Facts about the animal kingdom

Have you been reading about Hindu mythology? Or perhaps you've noticed certain cobra sculptures in Hindu temples? Whatever the reason may be, you've come across the mythological creature “Naga” and want to learn more. In this AnimalWised article, we're going to talk about what Naga is in Hinduism. We'll...

Mattu Pongal is a lively festival that takes place in India where people offer prayers to cows, bulls and other farm animals. The intention is similar to that of the American thanksgiving, where people give thanks for their blessings. In this AnimalWised article we're going to talk about Mattu Pongal,...

The spiritual son of Lord Vayu, the God of Air, Pawan Putra Hanuman is venerated by Hindus worldwide. Born to the couple Kesari and Anjana, he is one of the Vanaras, an ancient forest-dwelling community identified with monkeys and represented as such. The Vanaras helped Lord Rams fight the evil Ravana...

The sacred bull Nandi or Nandin is the vehicle and gatekeeper of Hindu deity Lord Shiva, the creator, which is why it is enshrined in the form of statue at Hindu Shiv temples. The revered Nandi is the reason why bulls are considered sacred vahanas or vehicles of Lord Shiva. In the ancient Hindu treatise...

Monkeys are common primates in India with the western hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) being the only known ape. The most common Indian monkey is the rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta), but there are many other monkey species which can be found in this vast Asian country. These monkeys can be found in many...

Emperor Ashoka, who reigned the Indian subcontinent between 268-223 BC, is known as Ashoka the Great. What makes him one of the greatest Indian kings in history is the beautiful edicts he propounded after witnessing the bloodshed caused by his military conquests. The wise king embraced Buddhism after seeing...

Land fowl, namely chickens, quails and pheasants, are all closely related - but that is where the similarity ends. When it comes to size, color, plumage, diet and habitat, each of these birds differs from the other. Even though all three animals reproduce by laying eggs, there are many distinguishing characteristics...

Across the vast Asian continent, stretching from the Middle Eastern deserts to the jungles of Southeast Asia, some of the most lethal and dangerous animals can be found. From the deadly Komodo dragon to the deadliest of them all, the King Cobra, Asia is home to some of the most dangerous animals in the world. Big...

Each country has their own national animal. In the United States there is also a corresponding state animal, including a mammal, fish, dog or even reptile. In this AnimalWised article, we're going to give you a complete list of all the state animals and national animals of the United States. Continue...

The Sierra Nevada region is a mountain range in California which is teeming with wildlife. Sierra Nevada National Park covers over 86,208 ha and it is one of the biggest national parks in the United States. The highest peak in the range is Mount Whitney at 14,505 ft (4,421 m), but there are 14 peaks...

If you're wondering whether bats are dangerous to humans or pets, you should know that the short answer to that question is “not if they are left alone.” While it is true that most cases of rabies being transmitted are due to bats, and there is a health liability, a bat that bites you may or may not...

Who doesn't love the cheerful and adorable Golden Retriever? If, like us, you are a big fan of this breed, or if you're considering adopting one, it is essential that you read this list of 10 things you should know about Golden Retrievers. As you know, Golden Retrievers are tremendously popular because...

Many animal lovers have heard about the liger, but what about the tigon? Now that we're thinking about it, have you ever heard of other big cat hybrids? There are many possible combinations, but they share some common characteristics. Ligers, tigons and other crossbred animals are possible because...

The hippopotamus is an even-toed ungulate mammal. There are only two species of hippos in existence, the common and the pygmy hippopotamus. The name "hippopotamus" comes from the Greek word hippopotamos, meaning horse of the river. Out of all the names that can be given to a hippopotamus, however,...

The dark, dense forests of India are the ideal habitat for venomous animals. These forests offer abundant prey for giant snakes, scorpions and poisonous spiders. With 270 species of snakes, 60 of whom are highly venomous, there is no dearth of lethal animals in India, including the king cobra, the deadliest...

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...

Tigers are the largest members of the Felidae family, that is, of all cats. These predators, scientifically known as Panthera tigris, are one of the most charismatic and well-known mammal species on the planet. However, tigers are also endangered animals. Over the past century, tiger numbers have decreased...

