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This animal is well known for having a hump back and living in the desert, but did you know the camel is a very interesting animal?

There are lots of fun things to learn about the camel - read these fascinating facts about this animal.

There are two different types of camels - the dromedary camel (the kind that has only one hump) and the Bactrian camel (which has two humps).

Where Do Camels Live?

The one-humped camel resides in North Africa and the Middle East, while the two-humped camel is commonly found in Central Asia.

No matter where they live, camels are usually found in desert-type climates. Some camels are native to specific deserts. For example, Bactrian camels are native to the Gobi Desert in China and the Bactrian steppes of Mongolia.

Camels can also be found in cold weather climates as well, despite popular belief.

Here's a really gross fact, so prepare yourself - people have actually drank camel urine before for medicinal purposes! I bet our medicine doesn't look too bad now, right?

Camel Milk Is Incredibly Nutritious

Camel milk is a nutritious beverage rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals. It contains more iron, vitamin C, and unsaturated fatty acids than cow's milk. Camel milk is also lower in lactose, making it easier for people with lactose intolerance to digest.

It may have therapeutic benefits for people with diabetes, as it may help regulate blood sugar levels. Camel milk also contains immune-boosting compounds like lactoferrin and immunoglobulins. Although it may not be as widely available as cow's milk, it's becoming increasingly popular and worth considering as a healthy addition to your diet.

Lifespan Of Camel

Camels are known for their ability to survive in harsh desert environments, and they have a relatively long lifespan compared to other large mammals. In the wild, camels can live up to 40 years, while captive camels have been known to live up to 50 years or more.

Various factors, including genetics, environment, diet, and disease, influence the lifespan of a camel. Proper care and management, including regular veterinary check-ups, can help camels live long and healthy lives.

Why Do Camels Have A Hump?

The camel's hump is actually very useful. Contrary to popular belief, however, the camel's hump is not filled with water.

It consists of stored fat which the camels can resource when food and water are very limited.

This fat can be broken down and used as nutrition in emergencies where food is scarce, so camels can go for days without water or food.

Another aspect that helps camels go without water is their incredible ability to minimize their water losses.

When they use the bathroom, their droppings are very dry and their urine is extremely concentrated, allowing them to retain more water.

Here's a gross fact - but a very true one! Believe it or not, camels have a third, clear eyelid which protects their eyes from sand and dirt blowing in the desert.

Another helpful aspect of their eyes are their two sets of eyelashes, which help keep their eyes clean.

Camels also have the handy ability of shutting their nostrils during sandstorms. As you can tell, camels are definitely meant to live in the desert.

Camels As A Mode Of Transport

Camels, like donkeys, have been used as a method of transportation for humans for a very long time - thousands of years, believe it or not.

Camels can carry up to 500 pounds on their backs, so people or goods can be transported.

Nowadays, camels are more often used for transporting products rather than people.

How Fast Can A Camel Run?

Camels can run up to speeds of 40 miles per hour - that's pretty fast for an animal thought to be rather slow, isn't it?

What Does The Word 'Camel' Mean?

The word "camel" is actually Arabic and means beauty.

Camels do not start sweating until temperatures reach 106 degrees.

How Big Are Camels?

Most camels are much larger than humans are. The average two-humped camel grows to a shoulder height of 6 feet (1.8 meters) in length and a body length of about 10 feet (3 meters).

They can weigh anywhere from 1,320 to 2,200 pounds.

A one-humped camel can be about 6.5 feet (2 meters) tall and weigh anywhere from 880 to 1,325 pounds.

Many people who see a camel in person are very surprised by how big they actually are.

Camels are not picky eaters whatsoever. In fact, due to their very thick lips, they can eat some things that would seriously hurt other animals and people - like thorn covered plants, for example.

One thing camels do not eat is meat, because they are herbivores.

How Much Water Do Camels Need?

Although camels can a long time without water, it doesn't mean they don't need any.

Camels typically live in very hot and dry desert climates and when they find a source of water, they fill up!

A typical camel can down up to 30 gallons of water in a mere 13 minutes.

The camel's body rehydrates very quickly, much faster than any other animal.

In very desperate times, camels can survive up to six months without food or water.

There Is A Camel Festival In The United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates hosts an annual Camel Festival, celebrating the country's cultural heritage and the importance of camels in Bedouin life. The festival features various competitions, including camel racing, beauty contests, and best-dressed camel competitions. Visitors can also enjoy traditional Emirati food and music and browse the many stalls selling souvenirs and handicrafts.

The festival attracts camel owners and enthusiasts worldwide, making it a vibrant and colorful event. The festival is a testament to the UAE's deep connection to its past and its commitment to preserving its cultural traditions.

Camels And Llamas Are Cousins

Camels and llamas are both members of the Camelidae family, making them distant cousins. They share many physical and behavioral traits, such as their ability to survive in harsh environments and their unique digestive systems.

However, there are also significant differences between the two species, such as camels being primarily found in desert regions. In contrast, llamas are typically found in more temperate environments.

Additionally, camels are much larger and have distinctive humps on their backs, while llamas are smaller and lack this feature. Despite their differences, both camels and llamas have played important roles in human history and continue to be valued for their unique abilities.

Camels Spit As A Defense Mechanism

Camels are well-known for their ability to spit as a defense mechanism. Feeling threatened or agitated, they may regurgitate and expel a mixture of saliva, stomach contents, and mucus at their perceived attacker.

This projectile can be aimed accurately up to six feet away and has a foul odor and taste, making it an effective deterrent against predators and other perceived threats. However, camels don't spit indiscriminately and usually reserve this behavior for situations where they feel threatened or need to establish dominance within their social hierarchy.

There Are Three Species Of Camels

There are three species of camels: the Dromedary, the Bactrian, and the wild Bactrian.

The dromedary, also known as the Arabian camel, has one hump and is found in the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Asia.

The Bactrian camel has two humps and is native to Central and East Asia deserts.

The wild Bactrian camel, also known as the Mongolian camel, is critically endangered and is found only in parts of China and Mongolia.

These remarkable animals are well-adapted to life in harsh desert environments, with features like tough skin, the ability to store water, and specially adapted feet to help them walk on sand.

Camels Are Known For Their Ability To Do Heavy Lifting

Camels are known for their ability to do heavy lifting, both literally and figuratively. With their distinctive humps, camels are well-suited to carrying heavy loads across long distances, making them invaluable for transportation in desert regions.

Additionally, their ability to withstand extreme temperatures and go for long periods without water or food makes them ideal for arduous journeys. Beyond their physical strength, camels are also highly valued in many cultures for their resilience, patience, and adaptability. All in all, these hardy creatures are a testament to the power of determination and endurance in the face of adversity.

The Wild Bactrian Camel Is Critically Endangered

The Wild Bactrian Camel, a rare species found in remote parts of China and Mongolia, is critically endangered, with only an estimated 1,400 individuals left in the wild. The camel faces multiple threats, including habitat loss due to mining and oil exploration, hunting for meat and hides, and competition with domestic livestock for resources.

The species is also vulnerable to extreme weather events and diseases. Conservation efforts, such as habitat protection and anti-poaching measures, are crucial to prevent the extinction of this unique and iconic animal.

Camels Can Sleep Standing Up

Camels are well-known for their ability to adapt to extreme environments, and one of their most interesting adaptations is their ability to sleep standing up. This is due to a unique structure in their legs that allows them to lock their knees and rest their weight on their bones and tendons.

By sleeping standing up, camels are able to avoid lying on the hot ground during the day and reduce their risk of being attacked by predators. Additionally, their ability to sleep standing up allows them to quickly get up and move if they sense danger or they need to graze.

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16 Fun & Interesting Camel Facts For Kids [year] [With Pictures]

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Camel Facts This animal is well known for having a hump back and living in the desert, but did you know the camel is a very interesting animal? There are lots of fun things to

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Read our cool facts about bats and take a look at our quiz sheet in the activity section at the end to test your knowledge of these fascinating creatures!

Bats are often feared, and pictures of vampires race into our heads.

Well, they are actually exceptionally cool animals who help humans a lot.

Read on for some absolutely amazing information about these awesome animals.

Ancient Ancestors of Bats

Have bats changed much over the years? Let's find out.

Wow this is amazing, scientists have found evidence that bats have been around for 50 million years.

Some believe it might even have been even longer. That is a very, very long time.

How do scientists learn about these animals?

Well they use fossils to try and see how bats have changed over the years. It's amazing what science can teach us.

Apparently the earliest fossils found show that they haven't changed much over the years. They do look a bit prehistoric.

Now when we talk about bats, often people get scared or say they don't like them.

But here are some myths that we'll bust, which might make you feel differently about these animals.

Bats are definitely not blind, and in fact they can see very well.

Bats that eat insects depend a lot on sound and they've got super awesome hearing skills to find food in the dark.

Guess you can't say 'blind as a bat' anymore.

