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English to French, Italian, German & Spanish Dictionary - WordReference.com

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Free online dictionaries - Spanish, French, Italian, German and more. Conjugations, audio pronunciations and forums for your questions.

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Enjoy this expertly researched article on the Lion, including where Lion s live, what they eat & much more. Now with high quality pictures of Lion s.

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Giraffe Pictures

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Giraffe Classification and Evolution

The Giraffe is a long-necked, hoofed mammal that is natively found grazing in the open woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa. The Giraffe is the tallest living animal on land and despite its height is mostly closely related to the much smaller and solitary Okapi, that is found elusively dwelling in the dense tropical forests. There are nine recognised sub-species of Giraffe that are found in differing geographic locations and vary somewhat in the colour and pattern of their spot-like markings. Although the Giraffe would have once been found across sub-Saharan Africa and even in parts of North Africa, today they are extinct from much of their historically vast natural range with only small, isolated populations remaining in a handful of regions in central Africa. Further south however, Giraffe populations are considered to be stable and are even growing in some areas due to an increase in demand for them on private ranches.

Giraffe Anatomy and Appearance

The Giraffe is an animal with an enormously long neck which allows it to exploit the leaves and vegetation that are too high up for other animals to find. Despite their length, the neck of the Giraffe actually contains the same number of bones as numerous other hoofed mammals but they are simply longer in shape. The Giraffe's elongated neck leads into a short body, with long and thin, straight legs and a long tail that is tipped with a black tuft that helps to keep flies away. The Giraffe tends to be white in colour with brown or reddish markings that cover its body (with the exception of their white lower legs). The markings of each Giraffe are not only unique to that individual but they also vary greatly between the different Giraffe species in size, colour and the amount of white that surrounds them. All Giraffes though have large eyes that along with their height give them excellent vision, and small horn-like ossicones on the top of their heads.

As a ruminant, giraffes are an animal with multiple stomachs. They'll often eat north of 75 pounds of leafs per day, with their four stomachs each handling different functions to aid in extremely efficient digestion of nutrients.

Giraffe Distribution and Habitat

Previously found even in North Africa, today the remaining Giraffe populations are restricted to parts of sub-Saharan Africa with the largest concentrations being found in National Parks. Giraffes are animals that inhabit open woodlands and savannah where using their height they are able to see for great distances around them to watch out for approaching danger. The nine different Giraffe species are found in varying countries on the continent, each exploiting their local ecological niche. Due to the fact that Giraffes feed on vegetation that is high in the trees but also too woody for the mouths of smaller herbivores, they are also able to remain in areas where domestic grazing has obliterated the plant species close to the ground, forcing the species that feed on them to move on. Giraffes throughout Africa though have been drastically affected by the loss of vast regions of their natural habitats.

Giraffe Behaviour and Lifestyle

The large size of the Giraffe means that it must spend a great deal of time eating which it tends to do the most during the more tolerable heat of the morning and evening. During the hot midday sun, Giraffes rest in more shaded regions where they (like a number of their relatives) regurgitate their food known as cud, before then consuming it again. Small herds comprised of a number of females and their young spend both the day and night together to protect their offspring from predators, but male Giraffes are much more solitary often roaming over large areas in search of a fertile female. If however they come into contact with a rival male, the two will begin to bump heads and interlock their necks as a way of establishing a dominance hierarchy, with the winner earning the right to mate with the local females.

Giraffes only sleep one or two hours per day. More impressive is that they have adaptations that allow them to sleep in power naps while standing up.

Giraffe Reproduction and Life Cycles

Giraffes breed year round and after finding a female to mate with, the male Giraffe will resume his solitary ways. After a gestation period that lasts for 15 months, the female Giraffe gives birth to a single infant (twins are rare) that already stands at two meters tall and has its unique markings. Giraffe calves look the same as adult Giraffes but simply become even bigger and more elongated as the grow and mature. After birth, the female Giraffe will often keep her calf away from the rest of the herd for an average of 15 days and the calf will then be weaned when it is just over a year old. Male Giraffes are able to breed a year later than females, but are sometimes not successful until they are nearly eight years old. Although both male and female young Giraffes will join small groups males tend to become more solitary with age, where females remain together but will often wander between different herds.

Giraffe Diet and Prey

The Giraffe is a herbivorous animal that has evolved to be the height that it is so that it has less competition for food on the higher branches of the canopy. Giraffes are known to eat up to 60 different species of plant throughout the year and do so by grabbing onto branches with their long, black tongue (that can grow up to 18 inches long) and using their tough prehensile lips and flattened, grooved teeth are able to strip the leaves off the branches. Giraffes most commonly eat from acacia trees but also browse for wild apricots, flowers, fruits and buds along with eating seeds and fresh grass just after the rains. Giraffes get 70% of their moisture from their food so need to drink very little but when they do come across clean water, they must splay their front legs (which are longer than the back) in order to get their head close enough to the ground to drink. Giraffes can survive for up to three weeks without drinking water. Learn more about the toughest animals in the world here.

Giraffe Predators and Threats

Despite being the tallest land animal in the world, the Giraffe is actually preyed upon by a number of large carnivores that co-inhabit the dry savannah. Lions are the primary predators of the Giraffe. Lions use the strength of the whole pride to catch their victim, but giraffes are also preyed upon by Leopards and Hyenas. Giraffes rely on the vast open plains so that they can have the best view possible of their surroundings but if a predators does get too close, Giraffes kick their attacker with their large, heavy feet to defend themselves. Young calves however, are much more vulnerable and rely on the protection of their mother and the herd. Sadly though, around 50% of young Giraffes do not make it past the age of 6 months due to predation. All Giraffes are also threatened by hunting from Humans with populations having completely disappeared from certain areas.

Giraffe Interesting Facts and Features

Even though Giraffes feed higher than any other animal, males actually still feed at higher levels than females to avoid competing with each other for food. They stretch their necks higher up which also possibly gives them an advantage when watching out for predators. If danger is sighted, Giraffes will instantly sprint away and can run at speeds of more than 30mph for short periods of time. Interestingly enough though they are not actually able to trot as their body shape and size means they trip over and so must instantly go from walk to run. Due to the elongated height of the Giraffe and its large sensitive eyes, they are able to see for some considerable distance and have the greatest range of vision of any animal on land.

Giraffe Relationship with Humans

The Giraffe today is seen as a major tourist attraction and is one of many people's must-see species when the go on safari. However, Giraffes have been hunted by people and also have been severely affected by their encroachment on their natural habitats which has led to vast population declines across Africa and even the extinction of the species in some countries. In southern parts of Africa though, Giraffe populations are even growing in some areas as they are becoming more and more popular as game on private ranches. However, due to hunting and habitat loss Giraffes have lost half of their once vast natural range with the majority of wild individuals found in a number of Africa's large national parks.

Giraffe Conservation Status and Life Today

Today, the Giraffe is listed by the IUCN as an animal that is of Least Concern of becoming extinct in its natural environment in the near future due to the fact that the majority of Giraffe populations are currently stable and are in fact increasing in some areas. They are however, still affected by both hunting and habitat loss with populations further north becoming sparser and more isolated from one another. A few of the nine Giraffe species are now listed as either Threatened or Endangered.

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Giraffe FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Are Giraffes herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores?
Giraffes are Herbivores, meaning they eat plants.
What Kingdom do Giraffes belong to?
Giraffes belong to the Kingdom Animalia.
What phylum do Giraffes belong to?
Giraffes belong to the phylum Chordata.
What class do Giraffes belong to?
Giraffes belong to the class Mammalia.
What family do Giraffes belong to?
Giraffes belong to the family Giraffidae.
What order do Giraffes belong to?
Giraffes belong to the order Artiodactyla.
What genus do Giraffes belong to?
Giraffes belong to the genus Giraffa.
What type of covering do Giraffes have?
Giraffes are covered in Hair.
Where do Giraffes live?
Giraffes live in sub-Saharan Africa.
In what type of habitat do Giraffes live?
Giraffes live in open woodlands and savannas.
What are some predators of Giraffes?
Predators of Giraffes include lions, leopards, and hyenas.
What is the average litter size for a Giraffe?
The average litter size for a Giraffe is 1.
What is an interesting fact about Giraffes?
Giraffes have long, black tongues that can grow up to 18 inches long!
What is the scientific name for the Giraffe?
The scientific name for the Giraffe is Giraffa camelopardalis.
What is the lifespan of a Giraffe?
Giraffes can live for 20 to 25 years.
What is a baby Giraffe called?
A baby Giraffe is called a calf.
How many species of Giraffe are there?
There are 9 species of Giraffe.
What is the biggest threat to the Giraffe?
The biggest threats to Giraffes are hunting and habitat loss.
How fast is a Giraffe?
A Giraffe can travel at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour.
Who would win a fight between a giraffe and a zebra?
A giraffe would win a fight against a zebra. Giraffes can weigh almost three times as much as a zebra, and all that weight brings a lot more power. A giraffe would either use its ossicones to severely harm a zebra or knock it out directly, then the giraffe would kick the zebra to death.
Who would win a fight between a lion and a giraffe?
A giraffe would win a fight against a lion. Notice that we said one giraffe would win against a single lion if they were both fully grown. Lions mostly kill giraffes when they are young, and they will often use their pride to kill a larger giraffe.

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Sources

1. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2011) Animal, The Definitive Visual Guide To The World's Wildlife

2. Tom Jackson, Lorenz Books (2007) The World Encyclopedia Of Animals

3. David Burnie, Kingfisher (2011) The Kingfisher Animal Encyclopedia

4. Richard Mackay, University of California Press (2009) The Atlas Of Endangered Species

5. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2008) Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Animals

6. Dorling Kindersley (2006) Dorling Kindersley Encyclopedia Of Animals

7. David W. Macdonald, Oxford University Press (2010) The Encyclopedia Of Mammals

8. Giraffe Information, Available here: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/giraffe/

9. Giraffe Conservation, Available here: http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/9194/0

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Enjoy this expertly researched article on the Monkey, including where Monkey s live, what they eat & much more. Now with high quality pictures of Monkey s.

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Fox

The fox is a scavenger carnivours dog, generally found in urban city areas in the northern Hemisphere. The fox is a nocturnal mammal, meaning that the fox only goes out a night to hunt for prey.

Wild foxes tend live for around 6-7 years, but some foxes have been known to be older than 13 in captivity. The wild fox hunts for the mouse and other small mammals and birds, but foxes appear to enjoy all species of insect.

A fox is generally smaller than other members of the dog family like wolves, jackals and domestic dogs. Foxes can be a pest in the cities as foxes are often seen tearing into rubbish.

There are around 12 different species of fox found around the world, which include the urban fox or red fox, the beautifully white Arctic fox, the sand fox which is a light-coloured fox found in desert regions and the tiny yet big eared fennec fox.

Foxes in Europe have been the victims of fox hunting, an extremely controversial sport that involves humans on horses hunting out the fox, lead by a pack of hound dogs which would find the fox by following the scent of the fox. Fox hunting in this manner is now illegal, although it is still allowed if the sport only contains humans on horseback, without the use of their clever but somewhat vicious dogs.

The fox is also found in the more rural areas of the Northern hemisphere, although fox numbers in the countryside are outnumbered by fox numbers in cities as due to the foxes scavenging nature, food is more readily available in the urban streets.

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The fox is a scavenger carnivours dog, generally found in urban city areas in the northern Hemisphere. The fox is a nocturnal mammal, meaning that the fox only goes out a night to hunt for prey.Wild foxes tend live for around 6-7 years, but some foxes have...

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Ant

The ant is a small sized invertebrate that is found all around the world, with the exception of the polar regions including the Arctic Circle and Antarctica. As with many other species of insect, there are numerous ant species inhabiting many different environments all around the world.

There are more than 12,000 recognised species of ant worldwide, but there are estimated to be nearly 14,000 in total. Ants are thought to have developed from wasp like creatures 100 million years ago after blooming flowers appeared on Earth.

Ants are found in many different sizes and vary in colour depending on the species of ant. Some species of ant even have wings so are able to fly which only extends the range of their territory. In the more humid environment of the tropical jungles of the Southern Hemisphere, the ants are generally of the bigger species, often reaching more than a few centimetres long.

Ants are extremely sociable insects and have a complex social structure where every ant individual has a purpose (effectively a job). Ants live in colonies and have a social structure from the worker ants that gather the materials and food, as well as nursing and caring for the ant larvae (the babies), to the queen ant that runs the nest and is the only female that reproduces in her colony.

