Animal fun facts

The lemur is a primate are wet-nosed primates of the superfamily Lemuroidea that is only found in Madagascar. Their classification has been controversial, resulting in the identification of a wide variety of species and whose number has changed as research progresses.There are currently 33 species of...

Birds are a group of vertebrates with an impressive diversity in the animal kingdom. Aside from their beautiful physical features and the variety of their songs, birds also vary greatly in size. While there are some birds that are quite small, like insects, there are others that are so large that they remind...

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...

The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is a wild cat found on the Iberian Peninsula in southwestern Europe, and more specifically Spain. It is currently listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, which is the world's most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species. In the last...

In 2011, the animated film “Rio” was released in theaters. The movie brought to light an issue that had long been ignored by many, the devastating extinction crisis of birds around the world. In fact, in 2021, nearly 13% of the world's feathered species were listed as endangered. The movie, however, focused...

Flies are a group of invertebrates that belong to the class Insecta and the order Diptera. The name Diptera derives from the Greek and means “two”. Flies are included in this group because unlike most insects, they have two wings instead of four. There are several species of flies and these are classified...

For such small creatures, mice have a very acute sense of smell. It is a necessary evolutionary trait which allows them to find food sources in dark environments or areas where food is scarce. It is one of the reasons we can see a mouse has eaten through food packaging, since they can smell the food...

When we talk about squirrels, we are referencing animals of the Sciuridae family. While many of us will immediately think of a bushy-tailed red squirrel running up a tree, we should know the diversity of this family is great. In fact, there are so many different rodents in this mammal family that they...

Seals, sealions and walruses are often confused with each other. While they do have specific differences, they are all marine mammals with similar body structures. They have flippers to swim, canines to eat fish and fur to protect them from the cold. When spotted in the water, it can be difficult to tell these...

The cougar is a large felid native to the American continent. Their habitats range over large areas from north to south of the region, making it a mammal with one of the widest distributions of the entire Northern Hemisphere. Such large distribution means it has been given various names by various communities....

Although Australia can have a sometimes inhospitable climate, its relatively small human population means there is much space for its animal life to develop. This has led to a great diversity of animal species. One of the most adorable animals we will find in Australia is the wombat. However, beyond...

Unfortunately, the cognitive functions of rabbits have not been studied as thoroughly as those of dogs or cats. Nonetheless, their growing popularity as companion animals makes us increasingly wonder about their level of intelligence and their ability to remember. Recent studies have shown that, not only do rabbits...

Alaska is the second youngest state in the United States of America, but only by a few months. Despite being only a recent official addition to the country, it is one of the US's most resource-rich areas. While it is the 4th least-populous state, it is the country's largest state by geographical size...

Reptiles and amphibians belong to the group of vertebrate animals, more specifically, tetrapod animals. Tetrapod is a term to describe animals that use four limbs to move or to manipulate things. Reptiles were the first truly terrestrial vertebrates, while amphibians are a group with transient traits between...

Some of us may not be aware there are different types of manatees. These often elusive creatures have a certain otherworldly mystique which has led to them having an almost mythological reputation. Although they may have one time been confused with mermaids, manatees are aquatic mammals which have been...

The diversity of birds on the planet ranges from tiny to very large species. These large species often remind us why birds are one of the closest living relatives of extinct dinosaurs. Birds are also quite different from one another. Some possess a hypnotizing colorful plumage and their feathers are even...

Turtles are known for various characteristic features which are not shared by many others in the animal kingdom. Perhaps most noticeable is their hard carapace or shell which helps protect them from predators. Although there are some turtles which may prey on smaller animals, most are mainly herbivorous....

When considering adopting a cat, many people see their supposed independence as a benefit. Irresponsible guardians will think they can leave the cat alone all day and they will not care. Although it will depend on the individual, cats are much more social than their reputation suggests. Some are more...

We too often rank animals by speed or certain abilities without giving them the correct context. Some animals may be faster than others, but this is only because they have needed to adapt in the way they have. What is more important and more interesting is looking at how and why animals do the things...

The diversity of birds is incredibly vast, so it is interesting to wonder why some stand out in the public imagination. The swan is a bird which has come to have great significance for many cultures, its white plumage and graceful appearance making it a common wonder. However, many of us might not even know...

Many people see cats as having spiritual, mystical or even magical capacities. While there is no empirical evidence to confirm such abilities, we can see the bonds they forge with humans are special. Some people think the relationship people have with their cats is one-sided. They think cats don't care...

Slugs are animals belonging to the phylum Mollusca, a very large group of invertebrates which also includes animals as diverse as clams and octopuses. With such diversity, classifying these invertebrates is no easy task. It takes years of research and reviewing to define them taxonomically. Even when...

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,...

A common phenomenon in domestic cats is sitting by a window and make a chattering sound. The exact reason for this sound is unknown, but it occurs when they see potential prey. Such prey can range in size and species. They might do it when they see a bird, a rodent or other small mammals. However, they...

We associate certain animals with certain behaviors or characteristics. You can be as sly as a fox, as wise as an owl or have a memory like a fish. The last example is due to the commonly assumed fact that fish have very poor memories. However, the traits applied to such animals are generalizations...

