Facts about the animal kingdom
1.140 articles
How many times have you seen your dog scratching their bed before laying down? It's not quite the same as fluffing your pillow before you rest your head at night, so why do they do it? This behavior may seem pointless or compulsive, but understanding this compulsion simply requires us to think the way...
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...
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...
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...
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 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...
A cat's sense of smell is 14 times better than a human's, so it's much more developed and allows them to perceive scents more intensely. This advantage is very useful to detect smells and aromas that attract them most, as well as quickly identify those they hate. Some aromas can make a feline go crazy...
Wolfdogs are hybrids between different wolf sub-species and domestic dogs, most commonly those that look like wolves such as the Alaskan Malamute, Husky or German Shepherd. They are often bred as military dogs or for guarding purposes. Although owning a purebred wolf in the United States and most countries...
Cats drool for various reasons, including both benign and potential health-related causes. Drooling in cats can be triggered by contentment and relaxation, where they enter a state of deep satisfaction. Excitement or anticipation can also lead to drooling, especially when they are eagerly awaiting something...
We are forever trying to interpret our dog's behavior. We know that a dog scratching at doors is likely because they want to get out, often as a result of separation anxiety. But when dogs scratch at the ground, it seems to be more from habit than out of concern. There are also different times when...
A dog's sense of smell is completely different from a humans', so it is not surprising that we have different tastes when deciding which fragrances seem pleasant and which aromas we consider unbearable. For us, the smell of urine and feces are some of the smells that repel us most. For dogs, these smells provide...
While the story revolves around human children becoming wizards, it is the magical creatures in Harry Potter which helped spark the imagination of generations of readers. J. K. Rowling's boy wizard and his cohorts come across many creatures, both real animals and fantastic beasts. Whether a massive Potterhead...
Our first interesting fact about Peruvian guinea pigs is that they are not pigs, they are not from Guinea and they may not even be Peruvian. One of the oldest guinea pig breeds, the Peruvian guinea pig still has their wild cousins roaming across many parts of South America, not just Peru. They are just...
It is a very common question that dog owners and people who live with dogs on a daily basis to ask themselves. How does my dog see me? Do dogs see in two dimensions? Does my dog see the world in the same way I do or other animals do?
To answer this question, at AnimalWised we have created this article,...
Cats are very special animals, full of curious behaviors that may seem like crazy attitudes for humans, but which, in general, respond to a survival instinct that they preserve from their life in the wild.
When living with a cat you quickly start picking up on the things that they like: sleeping next...
They may look cute and practical to take out in your handbag, but these genetically modified dogs have more health problems than you may think. There are many breeds that have their version of teacup dogs, such as the Maltese, the Yorkshire Terrier and the Chihuahua. Although they may be confused with toy...
There are an estimated two million species of animals in the world. Some, like dogs or cats, can be seen almost daily in our cities and we know endless facts about them, but there are less common animals that are full of curious facts.
This is the case of ovoviviparous animals, which have a certainly strange...
There is a practical reason behind the color of a wild animal's skin or fur. If they are a predatory animal, the aim is to blend into the environment where their prey are loitering, making it easier to creep up on them and increasing the chances of launching a successful attack.
On the other hand, the skin or...
Occasionally, a cat's behavior can be inexplicable to humans. Things that seem funny to us, like chasing strings or climbing up curtains, are completely normal to them and are actually based on their feline instinct.
If you've ever seen your cat rolling on the ground, chances are you've wondered what...
Are you a fan of hairless cats? In this AnimalWised article we're going show you 5 hairless cat breeds. We'll talk about each one of them, include a photo and even talk about the famous Elf cat and the recent Lykoi “werewolf” cat.
Keep reading to learn more about these adorable hairless cat breeds!
There is an immense variety of animals and other living beings on Earth. All are special and have unique qualities that make them both distinct and beautiful in their own way. There are all kinds of mammals, birds, fish or insects that fascinate us with their appearance and behavior. However, it is true...
What do dogs express with their tails? Are they simple movements or are they really part of their body language and communication? If you have always wanted to know more about the language of dogs, you cannot miss this AnimalWised article in which we show you all dog tail positions and what they mean.
Do...
When we speak of emotional balance, we are referring to the ability of a living being that can offer appropriate emotional responses within their environment. But what are the characteristics of a balanced dog? What prevents a dog from being balanced?
In this AnimalWised article we will show you 10...
Dog's natural behavior is much different to humans. This leaves us wondering why they do certain things such as smell other dogs behind, sneeze when they begin to play or even lick another dog's urine. It's important to inform ourselves why they do this, not only to understand our dogs but to also make...
Dogs are always surprising us by exhibiting very human-like behavior; a fact that makes us wonder if we feel the same emotions in particular situations. A clear example of this is our love for feeling the heat of the sun on our skin. Who doesn't feel happy when they are in the sun on a beautiful day?...