Bats also don't get tangled up in your hair...they're far too smart for that.

People often think that you can get sick from bats and that they carry rabies. They are in fact very clean and just like cats, groom themselves very well.

They can get rabies, but so can all mammals. Bats hardly ever do, just don't touch them and you'll be fine and dandy.

Did you know that bats are extremely helpful? They help control our insect population, reseed forests that have been cut down and even pollinate plants to give us food.

Wow, who would have known that they do so much for us?

Their droppings - called guano - produce a bacteria that is used to improve soaps and antibiotics. Wow, so when we get sick and the doctor gives us antibiotics, there's probably guano in them!

Oh goodness; but that's okay as it makes us better and we can't taste a thing.

Bats are Mammals

Here are some more amazing facts about bats that will have you reciting the most awesome bat facts around.

Bats are actually mammals! What, a mammal that flies?

People used to think that bats were birds without feathers, but in fact you don't get such a thing as a featherless bird.

So, they're mammals just like us humans, and the only mammals that can fly. Awesome.

Unbelievably bats are the ONLY mammals capable of flying continuously. While others will glide a lot, bats just keep on going.

Bat wings are quite complicated, and this is what helps them to fly. Their wings are made of two thin layers of skin stretched over the bat's arm and fingers; yes they have arms, four fingers and a thumb.

Their fingers are very long when you compare them to the size of the body. If our fingers were the same as bats they'd be longer than our legs.

Can you imagine how weird we'd look if we walked around with fingers dragging behind our bodies?

When bats fly, they don't just flap their wings up and down; it almost looks as if they're pulling their way through the air.

It's a strange movement and kind of looks like the butterfly stroke when you're swimming.

Next time you go for a swim, try and do the bat stroke not the butterfly stroke!

Their wings get used for many things besides flying; in fact they wrap them around insects or fruit to hold while they're eating.

As they've got fingers, we should give them some knives and forks so they can eat properly.

Bats Really Do Only Come Out at Night

Bats are nocturnal, which means that come out at night and feed at night too.

If you go looking for them during the day you'll probably find them all snoring while they sleep in their caves or in trees.

Did you know that bats sleep upside down? That must be so uncomfortable.

Bats are quite friendly creatures and they quite like having sleepovers in huge groups in caves. They obviously don't like to be alone.

Where is the Largest Bat Cave in the World?

Now this is quite something. The largest bat cave in the world is in Bracken Cave, Texas. Wait for it...during the summer this cave can have anything up to 20 million bats there at once!

That must be one humongous cave and that is a serious amount of bats. Not sure going into that cave at night would be a good idea.

But they're pretty cool as they can eat up to 250 tons of insects in a night.

Whoa, that is a lot of insects to eat.

And even better, with all these insects being eaten all our food will be healthier for all of us. Less chemicals and poisons will be used on crops. Hooray for the bats!

How are Bats Similar to Dolphins?

Have you ever heard of echolocation? Well it's a way for some mammals to communicate and find objects or their prey. Bats use echolocation as well as dolphins. This is how bats 'see' in the dark.

They make noises and wait for the sound waves to bounce back off objects, just like an echo. These noises can't be heard by human ears. If the sound doesn't bounce back it safe to push on and fly.

Unbelievably with this very complex way of finding stuff they can even tell how far away something is. Amazing.

Not all bats use echolocation with their mouths. Some of them eat while they're flying, and of course it's rude to talk with your mouth full. So what do they do? They use their noses instead for echolocation. Wow.

The bats that use their noses have special flaps and folds of skin on their nose called 'nose leaves'.

Now that sounds weird and they actually look quite weird too.

So do bats eat blood as we think they do? Well read on to find out. Most of them eat insects, nectar from flowers and others fruit. Some of them eat fish and yes, there are a couple of species who eat blood.

The fish-eating bats grab fish out the water with their claws, while meat-eating bats drink the blood of birds.

There are three types of vampire bats and they eat blood from other mammals like cows.

Did you know that 70% of all bats eat insects? In fact the little brown bat can eat 1,200 night flying insects in an hour. So if you've got too many insects then this is the bat to call on.

Now a bit more on vampire bats. No they don't turn into Count Dracula! They very rarely bite people and they hardly ever kill their prey.

They make a shallow wound with their razor-sharp teeth then lick up the blood.

Each bat only drinks about an ounce (almost 30 milliliters) of blood each night. That's certainly not a lot.

Bats can live for up to 20 years.

Which are the largest kind of bats?

The flying fox and fruit bats are the largest in the world. Guess what they do to help us?

They spread the seeds of the fruit they eat and are responsible for scattering up to 95% of the seeds needed for new trees in tropical rainforests.

Isn't that just amazing?

Bats don't only live in caves; in fact there are many different places they live. They sleep in trees, mines, under bridges, in bushes, and even in old buildings or barns.

Some tiny South American bats make tent-like shelters out of palm tree leaves.

So the next time you're out and about see if you can spot any bats in trees or bushes, under bridges or in old buildings.

There is another type of home where bats will live, and it's designed especially for them. People build bat houses hoping for bats to move in, but often other animals and insects are quicker at settling in.

Bats that used to only live in caves have adapted to living in cities now. This is mind-blowing.

The largest bat colony of bats living in a city is under the Congress Avenue Bridge in Austin, Texas.

There are about 1.5 million bats there. Even more amazing, there are just over 1.5 million people living in Austin, so there are almost as many bats as people here!

What about bat babies? During spring, bats return from migration or wake up from hibernation and the ladies begin having baby bats which are called "pups". Cute.

They are tiny when they're born, but boy do they grow up fast. Some of them are flying and hunting on their own within a month.

Imagine being one month old and going out and finding food by yourself? Not possible!

Bats normally have one baby at a time and sometimes they'll have twins.

The pups are born without hair and are tiny and pink.

They are born with strong claws and legs because they have to hold on to their mom when she's sleeping or hang on in the cave if she's out and about.

Have you noticed the size of bats ears? Well they are huge in comparison to their bodies. All the better to hear with...they have the best hearing of all land mammals.

Pretty cool huh. So don't whisper something rude in front of them, they might get upset.

Where are Bats Found?

Bats can be found all over the world; in forests, deserts, jungles and cities but except where it is very, very hot or really, really cold. They live on all continents except Antarctica.

There are over 1000 different bat species. Wow, that's a lot. From the tiny bumblebee bat (which is the size of a jellybean), to the huge Bismarck flying fox (with a wingspan as long as an average man).

Bats make up one fifth of the world's mammals and are the second largest group of mammals with rats taking first place.

That is quite something.

Most bats only see in black and white, but some old world fruit bats can see in color.

Here are some other ways that bats can help us...

A colony of just 150 big brown bats can eat up to 18 million or more root worms each summer. This saves crops from damage which means more food is available.

Tropical bats are important to rainforests. They pollinate flowers and drop seeds for many trees and bushes.

By helping to rebuild cut forests, bats are also making sure other animals continue to have homes, shelter and food.

In the wild, important plants - from bananas and mangos to nuts, dates and figs - all depend upon bats for pollination and seed dropping.

In the southwestern part of the United States, nectar-feeding bats are the main pollinators of the giant saguaro cactus.

How is this for amazing? Scientists are studying the saliva from the vampire bat and they think they might be able to make a new medicine from it to help people with heart problems.

Truly awesome.

Aren't these just amazing animals? Who would have thought how much good they actually do.

So spread the word about your new-found knowledge and look out for bats in your area.

Try and study them a bit to see if you can find any of the stuff we've spoken about!
Useful Websites
Want to learn even more?! Check out Live Science for more bat facts and stats!

Click to download our questions about bats quiz sheet to use in class or at home! Questions about Bats (all answers can be found on this page).

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Bat Facts For Kids Read our cool facts about bats and take a look at our quiz sheet in the activity section at the end to test your knowledge of these fascinating creatures! Bats are often feared, and pictures of vampires race into our heads.

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Reptiles Reptiles are air-breathing vertebrates. Their skin is made up of scales, bony plates, or a combination of both. Most reptile species are egg-laying. There are more than 7,700 species of reptiles. Here we cover

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When you think of an alligator, it is easy for a dinosaur to come to mind. With their huge jaws, scaly skin, and sharp claws, these creatures look a lot like monsters from a scary movie instead of an animal that lives in ponds and swamps.

Keep reading to find out more facts about alligators!

What are the characteristics of an alligator?

Alligators belong to the reptile family, which means that they are cold-blooded, have a backbone, and are covered in dry skin with scales. They have been living on Earth for millions of years, and are sometimes called 'living fossils' because they have not changed very much since the times of the dinosaurs.

Alligators are massive animals that can weigh over 800 pounds and be as long as 10 to 13 feet. This is about as long as a car! Alligators have long, round snouts and are usually very dark green or black in color.

Where do alligators live?

