How did a flying reindeer enter the Christmas tradition? The holiday has a long history of amalgamating customs from various sources. For example, Christmas itself was born from interposing the Christchild on the Roman religious festival of Saturnalia. Later, aspects of the celebration were drawn from Druid religious rites and... Read more
Blue jays are backyard birds that are common across North America. They eat nuts, seeds, fruits, and insects. The blue jay's scientific name means "crested blue chatterer."... Read more
There are about 2,000 species of mantids, or praying mantis, in the world. These slow-moving insects can grow quite large, reaching 5 inches or more. They are typically camouflaged to resemble foliage, dead leaves, flowers, or other plant parts... Read more
Goofy made his cartoon debut in 1932 in Mickey's Review. This classic character is an anthropomorphic dog and a friend of Donald Duck and Mickey Mouse. He is good-natured but clumsy and accident-prone - thus his name...
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In Greek mythology, Pegasus was a winged horse. It is said that he "sprang from the blood of the Gorgon Medusa as she was beheaded by the hero Perseus." Another hero named Bellerophon captured Pegasus and rode him in battle but fell from his back trying to reach the heavens. Later, Pegasus became a servant of Zeus and was transformed into a starry constellation... Read more
Skunks are mammals native to North and South America. They are highly recognizable due to their bold black and white coloration. They are most well-known, however, for their ability to spray a pungent liquid from glands located beneath their tails, which they use to ward off predators... Read more
Bull skulls have been used as a form of decoration for millennia, dating back even to the ancient Egyptians. In modern times, bull skulls... Read more
Peppa Pig is a popular and funny cartoon series that is loved by kids. Drawing Peppa Pig is going to be easy with the step by step instructions. It's also going to be a lot of fun! Read more
The bulldog is a short, stocky dog bred for centuries in Britain. It has a short nose and folds of skin that give it a wrinkled and frowning appearance, earning it the nickname "sourmug."... Read more
The Shiba Inu was first bred in Japan around 3,000 years ago. The Shiba Inu is a hunting dog, used for catching small animals and ground-dwelling birds. It is known for its screaming bark and concentrated loyalty to its master... Read more
The stingray is a type of fish found in both the oceans and in fresh water. Stingrays have rounded, flat bodies and long tails. Some have a venomous spine at the base of the tail, and a few river-dwelling... Read more
The cat has been a beloved fixture in human life since antiquity. The ancient Egyptians worshipped temple cats, even mummifying some. In other cultures, cats were used to control rodent pests... Read more
The year was 1902. U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt accepted an invitation to go on a bear hunt. After three days, they had found no bears to hunt. A well-meaning guide tracked down an injured black bear and tied it to a tree for the president to "hunt... Read more
The dog has been called "man's best friend." Dogs were domesticated from the gray wolf thousands of years ago. In the millennia since, dogs have served as companions, guardians, shepherds, and load-bearers for their human friends... Read more
Baby birds go by many names. Depending on their age, they may be called chicks, hatchlings, nestlings, or fledglings... Read more
A lamb is a sheep that is less than one year old. Sheep have been a familiar domestic animal for thousands of years, farmed for meat, milk, and wool. There are also many species of wild sheep... Read more
Pigs were domesticated by humans long ago. Domestic pigs may be referred to as hogs or swine, and wild pigs as boars. A baby pig is called a piglet... Read more
Seals are aquatic mammals. This means that they are furry, warm-blooded animals that spend most of their time in the sea. They must come on land to rest and raise young. There are 32 species of seal worldwide... Read more
Giraffes are the tallest land animals in the world. Some can grow more than 18 feet (5.5 meters) in height. Giraffes not only have the longest neck, but arguably the longest tongue as well. They use their prehensile tongues to pull leaves from trees... Read more
Rabbits are long-eared, ground dwelling mammals. They inhabit places such as deserts, tropical forests, and wetlands. They eat mostly grasses and herbs... Read more