The queen ant often can live for over a year which is considerably longer than the lives of the worker ants which only really last for a couple of months. The queen ant produces between 800 and 1,500 eggs per day which are fertilised by the sperm of the male ants which is present in the nest. Remarkably, ant eggs that have not been fertilised will still hatch but produce sterile female ants that become worker ants as they cannot reproduce.

Ants are omnivorous animals and therefore eat a mixture of both plant and animal matter. The diet of the ant primarily consists of leaves, fungi, honey, nectar, small insects and dead animals, although the exact diet of the ant depends on the species. Some ants species have a more herbivorous diet, where other species of ant mainly eat meat.

Due to their abundance and small size, ants have numerous animals that prey on them from tiny insects to reptiles, mammals and fish, and even certain species of plant have also developed ways in which they can digest them.

An ant is said to be able lift up to 50 times its own body weight, and be able to be pull more than 30 times it own body weight. This is the equivalent of an average human adult lifting a fully grown African elephant!

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The ant is a small sized invertebrate that is found all around the world, with the exception of the polar regions including the Arctic Circle and Antarctica. As with many other species of insect, there are numerous ant species inhabiting many different environments...

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Enjoy this expertly researched article on the Koala, including where Koala s live, what they eat & much more. Now with high quality pictures of Koala s.

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Puma Pictures

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Puma Classification and Evolution

The Puma is a large, secretive Cat predominantly found in the mountains from southern Canada to the tip of South America. Also commonly known as the Cougar and the Mountain Lion, Pumas are able to reach larger sizes than some 'big' cat individuals but despite their large size they are believed to be more closely related to smaller feline species. Due to their extensive distribution, there are 7 subspecies of Puma all of which share similar characteristics but tend to vary slightly in colour and occasionally size. The Puma is thought to be one of the most adaptable felines on the American continents as they are found in a variety of different habitats and unlike numerous Cat species, the Puma has no markings on its fur leading to its scientific name Felis concolor which means 'cat of one colour'.

Puma Anatomy and Appearance

Due to the fact that the majority of Pumas are found in more mountainous regions, they have a thick coat of fur which helps to keep them warm in the freezing winters. Depending on the subspecies and location, the Puma's fur varies in colour from brown-yellow to grey-red, with those individuals found in colder regions being more grey and those found in warmer areas having more of a red tinge to their fur. The Puma is an incredibly powerful predator and has muscular hind legs that are slightly longer and stronger than the front, which makes them more agile when leaping. They also have enormous paws which are very large in comparison to their body size. The Puma is an animal with large wide-set eyes which not only enable it to see what is ahead of it, but they can also see for some distance around them as well. They have pointed ears and their acute hearing allows them to detect prey even when it is too dark for them to see.

Puma Distribution and Habitat

The Puma is an animal that is found in the mountains throughout South and North America where it inhabits rocky crags and pastures slightly lower down than the slopes than the grazing herbivores. Although these seem to be the Puma's preferred conditions they are extremely adaptable animals that can be found in a variety of habitats including forests, tropical jungle, grasslands and even in more arid desert regions. However, with expanding Human settlements and land clearance for agriculture, the Puma is being pushed into smaller pockets of its historically vast range, retreating into more hostile mountain environments that are further away from people. It is widely believed however that the Puma's adaptability has been vital in ensuring that it doesn't disappear from the wild forever.

Puma Behaviour and Lifestyle

The Puma is a solitary animal with the exception of the time cubs spend with their mother. Pumas patrol large home ranges in search of food which varies from 80 square miles in the summer to 40 in the winter, when the falling snow restricts access to a number of mountain areas. Some regions can become so hostile that Pumas migrate from the mountain forests and go down into the valleys to escape the worst of the cold. Not only can Pumas easily adapt to different surroundings but they are also able to hunt effectively during the day or night. Their strong and muscular hind legs and large paws mean that the Puma can move about amongst the rocks more quickly and with greater agility. Pumas are known to make a variety of different sounds, particularly when warning another Puma away from their territory and during the mating season when they are looking for a mate.

Puma Reproduction and Life Cycles

The breeding season tends to occur between December and March with litters of up to 6 cubs being born after a three month gestation period, generally between February and September. After mating, the male and the female part company and he will continue to mate with other females for the duration of the season. Like numerous other felines, Puma cubs are born blind and are completely helpless for their first two weeks of life until their blue eyes fully open. Unlike the one-colour adult Pumas, cubs are born with spots on their fur which helps them to be more easily camouflaged from hungry predators. They are able to eat solid food when they are between 2 and 3 months old and remain with their mother for about a year. Many Pumas live to an average age of 12 years but they have been known to reach 25 years old in captivity.

Puma Diet and Prey

The Puma is a large and powerful carnivore, hunting and eating only other animals in order to survive. The majority of the Puma's diet is comprised of small animals like Mice, Rats, Birds, Fish and Rabbits that are found living in a high abundance on the fertile mountain slopes and in the lowland forests. The large size of the Puma though also means that it can hunt bigger animals including Sheep, Raccoons, Goats and livestock which it catches by pouncing onto the animal to secure it. The Puma is not only big, but its agile and incredibly muscular body means that it can easily outrun many of the species that it hunts.

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Puma Predators and Threats

The Puma is one of the most dominant predators throughout much of their natural environment and are therefore rarely preyed upon by other species. It has been known however, for Pumas that are vulnerable due to sickness or injury to be preyed upon by other large predators including Bears and Wolves, and even other Pumas. The biggest threat to the Puma however, is people who have not only hunted this large Cat (mainly for its fur) but the Puma has also been subjected to drastic habitat loss throughout much of its natural range, mainly due to expanding Human settlements and deforestation for agriculture. In some areas they are also hunted by ranch owners who blame Pumas for their loss of livestock.

Puma Interesting Facts and Features

One of the most obvious reasons as to why this large and powerful feline is not classified as one of the world's 'big' Cats is that Pumas are not able to roar. This is something distinctive to the 'big' Cat family as no other feline is able to do so. The powerful hind legs of the Puma are so muscular that they not only allow them to pounce on and secure their prey, but they are also able to leap enormous distances of up to 20ft. One of the most famous subspecies of Puma is the Florida Panther which is the smallest of the Puma species and also the rarest. Thought to be on the brink of extinction, this endangered animal has more of a red tinge to the fur on its back along with having a dark spot in the centre.

Puma Relationship with Humans

The Puma is a fearsome predator and although attacks on Humans are rare, they do occur nonetheless. There have been nearly 100 recorded attacks on Humans but most of these occur because the Puma has been cornered or feels threatened in some way. Rare cases of severe starvation have also led to Pumas attacking Humans although this is not that common as people are not generally seen as prey to them. Puma population numbers throughout both North and South America have been declining over the past century particularly, mainly due to habitat loss and the shooting of Pumas by farmers who fear for their animals.

Puma Conservation Status and Life Today

Despite being pushed into smaller regions of their vast historical range, the Puma has been listed by the IUCN as an animal that is of Least Concern of becoming extinct in its natural environment in the immediate future. This is because Pumas are not only incredibly adaptable animals but they are also quite common in the more remote mountainous regions. In fact, many feel that it is the Pumas ability to adapt to a number of different environments that has been the reason as to why the population is still as numerous as it is.

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Puma FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Are Pumas herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores?
Pumas are Carnivores, meaning they eat other animals.
What Kingdom do Pumas belong to?
Pumas belong to the Kingdom Animalia.
What class do Pumas belong to?
Pumas belong to the class Mammalia.
What phylum to Pumas belong to?
Pumas belong to the phylum Chordata.
What family do Pumas belong to?
Pumas belong to the family Felidae.
What order do Pumas belong to?
Pumas belong to the order Carnivora.
What type of covering do Pumas have?
Pumas are covered in Fur.
What genus do Pumas belong to?
Pumas belong to the genus Puma.
Where do Pumas live?
Pumas live in North and South America.
In what type of habitat do Pumas live?
Pumas live in mountain forests and jungles.
What are some predators of Pumas?
Predators of Pumas include bears, wolves, and pumas.
How many babies do Pumas have?
The average number of babies a Puma has is 4.
What is an interesting fact about Pumas?
Pumas have longer back legs than front legs!
What is the scientific name for the Puma?
The scientific name for the Puma is Felis concolor.
What is the lifespan of a Puma?
Pumas can live for 10 to 15 years.
What is a baby Puma called?
A baby Puma is called a cub.
How many species of Puma are there?
There are 7 species of Puma.
What is the biggest threat to the Puma?
The biggest threat to the Puma is habitat loss.
What is another name for the Puma?
The Puma is also called the cougar or mountain lion.
How many Pumas are left in the world?
There are 50,000 Pumas left in the world.
How fast is a Puma?
A Puma can travel at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour.

Sources

1. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2011) Animal, The Definitive Visual Guide To The World's Wildlife

2. Tom Jackson, Lorenz Books (2007) The World Encyclopedia Of Animals

3. David Burnie, Kingfisher (2011) The Kingfisher Animal Encyclopedia

4. Richard Mackay, University of California Press (2009) The Atlas Of Endangered Species

5. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2008) Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Animals

6. Dorling Kindersley (2006) Dorling Kindersley Encyclopedia Of Animals

7. David W. Macdonald, Oxford University Press (2010) The Encyclopedia Of Mammals

8. About Pumas, Available here: http://www.wildlifesurvival.com/cougarinfo.htm

9. Puma Information, Available here: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Puma_concolor.html

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Horse

Horses evolved over 50 million years from small many toed animals to the big beautiful, single-toed horses of today. The modern horse has been domesticated around the world for many reasons including transportation and battle.

Horses tend to live for about 30 years, and the oldest recorded horse at age 56 died in 2007. Horses graze on plant matter and vegetation, preferably tender green grass. The height of a horse is measured in hands, 1 hand being the same as 10cm (4 inches). The age of the horse is estimated by the pattern of tooth wear in his mouth.

An adult female is called a mare, and a young female is called a filly. An adult male is a stallion, and a young male is a colt. An unweaned baby of either sex is a foal. Castrated males and spayed females are called geldings. Mares carry their young inside them for approximately 11 months. When the baby horse is born, the young horse is often able to stand and then run about not long after birth. A mare comes into season one month after her foal is born. If she is remated then, she will have a foal at the same time each year.

The horses' hoofs are made out of horn which comes in different colors, with black being most common. Horses with white feet often have white hoofs, which are more brittle than pigmented ones. Appaloosa horses often have striped hoofs consisting of both pigmented and white hoof material.

There are thought to be more than 300 different breeds of horse found around the world today, each being bred for a purpose. Enormous draft horses such as Clydesdales pull heavy wagons, lighter saddle horses are for riding, and pony breeds are suitable for children and small adults. Miniature horses (30" and under) are primarily pets, though some have been used to guide blind people.

Horses have remarkable hearing and are almost able to have 360 degree hearing. The sense of smell of the horse is better than that of a human but the horse tends to rely more on vision than smell. Their field of monocular vision is almost 360 degrees with a narrower field of binocular vision in front and slightly to the sides. Horses have a blind spot directly in front of the nose and directly behind them. For this reason it is better to approach from the side. Whether they can see color is inconclusive. They do have much better night vision than humans.

Horses have an advanced sense of taste which allows the horse to sort through grasses and grains to find the things that the horse would most like to eat. Horses generally will not eat plants that are poisonous, but when the horse cannot find more adequate food, the horse will eat plants that contain toxins. A horse's gut is designed to have food flowing through it almost continually, and horses graze most of the day if allowed.

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Horses evolved over 50 million years from small many toed animals to the big beautiful, single-toed horses of today. The modern horse has been domesticated around the world for many reasons including transportation and battle.Horses tend to live for about...

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Lynx Pictures

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View all of the Lynx images! As solitary and stealthy predators, the lynx is rarely seen by humans.
The Canada lynx is one of the biggest wild cats in North America, but other species of these cats also inhabit Europe and Asia. The lynx is easy to spot with its huge furry paws, stubby tail, and long ear tufts. The huge paws serve as natural snowshoes to help them navigate the snowy, cold forests and mountains it calls home.

An Incredible Animal: 4 Lynx facts!

Lynx are solitary animals that typically only come together for mating

Four species of these cats are found in many places around the world, including North America, Russia, Europe, and Asia

The lynx is an opportunistic predator that will generally eat any prey that it is capable of killing

Lynx are animals that are easily recognizable by their large paws, tufted ears, stubby tail, and grayish-brown coat colors

You can check out more incredible facts about lynxes.