The Thar Desert, the pride of Rajasthan, is also called an ocean of sand. The Thar or Great Indian Desert has an unmatched variety of fauna; while its climatic and geographical conditions are harsh, various desert animals and plants have adapted to live in them with ease. There are currently 11 national...

The Himalayas, also called the Abode of the Gods, are the longest and highest mountain range in the world. The Himalayan mountain range stretches over 1,500 miles and covers the nations of Nepal and Bhutan, as well as the south of Tibet and the north of India; this range is at least 70 million years old. Home...

It can be very difficult to tell the difference between a crow, raven and rook as they are all members of the genus Corvus and share various similarities. They are birds with predominately black plumage and dark beaks, although individual species vary in terms of coloration. Knowing their differences...

The slowest animals in the world are so sluggish because they don't always need to move fast. Whether this is because they don't have many predators or they have better ways of protecting themselves than fast movement, these animals spend most of their time either moving minutely or not moving at all. These...

Dolphins are among the most popular, charismatic and intelligent creatures of the animal kingdom. With their expression that makes them look like they are always smiling, dolphins are a symbol of joy and freedom. Dolphins inspire pure and positive things - who doesn't remember Flipper? Dolphins are...

Giraffes reside in savannas, open woodlands or grasslands. This is because those areas are rich in acacia growth. Acacia is a genus of shrubs and trees which giraffes feed on, forming the largest part of their staple diet. Giraffes are mostly found in East Africa and Southwestern Africa, especially Angola...

Cawing in crows is a form of communication, as with any vocalization from an animal. This does not mean all cawing occurs for the same reason. What a crow wants to communicate will depend on the context of a given situation, such as where they are directing the caw, their state of health and many other...

While we can define a carnivore as an animal that eats the meat of other animals, this is a very general description. Carnivores have great variety within the animal kingdom. Although they are defined by their diet, they can be many different types of animals, from mammals on the land, birds in the...

Animals that are solitary are those which have minimal interaction with other members of their species. This is in comparison to gregarious animals which live in social groups, although the size of these groups can vary greatly. Living in groups allows animals to pool resources to find food and provide...

Albino dogs are not the same as white dogs; albinism is the result of genetics, as it is manifested when particular recessive alleles are passed down and the individual does not have the right amount of the enzyme tyrosinase, which is involved in the production of melanin. Consequently, albinism is a congenital...

The pet population in India is somewhere over 15 million in 2016. On an average, estimates hold that 600,000 pets are adopted each year; according to Euromonitor International, India has the fastest growing pet market in the world. Rising pet ownership rates have created massive demand for pet food and health...

Fish can be divided into two categories: Freshwater fish and saltwater fish. Freshwater fish live in habitats where water salinity is low, as is the case in rivers and lakes, while saltwater fish enjoy life in the ocean, lagoons and coral reefs, where the salinity is higher than 0.05%. No matter their...

Animals are great as pets... Only some species, though. Wild animals live by their own rules, and some of them have evolved particular characteristics that make them extremely dangerous. India is known for its rich wildlife diversity and animal-friendly culture. However, from the deadly king cobra to the lethal...

Hindus all over the world revere and worship cows. In fact, in India, cows are considered to be a manifestation of the Mother Goddess and a sacred animal that provides life-sustaining milk, considered the divine prasadam or holy offering. In India, the cow is a holy, maternal figure revered as a symbol...

Pembroke Welsh Corgis are adorable at a royal degree; with their big ears and cylindrical, fluffy shape, it's no surprise that they are Queen Elizabeth II's favorite breed. However, do you know just how much she loves them? The Queen has had about three dozens of dogs in her life, most of them Welsh...

Although it doesn't always seem like it, animals change their habits to adapt to new temperatures. We've all heard of animals who hibernate, but you may also notice domestic pets being less active when it's cold. This leads to questions like: Why does my cat sleep so much? Do cats sleep more in the winter?...

