# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Where Frogs Live: The Ideal Frog Habitat

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Where Do Sharks Live? (Educational Video about Habitat of Various Shark Species)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
There is evidence that frogs have roamed the Earth for more than 200 million years, at least as long as the dinosaurs.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Whales are large animals that live in water. Whales may look like fishes, but they are mammals. They breathe air and produce milk for their young. Whales make up an order, or...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
By Josie F. Turner, Journalist specialized in Animal Welfare.

Wolves are carnivorous mammals very similar to dogs. They belong to the genus Canis and are generally considered the genetic ancestors of dogs. Unlike domestic dogs, however, wolves in the wild live in packs. A pack is a group of related animals that hunt, live and move together. They also live in very different conditions from domestic dogs. Have you ever wondered, " Where do wolves live "?

In this AnimalWised article we tell you about the different species of wolf and the regions around the world in which each species lives. We explain the habitat of wolves,how and where they make their homes, what they eat and other living habits.

Types of wolves

Wolves are part of the biological family canidae. Canids are characterized by their elongated snouts, upright ears and non-retractable claws. In addition, like other canids, wolves walk on four toes without their heels touching the ground. On their front feet, they have a vestigial fifth toe that is reduced and does not reach the ground. Wolves have slightly longer legs than other canids, allowing them to move faster.

Wolves are also the largest species within the Canis group. They are social animals that live in packs of about 5 to 10 wolves led by an alpha couple, consisting of a mating male and female.

Wolf species and subspecies

There is widespread debate among taxonomists about the classification of wolf species. Some that have been regarded as separate species are now considered hybrids (the result of reproduction that mixes two different species) or subspecies of the gray wolf. A subspecies is a group of individuals of the same species that share a distribution, habitat, history, morphology or specific behaviors. There are less differences between subspecies than between species.

Here are some well known and often debated types of wolves:

Gray/grey wolf (Canis lupus): this is the most common type of wolf, and most other wolves are considered subspecies of the gray wolf.

African golden wolf (Canis anthus): there have been debates as to whether this wolf is a subspecies of the gray wolf or the golden jackal, but it is presently considered a separate species in its own right.

Red wolf (Canis rufus or C. l. rufus): there is some debate as to whether the red wolf is a different species or a subspecies with a mix of gray wolf and coyote DNA.

Eastern or Algonquin wolf (Canis lycaon or C. l. lycaon): this is another debated species, with contesting claims of it being either a subspecies of the gray wolf or an independently evolved species of wolf.

Indian plains wolf (Canis indica): although falling within the C. l. pallipes subspecies of gray wolf, the Indian plains wolf is considered to be genetically unique.

Domestic dog (Canis familiaris or C. l. familiaris): the domestic dog is closely related to the gray wolf, but there are still gaps in the research that make it difficult to determine if it is a subspecies or separate species from the wolf.

There are around 19 recognized subspecies of the gray wolf. These are just a few well known gray wolf subspecies:

What do wolves eat?

As mentioned, wolves are carnivores and mainly feed on other animals. They work together and hunt in packs. Wolves use only their jaws to capture, hold and kill their prey. Their skulls are relatively weak (compared to other carnivores) so they need to make multiple bites to bring down prey during a prolonged chase. This is why wolves benefit from teamwork while hunting. Some of the wolves in the pack keep the prey cornered, while others bite to bring it down. Where larger prey is available, wolf packs tend to be larger too.

Wolves usually prey on medium to large sized mammals such as deer, elk, seals, bison and oxen, but they can also eat goats, pigs and beavers. Of course, a wolf's diet varies depending on where it lives. They usually eat the entire prey, except for some larger bones and part of the hide.

For more information on what gray wolves eat, you can consult this AnimalWised article on the grey wolf's hunting and diet.

Where do wolves live?

Wolves are known as ' habitat generalists'. They are extremely adaptable and wolf species are found in very different biomes throughout the northern hemisphere. They can live in deserts or forests and even high up in the snowy tundra. They are found across North America and Eurasia, although in some areas their range has been reducing due to habitat encroachment and conflicts with humans.

With so much habitat diversity among wolves, to answer the question " where do wolves live?" we have to look at different species or types of wolves individually. In fact, it is useful to remember that subspecies often evolve to adapt to specific habitats. Below are the ranges and habitats of some of the well-known wolf species.

Habitat and range of different types of wolves

Where do gray wolves live?

Formerly, the gray wolf was distributed throughout North America and Eurasia, occupying all habitats (plains, deserts, tundras, taigas and forests) except the high mountains. Currently, there are smaller populations in North America, Europe and Asia. Gray wolf numbers have been suffering at the hands of human beings, who also occupy many of the habitats the wolves live in. This has increasingly displaced wolf populations towards more forested or remote areas.

Different subspecies of the gray wolf live in specific regions and ecosystems. For example, theIberian wolf is distributed in forests, plains and mountainous pockets of the Iberian peninsula (Spain and Portugal), while the British Columbia wolf is found near the coasts of western Canada and parts of Alaska. The African golden wolf, on the other hand, is better adapted to living in semi-arid savannas or in rocky areas at the edge of the desert. The Indian wolf lives on the plains of peninsular India, whereas theAlaskan tundra wolf lives along the arctic coast. Each subspecies of the gray wolf has evolved and adapted to living in its particular habitat and region of the world.