Lynx Scientific name

Lynx refers to four species of stubby-tailed wild cats that live in the cold forests of North America, Europe, and Asia. All of these animals belong to the class Mammalia, the order Carnivora, the suborder Feliformia, the family Felidae, and the subfamily Felinae. The name lynx is part of the scientific name of each of the four species. It originates from an old Greek word that meant light or brightness. The term is thought to refer to the lynx's bright, reflective eyes. The four species of these animals are as follows:

Lynx: The Animal's Appearance

The most notable features of these cats are their huge paws, tufted ears, and stubby tail. The color of the animal varies depending on the species. The body color follows a gradient of medium brown to golden brown to as light as grayish-white. A furry ruff is found on all species. It's usually marked with black bars that look like a bowtie, but it's not always visible. All species have white fur on the undersides of their bodies.

The size and weight of the animal depend on the species. The Eurasian lynx is the largest with males weighing between 40 and 66 pounds. It stands roughly 27 inches at the shoulder. The Canada lynx weighs between 18 and 31 pounds and stands between 19 and 22 inches at the shoulder. The Iberian lynx weighs 28 pounds for males and 20 pounds for females. Height varies between 23 and 27 inches at the shoulder. The bobcat weighs between 16 and 30 pounds and stands between 20 and 24 inches at the shoulder.

Bobcats are technically part of the lynx species, but they look a bit different compared to the other three species. They typically do not have long ear tufts, and their paws aren't as obviously large and padded due to their common habitat in warmer climes. The bobcat's scientific name, rufus, alludes to its reddish-brown coloring, and it often has prominent black spots as well.

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Lynx Behavior

These cats are typically solitary animals. Rarely, small groups of these cats will travel together and hunt prey. They usually live in dens burrowed into ledges or rocky crevices. This is where they raise their kittens as well. A lynx won't usually take its food back to its den unless it is a mother that needs to feed her kittens. These animals are very stealthy and good at avoiding human settlements, which is why they're rarely seen.

Lynx: The Animal's Habitat

Most species roam high-altitude forests that offer plenty of protection with dense shrubs, trees, and tall grass. Even though this wild cat generally hunts on the ground, it's fully capable of climbing trees and swimming. The Eurasian lynx lives in central and northern Europe and over to India, northern Pakistan, and Iran near Mount Damavand. This species is most commonly found in northern European countries like Norway, Finland, and Sweden as well as most of Russia.

The Iberian lynx is far rarer and lives only in the southern parts of Spain. It used to live in eastern Portugal as well but became extinct there.

The Canada lynx mainly lives in Canada and Alaska but is also found in some northern US states like Washington, Montana and Maine. Its habitat is primarily boreal forests, which are also known as snow forests and consist largely of coniferous trees.

The bobcat ranges further than the Canada lynx. It is found in southern Canada, most of the continental United States, and as far south as northern Mexico. It lives in both forests and grasslands.

Lynx Diet

This animal is an opportunistic predator and can hunt a wide range of animals. It is a strict carnivore. The Canada lynx strongly prefers the snowshoe hare, and its population numbers fluctuate with the availability of the hare. However, it will also hunt fish, squirrels, rabbits, birds, grouse, turkey, and more. The larger Eurasian lynx often hunts larger animals such as deer, reindeer, and even elk.

Lynx Predators and threats

These animals are primarily threatened by other predators larger than it as well as humans. The Eurasian lynx is one of the largest predators in Europe, with only the gray wolf and brown bear being larger. In North America, the cougar, gray wolf, and coyote pose threats to the lynx. Humans have often hunted lynx for their fur, but some species are now protected, depending on the region. The Eurasian and Canada lynx are most vulnerable to loss of habitat. Both are also dependent on prey numbers remaining healthy. The bobcat is the least endangered of all lynx species, and its numbers remain well into the hundreds of thousands despite being actively hunted by humans.

The Iberian lynx is the most threatened of these cat species. In 2004, only 100 animals lived in southern Spain. Thanks to conservation efforts by the Spanish government, they have somewhat recovered. As of 2014, over 300 animals were found in the same area.

Lynx: the Animal's Reproduction, Babies, and Lifespan

The Eurasian lynx mates between January and April with the female having one oestrus period for four to seven days during this time. Males make deep growls to alert potential mates to their presence, while females make softer meow sounds. Pregnant females look for secret locations to build their nests, which are often in caves or dens. Gestation lasts between 67 and 74 days and usually results in two kittens. Three or more lynx in a litter are rare. These baby lynx -or kittens -are between 8.5 and 15.2 ounces. They are covered in grayish-brown fur and gain full adult color by 11 weeks. Their eyes open after about 10 days. They can eat solid food at around six weeks but are not fully weaned until at least five months. The mother lynx leaves the den at two or three months after birth, and the kittens accompany her until they reach 10 months.

The Canada lynx has a one-month mating season between March and April. Mating calls and marking with urine are typical matings behaviors. Gestation is between two and three months and the resulting litter can be one kitten or as many as eight. Litter sizes appear to vary depending on the availability of prey. The kittens weigh between 6.2 and 8.3 ounces and do not open their eyes for 14 days. These kittens also leave their mothers around 10 months.

The Iberian lynx litter is born between March and September after a two-month gestation period. The majority of births are in March and April. These kittens weigh between 7 and 8.8 ounces. By 10 months, the kittens are mostly independent, but many remain with the mother until about 20 months of age. They are known to get in violent fights with each other, which often leads to death. This starts to happen between 30 and 60 days of age.

Bobcats usually mate between February and March. A male bobcat will travel with one female and mate with her several times. The female bobcat will raise the kittens alone after birth. Bobcat litters generally consist of two to four kittens but can be as much as six. Gestation lasts 60 to 70 days, which usually results in an April or May birth. Bobcat kittens open their eyes around nine days and are weaned by two months. Between three and five months of age, they begin to leave the den and travel with the mother bobcat.

The Eurasian lynx has lived up to 21 years in captivity. The Canada lynx is known to live up to 27 years in captivity and between 10 and 16 years in the wild. The bobcat lives between 7 and 10 years in the wild, with one notable exception being 16 years. In captivity, the oldest bobcat lived 32 years. Iberian lynx have a maximum wild lifespan of 13 years.

Lynx Population

The Canada and Eurasian lynx and bobcat have a conservation status of least concern. The Iberian lynx is considered endangered. As of 2015, 400 Iberian lynx live on the Iberian peninsula. The United States population of bobcats is estimated to be several hundred thousand. The Eurasian lynx population is thought to be over 45,000 and is considered generally stable. The Canada lynx population is also stable and is thought to be in the tens of thousands.

Lynx In the Zoo - Where to Find the Animal

The Canada lynx and the bobcat are the most common of these cats in United States zoos. They are easily found in zoos all over the country, including the following:

Lynx vs. Bobcat

The bobcat is a species of lynx, but its appearance is easily distinguishable from the Canada lynx, with which it shares some range. The bobcat typically has prominent black spots and tawny fur. Its fur is also less thick, and it doesn't have long ear tufts or the huge paws of a Canada lynx. The bobcat is found in nearly any type of habitat and ranges over the entire United States and southern parts of Canada. The Canada lynx is mostly found in snow forests in Canada and parts of the northern U.S.

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Lynx FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is a lynx?
A lynx is a medium-sized wild cat that lives in North America, Russia, parts of Europe, and parts of Asia.
How fast does a lynx run?
The top speed of a lynx is 50 mph.
Where do lynx live?
The Canada lynx lives primarily in Canada, Alaska, and some parts of the northern United States. The bobcat can be found in every part of the United States as well as southern Canada and most of Mexico. The Iberian lynx is only found in southern Spain. The Eurasian lynx lives in Russia, Scandinavia, parts of Europe, parts of Turkey, and northern areas of China and Tibet.
What do lynx eat?
The lynx eats deer, rabbits, rodents, sheep, squirrels, ground birds, other birds, goats, reptiles, and fish. The Canada lynx strongly prefers snowshoe hare, while other species are more opportunistic and will eat whatever is in their habitat.
Can you have a lynx as a pet?
Most states in the United States declare that it is illegal to own any species of lynx. However, Alabama, Nevada, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Wisconsin allow bobcats to be kept as pets.
Is a lynx dangerous/can it kill you?
A lynx will defend itself if cornered, but there are no recorded instances of unprovoked attacks on humans. A large lynx could, in theory, kill a human.
Do lynx eat cats?
A lynx is an opportunistic predator, and domestic cats are well within the size of prey it normally eats.
What Kingdom do Lynx belong to?
Lynx belong to the Kingdom Animalia.
What class do Lynx belong to?
Lynx belong to the class Mammalia.
What phylum to Lynx belong to?
Lynx belong to the phylum Chordata.
What family do Lynx belong to?
Lynx belong to the family Felidae.
What order do Lynx belong to?
Lynx belong to the order Carnivora.
What type of covering do Lynx have?
Lynx are covered in Fur.
What genus do Lynx belong to?
Lynx belong to the genus Lynx.
What are some predators of Lynx?
Predators of Lynx include wolves, coyotes, humans, and cougars.
How many babies do Lynx have?
The average number of babies a Lynx has is 4.
What is an interesting fact about Lynx?
Lynx live in dens in rocks and under ledges!
What is the scientific name for the Lynx?
The scientific name for the Lynx is Felis lynx.
What is the lifespan of a Lynx?
Lynx can live for 12 to 20 years.
What are the differences between caracals and lynx?
The key differences between a caracal and a lynx are size, color, physical features, danger, habitat, lifespan, and diet.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources

1. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2011) Animal, The Definitive Visual Guide To The World's Wildlife

2. Tom Jackson, Lorenz Books (2007) The World Encyclopedia Of Animals

3. David Burnie, Kingfisher (2011) The Kingfisher Animal Encyclopedia

4. Richard Mackay, University of California Press (2009) The Atlas Of Endangered Species

5. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2008) Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Animals

6. Dorling Kindersley (2006) Dorling Kindersley Encyclopedia Of Animals

7. David W. Macdonald, Oxford University Press (2010) The Encyclopedia Of Mammals

8. National Geographic, Available here: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/group/lynx/

9. The Nature Conservancy, Available here: https://www.nature.org/en-us/get-involved/how-to-help/animals-we-protect/lynx/

10. Britannica, Available here: https://www.britannica.com/animal/lynx-mammal

11. Wikipedia, Available here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lynx

12. Find an Answer, Available here: https://findanyanswer.com/do-lynx-eat-cats

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Red Panda Pictures

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Red Panda Classification and Evolution

The Red Panda is a cat-sized species of carnivorous mammal that is found inhabiting the temperate mountain forests on the slopes of the Himalayas. As their name suggests, they are related to the larger and more famous Giant Panda (although the exact closeness of their connection still remains uncertain to science), along with also sharing a number of characteristics with the Raccoon and so Red Pandas are classified in a family of their own. The Red Panda is also known by a number of different names in their native regions including the Lesser Panda, the Red Cat-Bear and as the Fire Fox in Nepal. Like their much larger cousin, the Red Panda is an animal that relies on bamboo to feed and with rapid deforestation of these unique areas there is less and less for these animals to eat, which has ultimately led to the Red Panda being listed as being an endangered species.

Red Panda Anatomy and Appearance

The Red Panda is a very cute animal that is about the same size as a large housecat, with a cat-like face and a long, bushy tail. Their rusty coloured thick fur covers their body with the exception of their almost white coloured ears, cheeks, muzzle and spots above their eyes. The Red Panda also has reddish brown stripes that run down either side of their white muzzle, along with alternating light and dark rings on their tails. The Red Panda also has semi-retractable claws to aid climbing and stability amongst the branches and strong, tough jaws which they use to chew on bamboo. Like the Giant Panda, the Red Panda also has an extended wrist bone which acts a bit like a thumb, allowing them to hold onto bamboo whilst they are chewing it. The Red Panda also has dense fur which helps to keep it warm during the cold winter along with having thick and woolly fur on the soles of their feet which not only helps to keep their feet warm but also prevents them from slipping on the wet branches.

Red Panda Distribution and Habitat

The Red Panda is found inhabiting the temperate forests in the Himalayas at altitudes of between 1,800 and 4,000 meters. These high mountain slopes tend to be covered in deciduous hardwood forest with a bamboo under-storey that is crucial to the Red Panda's survival. Their historical range extended through Bhutan, Nepal, India, Myanmar and China where their range overlaps that of the even rarer Giant Panda, but today the Red Panda is extinct from certain areas and population numbers are rapidly declining in others. Due to the fragile ecology of their native, mountain forests and their reliance on eating bamboo, the Red Panda is being pushed into smaller and more isolated pockets of their once wide range with other factors including climate change affecting the lack of abundance of bamboo.