Just like human babies, the younger an animal is, the more tender and cute they are. Nature is so magical and incredible that it has made some creatures look this way for their whole life. Most of these animals are unique and very delicate, living in remote areas, as far as possible from any human development...
Contrary to what many believe, there are many very shy and peaceful animals that are extraordinarily lethal. A sample is the sea serpent, who will flee before creatures that do not enter into their food alternative. Another example is the stoat, a diminutive being of only 300g, capable of successfully...
Ever wondered what noises cats hate? There are plenty of sounds that humans can't stand, we can only imagine what they're like for cats since their ears are more sensitive than ours.
In this AnimalWised article we're going to elaborate on what sounds cats hate and why. Continue reading to find out!
Felines never cease to amaze us, especially after reading a study by Lauren Finka. This University of Lincoln veterinarian carried out a publication after interviewing more than 200 cats along with their owners.
She discovered and presented the 5 cat personalities, work that suggests that how they develop their...
Although there are many breeds of intelligent dogs, it is true that there are some that stand out above the others. However, the breed of the dog is not always an indicator of intelligence. Good training and mental stimulation will be key factors for our dog to be, in their adult stage, a very intelligent...
Cats are very special animals that love their freedom and independence as much as playing and sharing with their human companions. Whoever has a cat at home knows that they must respect the space and decisions made by their cat. Of course, do so without letting them be in danger.
A healthy and happy cat...
If you're a proud feline guardian, you've probably wondered why your cat follows you everywhere you go. It is common for those who have a good bond with their cat to notice their best friend following them all around the home. Do you find your cat follows you everywhere in the house, especially to the...
Do you think you know everything about your cat and the feline species? Cats are fascinating animals and have inhabited the planet for hundreds of years. Our feline friends are made up of much more than purrs and naps.
They are spontaneous animals, curious, with lots of personality. This is pretty much...
While it is true that all dogs derive from wolves, recent research suggests they share a common ancestor from which they both diverged millions of years ago. This is what emerged into the genus Canis which contains wolves, dogs and other animals. For this reason, it is not surprising that many dogs look...
As with all relationships, even dogs and humans can often have misunderstandings - but some of them go unnoticed. To avoid these issues with your faithful friend, you will have to ask yourself a number of questions on different topics. For example, you should how dogs think, what their basic needs are...
There is no denying that cats are very special and interesting creatures, who can become the best companions of our lives. However, their curious behavior can be a little hard to understand.
The social interactions of cats and the manner in which they express emotions may be somewhat strange. However, this...
Although they are both of the species Panthera tigris, the first difference between Bengal and Siberian tigers is that they constitute different subspecies. As the common names of these tigers suggest, subspecies differ from each other because they developed in different areas over a long time. This leads...
All animals living on earth are beautiful. The diversity on our planet is practically infinite, with different sizes, shapes, characteristics and colors. Thanks to these beautiful animals living in all environments, the world is a more pleasant, mysterious and interesting place. Despite this, it is true...
Although you've spent a good deal of money and time looking for the best and most comfortable bed for your dog, they insist on falling asleep at your feet. Any chance your dog sees, even if you're standing, they will take advantage of it. This is a very amusing and sweet habit, but why does it happen?
Dogs...
When referring to fears or phobias, we should give a special mention to the phobia of cats or ailurophobia. This is the irrational fear of cats in humans. Normally it is linked to ignorance of the species and of all the legends that are known about them. But how does this impact our cat? Can it affect you?
AnimalWised...
Meowing is a cat's way of communicating with us, catching our attention and telling us they need something. In this AnimalWised article we want to elaborate on the reasons for a cat's frequent meowing and help you identify their specific cause.
In most cases, listening to our pet and trying to understand...
Some actions that may seem amusing to humans are incredibly irritating for our pets. One of the most frustrating is blowing in a dog's face. The impetus for doing such as thing is not always clear. Perhaps this is tempting because the dog has fur which gracefully quivers when we blow on it. Maybe we...
If you are into biology or ecology, you may have heard about the term Indicator species. This term is used to define certain living species. This means whether they are mineral, plant or animal. Their general purpose is to be an indicator of the overall health of a certain ecosystem. An indicator species...
We all know that dogs love to play, be petted, eat all day, sleep and run on the beach. However, dogs have certain preferences and behaviors they enjoy that humans do not yet know about and are very specific to dogs.
Dogs have many activities that make them happy and enjoy doing. It is a simply a matter...
A cat uses their nose to explore their surroundings. Much more acute than our own, a cat's sense of smell means they are able to register scents and aromas which are barely perceptible to us. Many of the scents they enjoy are related to their diet, with cooking food odor being particularly irresistible....
