Facts about the animal kingdom

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...

Some creatures seem to be almost as old as planet Earth itself. Although they aren't, it's true that some animal species have survived the most extreme circumstances, from natural disasters to mass extinctions. They are often referred to as "living fossils". They have been able to survive by evolving particular...

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...

When you get nervous at the sight of a wasp or a bee flying towards you, they can both look almost identical in terms of appearance. However, nothing is further from the truth. Wasps and bees are very different insects in terms of their morphology, diet and behavior. In this AnimalWised article we will...

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...

The scientific name for the impressive water buffalo is Babulus bubalis. This species is also known by several other names, most of them referencing its habitat. They include: Asian buffalo Indian wild buffalo River buffalo Swamp buffalo Wild Asian water buffalo Wild water buffalo Water buffaloes are...

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...

Dogs usually tremble for two reasons: Because they are cold, or because they are scared and afraid. However, Greyhounds are a breed with very special characteristics. While the previous general rule applies to them, it is also true that Greyhounds can tremble for several other reasons. There are several...

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...

In the wild, animals are in constant search of a companion to mate and reproduce with. There process of mate selection, which we humans call "courtship", starts by noticing an individual and then courting them; if the ritual is successful, the pair may reproduce. Love is everywhere, even in the animal...

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...

Can you tell how many reindeer pull Santa Claus's sleigh? Depending on who you ask, it's eight, nine, or twelve reindeer. All these different answers come from different sources, like folk stories, poems, movies, and of course the song "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer". But what version is right? Who are...

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...

Have you ever wondered what are the 10 most venomous animals in the world? There are hundreds of animals that can be deadly for humans, although the potency or the effects of their venom is often unknown to most of us. Remember, it takes effort for animals to inject venom, and it is a waste of their energy....

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? Specifically, if a cat has a choice, you will see that your cat likes to sleep on you every night. There are many reasons that may...

Hedgehogs and porcupines aren't the same. Many people use the terms to refer to both animals, but they couldn't be more wrong. In fact, hedgehogs and porcupines have very noticeable differences and belong to different orders, as you will see below. These are some of the things that separate one species from...

Are you looking for examples of herbivorous animals? Do you want to learn all about their classification? This AnimalWised article will tell you about herbivores with the help of well-known examples, some more surprising ones, and a few fun facts. This way, you'll know all about their main characteristics,...

The reproduction of turtles and tortoises is a very broad topic, as there are many different species that breed through different methods and processes. As you know, there are land tortoises, freshwater turtles and sea turtles. Within each of these categories there are various species and subspecies. This...

Giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) are big and beautiful mammals that on average weigh between 100 and 115 kilograms, that is, 220 to 255 pounds - although they can get bigger. Being omnivorous animals, they can feed on any organic substance, plant or animal - although bamboo is by far their favorite. This...

Many people consider Persian cats to be elegant, sophisticated and even strange-looking pets because of their peculiar face and long fur. They have a calm character, and they love to doze and relax no matter where they are. They are also affectionate and intelligent pets. This breed can be found in many...

Sometimes people who have adopted a rabbit wonder "why does my rabbit lick itself?" In fact, this question has more than a single answer. Rabbits do not usually communicate using sounds, although they are able to produce a limited range. Due to the fact that these animals are highly preyed upon in their natural...

Many people believe the terms alligator and crocodile are synonyms, but they are not the same animal. They do have significant similarities that clearly distinguish them from other reptiles: They are really fast in the water, they have very sharp teeth and extremely powerful jaws, and they are very...

In this article, bird lovers will find four very important tips about attracting birds to your garden. As you already know, these small animals are a bit shy, so you will have to be patient. Once the birds realize that your garden is a good and safe area to fly in, you will enjoy the presence of a wide...

Cheetahs are also known by their scientific name, Acinonyx jubatus. They are very different from other felines because they hunt using their sight and high speed, taking the title of world's fastest animal. Contrary to popular belief, cheetahs are not originally from Africa. In fact, they migrated from...

The koala, scientifically known as Phascolarctos cinereus is one of the 270 species belonging to the family of marsupials. It is estimated that 200 species live in Australia and 70 live in America. This animal is approximately 76 centimeters (30 in) in length and male koalas can weigh up to 14 kilos (30...

There are many people looking who look for a partner for their dog - they might even call it "looking for a boyfriend or girlfriend" or "matchmaking" - so that their pet can either enjoy the company of other dogs in a fun and different way, or so that they can have puppies. No matter your purpose, the important...

The term porcupine consists of different species of rodents that belong to the suborder Hystricomorpha, together with other well-known animals such as chinchillas, capybaras or guinea pigs. The word derives from the spines on the skin of this mammal. There are two families of porcupines according to their...