Facts about the animal kingdom of Wildlife
Learn more about facts about the animal kingdom of wildlife by exploring our site and become a true expert on the animal kingdom. You'll find content created for the best professionals with pictures, videos and opinions.
292 articles
Updated
Updated
We usually associate certain traits or particular characteristics with certain animals. It is hard for us to imagine them without these distinctive features. For example, when we think of an elephant, its large size, long trunk and striking tusks immediately come to mind. But is it true that all elephants have...
Did you know that deer have existed on our planet for over 34 million years? This large family of herbivorous mammals began their long evolutionary journey in the Oligocene period. Many changes have affected the various deer species over these years, but the end result is the taxonomic family known as Cervidae....
If we were to ask you about jumping mammals, the first animals which come to mind may be kangaroos, gazelles, or even rabbits. For this reason, it can be easy to forget that dolphins are mammals and that they are some of the best jumpers in the animal kingdom. The difference is that they are aquatic mammals,...
If you were to think of a pigeon, there is likely one specific species which springs to mind. Perhaps it is surprising that we can find 369 identified species within the Columbidae family, the family in which all pigeons and doves can be found. These birds have various sizes, but generally all have...
Animals come in all shapes, sizes, and species. The Dreadnoughtus was the largest animal ever known to exist. This Tintanosaurus lived 77 million years ago and measured about 85 feet (ca. 27 meters) long. It was the largest animal ever known. Today, the African elephant is the largest land animal, with an...
Contrary to what you might think, strength is not always related to the size of the body or the weight of the animal. You may be surprised to learn that some small animals have strength that far exceeds humans, and that some of them are capable of lifting, dragging, carrying, or pulling enormous weights....
Animals and insects are distributed throughout the world over very different habitats. However, 80% of the world's plant and animal species live in forests and jungles, environments characterized by high tree density. In fact, there are many species that spend most of their time in trees and rarely...
Primates are a group of animals with a special relationship to human beings. This is due to our evolutionary closeness thanks to a common ancestor. However, the diversity of simians (higher primates which contains all apes and monkeys) is very wide. They have many features and behaviors which are distinguishable,...
Elephants are known for being the largest land mammals on earth and having a distinctly massive body, large ears, and long trunks. Elephants are impressive not only for their size, but also for their intelligence and complex social structure. There are many interesting facts to learn about these amazing...
Canids are part of the family Canidae, animals which are part of the order Carnivora. These animals include the most diverse type of land mammal, the domestic dog. They also include wolves, jackals, coyotes and several genera known to us as foxes. Only the genera Vulpes contains the animals we know as true...
The word "armadillo" comes from Spanish and means "the little one with the armor," alluding to the plates of bone that cover the back, head, legs, and tail of these peculiar creatures. Armadillos are the only living mammals that wear this type of protection. These animals, closely related to anteaters...
The term "big cat" is usually used to refer to all members of the genus Panthera. Small and medium-sized cats, including domestic cats, belong to the genus Felis. Big cats are found throughout the world in habitats as diverse as mangrove swamps, deserts, mountains and wooded forests. All cats are carnivores,...
Thanatosis is a behavior by which some animals pretend to be dead. This form of animal deception is an adaptive behavior used as a defense mechanism or a form of mimicry and occurs in a wide variety of animals. Most often, they pretend to be dead in order to survive, hoping that their predator will no longer...
Deer belong to a diverse group of animals within the family Cervidae, which includes more than 50 different species. Common characteristics of the group include the presence of antlers in all but one male species, which are renewed each year. Their size and weight can vary greatly depending on the species....
Birds have been inspiring human beings since before we had words, so it is no surprise many of our most common idioms are related to birds. Whether used to inspire, reflect on nature or even highlight deep truths through metaphor or poetry, there are many bird sayings which can help us make better sense...
Penguins (Spheniscidae) are a family of birds, the only one of the order Sphenisciformes. There are at least eighteen living species, belonging to six genera, distributed from the poles to the tropics of the Southern Hemisphere. Penguins are known among birds for their feathered tuxedos and graceful gait....
