Facts about the animal kingdom

Lots of fly species are from the Midwest. One of these is the bluebottle fly. The dead truth about why these inhabit your house can be quite deadening (literally and figuratively). But are these flies dangerous? Bluebottle flies generally thrive on organic compounds. They have sponging/piercing/sucking/lapping...

The story of Balto is one of the most captivating real events in US history and proves that dogs are capable of incredible feats. So much so, Balto's adventure hit movie screens in 1995, in the eponymous film, Balto. AnimalWised will now tell you the true story of Balto, the dog that became a hero. Keep...

There are 13 genera of wolf spiders in the United States alone. Belonging to the Hogna genus, the million dollar question is “are wolf spiders venomous?” given their large numbers in the woods and natural protected areas. With 125 species of wolf spiders in the US, this AnimalWised article will provide...

During the Iraq war in 2003, a new internet sensation hit the online world– the Camel Spider. Stories about how camel spiders are venomous began to abound on the Internet. Many of the rumors also displayed the spiders to be about ½ the size of a human. But, the truth (as they say) is stranger than fiction....

The most venomous spider in the world is an Aussie arachnid. The funnel web spider, native to Sydney, is counted, as per many standards, as the most venomous spider in the World and one of the most dangerous animals in Australia too. Funnel web spiders are even more dangerous than brown recluses, the...

You've surely heard about the dodo before - the fat, stupid bird that died at the hands of the Western sailors and explorers. We've all heard the story, but little do we know about these animals that lived on the island of Mauritius long before the arrival of humankind. The only information we have about...

There are many dog breeds in the world, and their popularity varies depending on location. Some breeds are truly ancient, while others have just been registered. Cross-breeding and working necessities have brought the development and birth of new breeds, while wars and other factors have led to the...

One of the most appealing things about cats, besides their independent personalities, is their beautiful coats and the wide range of colors, shades, patterns and markings they can come in. Every cat is unique! When you see them lazing around in the sun or going about their lives on very hot days, it's...

The killer whale species, Orcinus orca, is given pejoratively the unfair and unkind prefix of 'killer', suggesting it is some form of murderer. It is true that the orca is an ocean cetacean apex predator that kills and devours its pray. Just as a dolphin kills fish to devour them or a cat kills a bird before...

The Eurasian wolf's scientific name is Canis lupus lupus, as it is a subspecies of the gray wolf. Other names for this variety include common wolf, Carpathian wolf, European wolf, steppes wolf, Chinese wolf, and Tibetan wolf. What is the habitat of the Eurasian wolf? Can it be found in your country?...

Have you ever gotten close to a bee? Chances are slim to none you would like to take the risk of going too near one on purpose, let alone touch one: bees can take all the fun out of a nice summer day! While it is hard to know the total number of bee stings every year, the truth remains that a sting is quite...

Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis) use sharp teeth to destroy their prey, which they occasionally swallow whole, and their venomous glands. Or do they? The jury is still out on whether Komodo dragons actually kill using venom. Although there is a common belief that toxic bacteria in the Komodo dragon's...

Hiking through isolated mountain forests, deer tracks are a common enough occurrence. But how do you distinguish a deer from an elk, moose or reindeer? Around the globe, 47 species constitute the taxonomic family Cervidae, which includes the small roe deer and the majestic elk, reindeer and moose, ranging...

The forests of Idaho are home to hundreds of wildlife species, with animals ranging from the majestic bald eagle to the tiny pygmy shrews and calliope hummingbirds. There are also threatened and endangered species in Idaho, such as the woodland caribou, the grizzly bear, the Canada lynx and the gray wolf. Among...

The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is a unique creature, and an unusual animal in many ways. Platypuses are known for their paddle-shaped beaver-like tail, their sleek body with fur much akin to that of an otter, and the flat bill plus webbed feet similar to those of a duck. Besides, the platypus...

Working with animals is the dream career for many pet and wildlife lovers. Besides, spending time with animals is a sure way to release stress and feel fulfilled! If you want to choose a career that allows you to work with different species, stay with us. In this AnimalWised article we'll go over a list...

Humankind loves animals - and as a result, they appear in many of the most beloved stories of all times. Animals, from dogs to snakes, play a very important role in popular culture: they have been and continue to be the inspiration for myths, tales and films that are ingrained into our collective memory. In...

Fossorial and subfossorial animals are those that live underground, digging tunnels and burrows. Some of them are completely subterranean, while others come up to the surface for some hours of the day. There are many types of fossorial animals, from mammals to invertebrates, as well as other organisms such...

When we talk about "legendary creatures" we refer to the fantastic animals and hybrids that play a leading role as villains, heroes or helpers in the myths and legends that form part of our culture's folklore, and therefore of our history. Since these creatures never really existed - or, at least, their...

Although we at AnimalWised recommend that dogs live inside the home, not everybody chooses that option. In those cases, and also to offer your dog a second home while it plays in the garden or is outdoors for any other reason, there should be a doghouse. Choosing a doghouse for your dog is essential if...

