Animal fun facts

We associate certain animals with certain behaviors or characteristics. You can be as sly as a fox, as wise as an owl or have a memory like a fish. The last example is due to the commonly assumed fact that fish have very poor memories. However, the traits applied to such animals are generalizations...

Arthropods are the most diverse group of organisms on the planet, accounting for around 80% of all living animal species. Each individual species has adapted to their environment in certain ways. Some fly, some have long bodies and some have appendages which allow them to survive. The latter example can be...

You can recognize a tortoiseshell cat from their distinct coat pattern and color combination. Like a calico cat, their coat incorporates white, black, and orange colors. Unlike a calico cat, they are patterned over their body like a painter's palette. Where calico cats have distinct patches of color, usually...

In the wild, it is very hard to mistake a lion and a tiger for each other. The first reason for this difficulty is there is no place on Earth where tigers and lions coexist naturally. Today, many of us distinguish the difference between lions and tigers as lions being an African animal and tigers being...

The binturong (Arctictis binturong) is a mammal originating from Asia. Their appearance somewhat resembles a cross between a small bear and a cat, hence their common name: the bearcat. They are part of the suborder Feliformia, but are not part of either the cat (Felidae) or bear (Ursidae) families....

Insects make up the largest taxonomic groupings of any animal with approximately 1 million known species. This makes the process of grouping them together a difficult task for scientists. Since some types of insect develop certain features they share with others, this can help us to group them correctly....

The quokka is an animal practically designed for social media. This is because they are adorable. Not only are they cute little mammals, but their morphology gives them an almost human-like smile which is not very common in the animal kingdom. Human interest in quokkas has gone further than simply making...

In many cases, pit bull dogs are considered dangerous. This not only encourages a clear bias but also leads us to assume that there are good and bad dogs and we are not responsible for their actions. But fortunately there are many lovers of this breed. Just like any other, this dog deserves a home,...

Rhinoceroses are among the largest mammals on Earth, generally weighing more than a ton. While there are variations from one species to another, they share certain physical characteristics. Their appearance is marked by an armor-like exterior, and perhaps most characteristically, either one or two horns...

All animals are beautiful, but few elicit as much fascination as the salamander. They are known for their alien-like appearance. Their face can have an almost humanoid expression, with expressive eyes and a mouth which can be seen to form a smile. Skin types and colors can range in color and pattern,...

The word ‘lizard’ covers a great variety of reptile groups which can be found in different types of habitats, almost anywhere in the world. This is why these animals are often present in our homes. This is especially so if we have gardens, orchards or any place they can enjoy the right conditions for...

Many people purchase a parakeet because they find their birdsong and chirping to be an enjoyable sound. Not only is it pleasant for us, but it is a necessary form of communication for the bird. However, we may not think as much about whether the parakeet enjoys our sounds. This doesn't just mean the...

There are more than 5,000 extant species of lizard. Their diversity is incredible, as is their adaptability to some of the harshest terrains in the animal kingdom. From the smallest gecko to the largest monitor lizard, these reptiles have fascinating traits in terms of morphology, reproduction, feeding...

Every culture across the world and its history has used animals in their folklore and mythology. The natural world is an inspiring place in many ways, so it is understandable we might see different cultures let their imagination run wild. But how much of these legends are based on actual creatures?...

For many years, humans have been changing the ecosystem in various ways. However, in recent years, we have started to realize the negative consequences of our actions and have begun to implement certain strategies. After all, we can only thrive on a healthy planet. This is where the umbrella species comes in. What...

The Kangaroo belongs to the Macropodidae family, which also includes a variety of lesser-known and smaller individuals. Thus, depending on the species, they can be medium to large in size, however, generally the term kangaroo is used to refer to the larger ones. But, how are kangaroos born? In this AnimalWised...

Butterflies are beautiful insects that go through a four-stage process to become the lovely butterflies we see roaming in our garden. If you're curious about these interesting insects, keep reading this oneHOWTO article where we will explain how long is the life cycle of a butterfly. We will also explain...

Many people believe that cows have 4 stomachs. Some even go on to say that they have 4 or 7 stomachs. This is completely incorrect. Cows only have one stomach, however, that stomach is divided into 4 compartments: rumen, reticulum, omasum and abomasum. In this AnimalWised article we're going to explain...

You may have arrived here by searching for the cat breed with no tail, maybe under the assumption there is only one tailless cat breed. Likely the most famous is the Manx cat, a feline with no tail from the Isle of Man. Although it may be the first which comes to mind for many, there are indeed other tailless...

Invertebrate animals are those that do not have a backbone. The majority of the world's animals are found in this group, representing 95% of the existing species. Being the most diverse group within this kingdom, its categorization has become very difficult. In this AnimalWised article we're going to...

There are two types of reproduction in the animal kingdom, asexual and sexual reproduction. Whereas asexual reproduction doesn't involve the fusion of gametes, sexual reproduction does, thus resulting in an offspring genetically different to its parents. This type of reproduction can also be found in...

Cockatiels are beautiful and playful birds that make wonderful house pets. They are very curious and enjoy playing with new objects, socialising and imitating song and talk. These birds have an impressive vocal capacity, but can cockatiels talk like parrots? In this AnimalWised article, we're going to talk...

There are several reasons why a cat may need to be sedated or anesthetized. This ranges from aggressiveness during veterinary checkups to invasive surgery. It is important to know that anesthesia, even general anesthesia, is relatively very safe. Contrary to what many cat guardians believe, the fatality rate...

There are many interesting types of reproduction in our animal kingdom. In this AnimalWised article we're going to have a look at hermaphroditism in animals. We'll explain what hermaphrodite animals are and include plenty of examples. We'll also look into how they reproduce and when they use this type of...

