Facts about the animal kingdom of Wildlife
292 articles
Rhinoceroses are among the largest mammals on Earth, generally weighing more than a ton. While there are variations from one species to another, they share certain physical characteristics. Their appearance is marked by an armor-like exterior, and perhaps most characteristically, either one or two horns...
The Kangaroo belongs to the Macropodidae family, which also includes a variety of lesser-known and smaller individuals. Thus, depending on the species, they can be medium to large in size, however, generally the term kangaroo is used to refer to the larger ones.
But, how are kangaroos born? In this AnimalWised...
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,...
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...
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 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 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...
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...
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...
"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...
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...
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...
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...
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,...
Both are large spotted-skinned felines, excellent hunters and share habitats at certain times. However the cheetah and the leopard do not have as many things in common as it may seem.
If you have always wondered the differences between a cheetah and a leopard you have entered the appropriate site. In...
Elephants are among the largest animals in the world. Tall, heavy, majestic, and with huge ears, these animals carry imposing tusks, making it difficult for them to go unnoticed. But, have you ever wondered where elephants live?
Learn a little more about these magnificent mammals, their distribution,...
Our planet has climates of all kinds: from raw winters to soft springs. These different types of climate and variety of geographical areas are so great, that in each one different species of fauna and flora can be found. But what kind of animals exist in the desert?
In this AnimalWised article we will...
Children tend to learn new words and their meanings quite easily. Not only is this good for their amusement, but it also helps them learn new languages. In addition to English, Spanish is an incredibly important language. In fact, studies show that Spanish is the second most widely-spoken language in...
Wild cats exist in every continent except for Antarctica. Some of them like the European wildcat, are well-known and easily recognizable; others, however, are not so familiar.
In this AnimalWised article we will go over the types of wild cats around the world, discussing the smaller Felidae - that is, felids...
Whereas domestic cats live with families and regulate their existence as per a human environment; feral and wild cats live in wild settings, without any human influence on them. But this is where the difference begins and the similarities end between feral and wild cats.
This AnimalWised article will...
The dark, dense forests of India are the ideal habitat for venomous animals. These forests offer abundant prey for giant snakes, scorpions, and poisonous spiders.
With 270 species of snakes, 60 of whom are highly venomous, there is no dearth of lethal animals in India, including the king cobra, the...
Whether you are attacked by captive elephants or wild ones, the result can be equally deadly. According to an estimate, around 500 people are killed annually by elephants; they are considered one of the most dangerous animals in India. If you are the victim of an elephant attack, don't think that all...
The term kangaroo actually encompasses various species from the Marsupial subfamily, which, obviously, share significant characteristics. The red kangaroo stands out between all these species because it's the largest marsupial currently in existence, with males measuring 1.5 meters (4'11'') in height...
Considered an ornamental species for thousands of years, the fallow deer, known as Cervidae dama dama; is known for its varying coat colors ranging from black to red, brown and even pure white. A black line runs along backward to the tail. The deer have white spotted backs in summer. The coat is thicker...
Yes, it may be true that Australia is home to the highest amount of dangerous animals in the World, though not all of them are deadly. Though it is in fact the country with the most dangerous species, we do have to take into account that the area of Australia is much bigger than many countries and that...
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?...
If you're wondering whether bats are dangerous to humans or pets, you should know that the short answer to that question is “not if they are left alone.” While it is true that most cases of rabies being transmitted are due to bats, and there is a health liability, a bat that bites you may or may not...
Many people believe the terms alligator and crocodile are synonyms, but they are not the same animal. They do have significant similarities that clearly distinguish them from other reptiles: They are really fast in the water, they have very sharp teeth and extremely powerful jaws, and they are very...
Both the wallaby and the kangaroo are Australian marsupials: after a short period of gestation in the womb, their young complete their development in their mother's abdominal pouch. They cling to the mammary glands for about 9 months until they can venture out of the pouch, with the little ones only returning...