There are two different kinds of alligator: the American alligator and the Chinese alligator. American alligators can be found in the southeastern part of the United States, in places like Florida, Louisiana, and Georgia. They live in freshwater environments like swamps, ponds, marshes, rivers, and lakes.

Chinese alligators can be found in the Yangtze River valley in China. They are extremely endangered, however, so they are found more often in zoos than in the wild. Chinese alligators are much smaller than American alligators, and are usually only six feet long and weigh under 100 pounds.

What do alligators like to eat?

Alligators are a top predator in their environment and can eat almost anything they choose. When they are younger, they mainly like to eat smaller things like fish, worms, snails, and insects. As they get bigger and stronger, they start eating bigger animals like large fish, turtles, muskrats, deer, and even other reptiles.

Alligators have even been seen ambushing big animals like panthers and black bears, making them the biggest threat to animals around the area. While they don't just jump out at anything they see, they can be mean and aggressive if they feel like they need to protect themselves. So it is important that you never try to go near an alligator if you see one!

How do alligators hunt?

When an alligator is ready to attack its prey, there are a couple of different ways they may hunt. Thanks to their dark color and excellent camouflage, it is fairly easy for them to slowly sneak up on animals before they attack.

For smaller prey like fish or birds, alligators will eat them whole in one bite. For larger prey, they usually grab it in their strong jaw and drag it into the water to drown it.

Then they do what is called the "death roll". This is when alligators bring their prey on land and then wildly roll around until bite-sized chunks come off for them to chew.

Do alligators live alone or in groups?

Large male alligators live alone and do not like to share their space with anyone or anything. They defend their territory and make sure nothing gets near them. Smaller alligators, like young alligators and females, often live in groups near to each other. This helps them to defend their young and their territory.

Quick Facts:

Alligators belong to the reptile family

They are cold-blooded and have dry, scaly skin

They have long, round snouts and are dark green or black

They can be 13 feet long and up to 800 pounds

The live in freshwater areas like ponds, marshes, rivers, and lakes

Alligators eat fish, turtles, muskrat, deer, and even bears

Alligators are strong and fierce animals that have been around for millions of years. They are top predators and rule the animals in their environment. As long as we protect them, and leave them alone, they will continue to rule for many years to come.

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Alligator Facts When you think of an alligator, it is easy for a dinosaur to come to mind. With their huge jaws, scaly skin, and sharp claws, these creatures look a lot like monsters from a scary movie instead of an animal that lives in ponds and swamps.

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Brace yourselves for a big ocean adventure, gang, with our brilliant blue whale facts. And by 'big', we in fact mean absolutely ginormous!

Fast blue whale facts

Scientific name: Balaenoptera musculus
Phylum: Chordata
Family: Balaenopteridae
Classification: Mammal
IUCN status: Endangered
Lifespan (in wild): 80-90 years
Weight: More than 130,000kg
Body size: 30m long
Diet: Carnivore
Habitat: Ocean
Range:

1) The largest animals to have ever lived on Earth, blue whales can grow to over 30m long and weigh more than 130,000kg - that's longer than three buses and heavier than three lorries!

2) Pretty much everything about the blue whale is massive. It's tongue weighs as much as an elephant, its heart is the size of a car and its blood vessels are so wide you could swim through them!

3) These blue-grey giants have a long, stream-lined body, a wide head, huge flippers, a powerful tail and a small dorsal fin. Some individuals have a yellowy-coloured underside, giving rise to the nickname ' sulphur bottom ' whales.

4) Blue whales can be found in all of our planet's oceans, except the Arctic, usually swimming alone or in groups of two to four. But in areas where there's lots of food available, as many as 60 whales may come together.

5) Despite their humongous size, blue whales eat tiny shrimp-like crustaceans called krill. But they shift a fair few of these seafood snacks - up to 40 million each day, in fact!

6) These marine marvels are a species of ' baleen' whale. Instead of teeth, they have baleen, a fibrous material used to filter their food. When eating, the whale lets a huge volume of water and krill into its mouth. It then pushes the water through its 300-400 baleen plates, which trap the tasty grub to be swallowed. Gulp!

7) To communicate with each other, blue whales make a series of super-loud vocal sounds. Their calls are the loudest of any creature on the planet, in fact, and can be heard underwater for hundreds of kilometres.

8) These awesome aquatic animals follow a seasonal migration pattern. During the feeding season, they fill up on krill in cold polar waters. They then travel to warmer, tropical waters to mate and give birth.

9) At birth, blue whale calves measure around 8m long and weigh a massive 4,000kg! They grow quickly, too - for seven to eight months, these bulky babies suckle on their mother's rich, fatty milk, and gain around 90kg each day!

10) Sadly, in the late 19th early 20th century, blue whales were heavily hunted. And despite a global hunting ban in 1966, their population has declined by 70-90 percent in the past 150 years. With only 10,000-25,000 left in the wild, these magnificence marine mammals are today classified as an endangered species.

Images ⓒ: Blue whale with head out of water: Anthony Pierce, Alamy. Blue whale with back out of water: Sburel, Dreamstime. Blue whale in dark blue ocean: Brandon Cole Marine Photography, Alamy. Blue whale fluke: Richard Fitzer, Shutterstock. Blue whale in light blue ocean: Wolcott Henry, National Geographic Creative. Group of blue whales: Flip Nicklin.

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Blue whale facts for kids | National Geographic Kids

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Blue whale facts for kids: learn about these mega mammals, with facts about blue whale size, characteristics, diet, range, behaviour and migration patterns

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They're seriously tall and super speedy - check out our fascinating ostrich facts!

Scientific name: Struthio camelus
Family name: Struthionidae
Classification: Bird
IUCN status: Least concern
Lifespan (in wild): 30-40 years
Weight: More than 150kg
Body length: 2.1-2.7m tall
Top speed: 70km/h
Diet: Omnivore
Habitat: Grassland, savannah and open woodland
Range:

Found across Africa's hot savannahs and open woodland, the ostrich is the world's largest bird. It stands up to a massive 2.7m tall and weighs as much as 159kg - that's around 1m taller than the average man, and the weight of two men combined!

This flightless bird has a long, bare neck, long, sturdy legs and a bulky body covered with feathers. Males and females have different coloured feathers - males sport black plumage with a white tail, and females are mostly brown. Both sexes have small heads, a short, wide beak and big brown eyes protected by long dark lashes.

The ostrich might not be able to fly, but boy can it run! Using its long legs, powerful thighs and strong feet, this big bird can cover five metres in a single stride and reach speeds of over 70km per hour! When zooming along at such mega speeds, it holds out its short wings to help it balance.

This brilliant bird's strong legs don't only carry the ostrich where it wants to go - they're super effective when it comes to self-defence. If an ostrich is cornered by a hungry predator, such as a , , or , it will kick with a force powerful enough to kill! And check this out, each two-toed foot is armed with a ten centimetre sharp claw, too, so predators had better beware!

With their tall height and excellent eyesight, these amazing creatures are great at spotting potential predators from far away. But if danger gets too close for comfort, the ostrich will often lie low to hide, stretching its neck along the ground. Its coloured feathers help it to blend in with the sandy soil where it lives. Have you ever heard that ostriches bury their head in the sand to hide? Well, as funny as that sounds, it's not true! But from far away, depending what position the ostrich takes, it can sure look that way, hence how the myth began.

Ostriches are mainly vegetarian, eating roots, leaves, flowers and seeds. But they will also eat insects, lizards and other small creatures, too. They generally live in the vicinity of grazing animals such as wildebeest, antelopes and zebras, and together they form a great partnership - the grazers stir up insects and rodents for the ostriches to eat, and the ostriches help alert the grazers to dangers such as approaching lions.

Ostriches live in groups, called herds, generally made up of around 12 individuals. Males compete with one another for control of several females (or hens), and the winner becomes the leader of the herd. Each group also has a dominant hen, she will only mate with the alpha male, but he may mate with other females in the herd as well.

During breeding season, the alpha male makes a nest in the ground and attempts to attract females by, believe it or not, dancing! His impressive moves include dropping to the ground, shaking his wings and tail, and swaying his head and neck from side to side. After mating, the hens lay their eggs in the nest. But these are no ordinary eggs, gang - they're the largest eggs in the world, averaging around 15cm long and weighing up to a mega 1.5kg!

The main female may lay up to 11 eggs, which are positioned in the centre of the communal nest where they're safest, and the other hens lay between two to six eggs. The alpha male and dominant female then look after the nest, taking it in turns to incubate the eggs.

After about 40 days, the new chicks hatch, all feathered and ready to walk! Within days, they leave the nest to follow their parents, who protect them from the hot sun or rain by keeping them huddled under their body or outstretched wings. By the time the young ostriches are 18 months old, they are fully grown and have become record-breaking birds, just like their parents. Impressive, eh?

What did you make of our ostrich facts? Leave a comment below and let us know!