In the Unites States gray wolves can be found in the northern Rocky Mountain states (especially Idaho, Montana and Wyoming) and occasionally in the Pacific northwest where wolves have been sighted in California, Oregon and Washington. They are also fairly common in the western Great Lakes states of Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin. There are small numbers of the endangered Mexican wolf subspecies in Arizona and New Mexico.

If you want to know where Eurasian wolves live here is an article on the habitat of the Eurasian wolf.

Where do red wolves live?

The red wolf ( Canis rufus) is classified as critically endangeredon the IUCN Red List. Historically, the red wolf's range extended from southern Texas to Pennsylvania. Today, however, it only lives in protected areas in North Carolina. The present population was reintroduced by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) because in 1980 red wolves had become extinct in the wild. The red wolf can live in different habitats such as swamps and grasslands, as well as forests, but currently their wild population remains very small.

Where do eastern wolves live?

The eastern or Algonquin wolf ( Canis lycaon) popularly known as the timber wolf) was historically native to the Northwestern United States and parts of Canada. Today, these wolves are found mostly in western Quebec and central Ontario, with higher populations in the protected Algonquin Provincial Park (Ontario).

Where do arctic wolves live?

The arctic wolf ( Canis lupus arctos) is a well known subspecies of the gray wolf, characterized by its white fur and resistance to low temperatures. It is is slightly smaller than the common gray wolf with smaller ears, which helps them retain body heat in below freezing temperatures. As their name suggests, arctic wolves live in the arctic regions of North America, Canada and northern Greenland. They inhabit one of the harshest regions on earth, where the ground is permanently frozen and temperatures often drop to -30ºC (-22ºF), but they have successfully evolved to live in such extreme conditions. In addition, the smaller human populations in these regions mean that arctic wolves have higher numbers than their relatives further south.

Do wolves live in caves?

Wolves occupy large territories in which they hunt for prey, live and raise their young. The territory required by each pack varies based on the prey available in the region, other packs in the vicinity and the presence of humans. Some packs have to travel very long distances to find food, while others have access to plenty of prey but need to constantly defend their territory from other packs or humans. Wolves usually mark their territory through scent, scratches and by howling. The outer ranges of territories can overlap, but two or more packs will not use these spaces at the same time.

We have often seen images of wolves in caves, especially on the big screen, but wolves don't actually live in caves. A female wolf, ready to give birth to pups, will prepare a shelter or den for the new arrivals. These dens are only for the use of the mother and pups, and only for the time it takes the pups to mature enough to travel with the pack. A wolf's den may be dug into the ground, or take advantage of natural structures like tree trunks or boulders that are well hidden by undergrowth and vegetation.

Can wolves live with humans?

Have you ever wondered whether you can have a wolf live in your home, as a pet? If you are one of those who agree that domestic dogs are a subspecies of wolf, then technically of course you can. However, when it come to other species and subspecies of wolves that normally live in the wild, the question becomes thorny.

In most countries it is forbidden to have a purebred wolf as a pet. There are certain wolf hybrids that you may be allowed to keep as pets, as well as domestic dogs that look like wolves. If you are interested in owning a wolf-dog hybrid, take a look at our article explaining all you need to know about this hybrid and its legal status as a pet in different US states and in the UK.

Can I keep a wild wolf at home?

The short answer is no, you should not. Removing a wild animal such as a wolf from its natural habitat or preventing its natural development in the wild (reproduction, socialization with individuals of the same species, hunting, etc.) will cause them significant stress. This can lead them to harm themselves or become aggressive and dangerous. Wolves don't usually attack humans for no reason. If you want to learn about wolf attacks on humans, read this AnimalWised article on how often wolves attack humans.

Even if you find a wounded wolfor abandoned pup and think it could use your your help, do not take it home or try to cure it yourself. In most cases it is best to leave it where it is and immediately contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitation service that handles such situations. They have trained professionals who will work to heal and reintroduce the animal into its natural habitat if possible.

Busch, R. H. (2007). Wolf Almanac, New and Revised: A Celebration Of Wolves And Their World. The Lyon Press.

Ecologists in Actions (n.d.). Wolf (Canis lupus). Retrieved October 28, 2019.
https://www.ecologistasenaccion.org/29973/lobo-canis-lupus/

Fuentes-González, J. A., and Muñoz-Durán, J. (2017). Social behavior and food preferences in the evolution of current canids. Mexican Journal of Biodiversity, 88(1). 192-206.
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1870345317300222

Marvin, G. (2012). Wolf. Reaction Books LTD.

Mech, L. D. (1974) Canis lupus. USGS Northern Prairie Wildlife Research Center.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (n.d.). Red Wolf (Canis rufus). Retrieved October 28, 2019.
https://www.fws.gov/southeast/wildlife/mammals/red-wolf/

Wolf Conservation Center. (n.d.). Eastern Wolf. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
https://nywolf.org/learn/eastern-wolf/

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Where do Wolves Live? - Habitat and Distribution

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
By Josie F. Turner, Journalist specialized in Animal Welfare. Wolves are carnivorous mammals very similar to dogs. They belong to the genus Canis and are generally considered the genetic ancestors of dogs. Unlike domestic dogs, however, wolves in the wild live in packs. A pack is a group of related animals that hunt, live and move together.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What And How Do Sharks Hunt? | SHARK WEEK 2018

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Whale diets

Have you ever wondered what the world's largest mammals eat? As it turns out, most whales don't eat large prey. Most whales, and in particular the baleen whales, feed on some of the smallest animals in the ocean. They feed on small plankton and krill which drift with the nutrient rich waters where the whales live.

