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
The bobcat, also called the wildcat or bay lynx, is a North American mammal. Bobcats are slightly larger than the average housecat, weighing 15 to 33 pounds (7 to 15 kilograms). Bobcats can live almost anywhere - deserts, forests, and even cities... Read more
Nearly 60 species of falcons live in various climates throughout the world. They are birds of prey resembling the related hawks and eagles. Falcons are known for their speed and grace. In fact, a diving peregrine falcon is the fastest animal in the world. They often nest on the sides of cliffs or tall buildings... Read more
There are about 33 species of rattlesnake native to North and South America. Rattlesnakes are venomous pit vipers marked by a unique tail structure. Each snake is born with one button or rattle segment. Within a week of birth, they shed their skin and a second button is left behind. This happens every time the snake sheds its skin... Read more
The great white shark, also known as the white shark or white pointer, is the largest extant species of mackerel shark. This animal can grow to a length of 20 feet (6.1 meters) and weigh up to 5,000 pounds (2,268 kg). They may live 70 years or more in the wild... Read more
The bass is a North American game fish or sport fish, part of a family of fishes known as sunfish. A number of unrelated saltwater fish are known as sea bass... Read more
The jaguar is a big cat native to Central and South America. It typically inhabits a tropical habitat, but sometimes this animal ranges as far north as the United States. An individual was known in Arizona from 2011 to 2016. It is the third-largest cat in the world; only the lion and tiger are larger. Its name means "real beast of prey" in the Tupi language... Read more
Chase is one of the main protagonists of the animated series Paw Patrol. He is second in command after the 10-year-old human boy, Ryder. Along with a team of seven other pups, Chase and Ryder work hard to keep the inhabitants of Adventure Bay safe... Read more
The toucan is a tropical bird famous for its large, colorful beak. There are about 15 species of toucan native to South and Central America. Smaller birds similar in appearance to toucans are called toucanets or aracaris... Read more