The pink dolphin, also known as the Amazon dolphin or boto, is a species of freshwater dolphin known for its characteristic pink coloration, which comes from capillaries near the surface of the skin. As its name suggests, the pink dolphin is found mainly in the Amazon River. It is the largest species...
Antlers are one of the most distinctive features of male deer and play an important role in the survival and reproduction of the animal. However, many people are unaware that these impressive structures are not permanent, and that male deer shed their antlers every year. This natural process, known as antler...
The raccoon (Procyon lotor) stands out as a truly remarkable creature in the animal kingdom, exhibiting exceptional adaptability and resourcefulness. With their iconic mask-like facial markings and remarkable agility, these small mammals have managed to thrive in a variety of habitats, ranging from urban areas...
With their towering height, graceful gait, and distinctively patterned coats, giraffes (Giraffa) stand out as one of nature's most awe-inspiring marvels. As the tallest land animals on Earth, giraffes possess a unique and elegant beauty that sets them apart from all others. They primarily feed on leaves,...
Pigeons are ubiquitous birds found all over the world. They are often seen as pests, but these fascinating creatures have a rich and complex life cycle. Their lifespan is influenced by a variety of interconnected factors, including nutrition, healthcare, and environmental elements that mimic their natural...
Towering over the African landscape, giraffes are not just the tallest land mammals on Earth, they are also captivating creatures with a rich history and complex social lives. Understanding the unique characteristics and threats faced by each subspecies is essential for effective conservation efforts.
This...
Mysterious giants roaming the icy plains, polar bears, the world's largest land predators, reign supreme in the Arctic. Sadly, these impressive animals face an unsure future because of climate change. Understanding their fascinating lives and special abilities is vital, not only to protect them, but also...
Sloths are known for their slow movement, often looking sleepy even when most active. This is not the same as being asleep and they will need different periods of rest and activity depending on various factors. Sloths belong to the order Pilosa, an order of mammals that also includes anteaters. Sloths...
When we refer to the different types of moose, we are not referring to different species. All moose types are part of the species known taxonomically as Alces alces. A member of the deer family (Cervidae), they are the largest extant species of deer. They are known for their imposing heft, especially when they...
There are different felid species which may have lion in their common name, but there is only one true lion species. This is the large cat known simply as the lion (Panthera leo). We may have seen photos of different types of lions and noticed certain differences. This is for various reasons, including the...
The elephant is one of the largest and most intelligent animals on our planet. They are known for their extraordinary memory, empathy, and sophisticated social structures. One of the most fascinating aspects of their behavior is their communication skills. Elephants have a remarkable ability to communicate complex...
Also known as diurnal birds of prey, diurnal raptors are a large group of animals belonging to the order Falconiformes. This order is made up of more than 309 species. They differ from the nocturnal raptors that belong to the order Strigiformes due to their diurnal habits, but this is not the only difference....
Herbivorous mammals are those which do not eat animal protein to survive, essentially only eating organisms that use photosynthesis to feed. Despite this common characteristic, the biodiversity of different types of herbivorous animals is great. They range from some of the largest land animals in the...
In the vast realm of the animal kingdom, some creatures defy classification with their unique traits. One such enigmatic creature is the bat, a fascinating winged creature that often sparks the question: Is it a bird or a mammal? While its ability to fly may draw parallels to birds, the classification...
The platypus is truly one-of-a-kind and stands out as an extraordinary and peculiar creature among mammals. What makes it so fascinating is its captivating combination of physical features borrowed from various animal groups. When you first lay eyes on a platypus, it's hard not to be completely bewildered...
Penguins walk in such a way that we can perhaps describe it more as a waddle than stride. Their gait appears as if their legs are bound together with seemingly very little dexterity. Some interpret this as meaning the penguin has no knees. Knees give the leg flexibility and agility, something penguins seem...
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...
Skunks are a type of mammal which make up the family Mephitidae, a more diverse taxonomic category than many of us might believe. This diversity has changed over time since similar mammals have been excluded or included over the years. Currently, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)...