Red Panda Behaviour and Lifestyle

The Red Panda is a nocturnal and generally solitary animal with the exception of males and females coming together to mate during the breeding season. Red Pandas spend the daylight hours sleeping in the branches high in the tree canopy with their long, bushy tail wrapped around them to keep them warm. Although they are known to feed in the trees, they usually come down to the ground after dusk to begin foraging in the safety of the darkness. The Red Panda is a territorial animal that marks its patch with droppings, urine and releasing a musky secretion from its anal glands. They are also known to communicate between one another using short whistles and squeaks. The Red Panda is a strong and agile climber that not only sleeps safely in the branches during the day but also can dart up a trunk if threatened by predators aided by its sharp claws.

Red Panda Reproduction and Life Cycles

Red Pandas usually breed between January and March and after a gestation period that lasts for around four months, the female gives birth to 1 - 5 cubs that are born blind and although they begin to open their eyes within a couple of weeks, the eyes of the Red Panda cubs don't fully open until they are about a month old. Before her cubs are born, the female Red Panda builds a nest in a tree-hole, roots or bamboo thicket which is lined with leaves, moss and other soft plant material. Red Panda cubs may not leave the nest until they are three months old and are strong enough to negotiate the tricky branches. They feed solely on bamboo until they are old enough to stomach other foods and reach their full adult size after about a year. There is however a high mortality rate in young Red Pandas with up to 80% not reaching full adulthood.

Red Panda Diet and Prey

Although the Red Panda belongs to the carnivorous group of mammals, their diet is almost vegetarian as bamboo shoots comprise the majority of their food. However, as the Red Panda is a mammal it has a short digestive system meaning that although bamboo holds little nutrition anyway, they are unable to get the most of their meals. Unlike the Giant Panda though, the Red Panda will also eat a variety of other foods to supplement its diet like acorns, berries and grasses, along with grubs, mice, lizards, chicks and birds' eggs. Along with its excellent sight, smell and hearing the Red Panda also has long, white whiskers on its snout which help it to navigate through the dense vegetation in the darkness of night, when it is most actively foraging for food. For a complete list of foods red pandas eat, check out out " What Do Pandas Eat? " page.

Red Panda Predators and Threats

Due to the fact that Red Pandas inhabit high-altitude mountain forests, they actually have fewer natural predators than they would have living further down the slopes. Snow Leopards and Martens are the only real predators of the Red Panda along with Birds of Prey and small carnivores that prey on the smaller and more vulnerable cubs. The biggest threat to the Red Panda however is people who have affected this species mainly through deforestation of their incredibly unique habitats. Due to Human encroachment, illegal hunting and poaching there have been drastic declines in the Red Panda population numbers with these populations also being pushed into more separate, isolated areas. One of the main concerns with this is that these populations will although be threatened by inbreeding leading to less successful individuals in these areas.

Red Panda Interesting Facts and Features

Living high in the cold mountain climates means that Red Pandas are well adapted to keeping warm with their dense fur and blanket-like tail. However, on really cold days Red Pandas have been known to sunbathe high in the canopy to warm themselves up whilst sleeping during the day. A study conducted in 2001 found that 79% of the Red Pandas reported where found within 100 meters of the nearest body of water, indicating that a good water source may also to be crucial to their already strict habitat requirements. Evidence also suggests that Red Panda reproduction rates have been declining which is believed to be related to the decline in the foods that they eat in order to survive and reproduce successfully.

Red Panda Relationship with Humans

Red Pandas have been admired by people for years but many of the experiences that we have with them are in zoos and animal institutions as these rare and secretive animals can be incredibly hard to spot in the wild. This is however one of the factors in their demise as one Indian village reported that 47 Red Pandas were captured and sold to zoos around the world in just one year. Human interference of their unique and specialised habitats though is believed to be the biggest reason for the decline in Red Panda numbers throughout the Himalayas with deforestation mainly in the form of logging being one of the primary culprits. As with the Giant Panda, the Red Panda relies heavily on high-altitude bamboo thickets to survive and without them it has no-where else to go.

Red Panda Conservation Status and Life Today

Today, the Red Panda is listed on the IUCN Red List as being an animal species that is Endangered in its natural environment and is therefore severely threatened by extinction in the near future. There are estimated to be less than 3,000 Red Pandas remaining in the wild with the majority of these inhabiting small protected zones within national parks. A number of captive breeding programs have also been established in Asia, Europe and North America and appear to be having relative success in their work.

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Red Panda FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Do Red Pandas make good pets?
The short answer is no, red pandas do not make good pets. Not only are they endangered, but they make heavy use of scent-marking and would become stinky neighbors in any home. They are illegal to own and caring for them would be extremely difficult even if it wasn't.
Are Red Pandas herbivores, carnivores, or omnivores?
Red Pandas are Omnivores, meaning they eat both plants and other animals.
What Kingdom do Red Pandas belong to?
Red Pandas belong to the Kingdom Animalia.
What phylum do Red Pandas belong to?
Red Pandas belong to the phylum Chordata.
What class do Red Pandas belong to?
Red Pandas belong to the class Mammalia.
What family do Red Pandas belong to?
Red Pandas belong to the family Ailuridae.
What order do Red Pandas belong to?
Red Pandas belong to the order Carnivora.
What genus do Red Pandas belong to?
Red Pandas belong to the genus Ailurus.
What type of covering do Red Pandas have?
Red Pandas are covered in Fur.
Where do Red Pandas live?
Red Pandas live in the Himalayas.
In what type of habitat do Red Pandas live?
Red Pandas live in high-altitude mountain forests.
What are some predators of Red Pandas?
Predators of Red Pandas include snow leopards, martens, and humans.
What is the average litter size for a Red Panda?
The average litter size for a Red Panda is 3.
What is an interesting fact about Red Pandas?
There are less than 3,000 Red Pandas left in the wild!
What is the scientific name for the Red Panda?
The scientific name for the Red Panda is Ailurus fulgens.
What is the lifespan of a Red Panda?
Red Pandas can live for 8 to 12 years.
What is a baby Red Panda called?
A baby Red Panda is called a cub.
How many species of Red Panda are there?
There is 1 species of Red Panda.
What is the biggest threat to the Red Panda?
The biggest threat to the Red Panda is habitat loss.
What is another name for the Red Panda?
The Red Panda is also called the lesser panda or fire fox.
How many Red Pandas are left in the world?
There are less than 3,000 Red Pandas left in the world.
How fast is a Red Panda?
A Red Panda can travel at speeds of up to 24 miles per hour.
What's the difference between a red panda and a raccoon?
Red pandas differ from raccoons in their preferred habitats and diets. Raccoons are also gray and white, while red pandas are rusty red and white in appearance.
What's the difference between a red panda and a panda?
There are many differences between pandas and red pandas. Pandas are much larger than red pandas, and red pandas have long tails, while pandas don't. However, they have similar diets and occupy the same habitat.

How to say Red Panda in ...

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.

Sources

1. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2011) Animal, The Definitive Visual Guide To The World's Wildlife

2. Tom Jackson, Lorenz Books (2007) The World Encyclopedia Of Animals

3. David Burnie, Kingfisher (2011) The Kingfisher Animal Encyclopedia

4. Richard Mackay, University of California Press (2009) The Atlas Of Endangered Species

5. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2008) Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Animals

6. Dorling Kindersley (2006) Dorling Kindersley Encyclopedia Of Animals

7. David W. Macdonald, Oxford University Press (2010) The Encyclopedia Of Mammals

8. About Red Pandas, Available here: http://www.animalcorner.co.uk/wildlife/pandas/panda_red.html

9. Red Panda Facts, Available here: http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/red-panda/

10. Red Panda Diet, Available here: http://www.bearlife.org/red-panda.html

11. Red Panda Information, Available here: http://www.animalinfo.org/species/carnivor/ailufulg.htm

12. Red Panda Conservation, Available here: http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/714/0

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Butterfly

The butterfly can be found in most countries in the world, but there tend to be more butterflies in warmer climates. The butterfly is a type of insect that feeds on flower nectar through its long and curled straw-like tongue.

Butterflies are similar in appearance and tendencies to moths, with many species of butterfly often getting confused as a moth and moths with butterflies. In general, the butterfly species tend to be more brightly coloured than the moth species, but there are exceptions.

The butterfly's most reputable characteristic is the fact that there is an incredible morphing process, during the life cycle of the butterfly. The butterfly starts life as a caterpillar, which cocoons itself in a silky thread. The caterpillar emerges from its time in the pod, with colourful wings.

The butterflies in the tropical rainforests of the southern hemisphere can get to incredible sizes, with the wings of these butterflies displaying some of the brightest colours in the natural world.

It has been estimated that there are between 15,000 and 20,000 different species of butterfly in the world as more are constantly being discovered particularly in dense jungle regions that have little contact with humans. The different species of butterfly vary in size and colour as well as the differences in the bright patterns that are displayed on the wings of the butterfly.

Butterflies are herbivorous animals as butterflies are known to only eat plant matter with a high sugar content. Butterflies fly between the flowers drinking the nectar through their long tongue which acts as a straw. Whilst doing this, the butterfly transfers pollen between the plants, meaning that the butterfly plays a vital role in the pollination of plants around the world.

Due to their small size and colourful wings, butterflies are preyed upon by a number of animals around the world. The main predators of the butterfly include amphibians such as frogs and newts, small reptiles such as lizards and mammals including bats.

Butterflies reproduce by the male butterfly inserting his sperm into the pouch of the female butterfly. When the female butterfly is ready to lay her eggs, she performs a kind of self-fertilisation process as when the female releases an egg, it passes the pouch that contains the sperm of the male butterfly and is fertilised.

Female butterflies lay around 100 eggs at a time, with some species of butterfly laying their eggs in a cluster (all at one time) and other species of butterfly lay their eggs individually onto numerous different plants. The egg soon hatches as larvae which develops into a caterpillar and then into a butterfly.

Butterflies have intrigued and been of one of natures wonders due to their gentle nature and bright colours. Butterflies are commonly used in art and literature around the world and across numerous different cultures.

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The butterfly can be found in most countries in the world, but there tend to be more butterflies in warmer climates. The butterfly is a type of insect that feeds on flower nectar through its long and curled straw-like tongue.Butterflies are similar in appearance...

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Dogs are the domesticated descendants of the Wolf. They have either the scientific name of Canis familiaris (domestic dog) as a separate species or Canis lupus familiaris (domestic wolf dog) as a subspecies of the Wolf. Dogs are in the family Canidae, the dog-like carnivorans or canids, while the genus Canis means "dog" and includes wolves, dogs, coyotes and jackals. Their subfamily is Caninae, or canines, while their tribe is the dog-like or "true dog" tribe Canini and their sub-tribe is the wolf-like canids of Canina.

Dog Characteristics

All members of the genus Canis have common physical characteristics. Bone structure, behavior and reproduction are just a few markers that are unique to canids. Dogs also have unique characteristics that distinguish them from wolves. You can use some of these markers to determine whether a canid is a wolf or a dog.

Canine teeth

Teeth are one of the easiest ways to identify a canine. Most canids (of the family Canidae) have 42 teeth, with a dental formula of:
3.1.4.2
3.1.4.3.

Other canid features

Canids generally share similar skull features, basic body shape, monogamous and pack behavior and retention of adult offspring.

Dog features

Dogs have a greater variance in behavioral and physical variation than any other land mammal, including wolves. Dogs have starch gel electrophoresis of red blood cell acid phosphatase. They also have smaller, compressed and crumpled tymphanic bullae. Physically, they have a more domed forehead and "stop" between the nose and forehead. Wolves have a more prominent temporalis muscle (the muscle that closes the jaws) and do not have dew claws on their back legs. Dogs lack a pre-caudal gland and go into estrus twice instead of once a year. Whereas dogs usually have brown eyes, wolves have amber or pale-colored eyes. Their skin is thicker and their paws are half the size of those of a wolf.

Some house plants are poisonous to dogs, including Begonia, Poinsettia and Aloe Vera. Many human food items are indigestible or toxic to dogs, such as chocolate, onion, garlic, macadamia nuts, xylitol and nicotine. Diet-wise, dogs are omnivores and can handle a diet with more starch in it than a wolf, which is more strictly carnivorous.

Dog Exceptions

There are several tribes of the subfamily Caninae. The dog-like tribe Canini is sister to the wolf-like tribe Vulpini. They are in the suborder Caniformia or Canoidea, the dog-like carnivorans. It stands in stark contrast to the cat-like carnivorans, the Feliformia or Feloidea suborder of Carnivora.

Types of Dogs

There are several types of dog groups that are classified based on what they were bred to do:

Sporting dogs

Sporting dogs were bred to help their hunters capture and retrieve game birds. Retrievers swim and focus on waterfowl, while setters, spaniels and pointers hunt game birds. Their coats are often thick and water-repellant to protect against the elements. Some examples of sporting dog breeds are Golden Retriever, Labrador Retriever, the Nova Scotia Dock Tolling Retriever, Cocker Spaniel and German Shorthaired Pointer.

