Facts about the animal kingdom of Wildlife

Not only are elephants the largest land mammal in the world, but they are incredibly intelligent. Relatives of wooly mammoths that became extinct 3,700 years ago, there are two current extant species. These are the African elephant (Loxodonta africana) and the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus). For such large...

You've most likely heard of "the Big Five" game animals from the African savanna. These five animals are all big, powerful and strong; the name comes because of their being seen as the five most difficult animals to hunt in that continent. The term has become very popular since the first safaris. In this...

Elephants are large mammals which have a great impact on the ecology in which they exist and have been a fascinating subject for zoologists for centuries. Images of them have even been found way back in the Paleolithic period. They are incredibly clever and have been proven by some scientific studies...

Otters are animals with an almost global population distribution, only lacking a presence in Australia and Antarctica. Despite such a wide habitat range, threats to their homes and other factors have changed population numbers dramatically. In particular, European otter populations were once much more widespread...

Baja California is a state at the northwestern corner of Mexico. It's located in the peninsula of the same name, and it borders with the United States, more specifically with the states of Arizona and California. This Mexican state stands out thanks to its huge variety of marine wildlife at both sides of...

Polar bears (Ursus maritimus) are not just one of the most beautiful animals in the world. They are also extremely interesting from a scientific perspective, as these bears live in the Arctic Circle and thus are adapted to survive in one of the most extreme climates in the world. Have you ever wondered...

Dolphins are among the most popular, charismatic and intelligent creatures of the animal kingdom. With their expression that makes them look like they are always smiling, dolphins are a symbol of joy and freedom. Dolphins inspire pure and positive things - who doesn't remember Flipper? Dolphins are...

The hippopotamus is an even-toed ungulate mammal. There are only two species of hippos in existence, the common and the pygmy hippopotamus. The name "hippopotamus" comes from the Greek word hippopotamos, meaning horse of the river. Out of all the names that can be given to a hippopotamus, however,...

Lemurs are very friendly and curious mammals that hang from branches and jump with great agility. There are almost a hundred different species of lemurs, which can be distinguished by their size, habits and fur color. They all live or lived on the island of Madagascar. In this AnimalWised article we will...

Animals are great as pets... Only some species, though. Wild animals live by their own rules, and some of them have evolved particular characteristics that make them extremely dangerous. India is known for its rich wildlife diversity and animal-friendly culture. However, from the deadly king cobra to the lethal...

Giraffes reside in savannas, open woodlands or grasslands. This is because those areas are rich in acacia growth. Acacia is a genus of shrubs and trees which giraffes feed on, forming the largest part of their staple diet. Giraffes are mostly found in East Africa and Southwestern Africa, especially Angola...

These small to medium-sized mammals inhabit a range of aquatic environments worldwide, including rivers, lakes, and oceans. There are 13 recognized otter species across the globe. Belonging to the family Mustelidae—which also includes weasels, badgers, and ferrets—otters are exceptional swimmers and divers....

The Thar Desert, the pride of Rajasthan, is also called an ocean of sand. The Thar or Great Indian Desert has an unmatched variety of fauna; while its climatic and geographical conditions are harsh, various desert animals and plants have adapted to live in them with ease. There are currently 11 national...

Many animal lovers have heard about the liger, but what about the tigon? Now that we're thinking about it, have you ever heard of other big cat hybrids? There are many possible combinations, but they share some common characteristics. Ligers, tigons and other crossbred animals are possible because...

Tigers are the largest members of the Felidae family, that is, of all cats. These predators, scientifically known as Panthera tigris, are one of the most charismatic and well-known mammal species on the planet. However, tigers are also endangered animals. Over the past century, tiger numbers have decreased...

Across the vast Asian continent, stretching from the Middle Eastern deserts to the jungles of Southeast Asia, some of the most lethal and dangerous animals can be found. From the deadly Komodo dragon to the deadliest of them all, the King Cobra, Asia is home to some of the most dangerous animals in the world. Big...

The spiritual son of Lord Vayu, the God of Air, Pawan Putra Hanuman is venerated by Hindus worldwide. Born to the couple Kesari and Anjana, he is one of the Vanaras, an ancient forest-dwelling community identified with monkeys and represented as such. The Vanaras helped Lord Rams fight the evil Ravana...

In general, animals are safe: however, under rare circumstances, facing a threat, hunger or extreme provocation, or if their young are in danger of being harmed, all animals can turn dangerous. Taking precautions and relying on common sense ensures that intrusions are avoided and animals remain safe in their...

White-tailed deer, known scientifically as Odocoileus virginianus, are an American type of deer that inhabits all sorts of different environments, from shrublands to forests, grasslands, wooded plains and even desert areas. These deer can adapt to different diets, as they can browse and forage on many kinds...