Hybrid animals are a result of a crossing from two animals of different species. These such crossings result in animals whose appearance presents mixed characteristics, and trust us, they are beautiful! Some of these animal hybrids are so incredibly fascinating that it’s hard to believe they are even real. Additionally,...

Blue-ringed octopus are small and adorable octopus mostly found in Australia's coral reef. Despite their innocent appearance, these little sea creatures are actually quite dangerous. In this AnimalWised article, we're going to dive deeper into blue-ringed octopus, what they eat, their toxicity and more!

Starfish are fascinating sea creatures full of mysteries. In this AnimalWised article, we're going to explain how starfish breathe. We'll go through their unique anatomy and explain how these sea stars breathe underwater and above water. Keep reading to learn more!

Hachiko was a dog known for his infinite fidelity and love for his owner, Eizaburo Ueno. This dog is known as the faithful and lonely dog as he waited for his owner at the train station after he returned from work, even after his owner's sudden death. In this AnimalWised article we're going to tell...

There are few members of the animal kingdom with as much mystique as the wolf. They have fascinated human civilizations since the two groups first met and much symbolism has been attached to the warrior wolf. Many writers, philosophers, naturalists and entire communities have created legends, had musings...

Cats are capable of finding amusement in almost anything. They can turn a box into a playhouse, a string into a snake, or even entertain themselves for hours with a piece of trash. While we might not see why these activities are so entertaining, they don't usually affect us directly. However, when our cat starts...

Although we know there are many different breeds of domestic cat, we are often not as familiar with wild cat breeds. Some may be aware of the differences between a Bengal and Siberian tiger, but knowing the different types of lynx might not be as common knowledge. As with all big cats, lynxes are part...

Those of us who share our lives with a feline will know they exhibit some seemingly odd behaviors. When we interrupt our cat licking their privates, rolling around in the dirt, or any similar activity, they may even look surprised when interrupted. It is of the utmost importance as cat guardians we understand...

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...

When winter ends, many African birds migrate to the Northern hemisphere. Their arrival announces the onset of spring. Among them are different species of small birds with black and white plumage. They are often easy to notice since they make quite a lot of noise as their collective tweeting fills the skies....

The eagle is an important animal to various countries. They represent strength, freedom, and perseverance, among many others. Although we might think of many things when thinking about eagles, what do they look like in your mind? For many, it is the bald eagle with its white dome and piercing eyes. However,...

Understanding feline behaviour can help us create a better bond with our cat as we learn to understand their type of communication. Cats communicate with a number of different movements. They use their ears, paws, and even their tails. In this AnimalWised article we're going to talk about why a cat wags their...

The kangaroo is the best known out of all marsupials. You may recognize this very special animal as they have become the emblem of Australia, their land of origin. Kangaroos are known for the features that make them stand out from most other species. For example, kangaroos have a pouch that transports...

Fish are one of the most diverse types of vertebrate animals on the planet. Inhabiting all kinds of fresh and seawater environments, there are so many types that we need to classify them into different groups. How these are categorized is complicated, but often it is due to certain types of fish sharing...

Fish are a paraphyletic group that describes aquatic vertebrates. These animals vary greatly in size. In this AnimalWised article, we're going to take a look at the largest fish in the ocean, as well as other large fish that swim in our oceans. We'll start with the largest fish, the whale shark, and continue...

Have you ever heard of bioluminescence? It is the phenomenon whereby a living organism can produce light from its own body. This means there are animals which can glow in the dark. It is something most commonly seen in the world's oceans, as the vast majority of glow-in-the-dark animals live in the depths...

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,...

Fish are the most diverse vertebrates when it comes to aquatic environments. In fact, there are about 28,000 species of fish around the world. They have a large number of anatomical and physiological adaptations that have allowed them to evolve successfully over the years. In this AnimalWised article,...

Procreation through sexual reproduction implies the necessary presence of two different sexes. The competition for resources, the risk of predation, and the energy expenditure of finding and courting a mate have led many animal species to evolve adaptations to facilitate this process. In this AnimalWised article,...

The geographic isolation of the islands comprising New Zealand means that species have not migrated as much as many other places. 90% of its endemic flora and fauna can only be found on this continent and has flourished for millions of years. New Zealand still has 25% of its original rain forest, which...

Spiders are arachnid arthropods, meaning that they are related to mites, scorpions, and opiliones. This is one of the most diverse orders in the animal kingdom, with more than 45,000 known species and 114 families. Arachnids have a fascinating reproduction process that involves sexual dimorphism, cannibalism,...

Biology has a wide range of vocabulary to classify and characterise different species. In this AnimalWised article we are going to talk about endemism. We will define what an endemic species is and give examples with photos and descriptions so that you have a good understanding of what it is. Continue...

Parrots are birds that belong to the order Psittaciformes. There are roughly 393 species of parrots. They mostly live in tropical and subtropical habitats. Unfortunately, one-third of all parrot species are threatened by extinction. In this AnimalWised article, we're going to talk about the different types...

A beak, also called bill or rostrum, is an external anatomical structure mostly found in birds. It's used for eating, preening, manipulating objects, killing prey, fighting, searching for food, courtship, and feeding their young. Beaks can vary significantly in size, shape, color, and texture, but are...

Swallows are small and beautiful birds that are known to migrate overseas in winter. They often travel to Africa, Argentina, or even Australia and then return home when the heat begins. In this AnimalWised article, we are going to talk about swallows, their habitat, diet, characteristics, etc. We will...

Lots of fly species are from the Midwest. One of these is the bluebottle fly, a fly that we commonly find inhabiting our home. This leads us to wonder, are blue bottle flies dangerous? In this AnimalWised article we will explain The dead truth about why these inhabit your house can be quite deadening...