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
Elephants are the largest land animals on earth. This huge animal is recognized by its characteristic large ears, long, forward-facing teeth called tusks, and its unique snakelike nose, called a trunk... Read more
According to some surveys, the tiger is most commonly cited as a favorite animal. It is the largest cat on earth, ranging through Russia, North Korea, India, China, and other parts of Asia... Read more
Lions have been featured in artwork since time immemorial. Early examples include lion-goddess statues retrieved from ancient Egypt, and the parading lions of the Ishtar Gate from ancient Babylon. These items are on display at the... Read more
A baby duck is called a duckling. The word "duck" comes from Old English words meaning "diver" or "to bend down low." How did the duck earn this name? It is because of the "upending" behavior some species exhibit while... Read more
What does the fox say? This question was asked in a viral Youtube music video that debuted in 2013. Interestingly, the fox does, in fact, make a sound. The female fox has a haunting call that has been likened to a... Read more
Wolves have long played a role in myth, literature, and popular culture. Its natural range spans Europe, Asia, and North America, and the domestic dog arose from the gray wolf. In various cultures, wolves have represented... Read more
Groot is one of Marvel Comics' many superheroes, created by the legendary Stan Lee. He first appeared in Tales to Astonish #13 in 1960... Read more
The eastern bluebird is one of the most beloved backyard songbirds in North America. Bluebirds can be found year-round throughout the southeastern United States and parts of Mexico. In summer, they are found... Read more
Seagulls are familiar white and gray birds that frequent coastal regions around the world. Have you ever seen a seagull living far from the sea? Don't worry, he's not lost. Some seagulls migrate inland during either the summer or... Read more
A nest is a type of home. It is a structure created by an animal to protect its eggs and house its young after hatching. Birds are most famous for their nests, but mice, squirrels, insects, frogs, alligators, turtles, and even fish build nests of different kinds... Read more
Celtic knots are decorative designs or geometric patterns that arose from Medieval Europe, especially in the island regions of Ireland and Britain. In Irish, they are called snaidhm Cheilteach, and cwlwm Celtaidd in Welsh... Read more
What is a Celtic cross? It is a form of the cross used in some Christian religions that features a nimbus or halo around the middle. The Celtic cross became widespread in Ireland and Britain beginning in the ninth century... Read more
According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, the cross is "the principal symbol of the Christian religion." Many Christian churches hold that the cross was the instrument used to bring about the death of Jesus, and therefore venerate it. Other scholars hold that the instrument of the Messiah's death was, instead, an upright stake... Read more