Blog Feed: Animal A Day!

Summer Break

Published on 2013-05-17 09:00:00

Hang tight! After 3 years and over 1,100 featured critters, Animal A Day is taking its very first break. As some of you may know, I am the only person who does the writing and updating for the site. With weddings (including my own), vacations, and

Crested Guineafowl

Published on 2013-05-16 12:00:00

Guttera pucherani The Crested Guineafowl is a bird with a serious hairdo! They have an incredibly distinctive mop of

Porbeagle

Published on 2013-05-15 12:30:00

Lamna nasus The Porbeagle is a large shark that is found in the cooler and

Amami Rabbit

Published on 2013-05-14 12:00:00

Pentalagus furnessi Today's animal is one of those creatures that is sometimes referred to as a "Living Fossil." You see, these Rabbits have evolved in

Timema Stick Insects

Published on 2013-05-13 17:00:00

Timema genevieve Timema is the genus name for a group of 20-odd stick insects that are all found within the western United States. Most of these species live in the state of California, and a few others are found in neighboring states. Like all Sti

Alpine Salamander

Published on 2013-05-12 11:00:00

Salamandra atra Today is Mother's Day, so I thought it might be appropriate to talk about an animal that has one of the longest gestational periods on the planet. Nope, it's not a large mammal like a Giraffe, Whale, or Elephant-- it's a 5in long Amp

Birman

Published on 2013-05-11 16:34:00

The Birman is a breed of cat that should not be confused with the Burmese (which has a similar name) or the Siamese (which has similar coloration). These cats are a breed all their own, and have been recognized as such since 1925. Birman Cats have a

Booted Eagle

Published on 2013-05-10 12:00:00

Aquila pennata Allow me to introduce you to the Booted Eagle, a much smaller bird of prey than many of the more famous

Bull Ray

Published on 2013-05-09 12:00:00

Pteromylaeus bovinus Today's animal, the Bull Ray, is a very large

Siberian Weasel

Published on 2013-05-08 12:00:00

Mustela sibirica Meet the Siberian Weasel, also known as the Kolonok! These Mustelids have a huge range that spans across not just Siberia, but China, Mongolia, India, and several other east and central Asian countries as well. They have also been i

Round Island Boa

Published on 2013-05-07 12:00:00

Casarea dussumieri The Round Island Boa, found on the islands of Mauritius, is now the only living member of its entire family, and is one of the rarest snakes on the planet. Only one other species had even

Black-faced Spoonbill

Published on 2013-05-06 17:30:00

Platalea minor Of all the Spoonbills in the world, only the Black-faced Spoonbill is considered to be Endangered. It is estimed that there are around 2,700 of these wading birds left in the world, and they breed only on a handful of islands off the

Common Pillbug

Published on 2013-05-05 20:18:00

Armadillidium vulgare Despite the name, the Common Pillbug is not a bug at all. It is actually a Crustacean! They live on land (unlike many of their more well known

Sir Barton

Published on 2013-05-04 18:19:00

Today was the Kentucky Derby, the first of the races that form that American Triple Crown. The elusive award has only been won 11 times, with the last

Zebra Dove

Published on 2013-05-03 12:00:00

Geopelia striata Today's animal is a Zebra Dove, a bird that is native to Southeast Asia, but that has found it's way to various Pacific Islands as well due to introduction. Like many Dove and Pigeon species they have adapted to multiple habitat typ

Death's-head Hawkmoth

Published on 2013-05-02 11:00:00

Acherontia lachesis The common name of today's animal actually can be applied to all three species within the genus Acherontia. One of the three lives in Europe and Africa, while the other two call Asia their home. All are very similar in size and a

Cave Hyena

Published on 2013-05-01 13:00:00

Crocuta crocuta spelaea Tens of thousands of years ago the Cave Hyena could be found all across Europe and Asia, hunting the massive Pleistocene mammals that live there. A subspecies of the extant Spotted Hyena, the Cave Hyenas were larger (weighed

Argiope lobata

Published on 2013-04-30 12:00:00

Argiope lobata Argiope lobata

Sacred Crocodile

Published on 2013-04-29 16:00:00

Crocodylus suchus mummy The Sacred Crocodile

James's Flamingo

Published on 2013-04-28 10:53:00

Phoenicoparrus jamesi The James's Flamingo is a small South American species that lives high up in the plateaus of the Andean Mountains. They feed off of different algae

Snow Leopard

Published on 2013-04-27 13:57:00

Uncia uncia Happy 3 years of animals everybody! Wow, it's weird

Eskimo Curlew

Published on 2013-04-26 11:00:00

Numenius borealis Today is the birthday of famed painter and naturalist John James Audubon, a man who is especially notable for his work The Birds of America, which was made between 1827