Credits
Text adapted from feature by Catherine D. Hughes
Pictures - Baby ostriches hatching: Des and Jen Bartlett. Ostrich head: Stephen St. John. Ostrich family: Niserin, Dreamstime. Ostrich standing in tall grass: Tim Laman. Ostrich running: Matthewgsimpson, Dreamstime. Ostrich distribution map: National Geographic Maps.

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Ostrich facts! - National Geographic Kids

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Ostrich facts: Learn about the ostrich, with facts about this big bird's characteristics, diet, habitat and behaviour, plus facts about ostrich eggs.

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Zebra facts for kids | National Geographic Kids

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Zebra facts: learn all about Africa’s three species of zebra, with facts about zebras’ stripes, habitat, range, diet, behaviour and defence mechanisms…

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Take a deep breath, gang, as we dive deep to get the lowdown on one of the ocean's deadliest predators, in our great white shark facts!
Great white shark facts

1) Great white sharks can be found throughout the world's oceans, mostly in cool waters close to the coast.

2) These super swimmers are the largest predatory fish (fish that eat other fish or animals) on our planet. On average, they grow to around 4.6m long, but some great whites have been measured at 6m - that's half the length of a bus!

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3) Great white sharks are grey with a white underbelly, from where they get their name. They have a streamlined shape and powerful tails that propel them through the water at over 60km per hour!

4) Any creature unlucky enough to find itself in the gob of a great white is in for a nasty shock! Because this marine beast's mouth is equipped with a set of 300 sharp, triangular teeth arranged in up to seven rows. Yikes! Let's take a closer look, if you dare...

5) Whilst many think of these beasts as fearsome man-eaters, humans aren't, in fact, on the great white's menu. Phew! There are around 5-10 attacks a year, but researchers believe that, rather than preying on humans to eat them, the sharks are instead taking a "sample bite" out of curiosity, before swimming off.

6) So what do they eat? Well, when they're young, they feed on small prey, such as fish and rays. But when they're older and bigger, they generally feast on sea mammals such as sea lions, seals and small whales.

7) Great white sharks have such a strong sense of smell that they can detect a colony of seals two miles away. And check this out - if there was only one drop of blood in 100 litres of water, a great white would smell it!

8) These cunning creatures like to take their prey by surprise. They usually position themselves underneath their unsuspecting victims before swimming up and...chomp! They often burst out of the water in a leap (called a breach) before falling back in with their meal in their mouths.

Great white sharks are at the top of the food chain and aren't likely to be killed by other sea creatures. Sadly, however, they are under serious threat by human activity. Illegal hunting of these beautiful beasts, and overfishing, have meant that today great white sharks are a
9) When a great white gives birth, she usually has two to ten youngsters, called " pups". But she shows no care for her offspring - in fact, she may even try to eat them! Taking care of themselves, the newborn pups will immediately swim off into the ocean.

10) species on the vulnerable IUCN Red List.

Love reading about magnificent marine life? Sink your teeth into our super , check out our ocean's weirdest creatures and 10 facts about bottlenose dolphins!

Image ⓒ Picture of great white shark near surface: Photograph by Natursports, Dreamstime. Picture of great white shark underwater: Photograph by Willtu, Dreamstime. Picture of great whie shark with mouth open: Photograph by Peternile, Dreamstime.

What did you make of our great white shark facts? Let us know by leaving us a comment, below!

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10 facts about great white sharks! - National Geographic Kids

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Join us here at NG Kids to learn ten facts about great white sharks! What do great white sharks eat? How big are they? Find out all about these fierce fish!

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Take a deep breath, gang, and join Nat Geo Kids as we learn ten fab facts about one seriously splash-tastic sea creature - in our bottlenose dolphin facts!
Facts about bottlenose dolphins

1) Bottlenose dolphins are marine mammals that live in tropical and temperate oceans (oceans with mild temperatures) around the world. This includes the waters off the UK and Ireland, where you can spot them swimming and playing in bays and river estuaries!

2) These beautiful creatures have a short thick beak (as their name suggests!) and a curved mouth, giving the appearance that they are always smiling. They are usually grey in colour, and measure around two to four metres in length.

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3) Social creatures, bottlenose dolphins travel in groups, called " pods ", of around 10-15. In these groups they play and hunt together, as well as cooperate to raise young dolphin calves and help each other.

4) Bottlenose dolphins are super swimmers, gliding through the water using their curved dorsal fin on their back, a powerful tail and pointed flippers. They can reach speeds over 30km an hour and dive as deep as 250m below the surface!

5) These cool creatures are awesome acrobats, too, and can be seen flipping (or " breaching ") out of the water. In fact, they can launch themselves up to five meters out of the water before crashing back down with a splash! There are different theories as to why they do this - it could be to get a better view of things in the distance, clean parasites off their bodies, communicate with other pods or just for good fun!

6) Although they live underwater, the bottlenose dolphin must come up to the surface to breath air. It breathes through what"s called a " blowhole ", a hole at the top of its head. These clever creatures can open this hole when inhaling and exhaling out of the water, and close it when below the ocean surface. They can hold their breath underwater for around seven minutes.

7) Bottlenose dolphins are kings of communication! They send each other messages in different ways - they squeak and whistle and also use body language, leaping out of the water, snapping their jaws and even butting heads!

8) These magnificent mammals also produce high-pitched clicks to help them navigate and find food - a process called " echolocation ". When the clicking sounds hit an object in the water - such as a rock or fish - they bounce back to the dolphin as echoes. From this, the super swimmers can work out the location, size and shape of the object. Cool, eh?

9) Carnivores, our finned friends eat mostly fish, but will also eat crustaceans such as shrimp and squid, too.

10) Thankfully, bottlenose dolphins are not classed as endangered. However, illegal hunting, fishing nets and pollution pose threats to these incredible creatures.

Love reading about sea life? Then be sure to check out our Humpback whale facts!

Image ⓒ Picture of dolphin stretched out above water: Photograph by Kjersti Joergensen, Dreamtime. Picture of a dolphin closeup in water: Photograph by Michael Price, Dreamtime. Picture of a dolphin jumping: Photograph by Avslt71, Dreamtime.

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10 facts about bottlenose dolphins - National Geographic Kids

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10 facts about bottlenose dolphins. Where do bottlenose dolphins live? How do they breathe? What do they eat? Find out all about this marine mammal here!

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Here at Nat Geo Kids we're turtally mad about turtles, that's why we've put together these ten terrific turtle facts!
These magnificent creatures come in all shapes and sizes and live in a number of different environments. They all belong to a group of reptiles called Testudines, which includes turtles, tortoises and terrapins.

From giant, slow-moving land-dwelling tortoises and snappy terrapins basking in their fresh-water lagoons, to the graceful strokes of a sea turtle gliding through our oceans - check out our ten totally awesome turtle facts, below!

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1. Turtles belong to one of the oldest reptile groups in the world - beating snakes, crocodiles and alligators!

2. These creatures date back to the time of the dinosaurs, over 200 million years ago - woah!

3. Turtles are easily recognised by their bony, cartilaginous shell . This super-tough casing acts like a shield to protect them from predators - some turtles can even tuck their head up inside their shell for extra protection!

Just like your bones, a turtle's shell is actually part of its skeleton. It's made up of over 50 bones which include the turtle's rib cage and spine.

Did you know that we have a FREE downloadable sea turtle primary resource? Great for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike!

5. Contrary to popular belief, a turtle cannot come out of its shell. The turtle's shell grows with them, so it's impossible for them to grow too big for it!

6. What a turtle eats depends on the environment it lives in. Land-dwelling turtles will munch on beetles, fruit and grass, whereas sea dwellers will gobble everything from algae to squid and jellyfish.

7. Some turtles are carnivores (meat eaters), others are herbivores (plant eaters) and some are omnivores (a mixture of the two!). Many baby turtles start life as carnivores but grow to eat more plants as they mature.

8. Turtles are ' amniotes ' - they breathe air and lay their eggs on land, although many species live in or around water.

9. These cold-blooded creatures have an incredibly long life span. The oldest ever recorded, named Tu"i Malila, of Tonga Island, passed away at the grand old age of 188!

10. Sadly, many species of turtle are endangered! 129 of approximately 300 species of turtle and tortoise on Earth today are either vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered, according to the IUCN. Threats include loss of habitat, pollution, poaching and the illegal pet trade.

Do you turt-ally love turtles? Then get to know some awesome species with our great green turtle facts, swimmingly good loggerhead turtle facts AND fab leatherback turtle facts.

What do you think of our turtle facts? Let us know by leaving a comment, below!

Images ⓒ Getty Images: Turtle in water, (636749403) . Turtle on sand, (558962897) Turtle swimming, (502266246) . Baby turtle, (127834157)

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Turtle facts: Here at NG Kids we're turt-ally mad about turtles! That's why we've put together these incredible facts about the cute creatures, check them out

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Fast anaconda facts

Scientific name (green anaconda): Eunectes murinus
Family name: Boidae
Classification: Reptile
IUCN status: Data deficient
Lifespan (in wild): 10 years
Weight: Up to 227kg
Body length: 6 to 9m
Diet: Carnivore
Habitat: Swamps and rivers of tropical South America
Range:

The anaconda is a semiaquatic snake found in tropical South America. The name applies to a several snakes in the genus , but it is commonly used to refer to one species in particular - the green anaconda.

