Facts about the animal kingdom
1.140 articles
Butterflies are beautiful insects that go through a four-stage process to become the lovely butterflies we see roaming in our garden.
If you're curious about these interesting insects, keep reading this oneHOWTO article where we will explain how long is the life cycle of a butterfly. We will also explain...
Many people believe that cows have 4 stomachs. Some even go on to say that they have 4 or 7 stomachs. This is completely incorrect. Cows only have one stomach, however, that stomach is divided into 4 compartments: rumen, reticulum, omasum and abomasum.
In this AnimalWised article we're going to explain...
You may have arrived here by searching for the cat breed with no tail, maybe under the assumption there is only one tailless cat breed. Likely the most famous is the Manx cat, a feline with no tail from the Isle of Man. Although it may be the first which comes to mind for many, there are indeed other tailless...
Invertebrate animals are those that do not have a backbone. The majority of the world's animals are found in this group, representing 95% of the existing species. Being the most diverse group within this kingdom, its categorization has become very difficult.
In this AnimalWised article we're going to...
There are two types of reproduction in the animal kingdom, asexual and sexual reproduction. Whereas asexual reproduction doesn't involve the fusion of gametes, sexual reproduction does, thus resulting in an offspring genetically different to its parents. This type of reproduction can also be found in...
Cockatiels are beautiful and playful birds that make wonderful house pets. They are very curious and enjoy playing with new objects, socialising and imitating song and talk. These birds have an impressive vocal capacity, but can cockatiels talk like parrots?
In this AnimalWised article, we're going to talk...
There are several reasons why a cat may need to be sedated or anesthetized. This ranges from aggressiveness during veterinary checkups to invasive surgery. It is important to know that anesthesia, even general anesthesia, is relatively very safe. Contrary to what many cat guardians believe, the fatality rate...
There are many interesting types of reproduction in our animal kingdom. In this AnimalWised article we're going to have a look at hermaphroditism in animals.
We'll explain what hermaphrodite animals are and include plenty of examples. We'll also look into how they reproduce and when they use this type of...
Hybrid animals are a result of a crossing from two animals of different species. These such crossings result in animals whose appearance presents mixed characteristics, and trust us, they are beautiful! Some of these animal hybrids are so incredibly fascinating that it’s hard to believe they are even real.
Additionally,...
Blue-ringed octopus are small and adorable octopus mostly found in Australia's coral reef. Despite their innocent appearance, these little sea creatures are actually quite dangerous.
In this AnimalWised article, we're going to dive deeper into blue-ringed octopus, what they eat, their toxicity and more!
Starfish are fascinating sea creatures full of mysteries. In this AnimalWised article, we're going to explain how starfish breathe.
We'll go through their unique anatomy and explain how these sea stars breathe underwater and above water. Keep reading to learn more!
Hachiko was a dog known for his infinite fidelity and love for his owner, Eizaburo Ueno. This dog is known as the faithful and lonely dog as he waited for his owner at the train station after he returned from work, even after his owner's sudden death.
In this AnimalWised article we're going to tell...
There are few members of the animal kingdom with as much mystique as the wolf. They have fascinated human civilizations since the two groups first met and much symbolism has been attached to the warrior wolf. Many writers, philosophers, naturalists and entire communities have created legends, had musings...
Cats are capable of finding amusement in almost anything. They can turn a box into a playhouse, a string into a snake, or even entertain themselves for hours with a piece of trash. While we might not see why these activities are so entertaining, they don't usually affect us directly. However, when our cat starts...
Although we know there are many different breeds of domestic cat, we are often not as familiar with wild cat breeds. Some may be aware of the differences between a Bengal and Siberian tiger, but knowing the different types of lynx might not be as common knowledge. As with all big cats, lynxes are part...
Those of us who share our lives with a feline will know they exhibit some seemingly odd behaviors. When we interrupt our cat licking their privates, rolling around in the dirt, or any similar activity, they may even look surprised when interrupted. It is of the utmost importance as cat guardians we understand...
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...
When winter ends, many African birds migrate to the Northern hemisphere. Their arrival announces the onset of spring. Among them are different species of small birds with black and white plumage. They are often easy to notice since they make quite a lot of noise as their collective tweeting fills the skies....
The eagle is an important animal to various countries. They represent strength, freedom, and perseverance, among many others. Although we might think of many things when thinking about eagles, what do they look like in your mind? For many, it is the bald eagle with its white dome and piercing eyes. However,...
Understanding feline behaviour can help us create a better bond with our cat as we learn to understand their type of communication. Cats communicate with a number of different movements. They use their ears, paws, and even their tails.
In this AnimalWised article we're going to talk about why a cat wags their...
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...
Fish are one of the most diverse types of vertebrate animals on the planet. Inhabiting all kinds of fresh and seawater environments, there are so many types that we need to classify them into different groups. How these are categorized is complicated, but often it is due to certain types of fish sharing...
Fish are a paraphyletic group that describes aquatic vertebrates. These animals vary greatly in size. In this AnimalWised article, we're going to take a look at the largest fish in the ocean, as well as other large fish that swim in our oceans.
We'll start with the largest fish, the whale shark, and continue...
Have you ever heard of bioluminescence? It is the phenomenon whereby a living organism can produce light from its own body. This means there are animals which can glow in the dark. It is something most commonly seen in the world's oceans, as the vast majority of glow-in-the-dark animals live in the depths...
Fish are the most diverse vertebrates when it comes to aquatic environments. In fact, there are about 28,000 species of fish around the world. They have a large number of anatomical and physiological adaptations that have allowed them to evolve successfully over the years.
In this AnimalWised article,...