Sri Lanka Blue Magpie

Published on 2013-04-25 11:00:00

Urocissa ornata Would you be shocked to hear that today's bird is a relative of the Crows and Ravens? This bright, colorful creature belongs to the very same family as those often-darker birds, an example of how brilliant things can be in other part

Barasingha

Published on 2013-04-24 18:12:00

Rucervus duvaucelii The Barasingha is a medium-large Deer that is found in the swamps, marshlands, and grasslands of southern Asia. In fact, they are sometimes referred to as "Swamp Deer." On average, the Barasingha live in groups of around 10-20 d

Black Guillemot

Published on 2013-04-23 11:30:00

Cepphus grylle Guillemots, Puffins, Murrelets, and Auks all belong to the same family-- Alcidae. They are like the Northern Hemisphere's answer to Penguins (black & white, live in cold waters, dive for fish)... only they can actually fly! Black Gui

New Zealand Greater Short-tailed Bat

Published on 2013-04-22 16:30:00

Mystacina robusta Happy Earth Day everybody! Because today we are supposed to focus on conservation, I wanted

Spiny Turtle

Published on 2013-04-21 18:33:00

Heosemys spinosa The Spiny Turtle, also known as the Sunburst Turtle, is a land-dwelling Turtle named for the pointed spikes that extend outward from the rim of their carapace. These spines are much more pronounced in juveniles, and as adults they a

Kinder Goat

Published on 2013-04-20 13:09:00

Kinder Goat The Kinder Goat is actually a very new breed that has only existed for a few decades. It was created in 1985 when two Nubian Goat does were left without a mate on their farm in Washington State. The farm owners allowed their Pygmy Goat B

Chinese Hwamei

Published on 2013-04-19 11:00:00

Garrulax canorus The word "Hwamei" derives from the Chinese "hua-mei," which translates to "Painted Eyebrow." Looking at this bird, you can tell that that is a very accurate name! These birds have reddish-brown feathers covering their bodies... exce

Koa Bug

Published on 2013-04-18 15:45:00

Coleotichus blackburniae The Koa Bug is the largest species of true bug that is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. They can be found on all of the main islands of the chain, living in Koa trees and `a`ali`i bushes. Like all true bugs, Koa Bugs have n

Bufflehead

Published on 2013-04-17 03:30:00

Bucephala albeola (male) It's been absolutely pouring all day, and all this water is making me think of Ducks. So lets learn about one today, shall we? The Bufflehead is a Duck that is found in the lake, ponds, and oceans in and around North Americ

Wood Mouse

Published on 2013-04-16 11:00:00

Apodemus sylvaticus The Wood Mouse is an incredibly common rodent in Europe. They have a range that extends across the continent, including the British Isles. The can even be found in northern Africa. It should come as no surprise that they are amaz

Goitered Gazelle

Published on 2013-04-15 13:30:00

Contrary to the name, Goitered Gazelles do not all have thyroid gland conditions. However, the males of the species do have throats that enlarge during breeding season, and their necks can resemble Goiter. They use those throat sacs to create loud co

Flatback Sea Turtle

Published on 2013-04-14 11:36:00

Natator depressus The Flatback Sea Turtle is the only member of its genus, Natator, which means "swimmer." Combine that with the species name, depressus, which is derived from "flat," and you get a pretty accurate description of the creature! They a

Purple-throated Carib

Published on 2013-04-13 17:09:00

Eulampis jugularis The Purple-throated Carib is a Hummingbird species that can be found on numerous islands in the Caribbean Sea. They are sound in both tropical and subtro pical lowland forests where they can

Genet

Published on 2013-04-12 11:00:00

Genetta genetta The members of the Viverrid family may look like cats, but they are only distantly related to Felines (belonging to the same Carnivore Superfamily as the Cats, Hyenas, and Mongooses). The Viverrids are the most

Black Slug

Published on 2013-04-11 11:00:00

Arion ater So you'd probably think that a creature called the Black Slug would always be black, right? Well... not

Bicolor False Moray

Published on 2013-04-10 11:00:00

Chlopsis bicollaris Moray Eels can grow very large. In fact, the largest of them, the Slender Moray, can reach up to 13ft long! The Bicolor False Moray? Yeah... not so big. Males only reach about 8in, and females are even smaller. The smaller size

Abyssinian Roller

Published on 2013-04-09 11:00:00

Coracias abyssinicus The Abyssinian Roller is a striking blue bird found throughout the open habitats of sub-Saharan Africa. They are large in body size, growing up to 1ft in length with an additional 5-6in of tail feather. You can identify these

