Facts about the animal kingdom of Wildlife
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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...
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...
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....
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 every heard of bioluminescence? It is the phenomenon whereby a living organism can produce light from its own body. This means they are animals which can glow in the dark. It is something which is seen most commonly in the world's oceans as the vast majority of glow in the dark animals live...
Swallows are small and beautiful birds that are known to overseas in winter. They often go 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 also mention the...
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 llama and alpaca are both animals native the Andes Mountains. Both are very important cultural, historical and practical animals for the countries in this region. Their similarities in physical features and behavior show their close relation to each other. Despite such similarities and the fact they...
As you probably know, 70% of our planet is covered in water. Despite this, marine life is still a relatively mysterious and unexplored area for most people. Research is constantly being carried out by scientists in various fields to try to reach a better understanding of the unusual animals that live...
Are they dogs? Are they raccoons? Are they a hybrid of the two species? As the name suggests, raccoon dogs appear to be a combination of the two. But are they really? The raccoon dog, also known as the mangut or tanuki, raises all kinds of questions. You may have seen a picture of a tanuki and thought...
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...
Haven't we all dreamed of seeing a whale up close? There are many reasons to marvel at these incredible and beautiful animals. What fascinates us about whales? Maybe it is because we have heard since childhood that whales are the largest living animals in the world; or because we know they are mammals...
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...
In nature, both flora and fauna uses various mechanisms to survive. One of the most peculiar and fascinating is the ability to change color. Animals have profound relationships to color. Camouflage to protect from predators is perhaps the most well-known way animals use color. The chameleon is the figurehead...
Wolves are carnivorous mammals very similar to dogs. They belong to the genus Canis and are generally considered the genetic ancestors of dogs. Unlike domestic dogs, however, wolves in the wild live in packs. A pack is a group of related animals that hunt, live and move together. They also live in very...
Have you ever seen a giraffe sleeping? Probably not. You might have wondered how an animal with such a long neck can sleep comfortably. You have probably asked yourself, “Do giraffes sleep standing up or lying down?” As you might have guessed, a giraffe's sleeping habits are very different from other...
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...
When we think of animals with shells, our first thought might be the turtle. Their shell is not only part of the turtle's body, but part of a larger cultural identity and historical mythology. However, there are many types of animals with shells. They are designed to protect animals against predators,...
Even the most experienced biologist will have a hard time naming all the animal species on our planet. The diversity and range are staggering. Since we are discovering new animal species all the time (over 270 in 2018 alone[1]), the list keeps getting bigger. Unfortunately, not all animal species we discover...
The lion is at the top of the food chain. Its imposing size, strength and roar make it a difficullt opponent to overcome within the ecosystem. Despite this, however, there are still some lives in danger of extinction and/or that have died of entirely.
Are you looking for a full list of types of lion?...
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...
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,...
Dolphins are thought to be very sociable and even friendly animals. We can see this by their gregarious nature, creating complex social dynamics in their pods. We also know of various instances where dolphins have built personal relationships with humans. While they have the potential to be friendly, we...
Bears are terrestrial mammals which inhabit different ecosystems across the world. From lush forests to barren tundras, it is possible to find various bear species. All of said species are located at the top of their respective food chains. They are fascinating creatures which provide cultural touchstones...
To know how dolphins breathe, we should get rid of some preconceived notions. Just because a dolphin lives in the sea, does not mean they are a fish. As they are not fish (or some other aquatic creatures such as crabs), they do not use gills to take oxygen into their body. Despite having fins and spending...
Snails are shelled gastropods most commonly recognized for their slimy shell-covered bodies. Did you know that there are are roughly 43,000 snail species in the world? These snail types are classed into groups which include land snails, sea snails and freshwater snails.
Whether marine or terrestrial,...
Cetaceans are marine mammals most commonly know for their presence in mythical stories and ancient legends. Cetaceans are considered the most peculiar of all mammal orders. Unfortunately however, with the passing of time, these animals are slowly disappearing...but why?
For more about cetacean examples,...
This world is made up of a variety of animals which each carry incredibly unique characteristics. There are, however, many animal species that resemble each other and are easily confused. The raccoon, for example, is among these animal species that are often confused with their ‘‘distant cousins.’’
For...
Would you think it strange if we were born with horns? We might think they would get in the way, but many horned animals seem to be able to put them to good use. Not all horns are the same. There are different types of animal horns. Some are long, some curly, others are stubby and don't seem to have...
Crabs are highly evolved arthropod animals. While we may associate crabs most often with the sea, there are fresh water crabs and land crabs which live outside of the world's oceans. Some have adapted certain abilities to spend time both on land and in water. It is not only this type of adaptability...
The wolf is a carnivorous animal which is considered a relative of the domestic dog (Canis lupus familiaris). While this is true, the extent of their connection is complicated and you can read up about the genetic history of dogs to learn more. While we know there are many different types of dog breed,...
Each and every animal species and/or plant type in nature carry the responsibility of fulfilling a specific function. These functions allow for both the conservation and balance of the ecosystem to which they belong. Pollination, for example, which refers to the transfer of pollen from a male anther...
Bats have inspired myths and stories for generations. Their reputation is as a vile creature, dirty in its own right and linked to mysterious creatures of the underworld. They are the one animal Ace Ventura, defender of the entire animal kingdom, couldn't stand. Part of their reputation is that some bats...
Antarctica is the coldest and most inhospitable continent on planet Earth. In fact, the coldest temperature ever recorded on Earth was -90 ºC at Antarctica's Vostok station. Contrary to this intense cold , there are also relatively warm regions in Antarctica, such as the Antarctic Peninsula, where temperatures...
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...
There are currently 8 different types of bear species in the world. We use the word ‘currently’ for the sad reason that some species are no longer with us and others have dwindling populations. Part of the reason for this is due to the complex relationship bears have with their environment. These environments...
Although it is not used much outside of scientific language, we humans are part of the primate order. As one of the great apes, we have relatives in the ape world, some more distant than others. It is the chimpanzee which is considered our closest ‘cousin’, so it is understandable we should share some characteristics...
Sharks are a group of chondrichthyan fish which means they are cartilaginous. In turn, this means they have cartilage instead of bone. This is something you might find a little surprising considering some sharks can be so huge, but they manage to get by alright. Included in this group of fish are rays,...
The slow movement of the sloth is where they derive their name, first being used in English in the early 17th century[1]. Since then they have captivated animal lovers across the world. Their slowness also connotes gentleness and it is hard to argue the docile grin they display isn't one of the most endearing...
Running into a dead whale on the beach is a sad sight. These gracious and beautiful aquatic animals have amazing swimming ability, but if they find themselves beached, it can be almost impossible for them to return to the water. If there is no intervention, the result can be death, but the saga is often...
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