Whether you are attacked by captive elephants or wild ones, the result can be equally deadly. According to an estimate, around 500 people are killed annually by elephants; they are considered one of the most dangerous animals in India.If you are the victim of an elephant attack, don't think that all is...

If you have a Pit Bull of any type, you will undoubtedly have heard that they are dangerous dogs that may attack anyone at any moment. In fact, it is very likely that your friends and family have been the first people to tell you such things; we at AnimalWised have encountered the same problems. If your...

Baja California is a state at the northwestern corner of Mexico. It's located in the peninsula of the same name, and it borders with the United States, more specifically with the states of Arizona and California. This Mexican state stands out thanks to its huge variety of marine wildlife at both sides of...

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are not just one of the most beautiful animals in the world. They are also extremely interesting from a scientific perspective, as these bears live in the Arctic Circle and thus are adapted to survive in one of the most extreme climates in the world. Have you ever wondered...

Kamadhenu ( कामधेनु, Kāmadhenu in Sanskrit), also referred to as Surabhi (सुरभि, Surabhī in Sanskrit) is the mother of all cows, according to ancient Hindu scriptures. She is the cow of plenty who provides the owner whatever he seeks. Stories of ancient Indian mythology depict Kamadhenu as the mother...

No matter whether we are animal experts or not, just being in the presence of an animal makes us feel better and happier. This is because animals have a very special energy and - in most cases - they are tender and easy-going. Animals always make us laugh and smile, but many of us ask ourselves if it is...

If you thought buffalo and bison were the same animal, don't be too hard on yourself. Early American settlers called bison ‘bufello’ which in part led to misnomer to be perpetuated. In fact, many dictionaries still accept ‘buffalo’ in reference to American bison. However, true buffaloes are only found...

Utah is a big but not very populated state in the western United States. Most of its 3 million inhabitants live near the capital, Salt Lake City, but its variety in landscapes and fauna are stunning. The geography of Utah is known for its diversity, as it is shaped by the Rocky Mountains, the arid...

Wild cats exist in every continent except for Antarctica. Some of them like the European wildcat, are well-known and easily recognizable; others, however, are not so familiar. In this AnimalWised article we will go over the types of wild cats around the world, discussing the smaller Felidae - that is, felids...

Many people prefer not to adopt Pit Bull, Doberman or Rottweiler dogs, among other breeds, because of their inclusion in many "dangerous dogs" lists; in fact, countries like Spain have specific laws regarding these dogs, which are considered potentially dangerous. History brands these dog breeds severely....

Cats are cute animals, and if you're really fond of cats like us, you will know that despite their bad reputation, having one of these little beasts in our life, always provides us with happiness and countless moments of laughter and fun. With this said, cats are still independent and sometimes elusive...

Many Game of Thrones fans have enjoyed seeing the direwolves, a fictional species of giant wolves inspired by a real-life prehistoric species, the dire wolf or Canis dirus. If they are extinct, how do they appear on screen? If you are wondering whether the wolves from Game of Thrones are real or special...

Some religions worship particular animals; in some cases, these sacred animals become symbols of a particular quality or tradition valued by the religion in question. In many mythologies, gods have associated animals that act as their companions or messengers, or even take the form of animals themselves. Hinduism,...

We humans have always considered ourselves the "most developed" species; we have seen and regarded all other animals as much less intelligent and evolved creatures than us, up to the point of using them as tools for work, food or entertainment. However, countless scientific and humanistic studies have...

Yes, it may be true that Australia is home to the highest amount of dangerous animals in the World, though not all of them are deadly. Though it is in fact the country with the most dangerous species, we do have to take into account that the area of Australia is much bigger than many countries and that...

When walking along any beach in your country, you can find countless sea shells and conches, each more beautiful than the last. Here we'll give you some very common examples, and then begin discussing more exotic specimens. You'll learn about the different types and see photos to help differentiate them. Keep...

Cats are interesting animals that sometimes do things we, as humans, don’t quite understand. Did you know that it’s a proven fact that cats like to sleep next to their carers? In fact, if a cat has a choice, they will choose to sleep on the feet of their companion. There are many reasons that may explain...