Arthropods are the most diverse group of organisms on the planet, accounting for around 80% of all living animal species. Each individual species has adapted to their environment in certain ways. Some fly, some have long bodies and some have appendages which allow them to survive. The latter example can be...

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...

You can recognize a tortoiseshell cat from their distinct coat pattern and color combination. Like a calico cat, their coat incorporates white, black and orange colors. Unlike a calico cat, they are patterned over their body like a painter's palette. Where calico cats have distinct patches of color, usually...

In the wild, it is very hard to mistake a lion and a tiger for each other. The first reason for this difficulty is there is no place on Earth where tigers and lions coexist naturally. Today, many of us distinguish the difference between lions and tigers as lions being an African animal and tigers being...

When we think of the mongoose, many of us might picture a ferret-like creature which is known for attacking snakes. However, the animal we call a mongoose is actually a term used for all the mammals in the Herpestidae family. This is a more diverse group of animals than you might think. It even includes...

The binturong (Arctictis binturong) is a mammal originating from Asia. Their appearance somewhat resembles a cross between a small bear and a cat, hence their common name: the bearcat. They are part of the suborder Feliformia, but are not part of either the cat (Felidae) or bear (Ursidae) families....

For many, the cuteness of animals is what first interests us in the animal kingdom. From the time we are children, we have plush toys, cartoons and images on cereal boxes showing us adorable animals. The red panda is an animal which provides stiff competition for being the cutest. Their cherubic faces and...

Insects make up the largest taxonomic groupings of any animal with approximately 1 million known species. This makes the process of grouping them together a difficult task for scientists. Since some types of insect develop certain features they share with others, this can help us to group them correctly....

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....

The quokka is an animal practically designed for social media. This is because they are adorable. Not only are they cute little mammals, but their morphology gives them an almost human-like smile which is not very common in the animal kingdom. Human interest in quokkas has gone further than simply making...

Although the diversity among birds is vast (think of the difference between a penguin and a hummingbird), it is true there are some bird species which closely resemble each other. Sometimes we can't even tell the difference until we are up close. To understand the difference between these birds, we can look...

Rhinoceroses are among the largest mammals on Earth, generally weighing more than a ton. There are certain variations from one species to another, they share certain physical characteristics. Their appearance is marked by an armor-like exterior, perhaps most characteristically, either one or two horn emanating...

Dogs are animals with qualities, instincts and reactions different from those than we humans possess. The fact we live longer, but seem to take so long to mature implies animals have certain advantages over us. Too many people see animals, even dogs, as inferior. At AnimalWised, we see things differently....

All animals are beautiful, but few elicit as much fascination as the salamander. They are known for their alien-like appearance. Their face can have an almost humanoid expression, with expressive eyes and a mouth which can be seen to form a smile. Skin types and colors can range in color and pattern,...

When living alongside them, humans are often surprised by certain strange behaviors cats exhibit. Most of these behaviors, however peculiar they may seem to us, are completely natural and are part of their social order. They play an important role in how they interact with other animals and people....

While we may love our dog enormously, too many of us see petting them as a right rather than a privilege. Even though a healthy dog will want interaction, it doesn't mean they don't have boundaries. Dogs have sensitive areas on their bodies just like us. These are places where they either don't like to...

Cheetahs, leopards and jaguars are all types of big cat, wild cousins of the domestic feline. They all come from the Felidae family, meaning they share certain traits and similarities. They are expert hunters, have excellent vision, can run at high speed and are extraordinary stealthy. Their teeth and...

The word ‘lizard’ covers a great variety of reptile groups which can be found in different types of habitats, almost anywhere in the world. This is why these animals are often present in our homes. This is especially so if we have gardens, orchards or any place they can enjoy the right conditions for...

The feral or wild hog (scientific name Sus scrofa) is a mammal belonging to the Suidae family, which also includes pigs. It corresponds to the genus Sus, a type of even-toed ungulate animal. Wild hogs are native to Europe, Asia and some parts of Africa. However, they have also been introduced into the...

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...

Many people purchase a parakeet because their find their birdsong and chirping to be an enjoyable sound. Not only is it pleasant for us, but it is a necessary form of communication for the bird. However, we may not think as much about whether the parakeet enjoys our sounds. This doesn't just mean the...

In this AnimalWised article, we want to address a common doubt about animals which can enter our home. While we may see rats, mice and insects as nuisance pests, lizards can often be more welcome guests into our home. Unless you have a particular fear of lizards, they often seem to be more docile and we...

Every culture across the world and its history has used animals in their folklore and mythology. The natural world is an inspiring place in many ways, so it is understandable we might see different cultures let their imagination run wild. But how much of these legends are based on actual creatures?...

What a cat will look like physically is, for the most part, dictated by their genetics. The genes carried by their parents will determine what is their eventual body shape, coat type and color. Although cats will look different when compared to being a kitten with being an adult cat, it doesn't mean they...

If we have a cat in the family, it is likely we love nature and have a respect for living beings. We might not think about it too much, but our cat likely feels the same. While many housecats are happy to remain indoors where it is safe, those with experience of the outside world have their curiosity...