Hound dogs

Hound dogs were bred to chase after warm-blooded, terrestrial prey. They are generally divided into sighthounds, who use speed and vision to chase jackrabbits and antelopes, while scent hounds can use their noses to trail raccoons and people. All have strong prey drives. Some examples of hound dog breeds are Bloodhound, Greyhound and Dachshund.

Working dogs

Working dogs were bred to perform tasks such as guarding families or pulling sleds and carts. The Boxer, Great Dane and Rottweiler and a few examples of working dog breeds.

Herding dogs

Herding dogs are a type of working dog along with service dogs. While herding dogs help herd livestock, service dogs help people with disabilities. However, they differ in that they were bred specifically to herd livestock, such as sheep, cattle and reindeer. Some are excellent for police and military work. A few examples of herding dog breeds are Border Collie, German Shepherd and Icelandic Sheepdog.

Terrier dogs

Terrier dogs were bred to be small in order to go after vermin hiding in the ground. They include terrier breeds, which have long legs to dig out rodents, and "bully" breeds, which were used for bull-baiting and now make companion dogs. Bull Terrier, Scottish Terrier and Welsh Terrier are examples of terrier dog breeds.

Toy dogs

Toy dogs were bred for their small size to be companion dogs. They are perfect for city dwellers or anyone living in a small house. A few examples of toy dog breeds are Chihuahua, Pug and Shih Tzu.

Non-sporting dogs

Non-sporting dogs do not fit into any of the other group types and were bred to be companionship animals. The Bulldog, Dalmatian and Poodle are a few examples of non-sporting dogs.

Dog-wolf hybrids

Dogs share a common ancestor with modern wolves. Many large dog breeds have been bred with wolves, such as malamutes and huskies. Some are sought by private citizens, while others have been used for security work. For example, the Russians in the late 1990s created a breeding program for wolf-dog hybrids called Volkosoby or Volkosob, which are used for border control. See a list of 8 dogs that look like wolves here.

Types of Dogs

List of Dog Breeds

Dog Breeds FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What is a dog?
Any canine descended from the domesticated common ancestor of dogs and wolves, in the family Canidae, genus Canis.
What is the largest dog?
The largest dog ever depends if you're looking at the tallest, longest or heaviest. Freddy the Great Dane in England measured 40.75 inches tall, while the Old English Mastiff Aicama Zorba in England measured 8 feet, 3 inches from nose to tail and was also the heaviest dog in the world at 343lbs. Great Danes are the tallest dog breed and English Mastiffs are the heaviest.
What is the smallest dog?
The smallest dog in terms of height is a Chihuahua in Puerto Rico named Milly, who measured 9.65 cm (3.8 in) tall. The smallest dog breed is the Chihuahua.
What did dogs evolve from?
Dogs evolved and genetically diverged from a common ancestor with wolves in the Late Pleistocene era about 11,700 years ago. The grey wolf is the closest living relative of the dog, with cross-breeding having occurred during the dog's domestication. There is no agreement as to when dogs were domesticated, but the process occurred somewhere around 11,000 years ago when hunter-gatherers closely associated with live populations of aurochs, beer, sheep and goats after beginning an association with wolves.
What are the different types of dogs?
There are 7 types of dogs: Sporting, Hound, Herding, Working, Terrier, Toy and Non-sporting.
What is the scientific name for a dog?
Canis familiaris is the scientific name for a dog if it's considered a distinct species from the wolf. It's Canis lupus familiaris if considered a subspecies of the wolf.
What is the most dangerous dog breed?
Prey dogs are considered to be the most dangerous due to their strong bite and large muscle mass. The Pit Bull is currently said to be the most dangerous dog breed, although the Rottweiler and Inu also have a reputation for being dangerous at different times or in different areas of the world.
Are Dogs really color blind?
No, they do not see in black-and-white. However, they are red-green color-blind.
What are some examples of small dog breeds?
Chihuahua, Boston Terrier, Shih Tzu, Pug, and Dachshund are some small dog breeds.

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Dogs are the domesticated descendants of the Wolf. They have either the scientific name of Canis familiaris (domestic dog) as a separate species or Canis lupus familiaris (domestic wolf dog) as a subspecies of the Wolf. Dogs are in the family Canidae, the dog-like carnivorans or canids, while the genus Canis means "dog" and includes [...]

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Cats, which are part of the Felidae family, are some of the smallest carnivores that are protected by humans. Their retractable claws are incredibly useful, allowing them to maintain their balance, catch their prey, and protect themselves from threats. One of the telltale signs of a domestic cat is found in their skull, showing off sharp canine teeth that they inherited from their wild ancestors. With heightened hearing and smell, even cute cats can be resourceful hunters. They are one of the first animals to be domesticated.
The 13 Top Cat Characteristics Listed
Cats have unique characteristics of their physique, behavior, and even their senses. Though most people will know a domestic cat when they see one, here are some of the key ways that you can determine if an animal is definitively a cat.

1. Warm-blooded mammals: Cat are in the mammal family, which means that they have many of the typical traits that are associated with this class. They have fur, they have a live birth, and they feed their young milk from their bodies as babies.

2. Retractable claws: The cats of a cat are a rather unique feature of their paw. While they animal is relaxed, the claws remain concealed underneath the fur and skin. Rather than residing on the top of the toe, they are found around the toe pads to prevent them from wearing down as they walk. Typically, five claws are found on each of the front paws, but only four claws are found on the back paws.

3. Lone hunters but social animals: When looking for their prey, the cat tends to seek out their prey on their own (though there is little need for hunting when owners will feed them). However, these animals prefer to surround themselves with other cats, humans, and even other animals, showing great affection. Plus, the mothers will typically be ferociously protective of their young.

4. Verbal expression out of kittenhood: The vocal range of many mammals are minimal in adulthood, but the same is not true of cats. Their meow is biologically designed to mimic the sounds that a newborn baby makes, calling on the emotional reaction of their owners. Interestingly, this desire to attract the love of their owners can cause them to be rather jealous of any new kittens in the household.

5. Live birth: The female cat will give birth to live young, which are called kittens. The kittens are often born in an amniotic sac, which is eaten by the mother. Kittens need to be nourished by their mothers until they are about 8 weeks old.

6. Fast reflexes: Perhaps one of the most notable features of the cat is their ability to land on their feet. Even when falling from a height of nearly 10 feet, these animals will instinctively twist their body to land on their paws. The cat righting reflex is the same movement for any time that they fall, and they can correct their positioning in as little as 3 feet off the ground.

7. Impressive night vision: The tapetum lucidum in the eye of the cat allows it to view anything in the dark, only requiring 15%-20% of the light that humans need to see the same. When the cat is taking in the most light, their pupils may expand to their entire exposed surface. As kittens, their eyes don't even open until they are about a week old, though their vision may take longer to reach better focus.

8. Minimum color vision: Though cats aren't entirely colorblind, most cat are only able to see blue and yellow with clarity. The ability to see red and green is extremely limited.

9. Heightened senses of hearing and smell: Cats can hear a tremendous range of sounds from 500 Hz to 32 kHz (Comparatively, the average person hears from 20 Hz to 15 kHz). The advanced sense of smell comes from the development of their olfactory bulb and mucosa. With a heightened pheromone sensitivity, this sense can impact their social and sexual behavior alike, despite their short snout.

10. Sharp teeth: The ancestors of domestic cats significantly impacted their skull, offering a specialized jaw that includes two long canine teeth. These teeth are much smaller in domestic animals, as they don't have to cat and kill their prey anymore. As sharp as the teeth are, their molars are hardly used for chewing food.

11. Carnivorous: A cat's diet is largely made of meat, requiring at least two grams of protein each day. This amount can vary with the weight and age of the cat. Although cats are carnivorous, many household plants and vegetables can be toxic if ingested.

12. Digitigrade walking: Cat's walk on all four legs, using their toes to keep their body balanced. The legs of each side of the body move together, which helps them to remain quiet as they hunt prey and avoid being detected.

13. Hooked papillae on the tongue: The backwards-facing hooks of the tongue play an important role in a cat's life, as it is used for self-grooming. Made of keratin (an important protein in hair), the fur will collect in the stomach and cause the cat to spit up their collected hair.

Exceptions to the Cat's Characteristics

Even though the characteristics of a cat are rather specific, there are a few cats that don't necessarily follow these criteria. Take the Maine coon cat - though it has the same sight and retractable claws, the body is fairly similar to that of a smaller wildcat. In fact, this type of cat can grow to be up to 27 pounds (when neutered), reaching about 16 inches tall.

The Scottish fold is another exception. While most cats have alert and upright ears, the natural ears of this breed will fold just below the tip, causing the tip of the ear to fold downward.

Types of Cat Coats

Though the genetic makeup of cute cats may vary slightly, their coats offer a drastic range. The breeds are primarily differentiated by their coloring, texture, and patterns. The 6 patterns that usually are found on these cats include:

Tabby

Tabby patterns are striped and/or spotted for most of the coat. Often, the coat will be paired with a white chest, white feet, or a white tail. The lines of the face form an M, and they are typically brown, grey, and orange. The patterns are incredibly varied, offering blotchy lines and spots. Even with the white chest and belly, the colors of a tabby often are just variations in darkness.

Tortoise shell

Sometimes referred to as a "torte," this coat mixes both black and orange, though the coat is sometimes accented by brown or gold. Most of the cats with these markings are female, but the males that have a tortoiseshell coat are almost always incapable of fathering young.

Color-point

Unlike the tabby coat, a cat with a color-point coat features darker fur along the feet and tail, as well as their face. Most often, they are light brown, though the coat can be darker with age. The Siamese cat is a perfect example of this type of coat.

Bicolor and Tricolor

The name of this coat tells exactly how many colors that the coat has. While bicolor coats combine white and one other color, tricolor cats will have a combination of white, red, and black. Bicolor cats often are the result of mixed breeding, while tricolor cats tend to be females.

Solid

Solid coats have no other colors, patterns, or other variations. Having a cat that is solidly grey, black, or white is much more common than any variation of brown.

Other coat patterns may arise in cat coats as well, including harlequin (mostly white with large color patches), locket (a white patch on the chest), mitted (completely white paws), and van (white with colors on the head and tail).

Though some hypoallergenic cats may not have fur (i.e., the sphinx), they will still have a gentle pattern on their skin.

How Did Domestic Cats Evolve from Wild Cats?

The domestic cats that you know and love today date back to the Fertile Crescent, a wildcat from the Middle East. Some sources say that these wild animals existed up to 100,000 years ago, but they became domesticated as more farmers arose. With over 370 million pet cats in the world today, the wildcats only accounted originally for 40 species.

Farmers found the wildcats to be efficient hunters for pests (like mice) in their fields and barns. Like many communities, the agricultural impact of cats eventually led people in cities and small towns to keep the animals as pets as well.

Types of Cats

List of Cat Breeds

Cat Breeds FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What are some examples of cute cats?
Some cute cats that are easy to come by include the Maine coon, the British shorthair, the Bengal, the Persian, and the Ragdoll. All of these cats have rather unique features, like a flat fat (Ragdoll), an extraordinarily large body (Maine coon), or a striking resemblance to the wild cat that they are named for (Bengal).
What types of foods are toxic to cats?
Avoid feeding cats raw meat and other raw proteins, like eggs. They should also avoid raw bones from meat. Cats should never consume onions, garlic, alcohol, chocolate, milk/dairy products, grapes, or raisins - all of these foods can cause detrimental effects on the kidneys and liver. They also put the cat at a fatal risk.

Dog food, due to the difference in nutrients from cat food, is very bad for their digestive system.
What are some examples of hypoallergenic cats?
To prevent an allergic reaction, some hypoallergenic cats include the Sphynx, the Russian Blue, the Cornish Rex, and the Oriental Shorthair. While these animals are bred to have less shedding and dander, there are no animals that have both no shedding and no dander.
What are some examples of black cat breeds?
Black cats are incredibly common, found in many different breeds. The Bombay cat is the most well-known, but the solid black coat is also found in the American and British shorthairs, Persian cats, and the Scottish fold. These cute cats are also available as mixed breeds.

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Cat Breeds | Types of Pet Cats | AZ Animals

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Cats, which are part of the Felidae family, are some of the smallest carnivores that are protected by humans. Their retractable claws are incredibly useful, allowing them to maintain their balance, catch their prey, and protect themselves from threats. One of the telltale signs of a domestic cat is found in their skull, showing off [...]

