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
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
Deer are found throughout the world. Forty-three species are native to every continent except for Australia and Antarctica... Read more
The arctic fox is also known as the white fox, snow fox, or polar fox. It lives in the cold northern polar regions of the world. In times past, it has been sought after for the beauty of its... Read more
In Europe, black cats were once thought to be the companions of witches, and you could be punished for owning one. Other myths held that witches could shape-shift and become... Read more
The hippopotamus, or hippo for short, is a large African mammal. It shares the title of second largest land mammal with the similarly sized white rhino, second only to the African... Read more
The orca, also called a killer whale, is a type of toothed whale. At up to 33 feet in length, it is the largest member of the dolphin family. Killer whales use 40 four-inch long teeth to capture prey such as... Read more
Beavers are large aquatic rodents. There are two species of beavers, and they are native to North America, Europe, and Asia. Beavers are the second largest rodent in the... Read more
For millennia, cats have been kept as pets and to control vermin. Cats may have been domesticated independently in Asia Minor and in northern Africa as much as... Read more
Donkeys, also called burros, are small mammals related to the horse. The donkey has been used by man as a beast of burden for around 6,000 years. It is thought to have been domesticated from a... Read more
Buffalo, also called bison, are large grazing mammals related to cattle. There are two species of bison, one native to North America and the other to Europe. Both are known for the characteristic hump on their... Read more
Sloths represent five to six mammal species that live in the trees of South and Central America. They are known for moving very slowly. While they may resemble monkeys, they are not... Read more
The moose is the largest species of deer in the world. It is native to the northern reaches of North America, Europe, and Asia. Moose are unique in that they may... Read more
The hedgehog is a small mammal native to Europe, Asia, and Africa. This animal is unique in that its back is covered in thousands of hard spines. When it feels threatened, the hedgehog... Read more
The kangaroo is one of Australia's most iconic animals. Like the platypus and a number of other marsupials, European scientists did not believe the kangaroo to be... Read more
Guinea pigs are small rodents native to South America. They were domesticated around 3,000 years ago. They were kept by the Inca, and they are still kept indoors and... Read more
The camel is a large mammal famous for its characteristic humps and its ability to survive in the desert. While it is a myth... Read more