Not all whales feed on plankton however. Sperm whales, for instance, feed on animals like giant squid in the deep waters of the ocean. Some orca whales feed on salmon, and others feed on marine mammals like sea otters and sea lions.

More Video of Whale Diets

More links to learn about what whales eat

Rob is an ecologist from the University of Hawaii. He is the co-creator and director of Untamed Science. His goal is to create videos and content that are entertaining, accurate, and educational. When he's not making science content, he races whitewater kayaks and works on Stone Age Man.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Whale diets Have you ever wondered what the world's largest mammals eat? As it turns out, most whales don't eat large prey. Most whales, and in particular the baleen whales, feed on some of the smallest animals in the ocean. They feed on small plankton and krill which drift with the nutrient rich waters where [...]

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What do penguin eat || What kinds of food do penguins eat? || what do penguins eat and drink

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Dinnertime with Wolves | Destination WILD

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
As we sit down to curl up with another year of Shark Week, we are reminded yet again who are the alphas of the sea; sharks are top predators that rarely have something in their way. So, it's sad to realize that even such apex predators are not immune to human behavior: People are in fact the biggest threat to sharks.

In a 2014 Oceana study, researchers estimated that as many as 100 million sharks are still caught and killed worldwide due to bycatch, illegal fishing and the demand for shark fins. Today, sharks are targeted worldwide by both highly industrialized fishing fleets and smaller artisanal fisheries, making it harder for endangered sharks to stand a chance of surviving. Oceana works in many ways to help protect sharks today and for the future, mostly through campaigning for better regulations and laws at sea. But, equally important to our campaigning efforts is raising public awareness and knowledge of continued threats to sharks around the world.

Bycatch: Bycatch is the accidental capture of non-target fish and other marine life, and occurs in fisheries around the world. According to a 2014 bycatch report by Oceana, 12 million sharks and rays were captured by fisherman each year throughout the 1990's in international waters alone. Shark species most at risk for bycatch include dusky sharks and scalloped hammerheads. It is estimated that dusky shark populations off the Atlantic coast declined by 85 percent. In addition, scalloped hammerheads are extremely susceptible to fishing mortality due to their uniquely shaped and sensitive bodies. Lastly, longlines - made up of a mainline and hooks suspended in the water for several miles - catch sharks instead of the intended target at least 20 percent of the time, though it could be as high as 50 percent in Atlantic and Hawaiian fisheries.
The Solution: Oceana works to promote the count, cap, control approach to bycatch: count all catch (including bycatch), cap bycatch by using science-based limits, and control bycatch through management measures designed to ensure bycatch limits are not exceeded and that overall bycatch is reduced over time. Additionally, better bycatch reporting procedures, incentive programs and cleaner gear can all help to minimize bycatch aboard fishing boats.

Illegal Fishing: It was discovered through a 2013 Oceana report that up to 24 countries may be catching sharks within the Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea without reporting such catches, which is required by the Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT). As a result, most shark species caught within ICCAT fisheries remain poorly managed, if at all. Only very few sharks, out of a total 465 species, have international protective regulations in place, and highly threatened species continue to be landed and sold. Commercially-caught species like mako and blue sharks are fished without any limits. Thus, the IUCN has listed the mako as Vulnerable in the Atlantic Ocean and Critically Endangered in the Mediterranean Sea, while blue sharks are Near Threatened globally, according to the 2013 Oceana report.
The Solution: To combat the problem, it is vital that countries and fishing entities fulfill their requirements to record data on shark catches, discards and fishing effort. Oceana calls upon ICCAT to establish precautionary catch limits for blue sharks in particular, as blue shark captures have increased substantially.

Shark Fin Demand: The international fin trade is one of the greatest threats to shark species. Shark fin soup has been a traditional Chinese delicacy for thousands of years, often served to signal wealth and honor. However, shark finning is a wasteful and harmful practice in which only two to five percent of the shark is even used - once a shark's fins are cut off at sea, the shark is tossed back into the water to drown. Researchers found that 73 million sharks would have to be killed each year to match the volume of fins that are traded in the global market -a whopping 1 to 2 million tons.
The Solution: Though illegal in many parts of the world, shark finning still happens. It happens where there are either no such regulations or where regulations are poorly enforced. Shark fin trade bans help to eliminate the market for shark fins by banning the sale, possession, trade and distribution of the fins. Oceana has campaigned for individual U.S. states to take a stand against the import and export of fins across their borders. Oceana also works internationally to protect sharks in European Union waters, as well as in Brazil. Fortunately, several milestones have been achieved within the last five years toward reducing shark finning.