Giant pandas (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) are big and beautiful mammals that on average weigh between 100 and 115 kilograms, that is, 220 to 255 pounds - although they can get bigger. Being omnivorous animals, they can feed on any organic substance, plant or animal - although bamboo is by far their favorite.
This...
Seals are semi-aquatic mammals, spending some of their time on land and some of their time in the water. They spend time in each environment for different reasons, all related to necessary elements of their survival. This includes both the individual and their species. Seal reproduction is one of the...
When we see images of seals, their bodies looks sleek, shiny and slippery. As aquatic animals, it appears as if they might have skin which is similar to other mammals of the sea such as the dolphin. This leads AnimalWised to ask does a seal have fur?
While it is not the same as all other mammals, seals...
Sharks have been a dominant force in marine ecosystems for over 400 million years. Originating in the Paleozoic Era, these resilient predators survived multiple mass extinctions, evolving into a spectacular variety of prehistoric forms. Among them were ancient sharks with incredible adaptations for hunting...
Did you know hippos are one of the most dangerous animals in Africa despite their cuddly appearance? These massive, water-loving mammals are full of surprises. These mammals are more than river-dwellers with impressive yawns. Hippopotamuses shape entire ecosystems through their daily activities. Despite...
Most people picture monkeys swinging through trees and munching on bananas. It is a fun image, and sometimes true, but there is much more to them. These animals are smart, social, and full of surprises. They solve problems, build strong group bonds, and adapt to all kinds of environments. Monkeys aren’t...
The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) are apex predators in their ecosystem and considered to be one of the deadliest carnivores in the world. Not only deadly to their prey animals, polar bears provide a serious risk to humans. This risk has been intensified in recent years thanks to global warming. Bears...
The leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx) is well adapted to its habitat, living both on land and sea. It has adapted limbs known as flippers which allow the animal to both swim gracefully in the water and walk not so gracefully on land. Their powerful jaws make them adept hunters, catching fish, cephalopods,...
Seals are aquatic mammals that live in both marine and freshwater environments. To survive in the water, they have various evolutionary adaptations to make them adept swimmers. One of the most obvious is their flippers. While some may wonder if seals have paws, the answer is not any more. Seals are also known...
Zebras may look like striped horses, but there’s a lot more to them than meets the eye. These horse relatives have evolved adaptations that help them survive in environments with predators and changing conditions. From their digestive systems to their social structures, zebras showcase effective survival...
The giraffe, the tallest land mammals on Earth, has a life influenced by its environment and unique adaptations. They are born after falling almost 2 meters to the ground and grow to a height of up to 5.5 meters (18 feet), going through interesting changes as they develop. The big difference in lifespan...
When you picture life underground, moles are likely one of the first animals that come to mind. Their unique, shovel-like paws and extensive burrowing habits are certainly memorable. A common question, however, is whether these subterranean mammals are truly blind. While many people believe moles are...
Eagles are among the most powerful birds of prey. With their massive wingspans, razor-sharp talons, and keen intelligence, these birds dominate the skies and serve as top predators in many ecosystems. But what exactly makes eagles so unique? From their legendary eyesight that allows them to spot prey from...
Hanging upside down in the canopies of Central and South American rainforests, the sloth has earned its reputation as nature's chilliest mammal. These creatures move at an average pace of just 0.15 miles per hour, making them the undisputed champions of slowness in the animal kingdom. To put this in perspective,...
These majestic animals captivate us with their incredible intelligence, strong family bonds, and complex social lives. But have you ever wondered how elephants create new life? Elephants truly stand out in the animal kingdom when it comes to reproduction. These giants take everything at their own pace, from...
Canids are a diverse family of carnivorous mammals that have adapted to various different habitats on almost every continent. Within the family known as Canidae, there are well-known species. The one with which we have most interaction is the domestic dog, but wolves, foxes, jackals and coyotes are all...
Imagine an animal larger than a jumbo jet, with a heart so massive you could swim through its arteries, that's the blue whale. Narrowing down just 10 fascinating facts about these ocean giants was no easy task because everything about them is extraordinary. They are extraordinary not only because of their...