Procreation through sexual reproduction implies the necessary presence of two different sexes. The competition for resources, the risk of predation, and the energy expenditure of finding and courting a mate have led many animal species to evolve adaptations to facilitate this process.
In this AnimalWised article,...
The geographic isolation of the islands comprising New Zealand means that species have not migrated as much as many other places. 90% of its endemic flora and fauna can only be found on this continent and has flourished for millions of years. New Zealand still has 25% of its original rain forest, which...
Spiders are arachnid arthropods, meaning that they are related to mites, scorpions, and opiliones. This is one of the most diverse orders in the animal kingdom, with more than 45,000 known species and 114 families. Arachnids have a fascinating reproduction process that involves sexual dimorphism, cannibalism,...
Biology has a wide range of vocabulary to classify and characterise different species. In this AnimalWised article we are going to talk about endemism.
We will define what an endemic species is and give examples with photos and descriptions so that you have a good understanding of what it is. Continue...
Parrots are birds that belong to the order Psittaciformes. There are roughly 393 species of parrots. They mostly live in tropical and subtropical habitats. Unfortunately, one-third of all parrot species are threatened by extinction.
In this AnimalWised article, we're going to talk about the different types...
A beak, also called bill or rostrum, is an external anatomical structure mostly found in birds. It's used for eating, preening, manipulating objects, killing prey, fighting, searching for food, courtship, and feeding their young. Beaks can vary significantly in size, shape, color, and texture, but are...
Swallows are small and beautiful birds that are known to migrate overseas in winter. They often travel to Africa, Argentina, or even Australia and then return home when the heat begins.
In this AnimalWised article, we are going to talk about swallows, their habitat, diet, characteristics, etc. We will...
Lots of fly species are from the Midwest. One of these is the bluebottle fly, a fly that we commonly find inhabiting our home. This leads us to wonder, are blue bottle flies dangerous?
In this AnimalWised article we will explain
The dead truth about why these inhabit your house can be quite deadening...
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...
"Deer" is the generic name for different species of mammals from the Cervidae family. Some of them, like the fallow deer, are very common all over the world. Others, like the white-tailed deer of America and the reindeer or caribou of the northernmost regions, are very characteristic of a particular area.
Known...
According to the Maya peoples, “the feathers of hummingbirds are magical”. The Mayas were a Mesoamerican civilization who lived between the 3rd and 15th centuries in a region spanning central Mexico to the north of Costa Rica. Their legends, mythology, and folklore still resonate today, perhaps most...
Ants (Formicidae) are part of the hymenopteran family. They are well known for their interesting social behavior as these insects form large colonies that cooperate as a single unit. This feature has allowed them to take advantage of all available resources and thrive all over the planet.
We often see...
Perhaps the most famous marsupial animal is the kangaroo. They are known for having a pouch in which they develop their embryos and carry their young. This pouch is known as a marsupium and this is from where the collective taxonomic name marsupial is derived. Although not all marsupials live there, many...
The world's oceans cover over 70% of the earth's surface. Unfortunately, climate change is meaning this surface area is increasing to the detriment of life on land. While humans are fascinated by what occurs under the sea, according to the U.S. National Ocean Service, more than 80% of the world's oceans are...
Looking into another pair of eyes can be an intense experience. We call them the window to the soul for a reason. If a person has eyes of two different colors, the effect can be magical. When a dog displays this feature, the impression is no less enchanting. The medical terminology for this phenomenon...
The color of an animal's skin and coat is one of the many characteristics that allow us to distinguish one species from another. Our fascination with these colors and coat patterns is evident throughout history, particularly in art, design, textiles, and various other industries. However, some animals within...
Steppes are plains characterized by low rainfall and a semi-arid, temperate climate. As a result, not much vegetation grows on the steppes, which are usually grassland or shrubland biomes usually covered in short grasses or sparse vegetation. Steppes occur in temperate regions - between the tropics...
The octopus is undoubtedly one of the most fascinating marine animals in the world. Their complex physical characteristics, great intelligence, and behavioral eccentricities have aroused the interest of marine biologists, school students, and pretty much anyone who has even a casual interest in the animal...
We can sometimes forget the extent of the diversity of our oceans. Since much of its ecosystems lie fathoms under the sea and most of us don't spend much time there, we don't witness much of its wildlife. Even though many documentaries have been made and articles written about sharks, there is still much...
Cats are supposed to be excellent hunters. The fact that various cats have been brought onto ships, into businesses and even into the Houses of Parliament in the UK shows they are valued for their hunting abilities. Like working dogs, these cats are used as mousers as their hunting instincts draw them...
Are you looking for short dog quotes or sentimental dog quotes? Do you want to express your friendship with your pup with a photo and a quote which does your relationship justice? Whether you are looking for funny dog quotes, dog quotes for Instagram, short dog quotes or cute dog quotes, this article...
The life cycle of butterflies is one of nature's most interesting processes. The birth of these insects requires several stages, during which they undergo incredible transformations. Not only is this process detailed, but butterfly metamorphosis is also incredibly interesting.
Do you want to know how...
Agnatha are fish that have existed for over 470 million years. Although most agnatha are now extinct, some have found unique and interesting ways to survive. Agnatha or jawless fish can be found in waters all over the world, and they share few characteristics with other marine mammals.
But, what is...
We all know how therapeutic music can be and using this form of therapy for cats could be a no-brainer for some, but do cats like music? Thanks to numerous studies and scientific experiments, it’s safe to say that some cats enjoy specific types of music. However, understanding cat senses and cat hearing...
Mollusks are a large group of soft-bodied invertebrate animals. Although the phylum Mollusca is made up of a set of incredibly diverse animals, there are certain characteristics which aid in classifying them. Whether you are looking to discover mollusk characteristics, classification of mollusks, or information...