Oceana actively campaigns to reduce the many threats humans pose to sharks. Take a look below to learn about some of the victories Oceana has achieved in protecting shark species worldwide. June 2015:
On June 20, Texas became the 10th U.S. state to ban the trade of shark fins, signed into law by Gov. Greg Abbott. It ensured that Texas will no longer participate in the global shark fin trade that is known to contribute to the decline of sharks around the world. Similar fin trade bans have been passed in California, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York, Oregon and Washington, though the recent addition of Texas makes it the first Gulf Coast state to pass a shark fin trade ban.
October 2014:
After Oceana listed recommendations for a bycatch reporting plan, the National Marine Fisheries Service responded with steps it will be taking to better analyze the amount and type of wasted fish in Gulf of Mexico and Southeast fisheries. Though laws already mandate that federally managed fisheries must standardize the collection and reporting of bycatch data, fisheries in the Gulf and Southeast did not have a plan to implement these requirements.
February 2014:
Starting in 2013, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) began challenging state shark fin trade bans in the U.S., suggesting they could be overruled by federal law. In response to NOAA's actions, Oceana launched a public awareness campaign, which included posting several high-visibility ads to encourage activists to speak up against the agency. As a result, NOAA removed its challenge to all existing shark fin trade bans.
November 2012
The European Union banned shark finning in its waters by requiring that all sharks caught in the area or by European vessels be landed with their fins still naturally attached. This action by the EU ended a years-long battle to close loopholes in a previous EU policy against shark finning, and ensured that the practice is better regulated and enforced. The measure will also improve what we know about how many sharks are caught and will further help to prevent endangered sharks from ending up in the fin trade.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What are Some of the Biggest Threats Facing Sharks?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
As we sit down to curl up with another year of Shark Week, we are reminded yet again who are the alphas of the sea; sharks are top predators that rarely have something in their way.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Whaling

For hundreds of years people hunted whales for their oil to fuel lamps and candles, to lubricate machinery and to make margarine, lipsticks and other products. They also used baleen whales to make tennis racquets and corsets! Today, modern technology has replaced the need for whale products, so there is no need to kill whales for their oil. Sadly, some countries still kill whales to sell whale meat for profit - a very expensive luxury for some people.

In the old days of whaling, the sailors hunted whales from sail ships and rowing boats. They chased the whales and threw hand-thrown spears called harpoons at them. However, during the late 1800s, steam powered ships replaced the old sailing boats. They could sail all over the world, even to the north and south poles, and kill whales in vast numbers. Now the whalers could chase and catch the fastest swimming whales and exploding harpoons were used to kill many large whales. Not long ago it seemed that the whales would disappear altogether and become extinct!

In 1946, the whalers decided to try to stop the whales going extinct and they formed the International Whaling Commission (IWC). The IWC decided the number of whales that could be killed every year. The IWC was made up of whaling countries and they kept killing more and more whales. Soon, so few whales of some species remained that it was no longer worth trying to find and kill them.

Today, many countries have given up whaling, including the United Kingdom. People became so concerned about how the whales were suffering and dying out that they wrote letters and signed petitions calling for all whaling to stop. Because of this, in 1982 the majority of IWC member countries voted to stop killing whales for profit. A whaling ban, or moratorium, was then introduced in 1986.

Even today, no one really knows how many whales are left. Unfortunately, some countries like Japan, Iceland and Norway have refused to stop whaling. They still kill thousands of whales each year between them.

Japan
Japan says it is killing whales for 'scientific research' to discover how many whales are left and if their numbers are increasing or not. However, many countries disagree and say Japan can find out this information without killing more whales. Unfortunately, the whale meat from 'research' is sold to expensive restaurants in Japan and makes a lot of money.

Norway
Norway hunts minke whales for profit. They want to sell the meat to Japan so they can make much more money. Fishermen say that whales and seals are eating too many fish, but this is not true. It is fishermen and big fishing boats that are catching too many fish causing fish populations to collapse, - not whales!

Climate Change and whales

Climate is the long-term average of a region's weather events. Climate change is a variation in these long-term weather patterns. Climate change is sometimes called global warming

Humans are releasing too many gases into the atmosphere (air), including a gas called carbon dioxide (CO2), which traps heat from the sun causing the temperature to rise.

Coal-burning power stations, which produce electricity, along with cars and airplanes, are some of the ways that the carbon dioxide gas reaches the atmosphere.

Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere contributes to a process called 'global warming', which occurs when, carbon dioxide and other gases trap energy in the atmosphere (air) making the Earth warmer. This increase in temperature is making the ice caps melt! In addition, climate change is making the weather patterns change and we are experiencing many more storms and strong winds.

Climate change is causing problems for whales. For example, it is making the sea warmer and less salty, which affects the currents. It is also reducing the food sources available for the whales.

What can you do to help protect whales from climate change?

Listed below are three simple things you and your family can do to help reduce climate change:

1) Turn off electrical appliances when you are not using them.
For example if you are not using the computer or TV - then switch it off!

2) Eat local food
Apples grow in England, however we often have them flown half way across the world from New Zealand and other countries. This releases lots of carbon into the atmosphere from planes and ships and can cause problems for whales. Instead, choose fruit and vegetables that are grown in your country wherever possible.
3) Walk and cycle instead of using the car
Pollution and whales

Pollution is rubbish! Plastic shopping bags, nappies, old fishing nets are just some of the things that end up in the sea. Plastic bags cause problems for whales as they eat them, they think it is a tasty jellyfish. However, it gives them a tummy ache and can even kill them! Whales can get tangled in old fishing nets too causing them to drown.

Pollution can also come in the form of dirty water! For example, chemicals used to grow food can wash down the rivers into the sea. Paint from boats dissolves in the water. Such toxic chemicals can make whales ill and may be causing a drop in whale numbers.

What can you do to protect whales from pollution?

1) Stop using plastic bags. Instead, take a reusable bag when you go shopping.

