Facts about the animal kingdom of All animals
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Viverrids, also known as civets and genets, are a mysterious and fascinating group of carnivorous mammals. They come in all shapes and sizes, from the tiny African palm civet to the mighty fossa of Madagascar. But what makes viverrids so special? For one thing, they are incredibly diverse. Some viverrids...
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Have you ever seen a cat curl back its upper lip and expose its front teeth and gums? Or a horse wrinkle its nose and take a deep breath, with its mouth slightly open? This behavior may seem strange, but it has a very important purpose: to help animals detect and process pheromones and other scents.
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Within an ecological community, there are hundreds of different interactions between different species. These interactions are essential for maintaining balance within the community and, therefore, the ecosystem. One of the most important types of interactions is predation.Predators are animals that...
The praying mantis is a fascinating insect that is known for its predatory nature. These insects are often feared for their sharp claws and fearsome appearance. In fact, some people believe that praying mantises are poisonous, but this is a common misconception. In fact, praying mantises do not have...
Insects, which form the most diverse group of animals, have achieved remarkable success, thriving not only in terrestrial ecosystems but also in aquatic environments. They possess distinctive characteristics such as segmented bodies divided into head, thorax, and abdomen, three pairs of jointed legs as...
The different types of geese can be loosely categorized as true geese and other birds which have the word ‘goose’ in their common name. All geese are types of waterfowl belonging to the family Anatidae. They are known for their graceful morphology and migratory behavior, among many other characteristics....
Insects, the most diverse and abundant group of animals on Earth, play an indispensable role in shaping our ecosystems. With an estimated 10 million species identified and possibly millions more yet to be discovered, insects demonstrate an astounding array of adaptations that have allowed them to thrive...
Insects do not have blood in the same way as have vertebrate animals. This does not mean they do not have a system for transporting nutrients throughout their body and completing various bodily processes. However, these processes are generally less complex because they are less complex animals. Insects...
Amniotes are a clade of animals which include tetrapod vertebrates such as reptiles, mammals and birds. They are distinguished from other animals by the presence of a membrane which covers their embryos during development. These membranes serve various functions, including protection, allowing gas exchange...
Animals without brains are those which don't need them. Although our human brain is a vital organ which is necessary for our continued survival, not all organisms have this type of central nervous system. The purpose of the nervous system is to send signals from the brain to other parts of the body. These...
The anatomy of a turtle is one of the most unique in the animal kingdom. This is largely due to their shell, a very hard carapace which is part of their skeletal structure. This shell is used for protection, but it provides the turtle with unique abilities and behaviors. Although all turtles have certain...
Tracheal respiration in insects is a mechanism for breathing which is adapted to their morphology and size. More complex organisms need a similarly complex system for breathing, such is the case with birds and mammals. Insects still need oxygen to survive, but they do not inhale via the mouth like other types...
Birds-of-paradise are types of passerine birds of the family Paradisaeidae. Their name is evocative of tropical beauty, something warranted both by the fact their natural habitat is tropical rainforest and their plumage is some of the most beautiful on any bird species in the world. There are 45 known...
Geese are a type of bird belonging to the family Anatidae, which also includes ducks and swans. Geese are known for their adaptability to various habitats, their impressive migration patterns and their strong social bonds. In fact, geese are being skilled flyers that undertake long-distance journeys between...
The different types of coral represent one of the most diverse animal species in terms of morphology and behavior. One of the areas most associated with this animal is the Great Barrier Reef of Australia. This incredible ecosystem functions the way it does in a large part due to the diverse specie of coral....
How a jellyfish is born will depend on the species since jellyfish can reproduce both sexually and asexually. Despite having a relatively simple morphology, jellyfish reproduction can be an often complicated process and has certain features which are distinct to their species. Jellyfish belong to the phylum...
Diptera is a fascinating group of insects encompassing thousands of species, including flies, among others. Flies exhibit incredible diversity and are found across the globe. It's important to note that flies do not possess teeth, which means they are unable to bite. Instead, they have developed various...
