Earthworms are invertebrates that live in the soil around the world. There are over 1,800 distinct species. Most are only a few inches in length, but one Australian species can reach a length of 3.3 meters, or about 11 feet!... Read more
The French bulldog, sometimes called a Frenchie, is a smart and playful small dog. They stand about 12 inches (30 centimeters) tall and weigh less than 30 pounds (13 kilograms). Their lifespan is up to 12 years... Read more
In German, dachshund means "badger dog." It traces its ancestry to hounds and terriers used to pursue badgers into their burrows. This iconic dog is famous for its short legs and elongated body. Dachshunds were developed in two sizes, standard and miniature, and stand up to 10 inches (25 centimeters) tall. They may have long or short fur classed as smooth, longhaired, and wirehaired... Read more
Pelicans are seafaring birds famous for their extendable throat pouch that they use as a fishing net. They are large birds; many have wingspans of more than 10 ft or 3 meters. The name "pelican" comes from an ancient Greek word meaning "ax."... Read more
The firefly, also called a glow worm or lightning bug, is a beetle that has a special light-producing organ on its abdomen. The largest can reach 1 inch in length. The bioluminescent light is... Read more
Geckos are small lizards. There are more than 1,000 species of this reptile around the world, native to every continent but Antartica. Geckos range in size from less than half an inch to 14 inches; a 24-inch specimen of a possibly extinct species from New Zealand is held in one European museum... Read more
A dragon is a legendary mythological creature. In Japanese mythology, the dragon is an air-spirit or water deity, and one of the deified forces of nature of the Taoist religion. Dragon gods and goddesses may transform into human form. Unlike their western counterparts, the Japanese dragon is usually wingless and serpent-like. The Dragon King is said to live deep in the sea... Read more
The poodle, also called a pudelhund or caniche, is a European dog breed. Developed as a water retriever, its characteristic grooming style was created to increase its efficiency in water. Poodles are very intelligent and have been used as working dogs in diverse settings, from hunting truffles to performing in circuses. The poodle has been bred in standard, miniature, and toy sizes... Read more
Deer are familiar mammals the world over. There are 43 species of deer, recognizable by their hoofed feet and many-pointed antlers. Deer are native to every continent except Antarctica and Australia... Read more
American pitbull terriers were originally bred in Scotland, England, and Ireland during the 1800s. Their ancestry drew on breeds known for hunting wild game and restraining feral livestock. While still not recognized by the American Kennel Club, the breed was registered by the United Kennel Club in 1898... Read more
There are about 75 species of bedbug that feed on human blood. These flat insects are usually about 5 mm (0.2 inches) long. Their wings are vestigial, which means they cannot fly. They hide in dark places, like the seams of a mattress, the joints of furniture, or a crack in the wall... Read more
The stag beetle or pinching bug describes about 900 species of beetles native to North and South America, Australia, Asia, and elsewhere. They are so named because their "elaborately branched and toothed mandibles" resemble the antlers of a stag or male deer. Most stag beetles are less than 2 inches (40 millimeters) long, but one species can exceed 4 inches (100 millimeters)... Read more
Manatees are large aquatic mammals. They are slow swimmers that feed on underwater plants. There are three species of manatee: The West Indian or Florida manatee, the Amazonian manatee, and the West African manatee. Similar species include the extinct Steller's sea cow and the dugong, which ranges from Australia to Japan to Madagascar... Read more
The betta fish, also known as Betta splendens or the Siamese fighting fish, is a tropical freshwater fish from Thailand that is often kept as a pet... Read more
Dumbo was the title character first of a children's book and subsequently of the 1941 animated film. Dumbo was born Jumbo Junior but given his moniker by other elephants making fun of his large ears... Read more
The goose is a water bird, larger in size than the duck. People domesticated the goose thousands of years ago. It has been kept as a food source and for its warm feathers, which are used in pillows, quilts, and coats... Read more
Pomeranians, also called Dwarf-Spitz or Poms for short, were named for the duke of Pomerania, a historical region in central Europe. Their ancestry can be traced to a common ancestor of sled dogs. It is said that they were bred down from a 30-pound sheepdog to their current size. They are classed as a toy breed, reaching a height of just 6 to 7 inches (15 to 18 centimeters) and weighing only 3 to 7 pounds (1.5 to 3 kilograms)... Read more
The porcupine is one of the world's largest rodents. Also called a "quill pig," porcupines are known for their sharp, stiff, modified hairs which they use for protection. Contrary to popular belief, porcupines cannot "throw" or "shoot" their quills. Rather, the porcupine may back up into its attacker, leaving the sharp quills behind... Read more
The term velociraptor means "swift seizer." It was native to Asia, while the larger deinonychus flourished in North America. It is known for its large claw, which it may have used as a weapon in the way the cassowary does today... Read more
Vultures or buzzards are raptors or birds of prey, similar to eagles and hawks. There are 23 species of vultures worldwide. These large birds are known for being scavengers, eating dead carcasses as part of nature's cleanup crew... Read more