This article is quite tricky because the author has never been attacked by a bear (yet). However, in this AnimalWised guide we will share the tips learned from articles and advice from experts and the stories of people who have themselves suffered in the flesh a bear attack and survived. Are you planning...

Wild horses, majestic and fiery, evoke a feeling of freedom and pride and bring images of wild herds galloping across infinite landscapes with their manes billowing in the wind to mind. However, nowadays wild horses are becoming rarer. Humans have forced them to arid areas where the lack of food and water...

The griffon or Eurasian vulture (Gyps fulvus) is a bird of prey of great size: their wingspan exceeds 2.5 m (8 ft 2) and they can weigh more than 10 kg (22 lb). For this reason, even though it's a bird of prey, the griffon vulture is not a good hunter: its potential prey are quicker and more agile than...

There are thousands of species of dung beetles; they do not form a particular family, but can be found across different beetle families within the scarab superfamily, Scarabaeoidea. Their name refers not to a specific type of beetle but to a behavior that can be found in different beetles. Dung beetles...

Lemurs are very friendly and curious mammals that hang from branches and jump with great agility. There are almost a hundred different species of lemurs, which can be distinguished by their size, habits and fur color. They all live or lived on the island of Madagascar. In this AnimalWised article we will...

Have you ever wondered what are the 10 most popular German dog breeds? In this AnimalWised article we will go over a list of the most beloved breeds from that country, as well as their main physical and behavioral traits. From Boxers and Pomeranians, to German Shepherds and Rottweilers, without forgetting...

Despite all the technological and scientific advances of GPS, satellite imaging and robots, search and rescue dogs remain one of the best tools for search and rescue (SAR) teams. Dogs trained for this complex task must receive professional, specific training. Not all search and rescue dogs can participate...

To take stunning pictures it is not enough to have a good camera or phone. Taking a picture is easy - taking a great one, not so much. The final result depends on the angle, light, and the way you approach your subject. Photographing animals is complex, as they are almost always in motion. This is especially...

Ungulate animals, such as deer and elks, shed their antlers on an annual basis. Then, they grow a new set. This shedding process usually takes from two to three weeks in the winter or spring, depending on the species; the regeneration takes a complete summer before the cycle commences again. The specifics...

In general, animals are safe: however, under rare circumstances, facing a threat, hunger or extreme provocation, or if their young are in danger of being harmed, all animals can turn dangerous. Taking precautions and relying on common sense ensures that intrusions are avoided and animals remain safe in their...

Among the species of deer native to North America we can find the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and the mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus). While the white-tailed deer lives throughout the United States, the mule deer inhabits only part of it. However, their range overlaps in some areas, and you may...

The United Kingdom has over 650 different species of spiders, 12 of which are venomous enough to cause humans severe pain. The most feared spider in Britain is none other than the notorious false widow spider, which is the most venomous of all. There are three other venomous spiders in the UK – the cardinal,...

White-tailed deer, known scientifically as Odocoileus virginianus, are an American type of deer that inhabits all sorts of different environments, from shrublands to forests, grasslands, wooded plains and even desert areas. These deer can adapt to different diets, as they can browse and forage on many kinds...

India is what is called a "megadiverse country", as it harbors an amazingly high number of endemic species. In fact, it is home to more than 6% of all the reptile species in the world, and even more than that if we talk only about snakes. There are more than 270 different snake species in India, and...

Snakes are rare in the United Kingdom: while you can find other reptiles relatively easy, such as sand lizards or turtles, there are only three species native to the British Isles - more specifically to Great Britain, as Ireland - including Northern Ireland - is famously snake-free. Are there venomous...

The state of Texas is home to many snake species, some of them venomous: these include the cottonmouth, the copperhead, the Western rattlesnake, the timber rattlesnake, the blacktail rattlesnake, the Western diamondback rattlesnake, the Massagauga pygmy rattlesnake and the harlequin coral snake. However,...

Snakes play a vital role in the natural system and ecosystem balance, but humans are often afraid of them, which is no surprise as the bite of some species can be fatal. Close to fifty species of snakes are endemic to Florida, but only a few of them are known to be toxic and dangerous for human beings. Common...

If you're thinking of taking a dog training course or class, it's very important that you do some research beforehand about the topics that you are going to be taught. This way, when you look for a school you'll be able to study their course outlines and be able to tell whether they are traditional,...

Do you think that communication is an exclusively human ability? If you've got a pet at home and you take a moment to mull over this question, you'll surely change your mind. Pets are capable of communicating their emotions and requirements to their owners, often making you think that the only thing they're...

The Lion Capital of Ashoka at the Buddhist city of Sarnath was adopted as the National Emblem of India on 26th January 1950. It is adorned with the immortal lines Satyameva Jayate - "truth alone triumphs" in Devanagari - excerpted from the Mundaka Upanishads of the Hindu Vedas. Animals preside over the...