The different types of bird feathers are important for many reasons. While we may know they are important in allowing a bird to fly, they also serve many other purposes. Even a flightless bird needs their feathers. The shape, structure and material with which the feather is formed affords the bird various...
Birds are a remarkable group of animals, known for their ability to take flight and their unique features that distinguish them from other creatures. What sets a bird apart and defines its identity? From their beaks and wings to their specialized internal organs, each part of a bird contributes to its remarkable...
Nestled in the southern reaches of Argentina and Chile, this vast region is home to a remarkable array of wildlife, each species adapted to thrive in its rugged and diverse landscapes. From soaring birds to marine giants, and from elusive predators to adorable herbivores, Patagonia is a sanctuary for...
Although we may have a clear impression of what is a seagull, the term is an informal name for various types of bird. All are grouped in the order Laridae, but there is much taxonomic controversy over which birds should be considered sea gull types. There are around 50 species of gull which can be found...
Starfish, commonly known as sea stars, have captivated people with their remarkable appearance and intriguing characteristics. These mesmerizing marine creatures are renowned for their distinctive star-shaped bodies, featuring five arms that radiate from a central disc. With their vibrant colors and intricate...
Crepuscular animals are those that are most active during the twilight periods of dusk and dawn. This is a period of low light where the sun has not set, but is below the horizon. Animals will adapt to their environment in many ways. Crepuscular animals have their own adaptations which make them better...
The mythological animals from ancient Greece have permeated cultures worldwide, remaining as legends long after their origins have been forgotten. While mythological creatures from many cultures still influence modern thought, those from ancient Greece are particularly resonant. This is partly due to the Greek...
In the mesmerizing world of the animal kingdom, every creature holds its unique place, characterized by a distinct set of features and evolutionary traits. Among these captivating organisms is the snail, a creature that has intrigued and captivated curious minds for centuries. However, a fundamental question...
Oceanic food chains contain some of the largest organisms in the world, such as whales, feeding on some of the smallest organisms, such as phytoplankton. We know this thanks to the great work of many marine biologists, but the difficulties in exploring the depths of the ocean mean our understanding is still very...
Bedbugs, ticks, and fleas are three common insects that can infest your home and pets. While these pests may share some similarities, they have distinct characteristics that set them apart. Understanding the differences between bedbugs, ticks, and fleas is important in identifying the source of the problem...
Scavenger animals are those that feed on carrion, i.e. the dead and decomposing bodies of other animals. Food chains are linear structures where one animal preys on another, which preys on another and so on. It is important to remember that food chains are a part of food webs, much more complicated networks...
The difference between a fawn and a doe deer is to do with age and sex, not with breed. Different types of deer live in different regions, but we use the same terminology for the ages and sex of all true deer species. Many people want to know the difference between the two for hunting purposes, but this...
Some of the most venomous mammals in the world include the platypus, skunk, slow loris and the Cuban solenodon, animals we may think of as being more cute than deadly. We often associate the ability to produce venom with animals such as snakes, scorpions and spiders. Predatory mammals tend to have other...
An octopus is a type of cephalopod, a class of marine animals that also includes squid, cuttlefish, and nautilus. Octopuses are fascinating creatures that have captured the imagination of humans for centuries. From their ability to change color and shape to their impressive intelligence, these creatures...
The danger catfish pose to humans depends on the individual species, something which varies greatly. This is partly due to the vast amount of different catfish species we can find. All within the order Siluriformes, there are around 36 families of catfish containing over 3,000 individual catfish species....
Reptiles are a diverse group of vertebrates, with almost 12,000 individual species currently falling under this categorization. With such diversity, you may not be surprised to know reptiles differ in various ways, including physical characteristics, behaviors, habitat and diet. Many of these factors influence...
