Facts about the animal kingdom

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...

Not only are elephants the largest land mammal in the world, but they are incredibly intelligent. Relatives of wooly mammoths that became extinct 3,700 years ago, there are two current extant species. These are the African elephant (Loxodonta africana) and the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus). For such large...

The ocean is a vast world. Humans have put all their efforts into understanding it, exploring it and conquering it, yet its depths remain virtually unknown. For everyone, the ocean is an enormous, powerful beauty which commands a lot of respect. The ocean is a whole different world, and it's full of life....

The coconut crab, known scientifically as Birgus latro, does not take its name from it appearance. In fact, this species of arthropod is known to feed on coconuts, which it opens with its pincers. However, that is not the most surprising thing about these animals. Coconut crabs are the heaviest living...

Both the wallaby and the kangaroo are Australian marsupials: after a short period of gestation in the womb, their young complete their development in their mother's abdominal pouch. They cling to the mammary glands for about 9 months until they can venture out of the pouch, with the little ones only returning...

Vermilingua, or anteaters, are extraordinary animals and have many special characteristics. This animal primarily feeds on ants and termites thanks to its powerful claws and its cylindrical tongue, which can measure up to 60 centimeters - 23 inches - in length and is particularly sticky. There are four...

You've most likely heard of "the Big Five" game animals from the African savanna. These five animals are all big, powerful and strong; the name comes because of their being seen as the five most difficult animals to hunt in that continent. The term has become very popular since the first safaris. In this...

Does the name Hachiko sound familiar to you? Hachiko was a loyal Japanese dog that waited at a train station for 10 years for the arrival of its owner, who had died while working as a teacher. This dog's faithfulness went on to achieve worldwide fame, and it has a statue at the same station where it...

Elephants are large mammals which have a great impact on the ecology in which they exist and have been a fascinating subject for zoologists for centuries. Images of them have even been found way back in the Paleolithic period. They are incredibly clever and have been proven by some scientific studies...

Treating a dog like a human is a common trait among canine guardians. To some extent, it is a positive sign. It means the level of love and respect they have for their companion animals is high. They want to treat them as if they were part of the family and express just how close a bond they feel when...

When it comes to choosing a pet, remember you're making a commitment to look after an animal for its whole life. If you live up to your responsibility, hopefully this life will be long and fulfilling. In general, small animals have a short life expectancy due to their increased metabolism, while bigger animals...

If you have a Boxer dog or are thinking of adopting one, it's normal to be curious about their life expectancy. Although there are never guarantees, you will want to know what to expect for practical and emotional reasons. In this AnimalWised article, we'll provide details of the life expectancy of a Boxer dog...

Gorillas are the largest primates in existence and have very similar DNA to that of human beings. It is understandable why they capture our imagination like they do. Gorillas are fascinating and incredibly strong animals. People often compare human strength to gorillas, mainly due to their similarities....

Are you looking for examples of vertebrate and invertebrate animals? Planet Earth has a very extensive biodiversity, traditionally classified into taxonomic ranks. These ranks are not always steadfast and scientists are regularly revising categories. The animal kingdom (Animalia) includes human beings....

Much like human beings or other animals, every domestic cat has a unique personality. This individual personality is shaped by various factors including their sex, hormonal factors, family or even the socialization process when they were a kitten. Breed is also an important influence. We all know that...

Cats are reserved animals who hide their emotions much better than dogs, who tend to be more impulsive and expressive in their behavior. A cat’s elegant movements towards us can be very restrained and complex, therefore, you will need to carefully study your cat’s movements in order to understand him/her...

The American Pit Bull Terrier is a well established breed in America, although its origins are British. These dogs were used as fighting dogs until the prohibition of dogfights in 1976 and they are currently considered a potentially dangerous breed in some countries. This is in a large part due to their...

Your dog probably loves you much more than you think, and that's because it's in their nature and survival instinct to follow around those who provide them with food and affection. However, you might not be sure about your dog's affection if you haven't had them at home for long. Dogs show us how much...

The term kangaroo actually encompasses various species from the Marsupial subfamily, which, obviously, share significant characteristics. The red kangaroo stands out between all these species because it's the largest marsupial currently in existence, with males measuring 1.5 meters (4'11'') in height...

