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
The chihuahua is a popular breed of small dog known for its sassy temperament. In fact, it is the smallest recognized breed, typically weighing 1 to 6 pounds and being about 5 inches tall... Read more
The bird's skull is made up of five parts: the top of the head, or frontal area; the back of the head, or parietal area; the premaxillary and nasal areas of the top beak; and the mandible or bottom beak... Read more
The hyena is a mammal that resembles a dog. The three species of hyena are native to Africa and Asia. Hyenas live in packs and are predators as well as opportunistic scavengers. Females serve as the alpha or leader in hyena society... Read more
Several hundred bird species around the world are considered pigeons or doves. These peaceful birds are known for making a gentle cooing sound. Most pigeons are... Read more
The wolf is an animal that has captured the imaginations of humans for millennia. Wolves are native to Europe, Asia, and the Americas. They are the ancestors of "man's best friend," the domestic dog, but they have been both respected and reproached... Read more
In popular culture, beehives are often involved in honey gathering or a character being stung by a swarm of angry bees. We see one example of this in Winnie the Pooh, quoted above. Other animated films, such as Bee Movie, are centered entirely around this hard-working animal... Read more
Salmon are large fish that spend part of their lives in freshwater and part in saltwater. They have a unique life cycle in which they hatch in rivers and streams, live most of their adult life in the ocean, then return to their birthplaces to spawn... Read more
The griffin, also spelled griffon or gryphon, is a mythological creature with roots in the ancient Middle East and Mediterranean regions. It has the body of a lion and the wings and head of a bird, usually an eagle. Some also bore ears like those of horses. Such creatures have also been called alke, keythong, or Opinicus. The griffin was often paired with the sphinx, a creature with a human head and a lion's body... Read more
Sparrows are a common sight the world over, being native or imported to every continent except Antarctica. These small brown birds are comfortable around human settlements, and their habitats range from forests to deserts to open country. They eat seeds and insects, and many are quite vocal... Read more
The bald eagle, a type of sea eagle, is the national bird of the United States. It appears on the national seal and many coins, as well as on decorations for patriotic holidays, such as the Fourth of July... Read more