2) If you live near a beach, help organise a litter pick - but always have parental supervision and use correct litter picking tools i.e. protective gloves etc

3) Stop releasing balloons as these very often end up in the sea and could be eaten by whales or dolphins
Click here for the previous section: Facts about whales, dolphins, and porpoises Click here for the next section: How can I learn more about whales?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What threats are whales facing? - campaign-whale.org

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Whales face an increasing number of threats including: Whaling For hundreds of years people hunted whales for their oil to fuel lamps and candles, to lubricate machinery and to make margarine, lipsticks and other products. They also used baleen whales to make tennis racquets and corsets!

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
They say to dress for the job you want, not the job you have. If penguins' black and white getup is anything to go by, these birds would rather be butlers. And who's to blame them? From invasive predators to toxic plastics, penguins around the world face a litany of serious threats. This Friday is Penguin Awareness Day, which means there's no better time to learn about the biggest dangers to penguins - and how you can help the ocean's best-dressed birds thrive for years to come.

1. Overfishing

Jackass penguins - named for their donkey-like braying - are the only species of penguin to call Africa home. In the 1950s, Namibia's jackass penguins mostly ate fatty, nutritious sardines. But in the 1970s, overfishing triggered a collapse of sardine stocks. Namibian penguin colonies were forced to switch to bearded gobies as their main source of prey. Though these gobies are abundant, they're low in fat and nutrients - making them the penguin equivalent of junk food. A 2010 report blamed this crummy diet for the decline in the country's penguin populations. In South Africa, similar collapses of small bait fish also caused jackass penguins to drop precipitously. And there are fears that in Antarctica, the fledgling krill fishery has the potential to decimate Adelie, chinstrap, gentoo and macaroni penguins if not tightly controlled.

2. Plastic pollution

By 2050, nearly every species of seabird will be accidentally eating plastic debris - and that includes penguins. This is the conclusion from a 2015 study that warned that, at current rates of plastic production and pollution, 99.8 percent of the 186 species included in the report would be chowing down on plastic trash by mid-century. Eating plastic causes major problems for penguins and other marine animals. If a bird swallows enough plastic, for example, the indigestible scraps can build up in its gut and prevent it from digesting real food. Plastic is also efficient at absorbing industrial toxins from ocean water. These pollutants have been linked to a slew of health problems from neurological and reproductive disorders to cancer and birth defects.

3. Industrial development

In Chile, a cluster of islands off Punta de Choros is home to approximately 80 percent of the world's Humboldt penguins. But this vital nesting site is being threatened by two new open-pit mines, a desalinization plant and a commercial port. Increasing ship traffic and coastal development will expose the region's marine life to pollution, oil spills, disruptive noise and habitat loss. Now, Oceana Chile is partnering with local communities, other NGOs and concerned Chilean citizens to oppose the new development and protect this vital stronghold for Humboldt penguins.

4. Invasive predators

On Australia's Middle Island, fairy penguin numbers plummeted after red foxes were introduced on the mainland to control rabbit populations. But foxes quickly learned they could cross to the island at low tide and feast on adult penguins and their chicks. In 1999, there were over 500 resident penguins. By 2006, that number plummeted to fewer than 10. Luckily, a local man had the smart idea of raising Maremma livestock guardian dogs among these blue-hued birds. The puppies imprinted on the penguins and defended them from foxes. Since then, there's been no evidence that foxes have killed a single one of these fish-loving fairies.

Penguins elsewhere are not so lucky. On the Galapagos Islands, made famous by Charles Darwin, resident penguins face an onslaught of invaders they did not evolve to withstand. Introduced black rats and house mice feast on penguin eggs. Nonnative plants destroy nesting habitat. And in 2007, a single house cat at Isabela Island's Caleta Iguana increased the average yearly risk of death for an adult penguin by 49 percent - proving that Little Fluffy can be a voracious killer of wildlife if not kept indoors.

5. Climate change

In Punta Tombo, Argentina, storms are becoming more intense and frequent, and that's bad news for Magellanic penguin chicks. A 2014 study that tracked almost 3,500 chicks from 1983 to 2010 found that rainstorms and extreme temperatures were major causes of death for young penguins. Rain is particularly harmful to chicks as their fluffy down is only insulating when it's dry. Over the 27-year-long study, penguin numbers dropped by 20 percent while the number of storms during each nesting season rose. This makes climate change one of the potential culprits behind Punta Tombo's missing Magellans.

Climate change doesn't just hurt penguin chicks directly. It can also slash the amount of food that their parents can find and bring back to the nest. Rockhopper penguins, which breed on islands and coastlines north of the Antarctic Circle, have seen some giant population drops in recent years. On Marion Island, 1,900 kilometers (1,200 miles) south of Cape Town, rockhopper penguin numbers plummeted by 52 percent from 1987 to 2013. One 2008 study attributed this decline to the underfed conditions of adults - which in turn was bad news for hungry chicks entirely dependent on their parents for food. Warmer water, shifting winds and a host of other climate change induced factors may be to blame for the starving birds.

How you can help

It can be hard to directly help a penguin in trouble - after all, most of the world's human population lives in the northern hemisphere, and all penguins species live south of the equator. But there are plenty of ways you can support healthy, vibrant oceans.