The dodo, an awkward flightless bird with oversized feet and a curious demeanor, has become a symbol of human-induced extinction. Once roaming freely on the island of Mauritius, these gentle giants vanished entirely within a century of human arrival. The dodo's tragic fate serves as a stark reminder of...
Dolphins are fascinating aquatic mammals that belong to the toothed whale family (Odontoceti) within the cetacean group. Dolphins are found in oceans, seas, and some rivers and estuaries around the world. Different species have adapted to thrive in a variety of aquatic environments. However, while not...
Animals in the natural world have an incredible range of characteristics. Observing them is why we are all so hooked on nature documentaries. But there is something about animals with big eyes which sets them apart. The expression large eyes give to certain animals is invariably cute, although this is...
As vertebrates, all fish have brains which they use to carry out various functions in their environments. Starfish may be in the shape of a star, but they are not actually a fish. From the phylum Echinodermata, starfish or sea stars are also known as asteroids because they compromise the class Asteroidea....
Starfish, also known as sea stars, inhabit the vast and mysterious ocean depths. Unlike their swimming counterparts, these invertebrates boast a unique star-shaped body with radiating arms. But their most fascinating feature might be their unexpected method of locomotion. Starfish use a unique "crawling"...
Also known as sea stars, starfish are a type of echinoderm that are known for their marine habits. This means that starfish live in the sea. Although we might see a starfish washed up on shore, this does not mean they can live on land. In fact, a sea star will die if out of water for a sufficient amount...
Many of us may remember Tarzan from the 1999 Disney animated feature, but the origins of the character began some 87 years prior. This was due to the publication of Tarzan of the Apes, a novel written by Edgar Rice Burroughs which provides the first appearance of the character Tarzan. During the years...
Despite their majestic presence in the ocean depths, whales share a surprising secret, they're warm-blooded mammals, just like us. They breathe air, give birth to live young, and nurture them with milk. This lineage takes an even more fascinating turn when we discover their ancestry. Millions of years ago,...
Beavers have some of the most interesting morphological features of all mammals. There are two beaver species of the genus Castor, the North American beaver (Castor canadensis) and the Eurasian beaver (Castor fiber). Although they vary slightly in size and other features, they are very similar. While...
Raccoons are medium-sized mammals native to North and South America, easily recognized by their distinctive black facial mask and bushy, ringed tail. They are known for their intelligence, adaptability, and mischievous reputation. The exact number of raccoon species depends on classification. Some recognize...
Skunks are a group of carnivorous animals that belong to the family Mephitidae. They were once considered part of the Mustelidae family, the family that currently contains weasels, martens, badgers and other mammals. Although they share certain characteristics, they have sufficient differences to warrant...
If you are thinking of blue animals in nature, certain birds, insects or even reptiles might spring to mind. However, not everything is as it seems. Many blue animals only appear blue to the human eye, but this is due to the dispersion of light. It's a similar trick of the eye which makes the oceans appear...
Otters are mustelid animals that are known for their mischievous behavior and adorable little faces. With their incredibly dexterous paws, they are able to carry out behaviors which show them to be intelligent and well adapted to their semi-aquatic environment. Despite their undoubted cuteness, it is important...
The birth of young animals is an amazing sight, providing insight into the amazing adaptations that each species has to offer. To ensure that their progeny flourish in the wild, they engage in a complicated ballet of behavior and biology during their intriguing reproductive trip.
This AnimalWised article...
The marten is a type of mustelid within the family Mustelidae, a classification which also includes weasels, minks, ferrets, badgers, and otters, among other animals. Mustelids have a very wide distribution, with populations on almost every continent, with Antarctica being the most notable exception. Different...
Madagascar, a vibrant island bursting with biodiversity, boasts a staggering 90% of its animal and plant species found nowhere else on Earth! This unique ecosystem serves as the backdrop for DreamWorks' beloved film, "Madagascar" (2005). Among the quirky characters stealing the show is the flamboyant...