The pronghorn antelope (Antilocapra americana) is a medium-size mammal that is typically found in the central and western North America. It is not really an antelope but the animal is referred to as the pronghorn antelope. Giraffes and okapi are the closest cousins of pronghorn. It is the fastest of the land mammals in the…
The tawny frogmouth (Podargus strigoides) is a medium-size Australian bird that typically hunts during night. The bird is believed to have adapted many different habitats within its range. Unique among its features is that it camouflages itself in a way that neither a predator nor any prey can see it roosting on a tree. The…
The Ethiopian wolf (Canis simensis) is the rarest of the canids. It is the most vulnerable wolf species. Although it is a medium-size mammal yet it survives mainly on small rodents. They occur in the Ethiopian Highlands. There are less than 500 Ethiopian wolves remaining in the wild. They make habitats at high altitudes of…
The African forest elephant (Loxodonta cyclotis) truly lives up to its name as it is only found in the forests of Congo Basin. African forest elephant and African bush elephants are two separate species. It is thought to be the third largest land mammal in the world. African Forest Elephant Facts Anatomy They are likely…
The ruby-throated hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) is a tiny bird that breeds all along the Central and North America. It is a hummingbird species and like a typical hummingbird the ruby throated bird is thought to display astonishing feats of flight. It is able to fly not only backwards but can also hover upside and down.…
The Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) is one of the largest coastal mammals in North America. It is one of the two subspecies of West Indian manatee. The manatee is thought to occur along the Florida waters. Florida manatees are likely to cover long distances. Sea cow is the other name given to Florida manatee.…
The Baltimore oriole (Icterus galbula) is a small North American bird and it earns its name because of its coat that reminds us of the Lord of Baltimore. It is a migratory species. The bird is primarily known for its sweet song. The Baltimore oriole has got brilliant bright-colored plumage. They are often heard than…
The American bison (Bison bison) is a North American buffalo that is typically found in the United States and the northwestern Canada. It is likely to graze on the grasslands of northern Mexico. It is arguably the largest living land mammal in the United States. In the 19th century humans have hunted bison to almost…
The African fish eagle (Haliaeetus vocifer) truly lives up to its name as it skillfully seizes the fish from the water surface and drags it to the land where it tears it apart. The eagle typically breeds all along the sub-Saharan Africa. They fancy living in areas that provide large water bodies such as lakes.…
The African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana) is the largest of all elephants. It stands almost four meters in height and it is the heaviest living elephant species. African bush elephant and the African forest elephant have long been treated as a single species but the recent study shows that they both are distinct species. Out…
The green tree python (Morelia viridis) is a unique python with the green color body and a prehensile tail. It is typically found in the New Guinea and the adjacent islands. While green pythons regularly climb up the trees they do prowl on the ground at night. Should they remain in trees all the time…
Blue tongue skinks are typically found all throughout the Australia. It belongs to the genus Tiliqua which contains the largest of the skink family. Blue tongue skinks make very popular pets but they are highly sensitive to certain things such as temperature, food, and location. They are mainly distinguished by their blue tongue. Blue Tongue…
The African spurred tortoise (Centrochelys sulcata) is a large turtle species. It is primarily known for its digging behavior. The turtle is mainly found in the southern part of Sahara Desert. African tortoises are powerful diggers; in captivity they make extensive burrows so much so that they can even damage walls in the backyard. They…
The Arctic tern (Sterna paradisaea) is a medium-size seabird that has inspired biologists not only for its elegant style but also for making the longest migration of any living animal. It is widely distributed in many parts of North America, Europe, and Asia including Arctic regions. Arctic terns are highly migratory and the only bird…
The West African giraffe or Niger giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis peralta) is typically found in the Sagel areas of West Africa. It is an endangered subspecies of giraffe and is mainly recognized by its light orange spots all over its body and neck. The African giraffe’s population is quickly decreasing partly because of hunting and partly…
The hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) is a sea turtle that is widely distributed in the Indian, Atlantic, and Pacific Oceans. It is thought to occur in the shallow lagoons or coral reefs where the turtle spends much of its daytime. The sea turtle rarely goes into the open water; it largely prefers shallow waters.…
The black vulture (Coragyps atratus) belongs to the New World vulture and it is a large bird of prey. The American black vulture or black vulture occurs in the Central Chile, southeastern United States, Uruguay and many other countries. Like typical vultures, black vultures are also scavengers as they primarily feed on carrion. Black Vulture…
The eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina carolina) is a subspecies of box turtle and is typically found in the eastern United States. It is the state turtle of North Carolina and Tennessee. They are one of the slowest of turtles and it takes them years to attain maturity age. IUCN has listed it as Vulnerable…
The Norway rat or brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) is one of the most familiar common rats. It is thought to occupy almost every continent except for Antarctica. Brown rats are most likely to live near human populations precisely because they get easy access to food. They have got many names such as street rat, sewer…
The passenger pigeon (Ectopistes migratorius) is an extinct pigeon that was once widespread throughout North America. It was possibly the world’s most abundant bird in those times with the total population of almost three billion. The extinction of a bird that was once numbered in millions leaves biologists to wonder how it went extinct. The…
The Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) or the eastern black swallowtail is a North American butterfly that typically feeds on several host plants. They claim territories in order to mate and male butterflies actively defend it. They are also found and Canada. It is the national butterfly of the Oklahoma state. Black Swallowtail Butterfly Facts Anatomy…