Only eat seafood that comes from well-managed, sustainable fisheries. The Monterey Bay Aquarium's Seafood Watch app offers clear, science-based advice on what to buy and what to avoid. Cut back on how much plastic you buy - some pioneering folks have even eliminated plastic entirely - and be sure to recycle and properly dispose of what you have to get.

With climate change posing a growing threat to nature's fish-loving butlers, there's a laundry list of options to slash your carbon footprint. The biggest of these include eating less meat, buying less stuff, and driving and flying a little as possible. But perhaps most importantly, citizens need to support politicians that recognize the science of climate change and work to stop catastrophic warming.

You can also support Oceana's campaigns to reduce bycatch, end overfishing and protect marine habitats. Donate to help our penguin-friendly work, or symbolically adopt a penguin here.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Top 5 Threats to Penguins - And What You Can Do to Help

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
They say to dress for the job you want, not the job you have. If penguins' black and white getup is anything to go by, these birds would rather be butlers. And who's to blame them? From invasive predators to toxic plastics, penguins around the world face a litany of serious threats.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Prejustice, fear and misunderstanding about the species. Many fairy tales and myths tend to misrepresent wolves as villainous, dangerous creatures. Some hunters perceive wolves as a threat to hunting opportunities, while others understand that wolves tend to prey on weaker or diseased animals. By culling weaker animals from the herds, wolves help maintain the overall health of these animals.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
What threatens wolves - Carnivora Dinarica

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Prejustice, fear and misunderstanding about the species. Many fairy tales and myths tend to misrepresent wolves as villainous, dangerous creatures. Some hunters perceive wolves as a threat to hunting opportunities, while others understand that wolves tend to prey on weaker or diseased animals.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Whales are a diverse group of animals - and yes, whales are mammals. They breathe air (through blowholes), and in fact, some whales are even identified by the characteristic shapes of their spray. Female whales give birth to live young who they feed with milk. All whales are warm blooded, and they eat and make blubber to stay warm as they move through the world's huge oceans.

Because of their diversity, each species has a life cycle that is a bit different.

There are two main groups of whales (taxonomic order Cetacea): baleen whales and toothed whales. Toothed whales, like killer whales, dolphins and narwhals, sometimes have teeth they use to devour larger prey. However, their name can be misleading; sometimes those teeth aren't very sharp, or the whale species in question doesn't have many teeth. Toothed whales only have one blowhole.

Baleen whales have mouths full of baleen plates instead of teeth. These allow them to filter the water and eat large amounts of small critters like crustaceans and plankton. Baleen whales breathe through paired blowholes.

Toothed or baleen, whales are amazing. Some whales have a life span similar to humans - around 80 or 90 years. The largest creature on Earth, the blue whale, can grow large enough to fit in an Olympic-sized swimming pool with only a few feet to spare.

Like most animals on the planet, whales find a mate by courting. Males show off with song, fancy swimming or even gift giving. Females often mate with more than one male each season. Depending on the species, a calf can take 10 to 17 months to develop in its mother's womb. Mothers make a thick milk that won't dissipate easily in the ocean water.

Some baby whales, also known as calves, stay with their mother and original pod for life; others will travel alone or find a new pod once they are independent hunters and swimmers.
Read more about how whale's mate.

Gray whales are a common sight off the West Coast of the United States.

They are dark gray in color, but often splotched with white. These patches are barnacles, a creature that seems to make a happy home on the gray whale. A thorough covering of barnacles can indicate an older whale. Gray whales are often solitary or travel in small groups. Gray whales are only found in the Pacific Ocean.

Off the United States, they feed in northern waters in the summer, and in the fall, they migrate south to Baja California. At around eight years old, mothers are able to give birth to one calf.

Also known as orcas, killer whales are arguably the easiest type of whale to identify.

They have sleek black bodies with tall, straight dorsal fins and white patches behind their eyes and on their undersides. An orca's diet is diverse and depends on their habitat. In the North Pacific, orcas seem to prefer salmon and other fish. Elsewhere, they have been known to eat squid, sea lions and other small marine mammals, and seabirds like penguins. As their nickname suggests, killer whales are accomplished hunters, often working together to trap prey.
Read more about a whale's diet.

They spend their 50 to 60 years of life with a pod of about 20 other whales. At age 10 to 13, female orcas can get pregnant. They can birth one calf at a time. Moms will nurse their young for one year.

Each year humpback whales migrate from the tropics, where they breed, to more abundant feeding grounds in the higher latitudes. Some humpbacks migrate up to 5,000 miles. In colder waters, they devour krill and small fish by filtering them through their baleen plates. Humpbacks are easy to identify due to a unmistakeable hump in front of their dorsal fin, long pectoral fins and white undersides. Some humpbacks are able to give birth starting at age four.

Mothers have one calf that they will nurse for a year. Though calves are thought to return to the same breeding and feeding grounds as their moms, they usually don't stick together for life. Humpbacks can live up to 90 years.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
The two main types of whales are toothed and baleen, though many different species exist. All whales are mammals, and some whales migrate great distances. Many toothed whales hunt. Baleen whales filter food from the water. Most whales give birth to a single baby whale and live long lives in groups.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Our oceans and seas are home to a broad array of extraordinary animals, fish and other life.

Some of the creatures are mesmerizingly beautiful whilst others, like sharks, can be seen as frightening but they are still fascinating to learn about. This article contains some awesome facts about sharks for kids and covers information about the different species of sharks, their bodies and what they do down there in the depths of the water.