When taking into account both weight and length, the green anaconda is the largest snake in the world, growing up to 9m long and weighing as much as 227kg. Picture it - that"s longer than six ten-year-olds lying head to foot, and heavier than all of them put together!

The green anaconda is a member of a family of snakes called constrictors. Constrictors are not venomous snakes, which means they don"t kill prey by delivering venom through a bite. Instead, constrictors wrap their bodies around their prey and squeeze until it stops breathing - yikes!

Once an anaconda has suffocated its victim, it's time to open wide. And boy does this snake have a gob on it! Stretchy ligaments allow it to open its mouth wide enough to swallow prey whole - which could be large fish, rodents, caiman (relatives of crocodiles), wild pigs, small deer and even !

Other species of anaconda are smaller in size, and include the yellow anaconda and the dark-spotted anaconda.

Picture credits
Anaconda in water: Photograph by Patrick K. Campbell, Shutterstock. Anaconda in tree: Martin Krause, Dreamstime. Anaconda swimming: Colette6, Dreamstime. Map of anaconda distribution: National Geographic Maps.

What did you make of our anaconda facts? Leave a comment below and let us know!

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Anaconda Facts! - National Geographic Kids

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Anaconda facts: learn all about these amazing reptiles, with facts about the anaconda's size, characteristics, habitat, diet and behaviour

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Take a deep breath, gang - because we're diving to the depths of the ocean with some cool killer whale facts!

Fast killer whale facts

Scientific name: Orcinus orca
Family name: Delphinidae
Classification: Mammal
IUCN status: Data deficient
Lifespan (in wild): 50-90 years
Weight: Males up to 9,000kg. Females up to 5,500kg
Head and body length: Males up to 9.8m. Females up to 8.5m
Top speed: 55km/h
Diet: Carnivore
Habitat: Ocean
Range:

Eight tonnes of pure power whacks an ice floe floating in cold Arctic waters. The seal lying on top of the ice doesn't stand a chance. Knocked into the sea, the seal becomes a meal for one of the ocean's top predators - the huge killer whale!

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Killer whales, also called orcas, hunt everything from fish to walruses - seals, sea lions, penguins, squid, sea turtles, sharks and even other kinds of whales are all on their menu. Depending on the season and where they are, their diet varies - some eat plenty of fish and squid, others feast mostly on seals and penguins. But wherever they are in any of the world's oceans, average-sized killer whales may eat about 227 kilograms of food a day!

These mega marine mammals have many hunting techniques, and bumping seals off ice is just one of them. Often referred to as ' wolves of the sea ', killer whales live and hunt together in 'pods', or family groups, much like a pack of wolves.

Working together as they hunt, groups of killer whales cooperate to herd fish into a compact area so that they're easier to gobble up. They will also slap their tails onto the water's surface, causing a wave to wash prey (such as penguins or sea lions) off ice floes and into the water.

Sometimes, a pod of whales will join forces to surround a larger animal, such as a blue whale. They chase, bite and wear it down until it becomes weak enough for them to feast on.

Killer whales have around 45 teeth (each around 7.6 centimeters long), which are shaped for ripping and tearing prey. Instead of chewing their food, they take one big gulp - and believe it or not, these brilliant beasts can swallow small seals and sea lions whole! Bigger prey is ripped into chunks before being eaten.

Scientists believe the colour pattern of killer whales may help them sneak up on and attack their prey. Their backs are black, and their stomachs are white. Animals looking down on this powerful predator from above, such as a seal on an ice floe, might not see it because the whale's dark back blends with the water below.

On the other hand, the killer whale's white underside blends with the light streaming down into the sea from the surface, making it hard to spot from below. Such cool camouflage means prey like fish, penguins and seals are likely to miss the danger heading their way. Crafty, eh?!

Credits - Text adapted from feature by Catherine D. Hughes

Photos - Orca breaching, side: Monika Wieland, Shutterstock. Orca breeching, belly: Bspujari, Dreamstime. Group of orcas: Ivkovich, Shutterstock. Orca with head out of water. Tom Middleton, Shutterstock. Others: Getty.

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Killer whale facts for kids | National Geographic Kids

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Killer whale facts for kids: Learn about these mega marine mammals, with facts about the killer whale's size, characteristics, diet and hunting techniques.

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Are you wrapped up warm? We sure hope so - because Nat Geo Kids is off to the icy Antarctic to catch up with our penguin pals! Check out our top ten facts about emperor penguins...
Emperor penguin facts

1. Emperor penguins are truly beautiful birds. Adults have a white stomach and a black head, back, tail and wings. They also have yellowy-gold markings on the side of their head and neck.

2. Emperor penguins are the largest of all the different kinds of penguin. On average they measure 115cm tall - about the height of the average six year old.

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3. Emperor penguins spend their entire lives in Antarctica - the Earth's southernmost continent - where temperatures can drop to as low as -60°C. Brrrr.

4. To survive in such low temperatures, these brilliant birds have special adaptations - they have large stores of insulating body fat and several layers of scale-like feathers that protect them from icy winds. They also huddle close together in large groups to keep themselves, and each other, warm.

5. Around April every year (the start of the Antarctic winter) emperor penguins meet to breed on the thick Antarctic ice. By the time the female lays her egg (usually around June), she"s worked up a big appetite! She passes the egg to the male before journeying up to 80km to the open ocean where she can feed her hungry tummy on fish, squid and krill.

6. During this time, the males are in charge of keeping the egg safe and warm in the breeding ground. They do this by balancing the egg on their feet and covering it with feathered skin, called a ' brood pouch'. It takes about two months for the eggs to hatch.

7. The females return in July, bringing with them food in their bellies which they regurgitate (or throw up) for the chicks to eat. The females now take over babysitting duty, leaving the males to head to the ocean for their own fishing session.

8. As the youngsters grow, the parents leave them in groups, called ' crèches ', whilst they head to the ocean to fish. Come December, the warmer temperatures break up the ice that the penguins occupy, bringing open waters closer to the nesting site. By this time, the chicks are old enough to swim and fish, and take to the ocean themselves!
Without the warmth of the parents' brood pouches, emperor penguin chicks would die in just a few minutes in the cold of Antarctica.
9. These birds are super swimmers and impressive divers. They can reach depths of over 500m and stay underwater for up to 22 minutes!

10. Sadly, today emperor penguins are considered near threatened and their populations are expected to decline rapidly in years to come. It"s feared that rising temperatures due to global warming will reduce their breeding ground, and overfishing will mean less food for them to eat. The good news is that by looking after our planet, YOU can help protect these amazing animals. Check out our Five Top Conservation Tips for some environment-saving ideas!

Images ⓒ Bernard Breton, Dreamstime

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10 facts about emperor penguins - National Geographic Kids

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Ten facts about emperor penguins: learn all about the emperor penguin breeding cycle, where these birds live, what they eat and more...

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Ready for an icy adventure, gang? Here at National Geographic Kids we're heading north - far north! - to meet one of nature's toughest animals in our 10 facts about polar bears...
Ten polar bear facts

1) Polar bears are found in the frozen wilds of the Arctic, in Canada, Alaska (US), Greenland, Russia and Norway.

2) These are seriously big bears, gang. Adult polar bears can measure over 2.5m long and weigh around 680kg. Their huge size and weight make them the largest living carnivores (meat eaters) on Earth!

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3) Polar bears are well adapted to survive in one of the harshest environments on our planet. As well as their thick fur, they have a layer of fat, called blubber, that insulates (protects) their bodies from the frosty air and near-freezing water. Polar bears also have black skin under their glistening coat, which helps them soak up the Sun's rays and keep warm.

4) These magnificent mammals have an incredible sense of smell which they use to track their favourite grub, seals*. In fact, their sense of smell is so good, they can sniff out prey from up to 16km away!

5) Despite their size and bulk, polar bears are excellent swimmers, and have been spotted in waters over 100km offshore. They can comfortably swim at around 10km/h using their slightly webbed, 30cm wide paws like paddles in the water.

6) Although good swimmers, polar bears aren't quick enough to reliably catch seals in open water. Instead, they depend on the ice as a hunting platform. They wait near seal breathing holes or at the ice's edge for a seal to surface. They then snatch it from the sea and...gulp!

Did you know that we have a FREE downloadable polar bear primary resource? Great for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike!

7) Did you know that a polar bear's fur isn't white? It's actually transparent with a hollow core that reflects light. This helps the bears blend in with their surroundings - a useful trick, especially when hunting wary seals!

