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
In Greek mythology, the Medusa was the most famous of the creatures called Gorgons. The Gorgons were depicted as winged females with lolling tongues and hair made of snakes... 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
Tattooing is an ancient art that has been practiced since prehistoric times. When European settlers arrived in North America, many of their reports expressed surprise at the bodily decoration of the native peoples. Today, some people get tattoos with Native American-inspired designs, hearkening back to this history. These are often referred to as tribal tattoos... 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