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Enjoy this expertly researched article on the Nutria, including where Nutria s live, what they eat & much more. Now with high quality pictures of Nutria s.

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Rabbits are small mammals found naturally in Europe, South Africa, Sumatra and Japan. Rabbits are also often found in the desert regions of the Middle East where the rabbits inhabit the greener parts of the deserts where there is enough food and water for...

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Verified by: AZ Animals Staff
Certain Asiatic bears build nests in trees similar to that of a bird.
There are eight different species of bears across the world with a conservation status ranging from vulerable to least concern. Depending on the bear species, habitats include North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and the northern-most polar regions. While not ordinarily a threat to humans, bears are animals that can be very dangerous if startled, provoked, or approached when young bears (cubs) are present.

Top Bear Facts

While considered a carnivorous species, most bears eat vegetation as their primary food source.

Bears are animals that will fight to the death for family members.

Many bear experts believe bears can smell from up to 20 miles away.

Types of Bear - The 8 Different Bear Species

There are eight unique species of bears that vary in size, appearance and food preference. You can predominantly find them throughout North America, South America, Europe and Asia. The bear species types include:

Asiatic Black Bear (Asian Black Bear) - The Asiatic black bear, also referred to as the moon bear, is primarily an herbivore bear species found predominantly in Southern Asia, Afghanistan and parts of Japan. They are often found in trees in mountainous areas.

Brown Bear - The brown bear, also referred to as the grizzly bear, is found in North America, Asia and Europe. They are most notable by the humps that rest over their shoulders and massive brown physique. These bear species are the least likely to become extinct of all the bears, at this time.

North American Black Bear - The North American black bear can be found from Northern Canada to Central Mexico. It does not have a climate preference. They will even feed on prickly pear cactus. This bear species prefers mountainous regions. However, you will find them in meadows and wetlands, too.

Polar Bear - Polar bears are only found in the Arctic region surrounding the North Pole. They travel by floating glacial ice blocks. As these ice packs melt, the threat to the existence of polar bears increases making them highly susceptible to extinction.

Spectacled Bear - The spectacled bear, also referred to as the Andean bear, enjoys spending time in trees. They are the only bear species to reside in South America. These bears are vulnerable to extinction due to human killing for profit and due to mythology.

Panda Bear - The Panda bear might be the most well-known bear on the planet due to their perceived adorable appearance. They primarily feast on bamboo in Central China. Panda bears are considered endangered due to demand on the black market.

Sloth Bear - The sloth bear receives its namesake due to the similarities of the sloth animal. The long snout allows them to consume prey not typically associated with bears, including ants and termites. Sloth bears are found in India and Sri Lanka.

Sun Bear - Sun bears are distinctive due to their cream, crescent markings on their chest. As they often eat bees' nests, they are commonly referred to as honey bears. You can find them in Malaysia and Indonesia, and they are vulnerable to extinction due to deforestation.

Bear Scientific Names

The family name for the bear species is Ursidae and Ursus is the genus, which means bear in Latin. The following are the eight bear genus species of the bear family:

Bear Appearance & Behavior

Bears are distinctive by their fur-based bodies and strong claws. Some climb trees and others swim. Certain bear subspecies have even more distinctive markings around the eyes and on their chest that set them apart from the others.

Various species of bears have adapted to their environments over time. For example, polar bears are white to blend in with the snow and North American black bears have versatile eating habits that include corn crops and cactus depending on their region of residence.

All bears have an acute sense of smell, hearing and sight. They often hear and smell humans before they see humans and flee as a result. Bears are solitary creatures by nature. However, mothers and cubs will travel together, and bears will travel in pairs during mating seasons.

Asiatic Black Bear: 50 - 116 kg (110 - 255 lbs)

Brown Bear: 93 - 410 kg (205 - 900 lbs)

North American Black Bear 39 - 409 kg (86 - 900 lbs)

Polar Bear 200 - 682 kg (440 - 1,500 lbs)

Spectacled Bear 64 - 125 kg (140 - 275 lbs)

Panda Bear 70 - 125 kg (155 - 275 lbs)

Sloth Bear 55 - 141 kg (120 - 310 lbs)

Sun Bear 22 - 50 kg (50 - 110 lbs)

Bear Habitats

The geographic regions of bear species are as diverse as their appearance. Most bear species prefer to live within the canopy of a dense forest. You can find bears throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Africa. They never made it to the Antarctic or Australia. While bears are curious by nature, many times, if they hear or smell a human, they will hide up a tree. Some bears prefer higher elevations, such as the Asiatic black bear, and others prefer coastal regions, such as polar bears. You will even find bears in desert climates, including the spectacled bears and American black bears. Bear populations that are unable to adapt to new habitats are vulnerable to extinction as their current homes are destroyed for development and for lumber.

Bear Diet and Food

Bears have proven they can survive on almost anything. Most bears eat vegetation, such as the panda bear eats bamboo. However, many North American bears have adapted to their environments and will eat other animals and fish, including elk, caribou and salmon. The polar bear, also referred to as the maritime bear, is a carnivorous animal as they typically eat seals, as well as whales and smaller walruses on occasion. And the sloth bear survives on ants and termites.

A growing concern exists for bears eating human food as it causes them to destroy property and even break into homes to seek out more of the same. Eventually, these bears are put down as they become an increasing threat to humans. This tragic result is avoidable as long as humans do not feed wild bears. On rare occasions, bears will eat a poisonous plant by mistake and die. Other than that, bears can eat almost anything to live.

Bear Population

Today, all bear species are somewhat susceptible to extinction. Some bear species are more vulnerable than others. Asiatic black bears, polar bears, panda bears, sloth bears and sun bears are all considered vulnerable to extinction. Brown bears are categorized as stable, and the American black bears are actually increasing in population and considered a least concern at the moment.

Asiatic Black Bear - Less than 50,000

Brown Bear - 200,000

North American Black Bear - 600,000

Polar Bear - 20,000 to 25,000

Spectacled Bear - Less than 2,000

Panda Bear - 2,000

Sloth Bear - 7,000 to 10,000

Sun Bear - Unknown, possibly less than 1,000

Bear Extinction

While several bear species of today are vulnerable to extinction, only a few bear species or subspecies have become extinct in recent history. This includes the Californian grizzly bear in the 1920s and the Mexican grizzly bear in the 1960s. Both became extinct due to hunting. The same is true of the Atlas bear. The Atlas bear was the only bear native to Africa. It was hunted to extinction in the 1870s.

The giant panda bear was near extinction in recent times when drastic efforts were made to save the species. Many scientists believe the polar bear is under severe threat due to climate change. Their existence may be directly connected to their ability to adapt. Thousands of years ago, it is believed that a number of bear species existed before their extinction.

The giant short-faced bear was a carnivorous animal that stood 12-feet high, ran over 40 mph, weighed over 1,500 pounds and lived in the Northern half of North America. It became extinct around the end of the Ice Age due to loss of habitat. Cave bears resided in much of Europe and became extinct around 25,000 years ago before the last Ice Age began. They were believed to weigh up to 1,500 pounds just like the short-faced bear.

Bear Predators and Threats

Bear cubs are particularly susceptible to any number of predators, such as coyotes and wolves; however, adult bears experience very few natural predators. The primary predators that target bears are other bears and humans. Illegal bear hunting is likely their greatest predator. Some cultures poach bears for their meat and various body parts and organs to sell on the black market. Environmental change is another significant threat to bears, their natural habitats and their food sources. And human deforestation and development are also threatening many bear species and subspecies.

Bear Mating, Babies and Lifespan

A courting process does occur between a male and a female bear during the spring. Male bears are promiscuous and will mate with several female bears if possible over time. Only the largest males will mate due to the high level of competition. Because of this competition, female bears will also take on several partners in their life. However, during the courting and mating process, both bears became nearly inseparable. The season of breeding and mating lasts from May to early July. Females typically give birth in January and February.

Female bears mate and experience a fertilized egg and embryos much like humans. They will give birth to between one and six bear cubs. Mother bears are quite affectionate and protective. They will care for and den with their cubs for up to three years, often less. During this time, the cubs will feed on the mother's milk and food gathered by their mother and themselves. When it is time to separate, the cubs do not take it well. As a result, siblings often stay together for a duration after the initial separation.

The average lifespan of each bear species varies, including:

Asiatic Black Bear - 25 to 30 years, Oldest on Record: 42 years

Brown Bear - 20 to 30 years, Oldest on Record: 40 years

North American Black Bear - 20 years, Oldest on Record: 39 years

Polar Bear - 20 to 30 years, Oldest on Record: 45 years

Spectacled Bear - 20 years, Oldest on Record: 37 years

Panda Bear - 15 to 20 years, Oldest on Record: 38 years

Sloth Bear - 20 years, Oldest on Record: 27 years

Sun Bear - 25 years, Oldest on Record: 34 years

It is important to note that most bear species live longer in captivity than in the wild. The averages listed above represent the average lifespan of a wild bear. The oldest age on record is representative of any bear regardless of being wild or captive. As bears age, their health begins to decline just as with humans, including dental health, eyesight and an overall dulling of the senses. This greatly affects their quality of life and ability to survive

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Bear Scientific Classification

Bear Conservation Status

Bear Locations

Bear Images

Click through all of our Bear images in the gallery.
View all of the Bear images!
Bear FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
Are Bears carnivores, herbivores or omnivores?
Most bears select their food source by adapting to their environments. While the panda bear is primarily a herbivore, it occasionally eats rodents or birds and is therefore considered an omnivore. The sun bear, North American black bear, brown bear, and Asiatic black bears are also omnivores. The polar bear is strictly carnivorous.
What Kingdom do Bears belong to?
Bears belong to the Kingdom Animalia.
What phylum do Bears belong to?
Bears belong to the phylum Chordata.
What class do Bears belong to?
Bears belong to the class Mammalia.
What family do Bears belong to?
Bears belong to the family Ursidae.
What order do Bears belong to?
Bears belong to the order Carnivora.
What genus do Bears belong to?
Bears belong to the genus Ursus.
What type of covering do Bears have?
Bears are covered in Fur.
In what type of habitat do Bears live?
Bears live in forests and mountainous regions.
What is the main prey for Bears?
Bears prey on fish, nectar, and insects.
What are some distinguishing features of Bears?
Bears have large teeth and paws and strong bodies.
What are some predators of Bears?
Predators of Bears include humans, wolves, and wildcats.
What is the average litter size for a Bear?
The average litter size for a Bear is 2.
What is an interesting fact about Bears?
There are 8 different Bear species!
What is the scientific name for the Bear?
The scientific name for the Bear is Ursidae.
What is the lifespan of a Bear?
Bears can live for 15 to 35 years.
What is the lifespan of a Bear?
Bears can live for 15 to 35 years.
How fast is a Bear?
A Bear can travel at speeds of up to 35 miles per hour.

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Bear Animal Facts | Ursidae | AZ Animals

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Verified by: AZ Animals Staff Certain Asiatic bears build nests in trees similar to that of a bird. There are eight different species of bears across the world with a conservation status ranging from vulerable to least concern. Depending on the bear species, habitats include North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and the northern-most polar regions.

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Fish are aquatic vertebrates. They usually have gills, paired fins, a long body covered with scales, and tend to be cold-blooded. "Fish" is a term used to refer to lampreys, sharks, coelacanths and ray-finned fishes, but is not a taxonomic group, which is a clade or group containing a common ancestor and all its descendants. Instead, there are 3 main classes, groups or types of fish: bony fish (Osteichthyes), jawless fish (Agnatha) and cartilaginous fish (Chondrichthyes). Fish are the most diverse group among the vertebrates, with over 32,000 species.

5 Fish Characteristics

There are three superclasses into which fish are grouped: Bony fish (Osteichthyes), jawless fish (Agnatha) and cartilaginous fish (Chondrichthyes). Ray-finned fishes are of the class Actinopterygii, while lobe-finned fishes are of the class Sarcopterygii. Both are clades of the bony fishes.

Regardless, all fish have some characteristics in common and that distinguish them from other animals.

Cold-bloodedness: All fish are ectothermic or cold-blooded, meaning they cannot regulate their internal body temperature. Even warm-blooded fish such as tuna and mackerel sharks have only "regional endothermy" or warm-bloodedness limited to certain areas.

Water habitat: All fish live in bodies of water, whether it is freshwater or saltwater. However, not all creatures that live in water are fish.

Gills to breathe: Fish have gills throughout their life cycle. As with the water habitat, although all fish have gills, not all creatures with gills are fish.

Swim bladders: Specialized organs fill with air to keep the fish afloat and in some species help them survive with low oxygen levels. They also help fish sleep and are sensitive enough to detect the movement of food and predators.