8) Female polar bears give birth to their cubs in snow dens (in November or December), where the family is protected from the harsh Arctic environment. At birth, the cubs are only around 30cm long and weigh around half a kilogram - that's about the same as a guinea pig!

9) The polar family emerge from the den four to five months later. The cubs will stay with their mother for about two years, during which time they learn the skills needed to survive in the Arctic.

10) Sadly, these incredible creatures are classified as " vulnerable". The biggest threat to polar bears is climate change. Rising global temperatures means that sea ice is melting earlier and forming later each year, leaving polar bears less time to hunt for food. But the good news is you can help these amazing animals! Check out NG Kids' Five Top Conservation Tips for some environment-saving ideas.

*Polar bears occasionally feed on other arctic marine mammals, too, including whales, walruses and narwhals.

Did you enjoy our 10 facts about polar bears? Let us know by leaving a comment, below!

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10 facts about polar bears! | National Geographic Kids

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Join us here at Nat Geo Kids to discover our top facts about polar bears! Where they live, what they eat, and how they survive the in freezing temperatures!

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Black bear facts

1. American black bears are found in Canada, Mexico and North America.

2. They mostly eat grasses, herbs and fruit, but will sometimes eat other things, including fish.

3. The black bear's coat has lots of layers of shaggy fur, which keeps it warm in cold winter months.

4. They may be called black bears, but their coat can be blue-gray or blue-black, brown and even sometimes white!

5. Their short claws make black bears expert tree climbers.

6. They may be large, but black bears can run up to 40kmph!

7. These big bears have a very good sense of smell and can often be seen standing on their hind legs, sniffing scents!

8. They usually live in forests but black bears are also found in mountains and swamps.

9. Black bears spend winter dormant in their dens, feeding on body fat they have built up over the summer and autumn.

10. They make their dens in caves, burrows or other sheltered spots. Sometimes they even make them in tree holes high above the ground!

Image ⓒ Black bear orange/red background: Getty (137271612). Black in river by log: Getty (974185272). Black bear in grass: Getty (160869655).

What did you make to our fascinating black bear facts? Let us know by leaving a comment, below!

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10 black bear facts! | National Geographic Kids

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Scoop fascinating black bear facts right here at Nat Geo Kids! Discover where these incredible creatures live, how they hunt and what they eat...

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Tiger facts

1) Tigers are the largest wild cats in the world.

Adults can weigh up to 363kg (that's about the same as ten ten year olds!) and measure up to 3.3m!

2) Tigers are carnivores, eating only meat.

They mainly feed on large mammals such as deer, wild pigs, antelope and buffalo.

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3) Tigers are solitary hunters, and generally search for food alone at night.

They quietly stalk their prey until they are close enough to pounce - then they kill their victim with a bite to the neck or back of the head. Ouch!

4) Tigers are good swimmers!

Unlike most members of the cat family, they like water and often cool off in pools or streams.

5) A tiger's roar can be heard as far as three kilometres away.

SO when they want to be heard, you'll know about it, gang!

6) At full speed, tigers can reach up to 65km/h.

That's right - they may be big and heavy, but tigers are by no means slow movers!

Did you know that we have a FREE downloadable tiger primary resource? Great for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike!

7) These fierce felines have walked the earth for a long time.

Fossil remains of tigers found in parts of China are believed to be 2 million years old. Yikes!

8) No two tigers have the same stripes.

Since every tiger has their own pattern on their fur, they are all unique!

9) Today, there are five subspecies of tiger.

These subspecies are the Bengal tiger, South China tiger, Indochinese tiger, Sumatran tiger and Amur tiger (also known as Siberian tiger). Sadly, three subspecies of tiger have become extinct - the Caspian, Bali and Javan.

10) Less than 100 years ago, tigers could be found throughout Asia.

Sadly, hunting and habitat loss have put populations at risk, and today their range has been reduced to around 7% of its former size. That's why we need to do all we can to protect these beautiful beasts!

Discover more roar-some big cats! Visit our lion facts, leopard facts, cheetah facts, jaguar facts or lynx facts articles to find out about these cool creatures.

Love our tiger facts? Let us know by leaving a comment, below!

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Adults can weigh up to 363kg (that's about the same as ten ten year olds!) and measure up to 3.3m! They mainly feed on large mammals such as deer, wild pigs, antelope and buffalo. (AD) They quietly stalk their prey until they are close enough to pounce - then they kill their victim with a bite to the neck or back of the head.

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Hippo Facts

1) Hippos are large semi-aquatic mammals, with a large barrel-shaped body, short legs, a short tail and an enormous head! They have greyish to muddy-brown skin, which fades to a pale pink colour underneath.

2) They are considered the second largest land animal on Earth (first place goes to the elephant!). Males measure around 3.5m long and 1.5m tall, and can weigh up 3,200kg. That's as much as three small cars!

3) To stay cool in the blistering African heat, hippos spend most of their day in rivers and lakes. Their eyes, nose and ears are located on the top of their head, which means they can see and breathe whilst submerged in the water. What's more, these super-cool creatures sweat an oily red liquid which helps protect their skin from drying out - and acts as a sunblock, too! Cool, huh?

4) These magnificent mammals were once found throughout all sub-saharan Africa. Sadly, populations have declined due to habitat loss and hunting. Today, they are largely confined to protected areas in East African countries.

5) Hippos are most active at night, when they forage for food. They are herbivores, and eat mostly grass - and boy do they eat grass! In just one night, they can guzzle down up to 35kg of their favourite grub!

6) Despite their enormous size, hippos are great swimmers and can hold their breath for up to five minutes underwater. When completely submerged, their ears and nostrils fold shut to keep water out.

7) Hippos usually live in groups (or "herds") of around ten to 20 individuals, led by one large dominant male. The other members are females, their young and a few young non-breeding males.

8) Dominant males are very protective over their group. To warn off rival males, they open their huge mouths and display their long, curved canines! They also make loud grunts and aggressive splashes in the water.

9) Female hippos, called cows, give birth every two years, usually to a single calf. Soon after birth, the mother and her baby join up with other cows and calves for protection against predators, such as crocodiles, lions and hyenas.

10) In the wild hippos live for around 40 years. In captivity, they tend to live longer and may reach up to 50 years old.

Photos: Hippo family: Sergey Uryadnikov, Dreamstime. Hippo with jaws open: Johannes Gerhardus Swanepoel, Dreamstime.

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10 Hippo Facts! - National Geographic Kids

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1) Hippos are large semi-aquatic mammals, with a large barrel-shaped body, short legs, a short tail and an enormous head! They have greyish to muddy-brown skin, which fades to a pale pink colour underneath. 2) They are considered the second largest land animal on Earth (first place goes to the elephant!).

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Chimpanzee facts for kids | National Geographic Kids

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Chimpanzee facts for kids: learn all about chimpanzees, with facts about chimp habitat, characteristics, diet, behaviour, biology - and baby chimpanzees!

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Get ready to meet one seriously fierce, fast and fur-ocious feline with these fascinating cheetah facts!

1) Nearly all wild cheetahs can be found in sub-Saharan Africa, where they roam open, grassy savannah plains and open forests. A small population lives in northeastern Iran, although only a few dozen remain here.

2) These big cats' bodies grow to between 1.1m and 1.4m metres long, plus a tail measuring 65cm to 80cm. Their weight ranges from 34kg to 54kg, males being slightly heavier.

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3) Cheetahs have a pale yellow coat with black dots on the upper parts, and are white on the underbelly. Their faces are distinguished by prominent, black lines that curve from the inner corner of each eye to the outer corners of the mouth.

4) The fastest land animal in the world, a cheetah can reach 112km/h in just three seconds - that's faster than a sports car accelerates! Its body has evolved for speed, with long legs, an elongated spine, adapted claws to grip the ground and a long tail for balance.

5) Cheetahs are carnivores and live off other animals they find on Africa's plains, including rabbits, warthogs, springboks, gazelles and birds.

6) These fierce felines hunt during the day to avoid competition from other powerful predators such as , hyenas and . And boy, can they hunt! First, they use their exceptional eyesight to scan their surroundings before quietly stalking their chosen prey. Then, when the time is right, they sprint from cover, knock down their victim and kill it with a bite to the throat.

7) As sprinting at such mega speeds uses a lot of energy, a cheetah chase is usually limited to 200-300m, and lasts less than a minute.

8) Social animals, cheetahs are usually found in groups, consisting of either a mother and her young, siblings (who stay together for around six months after leaving the mother) or a coalition of males who live and hunt together. Adult females, however, tend to be solitary and only meet with males to mate.

9) Females usually give birth to between two to eight cubs at a time. She nurses her youngsters in a lair hidden by tall vegetation, until they are 16 to 24 months old and able look after themselves.

10) Sadly, this beautiful animal is threatened by loss of habitat and prey, as well as conflict with humans. As a result, the cheetah is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red list, and, today, an estimated 9,000-12,000 remain in Africa.