Once you have finished reading our interesting facts about sharks, we also have a great article on [glyphic shark facts]. Want to learn about a different marine organism instead? Then our [jellyfish] facts for kids are sure to pique your interest.

With so many shark species on this planet, it is unsurprising that the internet is filled with amazing facts about them. We have looked high and low, however, and these are the facts about sharks we think are a must-know for any child.

1. The average lifespan of a shark is 20-30 years.

2. If you've ever asked yourself 'are sharks fish?' the answer is yes! Although sharks look like a marine mammal, they are indeed a type of fish.

3. Sharks can swim up to 50km an hour but only in short bursts.

4. There are more than 500 shark species in the world.

5. When sharks jump out from under the surface of the water, it is referred to as a breach.

6. An estimated 100 million sharks are killed by fisheries every year by becoming accidentally caught in fishing nets or lines.

7. Sharks constantly shed their teeth and grow new ones. It is not unusual for a shark to have 50,000 teeth over a lifetime.

8. Most sharks have a streamlined, torpedo-shaped body that reduces friction so they can swim more easily.

9. A shark has six senses; vision, taste, smell, hearing, touch and electro-reception.

10. 97% of all sharks are harmless to humans due to their size and teeth.

11. Each year Shark Awareness Day is recognized on the 14 July.

12. 143 shark species are under threat and are listed by the IUCN from vulnerable to critically endangered.

13. Great white sharks are at the top of the food chain.

14. A whale shark can take in more than 6000 of litres of water per hour through its gills.

15. Excluding the Mediterranean sea, the whale shark can be found in all temperatures and tropical oceans worldwide.

16. The angel shark is an interesting and cool shark as it looks more like a ray than a shark.

17. Sawsharks are unusual because they have a long, thin snout lined with teeth that they use to slash their prey.

18. Baby sharks swim away from their mums once they are born to avoid being eaten by them.

19. Sharks only eat about two per cent of their body weight.

20. Shark to shark communication takes place through body language such as arching their backs and lowering their fins.

Sharks have been present in our water for a long, long time and were swimming about long before boats and submarines were ever invented. We dove into the past to bring you some captivating knowledge about sharks throughout history.

21. The earliest known sharks date back to over 420m million years ago.

22. Up until the 16th century, mariners referred to sharks as 'sea dogs'.

23. The megalodon was the biggest shark and one of the largest fish to ever exist in the world. This predator lived just after the dinosaurs some 23 million years ago but only became extinct 2.6 million years ago.

24. As one of the largest fish to have ever existed, the megalodon is estimated to have grown to between 15 and 18 metres in length making it three times longer than the great white shark.

25. Fossils suggest that there have been up to 3,000 species of shark throughout history.

26. Much of what scientists have discovered about the evolution of sharks is from the different type of shark teeth that have been discovered.

27. There have been many films made about sharks with one of the most famous being the 1975 film Jaws.

28. Sharks have survived five extinction events on Earth with the last one being what killed the dinosaurs.

29. One of the earliest known types of sharks is called the Cladoselache.

30. Herodotus, an Ancient Greek historian, once claimed that a group of sharks destroyed a fleet of Persian ships in the 5th century B.C.

31. Helicoprion sharks which lived 290 million years in the past had strange jaws full of teeth that resembled a circular saw.

32. The Carboniferous Period, which began hundreds of millions of years ago, is known as the 'golden age of sharks'.

33. In 2016 a song called Baby Shark by Pinkfong became a viral internet hit.

34. In 2019, the Smithsonian museum installed a 2000lb model of a female megalodon.

35. Since 2010, Discovery Channel's Shark Week is the longest-running television event in history.

The anatomy of sharks differs from fish in many ways so we have dedicated this section to finding out all about the bodies of these captivating creatures.

36. The skeletons of sharks are made from cartilage instead of bone.

37. Sharks have five to seven gills which they use to take in oxygen and expel carbon dioxide.

38. Sharks tail are asymmetrical with the top lobe of the tail being larger than the bottom lobe.

39. Unlike fish, sharks have don't have a swim bladder to help with their buoyancy in the water.

40. Sharks can detect slight electrical fields thanks to their advanced electroreceptive system.

41. Sharks can have up to 3000 teeth in their mouth at a time.

42. The stomach of a shark is u-shaped and contains strong acids to help break down their food.

43. Sharks do have a tongue and it is referred to as a basihyal.

44. Females sharks can be pregnant for up to two years.

45. Sharks have an s-shaped heart with two chambers.

46. The texture of a shark's skin is rough as it is covered in small scales that are similar to teeth called dermal denticles.

47. The jaws of a shark aren't attached to its skull and move as separate parts.

48. Sharks don't have vocal cords so don't make any sound.

49. Although sharks have eyelids, they don't blink. They use them to protect their eyes when fighting.

50. There are nearly 50 different species of sharks which have light-emitting organs called photospheres.

51. Great white sharks can grow about 10 inches in length every year.

52. Sharks have fins to provide balance and stability in the water.

53. For some sharks, their liver makes up 25% of their entire body weight.

54. Some sharks, such as the whitetip reek shark can rest on the seabed.

55. Sharks have a spiracle which is an opening that allows oxygenated blood to go directly to their brain and eyes.
‍

Ever wondered what sharks get up to under the surface of the water because we sure have! These shark fun facts reveal some interesting insights into their habits, their food and their personalities.