Fins for movement: Most common are a tail fin, a pair of side fins, a dorsal fin and an anal fin. Variations exist but they all provide motion, maneuverability and stability.

Fish Exceptions

There are several exceptions to the common definition of a fish. For example, hagfish don't have scales and aren't true vertebrates (or are considered primitive vertebrates); mudskippers are amphibious fish that can live outside water; lungfish use lungs instead of gills to breathe; lampreys lack paired fins, and tuna are warm-blooded.

Also, not all fish groups come from fish lineages. The superclass Tetrapoda of the four-limted animals is considered to be a group within Sarcopterygii, and includes amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. Hence, Sarcopterygii includes both lobe-finned fishes and tetrapods.

Finally, not all aquatic creatures which resemble fish are considered fish. Whales, dolphins and porpoises are aquatic mammals, for example.

Fish Pregnancy

There are two main types of fish pregnancies, ovoviviparity or aplacental viviparity (egg-bearing) and viviparous (embryo-bearing). Both are considered to be live-bearing.

Ovoviparity has the eggs develop and hatch internally, with the young being born live. It can express either ovuliparity (external fertilization of eggs and zygote development), oviparity (internal fertilization of eggs and external development of zygotes as eggs with yolks), or ovoviviparity (internal fertilization of eggs and internal development of embryos with yolks). Stingrays, seahorses and some shark species are ovoviviparous. So are guppies, mollies, swordtails, halfbeaks and platies.

Viviparity has embryos develop internally before being born live. It can express either histotrophic ("tissue-eating") viviparity (mother provides no nutrition and embryos eat their unborn siblings or mother's unfertilized eggs) or hemotrophic ("blood-eating) viviparity (mother provides nutrition, usually through a placenta). Many shark species are viviparous.

Types of Fish

List of Fish

Fish FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)
What are the 3 types of fish?
Bony fish, jawless fish and cartilaginous fish.
What's the most famous fish?
The most famous fish is the coelacanth, which has four lobed fins resembling limbs. It is one of the world's most ancient fish species. Its name means "hollow spine" and comes from the Greek words koilos (hollow) and akantha (spine).
Coelacanth also refers to the order Coelacanthiformes. which comes from the clade Sarcopterygii and subclass Actinistia. It includes two species in the genus Latimeria: the West Indian Ocean coelacanth (Latimeria chalumnae) and the Indonesian coelacanth (Latimeria menadoensis).
Can fish feel pain?
Yes, fish can feel pain, but it is different from the expression of pain from humans. It is difficult to test fish for pain except by looking for unusual behavior and physiological responses in reaction to certain stimuli.
What do fish eat?
Fish can be predatory, foraging or filter-feeding. Their diets can be carnivorous or omnivorous depending on the species and can include prey from zooplankton to invertebrates, crustaceans, annelids and smaller fish.
How do fish breathe?
Fish usually breathe through gills, which filters oxygen through water. However, some fish breathe using different means. Lungfish have lungs and mudskippers can breathe through wet skin and the lining of their mouth and throat.
What are the smallest and largest fish?
The smallest fish is the cyprinid fish (8mm) and the largest fish is the whale shark (12m).
What is the difference between "fish" and "fishes"?
"Fish" refers to the singular and one species or to the plural within context. "Fishes" refers to the plural, especially when talking about more than one species of fish.

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Fish are aquatic vertebrates. They usually have gills, paired fins, a long body covered with scales, and tend to be cold-blooded. "Fish" is a term used to refer to lampreys, sharks, coelacanths and ray-finned fishes, but is not a taxonomic group, which is a clade or group containing a common ancestor and all its descendants.

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Enjoy this expertly researched article on the Dolphin, including where Dolphin s live, what they eat & much more. Now with high-quality pictures.

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Map of Africa

Leopard

Leopard Classification and Evolution
The Leopard is a medium-sized wildcat that is natively found in a variety of different habitats across sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia. A member of the "Big Cat" family, the Leopard is an agile and opportunistic hunter that has been able to exploit habitats unused by other large felines as it spends a great deal of its time high in the tree branches. There are seven different sub-species of Leopard which differ in their appearance and geographic location, with the African Leopard being the most common and widespread and the others being the rare Amur Leopard, the Anatolian Leopard, the Barbary Leopard, the Sinai Leopard, the South Arabian Leopard and the Zanzibar Leopard. Although the African Leopard populations are stable throughout much of their natural range, the story is different for the remaining sub-species that are often isolated and critically at risk (the Zanzibar Leopard is actually now thought to be extinct).

Leopard Anatomy and Appearance
The Leopard has a long and slender body that is supported by short, stocky legs and a long tail that is used to aid balance whilst in the trees. Leopards can vary greatly in their colouration and markings depending on their surrounding habitat, with those found on open grasslands having a light yellow background coat where those that are found in forests tend to be darker in colour and with more markings. The dark, ring-like patterns that cover the Leopard's coat are called rosettes, but these turn to solid spots on the face and limbs (and rings on the tail) and provide the Leopard with camouflage into the surrounding environment. Leopards are incredibly strong and muscular and are able to pull themselves up trees using their legs and retractable claws. Like a number of other large feline species, the Leopard is able to draw their claws into folds of skin on their paws to ensure that they are not blunted whilst the animal is walking about. Their keen hearing and sight coupled with their long and very sensitive whiskers, means that Leopards are also incredibly well adapted for hunting under the cover of night.

Leopard Distribution and Habitat
Leopards are not only the widest ranging of all Big Cats but are actually one of the most adaptable and are found in a variety of different habitats. Commonly found throughout sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia, there are also small and isolated populations of Leopard inhabiting remote geographic locations in the Far East, Northern Africa and Arabia. The Leopard can be found inhabiting numerous different areas providing that there is a good source of cover and an ample supply of food including tropical rainforests, tree-lined savannah, barren deserts and mountain highlands. One of the reasons why they are thought to be still surviving successfully throughout much of their natural range is that Leopards have adapted to the growing presence of people and are known to both live and hunt in areas close to urban activity. However, in some parts of their natural range populations are threatened by loss of their natural habitats to both deforestation and growing settlements.

Leopard Behaviour and Lifestyle
The Leopard is a solitary and nocturnal hunter that hunts both on the ground and in the trees. They are excellent climbers and spend the vast majority of the daytime hours resting in the shade of the branches in the trees or under a sheltered rock. They are quite unique amongst large felines as Leopards rely heavily on being able to get close enough to their prey before ambushing it, rather than expelling vast amounts of energy in a high-speed chase. Once caught and killed, the prey is then dragged to safety either into dense vegetation a couple of hundred meters away or up a tree trunk and into the branches. Leopards are highly solitary animals that mark their territory using scent markings and by producing rough, rasping calls that are said to sound like the sawing through coarse wood. Home range sizes vary depending on the habitat and the food available but those of male Leopards are significantly larger than those of their female counterparts, which often overlap the ranges of a number of both males and other females (sometimes by up to 40%).

Leopard Reproduction and Life Cycles
Throughout their natural range, Leopards have no distinctive breeding season with females instead being able to reproduce every couple of months. After a gestation period that lasts for around three months, the female Leopard gives birth to between 2 and 6 cubs that are born blind and weigh just half a kilo. Leopard cubs are incredibly vulnerable in the wild and so remain hidden in dense vegetation until they are able to follow their mother around at between 6 and 8 weeks of age, camouflaged by their dark, woolly fur and blurry spots. Weaned at around three months old, Leopard cubs will remain with their mother for another 18 months until she is ready to mate again and encourages her young to independently establish their own territories. Although male Leopards are almost entirely solitary except when mating, female Leopards may not stray too far from their mother and often establish a home range that overlaps hers. Leopards tend to live for between ten and fifteen years in the wild, depending on the habitat and the food supply available.

The Leopard is a silent and opportunistic hunter that only hunts and kills other animals in order to survive. The Leopards primarily hunts medium sized mammals such as Deer and Warthogs, that are often ambushed from the branches above or dense vegetation just meters away. The Leopard however, also eats a wide variety of small prey including birds, reptiles and rodents even hunting Dung Beetles when larger animals are scarce. By eating much smaller (and a wider variety) of prey Leopards are able to avoid intense competition for food from other large carnivores like Tigers and Hyenas, with which they share parts of their natural range. They are also very stealthy creatures that drag their kill into dense vegetation or up into the trees for safety from scavengers close-by. Leopards are incredibly strong and are capable of taking prey much heavier than themselves such as Antelopes, which are then remarkably hauled into the safety of the branches to either be eaten immediately or cached (saved for later).

Leopard Predators and Threats
Due to the fact that the Leopard is a stealthy and apex predator throughout its natural environment, generally the biggest threat to adult Leopards is other Leopards, along with the occasional Lion or Tiger that can get close enough. Young Leopard cubs however, are much more vulnerable and the fact that they have numerous natural predators leads them to remain hidden in dense vegetation for their first couple of months. Although, it is during the times when their mother is off hunting that Leopard cubs are most at threat from Hyenas, Jackals, Lions, Tigers, Snakes and Birds of Prey. Despite their adaptability to differing surroundings, Leopard populations in parts of their natural range are declining due to both habitat loss to the timber industry and agriculture, and hunting by Humans as trophies and for their meat and fur.

Leopard Interesting Facts and Features
Originally thought to be a hybrid of the Lion and the Jaguar, the Leopard has been the subject of much genetic confusion and wasn't really distinguished properly until just over 100 years ago. Some of the confusion is thought to come from the Black Panther which is a Leopard that has a completely black coat of fur, with occasional faint markings. Known as melanism, the genetic mutation that causes large amounts of a dark pigment to occur in the skin and fur is exhibited by a number of mammalian species. Black Panthers tend to occur most in dense forests with larger populations being found in southern Asia than in Africa, and are born into a litter that also contains yellow cubs. Black Panthers are actually fairly common and amazingly enough, it is thought that up to 50% of the Leopards found inhabiting the thick, tropical rainforests of the Malay Peninsula are black.

Leopard Relationship with Humans
Since big game hunting took off in Africa, the Leopard has been one of the most sought-after animals for hunters to kill. Part of the African "Big Five" which are the most desirable animals for sports hunters, Leopards in some areas particularly have been severely affected by trophy hunting. In many places Leopards are also often persecuted by local people who kill them for their meat and fur, and also because they are seen as pests to farms and livestock due to their lack of fear of people (although they are very seldom seen). However, recent booms in the tourist industry in Africa has meant that more and more people are paying for the privilege to see one of these majestic animals in the wild, bringing money into local communities. This leads to Leopards being more protected by local people rather than persecuted, as Leopards are providing an important and new-found source of a good income for the local people.

Leopard Conservation Status and Life Today
Today, the Leopard is listed by the IUCN as being an animal that is Near Threatened in its natural environment as populations are stable throughout much of its vast natural range. A number of Leopard sub-species however, are considered to be either Endangered or Critically Endangered in their native habitats and one is thought to now be extinct. This is thought to be due to the fact that these populations are either small or geographically isolated and are severely affected by local hunting and habitat loss. In a number of African countries however, Leopards are still legally hunted as trophies by sports hunters with annual quotas allocated by CITES (The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species).

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The Leopard is a medium-sized wildcat that is natively found in a variety of different habitats across sub-Saharan Africa and southern Asia. A member of the "Big Cat" family, the Leopard is an agile and opportunistic hunter that has been able to...

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Map of South America

Capybara

Capybara Classification and Evolution
The Capybara is a large, semi-aquatic rodent that is found inhabiting the water-logged regions of Central and South America. Closely related to other South American rodents such as Chinchillas and Guinea Pigs, the Capybara is the largest rodent in the world weighing up to 75kg and measuring nearly 1.4 meters long. Despite their enormous size though, these mammals have adapted well to life in the water and have a number of distinctive characteristics that aid their amphibious lifestyle, including the webbed skin between their toes which is particularly helpful when swimming. Interestingly enough, the common name of the Capybara is thought to mean "Master of the Grasses", whilst its scientific name comes from the Greek word for water hog.

Capybara Anatomy and Appearance
The Capybara is a heavy, stocky-looking animal with a short head and muzzle in comparison to its body and hardly any tail at all. They have short but sturdy limbs and hoof-like claws on their toes which along with the webbing, helps the Capybara both when negotiating the slippery banks and with swimming and also prevents the Capybara from sinking too deeply into the surrounding mud. Their coarse, short fur is pale to dark brown in colour with varying tinges of yellow, red and grey and is perfectly designed to dry out quickly once the Capybara is back on land. One of the Capybara's most distinctive features is the fact that their eyes, ears and nostrils are all positioned on top of its head meaning that they still have excellent sight, sound and smell whilst in the water. The placement of these features also means that when threatened, the Capybara can retreat into the water only leaving these parts of its body exposed to hide from potential predators.