Birds are some of the most fascinating organisms in the animal kingdom. Although they are not the only animal to fly, their ability to do so allows for unique migratory behaviors and other impressive abilities. They also have a diversity and beauty in their appearance which has inspired naturalists since...
Echinoderms are a diverse group of marine animals belonging to the phylum Echinodermata. They are characterized by their radial symmetry, that is, their bodies are arranged in a symmetrical pattern about a central axis. Echinoderms are found in all oceans of the world, from shallow coastal waters to the...
Frogs are vertebrates, which means they have bones. However, the bones of frogs can tell us a lot about their anatomy, physiology, and evolutionary history. Frogs have adapted to a variety of aquatic and terrestrial habitats, and their bones reflect these adaptations. Moreover, development from tadpole to adult...
Sleep is a state of rest which allows animals to alter various physiological processes. This is necessary to conserve energy, help muscles rest and perform various other functions. Other organic processes change to facilitate this such as altering brain function and slowing respiration. Different animals...
The word "fish" refers to numerous species. So it should not be surprising that there is more than one way to reproduce and be born. Most fish are oviparous, that is, they reproduce through eggs that are hatched after being laid by the parents, as in birds. However, there are also ovoviviparous or viviparous...
Hair is a keratinized structure which can be of varying qualities. It is the same basic material which makes nails, yet it can also be incredibly soft and fluffy. The only animals that truly have hair are mammals. It is generally used for thermoregulation, both to keep the animal warm and to cool them when...
Ants belong to the class of insects and are grouped in the family Formicidae. It is a very diverse group, as there are more than 10,000 species, although it is estimated that this number could be much higher. The ants are distributed worldwide, except for some islands and Antarctica. One of their most outstanding...
Respiration is a vital function for all living things, from protozoa to higher animals and, of course, humans. Animals have different respiratory systems, depending on the species and the mechanisms that have developed over centuries of evolution. These systems vary in complexity depending on the species,...
The animal kingdom is characterized by a great diversity, in which each species has evolved different characteristics and strategies to ensure its biological success. Reptiles are a diverse group, so it's not surprising that they have developed different reproductive methods.
The following AnimalWised...
Amphibians belong to the phylum Chordatea. This is a taxonomic class that includes three orders. One of them is the anurans, which include frogs and toads. These fascinating amphibians are anatomically and physiologically adapted to a dual life in water and on land, and undergo metamorphosis to become adults....
Insects are the most diverse class of arthropods on our planet, exhibiting a wide variety of characteristics and adaptations. Depending on the species, they can walk, fly or swim and have conquered an infinite number of habitats. Insects differ from one another in their anatomical, biological, and ecological...
Canids are a very diverse family of carnivorous mammals, with about 34 species. Most of them have a very similar body structure as well as specific characteristics such as a highly developed sense of smell and hearing, which are crucial for their survival. Because coyotes and wolves are closely related and...
We group animals together taxonomically for many reasons. The research which is undertaken to investigate the animal kingdom is vast and incredibly complicated, so classifying animal species helps us to better understand them. Another reason is that the common names we give animals can be very confusing. A...
Ecosystems exhibit complex dynamics. They are made up of different components that constantly interact with each other. It is a process in which all living things participate, some as predators, others as prey. Snakes are undoubtedly dangerous species known for their hunting abilities, but snakes are also...
Whales belong to a group of marine mammals known as Cetacea. As mammals, whales also have lungs, just like us, and breathe air, just like us. Most people believe that whales are a type of fish because they are perfectly adapted to life underwater. However, this is not true at all. Whales are warm-blooded,...
The animal kingdom is one of life's greatest success stories, a collection of millions of species that swim, burrow, run and fly all over the planet. All this diversity, from bees to dolphins, evolved from a common ancestor that probably lived more than 650 million years ago. Recent studies suggest that...
Is there anyone who has not imagined being attacked by a shark on the beach? This widespread thought may have its origin in the ferocious appearance of these animals and in the numerous movies in which they star. Although they are among the deadliest predators in the marine world, there are very few attacks...
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