The forests of Idaho are home to hundreds of wildlife species, with animals ranging from the majestic bald eagle to the tiny pygmy shrews and calliope hummingbirds. There are also threatened and endangered species in Idaho, such as the woodland caribou, the grizzly bear, the Canada lynx and the gray wolf. The...

The platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) is a unique creature, and an unusual animal in many ways. Platypuses are known for their paddle-shaped beaver-like tail, their sleek body with fur much akin to that of an otter, and the flat bill plus webbed feet similar to those of a duck. Besides, the platypus...

Komodo dragons (Varanus komodoensis) use sharp teeth to destroy their prey, which they occasionally swallow whole, and their venomous glands. Or do they? The jury is still out on whether Komodo dragons actually kill using venom. Although there is a common belief that toxic bacteria in the Komodo dragon's...

Deer, elk, moose and reindeers are physically similar to each other due to the fact that they are part of the same family, the Cervidae family. This family includes 43 species of hoofed mammals. In this AnimalWised article we're going to explain the difference between deer, elk, moose and reindeer. Keep...

Despite its reputation for being a modern and peaceful country, Canada is home to some of the most dangerous animals in the world. The stunning landscape of the Great White North - the second largest country by total area - is brimming with wildlife. Canadians can generally live in harmony with the native...

If you are into biology or ecology, you may have heard about the term Indicator species. This term is used to define certain living species. This means whether they are mineral, plant or animal. Their general purpose is to be an indicator of the overall health of a certain ecosystem. An indicator species...

Wolfdogs are hybrids between different wolf sub-species and domestic dogs, most commonly those that look like wolves such as the Alaskan Malamute, Husky or German Shepherd. They are often bred as military dogs or for guarding purposes. Although owning a purebred wolf in the United States and most countries...

The teeth of an animal can be both interesting or frightening for a human being. Teeth are incredible when you remember that they are not only there to help you chew. Did you know that some living beings actually use their teeth to communicate with each other? A normal adult human mouth is made up of 32...

All animals attract attention for various reasons, their physical appearance being perhaps the most common. It is a primal response we use as a way to protect ourselves and know who is friend or foe. Reptiles are one of the most feared in the animal kingdom as they encompass some of the deadliest creatures...

Snakes are fascinating animals, their striking colors, their curious way of moving and their voracious appetite can impress anyone. Since ancient times, these reptiles have been part of the culture of many societies, becoming one of the most famous animals studied by science. There are thousands of different...

Scavenger animals play an important and primordial role in the cycle of life. Thanks to them, organic matter can decompose and become available again for plants and other autotrophic beings. In addition, they cleanse nature of corpses that can, if left, cause and spread infection. In this AnimalWised article...

When we discuss wolf attacks, there are many different variables to consider. Firstly, the location is important. In Spain, there hasn't been a verified wolf attack with a fatality since 1974[1]. In North America, attacks are similarly rare although the last recorded fatality was in 2010. In India, however,...

There are millions of different species and types of animals in the world, which altogether constitute a variety of fauna. This great collection makes our planet Earth a unique place among the immensity of the universe. Some animals or organisms are so small that the human eye is not even able to appreciate...

All foxes belong to the Canidae family. Foxes are closely related to other canids, such as: dogs, jackals or wolves. Their morphology and appearance has adapted itself to their significant environments. There are approximately 13 ‘‘true’’ fox species. If you want to know more about the types of foxes that exist,...

Did you know that all living beings have origins which are linked to our aquatic environment? Throughout evolutionary history, mammals have been changing and adapting to conditions on the earth’s surface. This is until, several million years ago, some of these animals returned to submerge themselves...

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,...

Also known as orcas, killer whales (Orcinus orca) are marine mammals in the group known as cetaceans. Although they have the word ‘whale’ in their common name, orcas are actually considered a type of dolphin. However, the word ‘killer’ is fairly accurate. While they are highly appreciated for their beautiful...

Some animals are almost defined by a certain characteristic. While this can be somewhat reductive, the reason it happens is because these animals may have a feature which is so unique, we can't help but associate them with it. Such is the case with the giraffe. There are many fascinating facts about giraffes...

Sharks, with their ancient lineage and diverse species, have lifespans that vary widely, from just a few decades to over a century. Understanding the secrets of shark lifespan offers a unique window into the remarkable adaptability of these apex predators and the intricacies of their life cycles. From their...

Beavers are large rodents which belong to the Castoridae family. They are characterized by their unique ability to transform aquatic landscapes through the construction of dams and lodges. While their populations are spread throughout various types of habitat, they always live near bodies of water. This...

Contrary to popular belief, sharks don't sleep in the same way humans or other land animals do.Their unique aquatic environment and physiological adaptations have resulted in a distinct approach to rest. Rather than experiencing deep, unconscious slumber, sharks engage in periods of reduced activity. This...

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...

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...