Capybara Distribution and Habitat
The Capybara is found throughout a variety of habitats in Central and South America providing that there is a constant source of standing freshwater. They are found in Panama, Colombia, Venezuela and Peru, down through Brazil and Paraguay and into northern Argentina and Uruguay where they are most commonly found in swamps, marshes, rivers and lakes. The Capybara can be found inhabiting grassy plains and even in rainforests where they occupy territories in herds, with these areas reported to be adequate territories year round even with the differing seasons. During the dry season the Capybara must have water and areas where they are able to feed (often small sandbars in the water), but in the wet season when the area floods they must still be able to graze which they often do on the grassy banks.

Capybara Behaviour and Lifestyle
The Capybara is a very sociable animal that tends to inhabit densely vegetated areas close to water in herds of around 20 individuals, which are usually made up of a dominant male with a number of females and their young. Capybara herds occupy very stable home ranges that are known to vary in size depending on the size of the herd to ensure that there is enough food, and although small parts of their territory may overlap those of another herd, they will tend chase intruders off their patch. The Capybara actually sleeps very little, preferring instead to doze whilst resting during the morning in thickets on the banks, or wallowing in the mud and water when cooling down in the heat of the midday sun. They begin to emerge onto land in the early evening when they graze on grasses and aquatic plants which the Capybara will continue to do throughout most of the night.

Capybara Reproduction and Life Cycles
In a Capybara herd it is only the dominant male that has the breeding rights to the females, and although it can occur all year round depending on the conditions, the breeding season tends to be during the rains in April and May. After a gestation period that lasts for around five months, the female Capybara gives birth to between 1 and 8 pups on land. Capybara young are very well developed at birth and not only have all their fur and can see, but are also able to run, swim and dive within hours of birth. The female rejoins the main group within hours with her newborn offspring, which begin to eat grass after about a week (although they will continue to suckle milk from their mother until they are around four months old). The Capybara tends to live for up to 10 years in the wild and slightly longer when kept in captivity.

The Capybara is a herbivorous animal that only eats plant matter in order to acquire all of the nutrients it needs. The diet of the Capybara is mainly made up of grasses and aquatic plants, along with fruits and berries and the occasional munch on soft tree bark. Despite spending a number of hours during the night grazing, the Capybara is quite fussy with around 75% of their diet involving between three and six different species of plant. Like all other species of rodent, their two front teeth grow continuously throughout their life meaning that they must gnaw and chew their food to grind them down which they do in a back and forth motion rather than from side to side. They are also known to both regurgitate their food in order to chew it again (much like a Cow) and also eat their own droppings which help to break down the cellulose in the grass, along with aiding their digestive system in general.

Capybara Predators and Threats
Despite the large size and secretive aquatic nature of this large rodent, their slow and gentle disposition makes them a rewarding meal for numerous hungry predators throughout their natural range. Wildcats including Jaguars, Pumas and Ocelots are the primary predators of the Capybara along with Caimans and Eagles that can hunt the younger ones from the sky above. The Capybara is also one of the best sources of food for the world's heaviest snake, the Anaconda, along with other species of large snake. The Capybara is also hunted by Humans in parts of its natural range for both its meat and the hide which is prized amongst some. Although the global Capybara population is not considered to be under threat, numbers in these areas have declined. Habitat loss also affects Capybara populations through Central and South America as they are specifically adapted to life in their unique watery wilderness.

Capybara Interesting Facts and Features
Capybara never stray far from water as when one senses danger it gives a short bark that encourages the herd to quickly scuttle into the water to hide. They are so well adapted to going unseen in the water that the Capybara is actually able to hold its breath for up to five minutes after diving in. Although Capybara herds tend to average between 10 and 30 individuals, larger groups are not uncommon with some numbering up to 100 members in home ranges generally larger than those of smaller groups. Capybara are known to communicate between one another using both scent (which is secreted by their glands) and sound, and have a number of different vocalisations including whistles, barks, grunts and squeals.

Capybara Relationship with Humans
Due to their slow and generally gentle nature, Humans have lived alongside Capybara for hundreds of years peacefully. However, they may not be aggressive animals but are often killed in certain areas for their meat and skin which has led to population declines in these regions. The Capybara has also been affected by Human activity in their native regions in general including both growing Human settlements and land clearance for agriculture. It is in these areas particularly that when there is not an adequate supply of food available, some Capybara have been known to enter crop fields where they can cause a great deal of damage and can be seen as pests.

Capybara Conservation Status and Life Today
Today, the Capybara population throughout Central and South America remains fairly stable and it is because they are still common in much of their natural range, that the Capybara is listed as being of Least Concern from becoming extinct in their natural environments in the near future by the IUCN Red List. Population numbers in certain areas however, have declined due to hunting and others are affected by loss of their natural habitat both from deforestation and increasing pollution levels in the water.

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The Capybara is a large, semi-aquatic rodent that is found inhabiting the water-logged regions of Central and South America. Closely related to other South American rodents such as Chinchillas and Guinea Pigs, the Capybara is the largest rodent in the world...

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Komodo Dragon Classification and Evolution

The Komodo Dragon is a large species of lizard that is only found on a handful of islands in the Indonesian archipelago. Not known to the world until the First World War, the Komodo Dragon is actually a species of Monitor Lizard that has been evolving in island isolation for millions years, which has led to it becoming very large indeed. The Komodo Dragon is not only the largest lizard in the world, but it also one of the most aggressive and is so powerful that it is able to take prey many times its own size. However, Komodo Dragons are also in severe danger in their natural environments as hunting and habitat loss, along with a shortage of prey, has led to population declines on the few islands where they are found in the Komodo National Park, meaning that they are now listed on the IUCN's Red List and therefore have some legal protection.

Komodo Dragon Anatomy and Appearance

The Komodo Dragon is an enormous reptile that can grow up to three meters long and weigh 150kg. They are incredibly strong and powerful with long, thick bodies, short, muscular legs and an almighty tail that is used for both fighting and for propping the animal up when it is standing on its hind legs. The Komodo Dragon has long and sharp, curved claws that are often used for digging and its greyish brown skin is covered in small scales and folds around the neck. Komodo Dragons have relatively small heads compared to their large body size and wide, powerful jaws that conceal a mouth that is filled with deadly bacteria. Although the Komodo Dragon has good eyesight, the majority of its surroundings are sensed to smell which the Komodo Dragon does with its long and deeply forked tough. By flicking its tongue out of its mouth, the Komodo Dragon is able to "taste" scent particles in the air to locate both live and dead prey up to 8km away.

Komodo Dragon Distribution and Habitat

Although the Komodo Dragon would have once been widespread across many Indonesian islands, they are today confined to just five which all lie in the Komodo National Park. The islands of Komodo, Rintja, Gillimontang, Padar and the western tip of Flores are the last remaining homes for these enormous animals that are most commonly found in open woodlands along with dry savannah and on scrubby hillsides, and can also be found inhabiting dried-up river beds. It is thought that Komodo Dragons evolved to be so big on these islands due to the presence of a number of large mammalian species that have since gone extinct. Today however, they are becoming more threatened in their natural environments with the loss of their habitats to deforestation for timber has pushed the last remaining populations into smaller and more isolated regions.

Komodo Dragon Behaviour and Lifestyle

The Komodo Dragon is a solitary and powerful predator that roams a territory which is dependent on the individual's size, with the average adult covering a distance of around 2km every day. They are also known to be excellent swimmers, travelling from one island to another over a relatively long distance. Although they are solitary animals, a number of Komodo Dragons will often gather around a single kill with smaller individuals normally having to give way to the larger ones. In order to catch such large animals, Komodo Dragons can sit for hours hidden in the vegetation and are well camouflaged by their grey-brown skin as they sit waiting for a prey animal to pass by. The Komodo Dragon then ambushes its victim with incredible speed and force. Although the majority of initial attacks are successful, if the animal somehow manages to escape then the bacteria transferred from the Komodo Dragon's mouth in the bite-would, causes the flesh to become septic and kills the prey within 24 hours.

Komodo Dragon Reproduction and Life Cycles

Besides when feeding on a large carcass, Komodo Dragons can also be seen in the company of one another during the breeding season when, in September, nearby males fight one another by standing on their hind legs and propped up by their tails, try to win the right to breed with the local females. After mating, the female Komodo Dragon lays up to 25 leathery eggs in a hole that she digs into the soft sand. The young hatch after an incubation period that lasts for between 8 and 9 months and are boldly marked with cream bands (which they lose as they get older), and are completely independent from when they leave their shell. However, until they grow to a larger size, young Komodo Dragons will venture up into the trees where they will spend most of their time until they are big enough to look after themselves on the ground. Komodo Dragons tend to live for an average of 30 years in the wild.

Komodo Dragon Diet and Prey

The Komodo Dragon is a carnivorous animal that only hunts and kills large animals in order to survive in its natural surroundings. Adult Komodo Dragons are able to kill prey much larger than themselves as even if they are not successful at killing it on ambush, they will then follow it for miles until it eventually dies of the blood-poisoning caused by the deadly bacteria in the Komodo Dragon's mouth. Large mammals make up the bulk of the Komodo Dragon's diet including Pigs, Goats, Deer and even Horses and Water Buffalo (all of which have been introduced to the islands by people). Young Komodo Dragons however, prey on smaller animals in the trees such as Snakes, Lizards and Birds. The teeth of the Komodo Dragon are sharp and serrated but they mean that this animal cannot chew. Instead they tear bits off the carcass and throw it backwards into their mouths, able to swallow it whole aided by their flexible neck muscles.

Komodo Dragon Predators and Threats

Due to the fact that the Komodo Dragon is the most dominant predator in its environment, mature adults have no natural predators in their native habitats. The smaller and more vulnerable young however, seem to have adapted to spending their initial days in the trees to avoid being eaten by larger Komodo Dragons. Since the arrival of people on these islands though, things have changed dramatically with Humans having hunted the Komodo Dragons and encroaching on their native habitats with their growing settlements and forest clearance for both timber and agriculture. Komodo Dragons are also threatened by volcanic activity on these geologically active islands which can cause declines in their prey species, in turn affecting the local Komodo Dragon populations.

Komodo Dragon Interesting Facts and Features

The Komodo Dragon is known to have fifty different types of toxic bacteria in their saliva that thrive on traces of flesh, causing bite-wounds to become quickly infected. Recent research however, indicates that the real reason for such a high success rate in poisoning its prey could be down to the fact that the Komodo Dragon may have a venom gland in its mouth. Although Komodo Dragons have thrived in this part of the Indonesian archipelago for millions of years, they were not known to the world until around a century ago when reports came in from a pilot that swam to Komodo Island after his plane went down. The immense size of the Komodo Dragon is thought to come from the fact that they would have once hunted large mammals that would have then existed in Indonesia, including a species of Pygmy Elephant which is thought to have now been extinct for thousands of years. This means that the main prey of the Komodo Dragon today, has all been introduced to the islands by Human settlers.

Komodo Dragon Relationship with Humans

Since their discovery on the islands in the Komodo National Park around 100 years ago, Komodo Dragons have both fascinated and utterly terrified people as we learn more and more about them. Habitat loss on the islands has not only meant that Komodo Dragons are being pushed into increasingly isolated regions, but they are also being brought into closer contact with Human activity and are known to kill livestock on occasion. Despite their seemingly slow and docile nature, Komodo Dragons can run at speeds of up to 11mph in short bursts and are actually one of the world's known "man-eaters". People have not only been ambushed, bitten and then tracked by Komodo Dragons in the wild but they have also been known to attack Humans when they are kept in captive environments and either escape or are allowed to get too close.

Komodo Dragon Conservation Status and Life Today

Today, the Komodo Dragon is listed by the IUCN as a species that is Vulnerable in its natural environment and therefore potentially faces extinction in the near future. Although once widespread on numerous Indonesian islands that they are now confined to just a few with between 3,000 and 5,000 individuals thought to be left roaming the rich, volcanic forests. Increasing interest in them from the tourist industry though has meant that local people have more reason to try and protect them and the handful of habitats where they still survive.

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Komodo Dragon Classification and Evolution The Komodo Dragon is a large species of lizard that is only found on a handful of islands in the Indonesian archipelago. Not known to the world until the First World War, the Komodo Dragon is actually a species of Monitor Lizard that has been evolving in island isolation for [...]

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Enjoy this expertly researched article on the Pelican, including where Pelican s live, what they eat & much more. Now with high-quality pictures