When a cat lifts their tail when you pet them, it is usually a very positive sign. It implies the cat is receptive to the interaction and wants to receive affection. Moreover, lifting their butt when you pet them is a way for cats to provide their own affection. Cats communicate with both other cats and...

There are many diseases and health disorders which can be found in both humans and animals. While there are diseases which can be contracted by both humans and animals, genetic disorders do not function in the same way. Some people may wonder whether animals can have Down syndrome because they have seen...

Nowadays we're very used to seeing peacocks in parks and gardens in almost every continent. Their popularity is in a large part owed to their striking plumage and docile nature. In fact, peafowl were artificially introduced to most of these areas centuries to keep as decoration. In this AnimalWised article,...

Increasing numbers of people are choosing to adopt animals from kennels or shelters rather than buying them in order to save them from being put down. Whilst pedigree dogs can sometimes be found there, it's true that it is more common to find cross-breed dogs that can't be identified. It's quite easy...

The gorilla is the the world's largest primate and it is an animal that has been the subject of numerous investigations because their DNA is the same as human DNA. We share around 97-98% of our DNA with them! In addition, another gorilla behavior that is similar to humans is that it is the only animal...

Knowledge of the animal kingdom means knowledge of our environment; human life is not conceivable without interaction with nature. Understanding nature helps us to better understand ourselves, our instincts and our processes. However, when we explore the mysteries of the animal kingdom we might find confusing...

Since 2005, Discovery Channel has been airing a reality TV series called Deadliest Catch about the fishing fleet that hunts different species of crabs in the Bering Sea. They show the hard working conditions of the brave fishermen, who work in one of the most dangerous jobs in the world in a deadly, cold...

If you've got a cat at home you'll probably know what we're talking about; cats are animals that love physical contact and interacting with those who they live with. Some regular behaviors include rubbing up against you, asking for affection, scratching, making sounds and kneading you. But have you...

It is a common misconception that one dog year is the equivalent to 7 human years. While this calculation seems to make sense if thought about momentarily, it doesn't have the scientific proof to back it up. There are other values which allow us to better define the physiological development of a dog,...

Dromedaries and camels are very well-known animals. Even if they don't live all around the world, there are more than a few films set in the desert that do feature these animals, either carrying people or packages. Although both animals are popular, one of the most common questions when learning about...

If you are planning on adopting a songbird to brighten your morning, or if you want to attract birds to your garden, read on! AnimalWised has compiled a list of the top 5 birds with the best birdsong, along with some interesting facts that you should consider if you want to adopt one. Remember that birds...

Are you looking for an example of an omnivorous animal? Here at AnimalWised we love to discover things about the animal kingdom, and for this reason we also enjoy learning about the nutritional needs of all living things. If you already know examples of carnivores and herbivores and what you now want...

If you have decided to adopt a Shiba Inu dog, or if you are still thinking about it, you might want to know about the various possible Shiba Inu coat colors. This breed of Japanese origin has a very special character that you're sure to fall in love with. AnimalWised will list the Shiba Inu's different...

If you own a rabbit you will probably have wondered once or twice if they actually sleep, because it seems like they're always awake. Regardless of the species or fur, they're adorable animals who have very interesting behavior. Of course rabbits sleep, but they do so differently to other more popular pets....

Ruminant animals are animals of the suborder Ruminantia which are defined by their ability to ferment their food thanks to specially adapted compartmentalized stomachs. They chew a cud to help with digestion with their food being further broken down by microbial agents in their stomachs. They also have...

The European goldfinch or Carduelis carduelis is a very popular bird among ornithologists, as it emits a beautiful and unique song and delights with its colorful plumage. If you're wondering how to differentiate between a male and a female goldfinch, keep reading this AnimalWised article to find out. In...

Dogs are curious animals by nature and it is normal that sometimes this curiosity ends up getting them into trouble. They use their mouth to investigate anything that is put within their reach. This may generate problems when they find something that is harmful for their health, especially if we have...

The most loyal animals are those which have the strongest bonds to their mates, although this loyalty often extends to their large family group. AnimalWised looks at these loyal animals which are often monogamous, meaning they only have one mate at a time. Some animals are so loyal to their mates, they will...