56. Sharks don't sleep as they have to continue swimming in order to breathe.

57. Most species feed on fish and other small invertebrates but some large sharks will also eat animals such as seals and penguins.

58. Sharks typically live and hunt by themselves, only engaging with other sharks to mate.

59. Most sharks are opportunistic feeders and use the element of surprise to catch their prey.

60. As hunting takes a lot of energy, many sharks will take one large bite from their prey and wait for them to die before eating them.

61. Although the diet between shark species can vary quite a lot, they are all carnivores.

62. It can be hard for scientists to track a shark for an entire day because of how quickly they can move.

63. Sharks can use the heartbeat of their prey in order to track them.

64. Divers have been known to swim alongside whale sharks in total safety.

65. After one big meal, some sharks can go three months before needing to eat again.

67. When a baby shark is born it already has teeth and can swim immediately.

68. When held in captivity, some sharks may refuse to eat, abstaining from food for long periods.

69. Sharks will circle their prey to get a better idea of what they have spotted before they try to eat it.

70. Sharks do seem to experience a wide range of emotions, like fear, anger and curiosity, according to scientists.

There are so many species of shark such as whale sharks and hammerheads, all with their own distinct appearances and features so this section is all about the finer details of these species and what makes them different from one another including some jaw-dropping great white shark facts!

71. The jaw of a great white shark is more powerful than a jungle cat's jaw.

72. If you want to know which species are the coolest sharks then it won't be the Mako or the Great White as these are partially warm-blooded and can raise their temperature to close to that of the water.

73. There is a Greenland shark in the North Atlantic ocean that scientists believe to be 512 years old.

74. Hammerhead shark s use their head to pin string rays to the seafloor.

75. Although called a whale shark, they are actually the world's largest living species of fish.

76. The whale shark is often referred to as the 'gentle giant' as although it can grow up to 12m in length, it cannot bite or chew.

77. Whale sharks don't move very quickly, averaging just three miles per hour.

78. Tiger sharks will eat pretty much anything and the stomach contents from various tiger sharks have included license plates, a bag of money and even other sharks,

79. The blue shark can give birth to as many as 135 in just one litter.

80. Dwarf lantern sharks are very small sharks indeed, measuring less than the width of a human hand.

81. Great white sharks have an incredibly good sense of smell and can detect the equivalent of one drop of blood in an Olympic-sized swimming pool.

82. The skin of a whale shark is six inches thick.

83. Great white sharks can travel for days on end and have been known to travel distances of over 2,500 miles.

84. Hammerhead sharks have a 360-degree vision which is great for finding prey.

85. Basking sharks are the UK's largest fish, growing up to 11 metres long.

Every fact about sharks in this section is guaranteed to make you say 'wow!' as they are the most surprising facts we came across during our research including some startling bull shark facts.

86. Not all sharks live in the ocean and there are a few species that inhabit lakes and rivers instead.

87. Bull sharks have evolved to be able to live in both freshwater and saltwater.

88. Shark attacks are actually very uncommon and lightning strikes are considered more deadly.

89. Deaths caused by hippos, deers and cows are more common than shark attacks.

90. Sharks don't really have natural predators and their greatest threat is humans, but some scientists suggest that sharks might actually be scared of other sea animals such as killer whales and dolphins.

91. When sharks get flipped over they go into a trance-like state called tonic immobility.

92. The spot pattern on each whale shark is totally unique, just like fingerprints.

93. The goblin shark is often considered the ugliest of all the species. It has pink skin and a long, flat snout.

94. Despite being great swimmers, sharks can only swim forwards.

95. The largest great white ever recorded is named Deep Blue weighs a staggering 4000 pounds.

96. Scientists can determine the age of a shark by counting the rings on their vertebrae.

97. Some hammerhead sharks live in groups, making them one of the more social species.

98. Cookiecutter sharks are called so because of the mark they leave behind when they take a chunk from their prey.

99. Shark embryos can sense danger whilst they are in their egg sacks.

100. The megamouth shark feeds on krill and was first documented in 1976.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly facts for everyone to enjoy! If you liked our suggestions for 100 Thrilling Shark Facts That Kids Will Love then why not take a look at blue crab facts, or clownfish facts?

Jade is a Londoner by birth but now lives in Lincolnshire and loves the beautiful countryside that is just a step outside her door. Jade has been a primary school teacher for several years, she has an extensive knowledge of the curriculum, toys, games, activities, and learning opportunities for children aged between 3 and 11. She is always seeking out and uncovering new outdoor adventures and educational attractions for when her two wonderful nephews come to stay and loves finding a great deal on an event or a new attraction they haven't been to before. Jade has a keen interest in science and crafts and loves finding experiments and activities for fun, messy, and engaging things to keep her nephews entertained at home on rainy days.

Read The Disclaimer

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
100 Thrilling Shark Facts That Kids Will Love | Kidadl

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Our oceans and seas are home to a broad array of extraordinary animals, fish and other life. Some of the creatures are mesmerizingly beautiful whilst others, like sharks, can be seen as frightening but they are still fascinating to learn about.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Penguins for Kids: Interesting Facts - Different Types of Penguins for Children. Kids Academy

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.provider_name
International Wolf Center | Teaching the World about Wolves.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Fun wolf facts for kids | International Wolf Center

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
With so many things to know and discover about wolves, let's explore many of the fun facts there are out there! We can learn more now with this post.