Picture credits
Cheetah family in grass: Chris Johns. Cheetah chasing prey: Stu Porter, Dreamstime. Cheetah watching: Heinrich Van Den Berg, Dreamstime.

What did you make of our cheetah facts? Leave a comment below and let us know!

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10 top cheetah facts! - National Geographic Kids

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Cheetah facts: learn all about these felines with facts about the cheetah's habitat, diet, behaviour, range, characteristics and top speed!

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Get ready for the winged, weird and wonderful...

We're batty about bats here at Nat Geo Kids! Did you know that there are roughly 1,300 species of bat in the world? That's around a fifth of all mammals! Meet some of our favourites...

Straw-coloured fruit bat

This mango-munching megabat from sub-Saharan Africa is known to gather in groups of millions and has a wingspan of up to a metre across!

Grey long-eared bat

One of Britain's rarest bats, this long-lugged beauty is found across the south of England. Roosting in the roofs of old buildings, plus caves, mines and cellars, it's believed there are now only 1,000 remaining.

Thomas's house bat

What could be more ghostly than a see-through bat? With its incredible transparent wings and a white belly stripe, this insect-eating bat from west and eastern Africa is very unusual - and a bit of a mystery.

Tube-nosed fruit bat

This peculiar chap is found on some remote islands of indonesia, in Australia and in Papua New Guinea. Discovered in 1984, its long nasal tubes stretch and vibrate when the bat makes its high whistling call.

Honduran white tent bat

Just 4cm long, this weeny white mammal from Central America roots underneath large waxy leaves of rainforest plants. It nibbles the leaves so they fold down, creating a tent. Cute and clever!

Greater bulldog bat

This strong mammal from Central and South America chomps on fish, crabs and scorpions. It scoops fish from the surface of the water with its feet, using echolocation* to detect their ripples on the surface.

To discover more about bats, and to find out how you can help these fascinating creatures, fly over to bats.org.uk

*Bats send out waves of sound from their mouths or noses, which bounce off their surroundings right back to their ears. By listening to the echoes bats can build up a picture of exactly what's around them - including juicy insects!

Thomas's house bats © Dr. Emma Stone; Greater bulldog and tube-nosed fruit bats: Nature Picture Library; All other images © Getty Images UK.

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Meet Some Bonkers Bats! | National Geographic Kids

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Get ready for the winged, weird and wonderful... We're batty about bats here at Nat Geo Kids! Did you know that there are roughly 1,300 species of bat in the world? That's around a fifth of all mammals! Meet some of our favourites...

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Here at National Geographic Kids, we love wonderful wild bears! Join us as we learn about one of nature's cutest critters in our facts about pandas!
Facts about pandas

1. Giant pandas (often referred to as simply "pandas") are black and white bears. In the wild, they are found in thick bamboo forests, high up in the mountains of central China - you can check out our cool facts about China, here!

2. These magnificent mammals are omnivores. But whilst pandas will occasionally eat small animals and fish, bamboo counts for 99 percent of their diet.

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3. Pandas are BIG eaters - every day they fill their tummies for up to 12 hours, shifting up to 12 kilograms of bamboo!

4. The giant panda's scientific name is Ailuropoda melanoleuca, which means "black and white cat-foot".

5. Giant pandas grow to between 1.2m and 1.5m, and weigh between 75kg and 135kg. Scientists aren't sure how long pandas live in the wild, but in captivity they live to be around 30 years old.

6. Baby pandas are born pink and measure about 15cm - that's about the size of a pencil! They are also born blind and only open their eyes six to eight weeks after birth.

7. It's thought that these magnificent mammals are solitary animals, with males and females only coming together briefly to mate. Recent research, however, suggests that giant pandas occasionally meet outside of breeding season, and communicate with each other through scent marks and calls.

Did you know that we have a FREE downloadable panda primary resource? Great for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike!

8. Family time! Female pandas give birth to one or two cubs every two years. Cubs stay with their mothers for 18 months before venturing off on their own!

9. Unlike most other bears, pandas do not hibernate. When winter approaches, they head lower down their mountain homes to warmer temperatures, where they continue to chomp away on bamboo!

10. Excitingly, conservation efforts mean that panda bear numbers are increasing in the wild. Though there's still lots of work to be done, the species is no longer considered endangered. Hooray!

Love reading about brilliant bears? Then check out our ten black bear facts, here!

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10 facts about pandas! - National Geographic Kids

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Check out ten facts about pandas here at National Geographic Kids. Learn where pandas live, what they eat, how big they grow and much more!

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It's time for the lowdown on one of nature's gentle giants! Check out our ten facts about the beautiful giraffe ...

Giraffe facts

1) Giraffes are found in the dry savannahs of Africa, where they roam among the open plains and woodlands.

2) Well known for their long necks, these gentle giants are the world's tallest living land animals. An adult male can grow to around 5.5m - that's taller than three adult humans!

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3) A giraffe's height is helpful for keeping a look out for predators, such as lions and hyenas. Their excellent eyesight allows them to spot hungry beasts from far away, too.

4) Herbivores, giraffes only eat plants. Their favourite grub is the acacia tree, and they use their long necks to reach the leaves and buds in the treetops. Their long tongues (which grow to a whopping 53cm!) also help them pull down leaves growing way up high.

5) And boy do these guys have an appetite! They spend most of their time eating, and can guzzle up to 45kg of leaves and twigs a day!

Did you know that we have a FREE downloadable giraffe primary resource? Great for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike!

6) Whilst they may eat a lot, giraffes don't drink much water. This is because they get most of their water from their leafy meals, and only need to drink once every few days.

7) Giraffes are very social animals and roam around in groups. These groups, called towers, typically have around 15 members led by an adult male. The other members are females and young males.

8) To see who is stronger, males (called bulls) fight by butting their long necks and heads. This is known as " necking ". These fights aren't usually dangerous, and end when one bull admits defeat and walks away.

9) Female giraffes give birth standing up. The result? Newborns are welcomed to the world with a 1.5m drop to the ground! Ouch! But these infants are quick to get on their feet - within 30 minutes they are standing, and only hours later they"re able to run with their mothers.

10) In the wild these beautiful creatures live for around 25 years. In captivity they live longer, and have been known to reach 40 years old.

Images ⓒ Getty Images: Giraffe and babies, (10014200). Picture of giraffe with baby: Photograph by Roman Murushkin, Dreamstime. Picture of a baby giraffe: Photograph by Lukas Blazek, Dreamstime. Picture of giraffes eating from trees: Photograph by Warrengoldswain, Dreamstime

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10 giraffe facts! - National Geographic Kids

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Ten facts about giraffes for kids. Learn where giraffes live, what they eat, how tall they grow and more here at National Geographic Kids.

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Learn all about one of our planet's coolest creatures with our ten top rhino facts!

Phylum: Chordata
Family name: Rhinocerotidae
Classification: Mammal
IUCN status: Black, Javan and Sumatran rhino: Critically endangered. White rhino: Near threatened. Indian rhino: Vulnerable.
Lifespan (in wild):
Weight: 500kg -2,500kg
Body length: 2.5m-4m long
Top speed:55km/hour
Diet: Herbivore Habitat: grassy plains, rainforests and swamps.

1) Our planet is home to five species of rhinoceros - the black rhino and the white rhino, which live in Africa, and the Sumatran, Javan and Indian (or greater one-horned) rhino, which inhabit the tropical forests and swamps of Asia.

2) These brilliant beasts are known for their awesome, giant horns that grow from their snouts - hence the name "rhinoceros', meaning "nose horn". Javan and Indian rhinos have one horn, where as the white, black and Sumatran rhinos have two.

3) These incredible creatures are some of the biggest animals in world! The largest of the five species is the white rhino, which can grow to 1.8m tall and and weigh a massive 2,500kg - that's the weight of 30 men!

4) Despite their huge size and strength, these bulky beasts don't prey on other animals for food. They're herbivores, and instead like to munch on lots of grass and plants at night, dawn and dusk.

5) During the heat of the day, these magnificent mammals can be found sleeping in the shade or wallowing in muddy pools to cool off. They love to get mucky, in fact! Mud protects their skin from the strong sun (like a natural sunblock) and wards off biting bugs, too.

6) For the most part, rhinoceroses are solitary animals and like to avoid each other. But some species, particularly the white rhino, may live in a group, known as a ' crash '. These crashes are usually made up of a female and her calves, although sometimes adult females (called cows) can be seen together, too.

7) Males (called ' bulls'), on the other hand, like to be left alone, unless in search of a female to breed with. They're very territorial, too, and mark out their area of land with, believe it or not, poop! In fact, rhinos often use pongy piles to communicate with each other, since each individual's dung smells unique.

8) They may rarely hang out with each other, but they spend a lot of time with their feathered friends! Rhinos are often seen with Oxpeckers (or 'tick birds') perched on their back, which live off the pesky parasitic insects living in the rhino's thick skin. The birds' loud cries also help alert their big buddies of potential danger, too!

