Facts about the animal kingdom of Wildlife

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Although they are both of the species Panthera tigris, the first difference between Bengal and Siberian tigers is that they constitute different subspecies. As the common names of these tigers suggest, subspecies differ from each other because they developed in different areas over a long time. This leads...

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...

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...

The most venomous spider in the world is an Aussie arachnid. The funnel web spider, native to Sydney, is counted, as per many standards, as the most venomous spider in the World and one of the most dangerous animals in Australia too. Funnel web spiders are even more dangerous than brown recluses, the...

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...

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...

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...

Ungulate animals, such as deer and elks, shed their antlers on an annual basis. Then, they grow a new set. This shedding process usually takes from two to three weeks in the winter or spring, depending on the species; the regeneration takes a complete summer before the cycle commences again. The specifics...

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 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...

Monkeys are common primates in India with the western hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) being the only known ape. The most common Indian monkey is the rhesus macaque (Macaca mulatta), but there are many other monkey species which can be found in this vast Asian country. These monkeys can be found in many...

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 Sierra Nevada region is a mountain range in California which is teeming with wildlife. Sierra Nevada National Park covers over 86,208 ha and it is one of the biggest national parks in the United States. The highest peak in the range is Mount Whitney at 14,505 ft (4,421 m), but there are 14 peaks...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

Utah is a big but not very populated state in the western United States. Most of its 3 million inhabitants live near the capital, Salt Lake City, but its variety in landscapes and fauna are stunning. The geography of Utah is known for its diversity, as it is shaped by the Rocky Mountains, the arid...

When walking along any beach in your country, you can find countless sea shells and conches, each more beautiful than the last. Here we'll give you some very common examples, and then begin discussing more exotic specimens. You'll learn about the different types and see photos to help differentiate them. Keep...

Cheetahs are also known by their scientific name, Acinonyx jubatus. They are very different from other felines because they hunt using their sight and high speed, taking the title of world's fastest animal. Contrary to popular belief, cheetahs are not originally from Africa. In fact, they migrated from...

The koala, scientifically known as Phascolarctos cinereus is one of the 270 species belonging to the family of marsupials. It is estimated that 200 species live in Australia and 70 live in America. This animal is approximately 76 centimeters (30 in) in length and male koalas can weigh up to 14 kilos (30...

The term porcupine consists of different species of rodents that belong to the suborder Hystricomorpha, together with other well-known animals such as chinchillas, capybaras or guinea pigs. The word derives from the spines on the skin of this mammal. There are two families of porcupines according to their...

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...

Vermilingua, or anteaters, are extraordinary animals and have many special characteristics. This animal primarily feeds on ants and termites thanks to its powerful claws and its cylindrical tongue, which can measure up to 60 centimeters - 23 inches - in length and is particularly sticky. There are four...

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...

Gorillas are the largest primates in existence and have very similar DNA to that of human beings. It is understandable why they capture our imagination like they do. Gorillas are fascinating and incredibly strong animals. People often compare human strength to gorillas, mainly due to their similarities....

The gorilla is the the world's largest primate and it is an animal that has been the subject of numerous investigations because their DNA is the same as human DNA. We share around 97-98% of our DNA with them! In addition, another gorilla behavior that is similar to humans is that it is the only animal...