disease being diagnosed, a condition which can also affect dogs. Ticks are arthropods of the Arachnida class, a category which includes fellow invertebrates such as spiders, scorpions and...

When two dogs become stuck together during mating, it can be a strange sight for humans. Their form of copulation can even look painful to the initiated. This is especially because the male and female will turn away from each other and even make movements to separate. Since they are stuck, it can make...

The animal kingdom is full of wonderful parents who care for their offspring. Most animals, including humans, depend on the care of their parents during the first days, weeks, and even years of their lives in order to survive. However, there are many species of animals that must care for themselves from day...

Turtles are one of the most fascinating vertebrates in the animal kingdom. They are particularly well known for their hard shell which provides protection from both predators and the elements. Since not many animals have a carapace like turtles, it can be difficult to think of them as anything but unique....

If your cat is pregnant, it is a good idea to prepare for the time of birth and the birth of the kittens. A very common question is how many kittens can my cat have. Usually it is between four and six kittens, but larger or smaller litters are not uncommon. Furthermore, if we take into account that female...