9) Because of their huge bodies, strong horns and thick, armour-like skin, rhinos have no natural predators. Nevertheless, these brilliant beasts get frightened easily! When they feel threatened, they're instinct is to charge directly at whatever has spooked them - whether it be another animal or a harmless object!

10) Sadly, it's estimated that there are only around 29,000 rhinos left in the wild, compared to 500,000 at the beginning of the 20th century. The main threat to these beautiful animals is illegal hunting, largely because their horns are used in traditional folk medicine, particularly in Asia. To find out what's being done to protect the rhino - and how you can help, too! - charge over to worldwildlife.org.

Did you know that we have a FREE downloadable black rhino primary resource? Great for teachers, homeschoolers and parents alike!

Credits - Black rhino walking on green grass: Stu Porter, Dreamstime. Picture of rhino from side: Andreanita, Dreamtime.

What did you think of our rhino facts? Let us know by leaving us a comment, below!

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Fascinating rhino facts for kids | National Geographic Kids

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Learn all about one of our planet's coolest creatures with our ten top rhino facts! Phylum: Chordata Family name: Rhinocerotidae Classification: Mammal IUCN status: Black, Javan and Sumatran rhino: Critically endangered. White rhino: Near threatened. Indian rhino: Vulnerable. Lifespan (in wild): Weight: 500kg -2,500kg Body length: 2.5m-4m long Top speed:55km/hour Diet: Herbivore Habitat: grassy plains, rainforests and swamps.

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Kangaroo Facts! - National Geographic Kids

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Kangaroo facts for kids: learn about these mega marsupials with facts about kangaroo characteristics, size, habitat, diet and behaviour, plus pictures.

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Elephant facts

1) There are threedifferent species of elephant - the African Savannah elephant, the African Forest elephant and the Asian elephant. Elephants are known for their large ears, tusks made of ivory and their trunks.

2) Elephants are the world's largest land animal! Male African elephants can reach 3m tall and weigh between 4,000 -7,500kg. Asian elephants are slightly smaller, reaching 2.7m tall and weighing 3,000- 6,000kg.

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3) There's an easy way to tell the African elephants apart from their Asian cousins - their ears! African elephants have large ears shaped like the continent of Africa! Asian elephants' ears are smaller and shaped like India. Cool, huh?

4) You can tell a lot about an elephant by looking at their tusks! Elephant tusks never stop growing, so enormous tusks can be a sign of an old elephant. Both male and female African elephants grow tusks, but only male Asian elephants grow them. A tusk-less adult elephant is likely to be a female Asian elephant.

5) Until recently, African Forest elephants were thought to be a subspecies of the African elephant, but new research discovered that they are actually a separate species entirely. These elephants live in the tropical forests of Africa's Congo Basin. They have straighter tusks and more rounded ears than Savannah elephants.

6) These magnificent mammals spend between 12 to 18 hours eating grass, plants and fruit every single day! They use their long trunks to smell their food and lift it up into their mouth - yum!

7) All that eating means one thing, gang, an awful lot of poo! Each elephant creates about one tonne of poo per week, which keeps the soil fertile and disperses tree seeds. Elephants also dig waterholes and create footpaths, literally changing the landscape around them!

8) In Mount Elgon National Park in , a group of elephants use their tusks to mine for salt in underground caves! They feel their way around with their trunks and eat the salts by breaking them off with their tusks.

9) Elephants have created their very own sunscreen! After a river or swamp bath, they'll throw mud and sand up and over themselves to protect their skin from the hot, burning sun. Clever!

10) Sadly, elephants are in trouble. Many are killed by humans for their ivory tusks, because they've come into conflict with communities or simply for sport. There are far fewer Asian elephants than there are African elephants. Asian elephants also face threats from tourist attractions where people pay to ride on their backs or watch them paint pictures using their trunks.

Check out more articles about awesome elephants! Read our interview with Harry Potter star Evanna Lynch to find out how she's helping elephants, and learn how one young boy is taking action to save these incredible animals.

What did you think of our elephant facts? Let us know by leaving a comment, below!

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Elephant facts | Animals | National Geographic Kids

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Discover awesome elephant facts with Nat Geo Kids. You'll discover different elephant species, learn where they live and more...

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Learn to identify sea turtles including different species loggerhead and leatherneck. These reptiles are endangered.

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How do you tell an alligator and crocodile apart? Kids learn about these dangerous and scaly animals.

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Learn about Rhino horns and size including the black, white, sumatran, indian, javan rhinoceros.

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Learn about the Red Kangaroo, Australian marsupial that hops and carries the joey in a pouch.

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Polar Bears: Learn about these giant white animals.

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Learn about polar bears, the largest carnivore on land. They like to swim and enjoy the cold.

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Hippos for Kids: Learn about the hippopotamus.

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What are hippos? Kids find out about these giant animals of the wild of Africa that love to swim in the water.

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Giraffe: Learn all about the tallest animal on earth.

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Giraffes are the world's tallest animals. Learn about this protected species found in Africa.

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Giant Panda: Learn about the cuddly looking bear.

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Learn about giant panda bears from China. They eat bamboo in the mountains and are an endangered species.

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Elephants: Learn about the biggest land animal.

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Why do Elephants have big ears, trunks, tusks? Learn about elephants, the endangered giants of India and Africa

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Learn how dolphins eat, sleep, and live together. Bottlenose dolphins and orcas travel the ocean in pods.

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What are blue whales? Find out about the largest mammal on earth that lives in the ocean.

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Kids learn about the Bactrian Camel. Animals that can survive the tough desert without water or food are now endangered.

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Great White Shark Drawing
Author: Robbie Cada, PD

Back to Animals

Great white sharks are the largest and most fierce predators in the ocean. The scientific name for this fish is the Carcharodon carcharias. The name comes from two Greek words meaning "sharp" and "tooth".

How big do they get?

They are giant fish that can grow to 20 feet long and 4000 pounds. Fully grown, Great White Sharks are at the top of the ocean's food chain. The only animals that will attack a great white shark are orca whales and other great white sharks. Great whites also have powerful jaws filled with lots of long teeth up to 2 1/2 inches long.

Great White Shark
Author: Sharkdiver68, PD, via Wikimedia Commons

Great whites have a white underbelly, but are darker on top. This gives them some camouflage from prey where they tend to blend in with the dark ocean floor when viewed from above and with the bright surface when viewed from below.

Great White Sharks have three major fins:

Dorsal fin - the one on top that can stick out of the water like in the movie Jaws.

Pectoral fins - there are two of these, one on each side of the shark

Caudal fin - the fin on the tail of the shark

What do they eat?

Sharks are carnivores that eat other animals. Younger and smaller great white sharks mostly eat other fish like tuna. However, fully grown great white sharks like to prey on sea mammals like sea lions and seals. They have even been known to take down whales, dolphins, and seabirds. Sharks don't chew their food, but will tear off big chunks of meat and swallow them whole.

Where do they live?

Great white sharks are found throughout the world's oceans generally in cool waters close to the coast. They live in areas where the water temperature stays between 54 and 75 degrees F. They are often found near Japan, Australia,South Africa, and both coasts of the United States.

What are baby great whites called?

A baby great white shark is called a pup. Pups are fairly large, 5 feet long, when they are born. The mothers don't take care of the pups when they are born and sometimes even try to eat them.

The Upper Teeth of a Great White Shark
Source: Smithsonian Institution

They Have Excellent Senses

One reason sharks, including great whites, are such good hunters is because they have excellent senses including smell, hearing, and sight. They also have a sensitive electro-receptive sense called the Ampullae of Lorenzini. Their sense of smell is so good that they can detect blood in the water from up to three miles away.

Fun Facts About Great White Sharks

Some great whites have been tracked swimming all the way from South Africa to Australia.

They may be big, but they can reach speeds of 40 miles per hour while swimming.

The shark is considered vulnerable on the endangered list and is protected in some areas.

Great whites do not do well in captivity. A few have lived beyond 6 months before being released back into the ocean.

They have a lifespan of around 25 years.

Shark skin is very rough and can be used as sandpaper.

They can roll their eyes back into their head to protect them.

For more about fish:

Brook Trout
Clownfish
The Goldfish
Great White Shark
Largemouth Bass
Lionfish
Ocean Sunfish Mola
Swordfish

Back toFish

Back toAnimals for Kids

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Learn about the Great White Shark, king of sea. This deadly shark is the leading predator of the ocean.

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Learn about the Tiger, the large striped cat from Asia that is endangered. Biggest cat on Earth.

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Lions: Learn about the big cat that is the king of the jungle.

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The lion rules the land with it's hunting prowess and roar. Learn about this second biggest of the big cats.

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Penguins: Learn about these swimming birds.

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Learn about penguins. They are birds that can’t fly, but boy can swim really fast. Where do they live and what do they eat?