Big-belly Seahorse

Published on 2013-04-08 18:30:00

Hippocampus abdominalis The Seahorses that we see in aquariums are often very small fish, usually no more than a few inches long. The Big-belly Seahorse is a very different creature entirely! This species, which is found in the shallow waters off o

Yellow Sac Spider

Published on 2013-04-07 18:25:00

There are a couple of species that go by the common name "Yellow Sac Spider," but the specific one that we will be talking about today is Cheirachanthium punctorium

Deinonychus

Published on 2013-04-06 11:17:00

One of my favorite movies ever, Jurassic Park, came out twenty years ago this month! And though it's not the most scientifically accurate movie ever, it does make some great comments about the Bird-Dinosaur evolutionary relationship. Today's animal,

Flores Giant Rat

Published on 2013-04-05 12:00:00

Papagomys armandvillei Living isolated on an island can do funny

Khonorik

Published on 2013-04-04 12:00:00

We've talked about a few different

Gigantactis

Published on 2013-04-03 11:00:00

Gigantactis vanhoeffeni The name Gigantactis refers to a genus of deep sea fish that can be found in oceans all around the world. They live at depths of between 3,300 and 8,200 feet (1,000-2,500m). Because they live in such deep, remote places, ver

Sulawesi Dwarf Elephant

Published on 2013-04-02 12:00:00

Asian Elephant (living relative to theSulawesi Dwarf Elephants) Did you know that back in the Pleistocene there were several species of Elephant that stood only a few feet tall? These animals were all found on islands around the world, and grew smal

Malagasy Rainbow Frog

Published on 2013-04-01 17:30:00

Scaphiophrye gottlebei The Malagasy Rainbow Frog, also known as the Painted Burrowing Frog, is a small species found only near the Isalo Massif in Madagascar. These colorful Amphibians grow to only 3-4cm in size, with the females being slightly lar

Corn Crake

Published on 2013-03-31 15:11:00

Crex crex The Corn Crake is a member of the Rail family-- a group of birds that can be found on every continent but Antarctica, and who are

Cape Weaver

Published on 2013-03-30 14:05:00

Ploceus capensis The Cape Weaver is a small nest-weaving bird found only within South Africa. They are residents, meaning that they do not migrate, and can be found in grassland and scrubland habitats. Males of the species are more vibrant in color

Forty-spotted Pardalote

Published on 2013-03-29 15:14:00

Pardalotus quadragintus There are four different species of Pardalote, all of which live in Australia. Today's animal, the Forty-spotted Pardalote, is by far the most rare. These little songbirds are one of the most endangered bird species in Austr

Burrowing Cobra

Published on 2013-03-28 11:00:00

Paranaja multifasiata The Burrowing Cobra is sometimes referred to as the Many-banded Snake... which is kind of a confusing name because they don't actually have true bands on them at all. They have s hiny black scales that also have creamy-yellow b

Greater Bamboo Lemur

Published on 2013-03-27 13:00:00

Prolemur simus The Greater Bamboo Lemur is yet another one of the 22 different Lemur species found on the island of Madagascar.

Bluethroat

Published on 2013-03-26 12:00:00

Luscinia svecia (male) Allow me to introduce you to the lovely (and aptly named) Bluethroat. These small members of the Flycatcher family have a very large range due to their migratory habits. They breed in Europe, Asia, and Alaska, but spend their

Atlas Bear

Published on 2013-03-25 12:00:00

The Atlas Bear was the only Bear native to the continent of Africa. A subspecies of

Mauritius Owl

Published on 2013-03-24 16:59:00

Mascarenotus sauzieri Once upon a time the Mauritius Owl was the largest predator on the entire island that it was named for. That all changed when humans arrived. It fared better than some of the smaller bird species, which fell victim to all the i

Bridge's Degu

Published on 2013-03-23 13:16:00

Common Degus In the past we've learned about the Common Degu, a small relative to Chinchillas that is sometimes kept as a pet (by weirdos like me). But the Common Degu isn't the only member of its genus-- there are actually three more lesser-known s

Franklin's Bumblebee

Published on 2013-03-22 12:00:00

Bombus franklini When we hear about endangered creatures, the most prominent species in the spotlight tend to be bird, mammals, and other large vertebrates. But there are certainly endangered invertebrates as well, and the Franklin's Bumblebee is on

Elephant Bird

Published on 2013-03-21 12:00:00

Elephant Bird "Elephant Bird" is the name given to members of the Aepyornithidae Family. These gigantic, flightless Ratites lived on Madagascar, and all are extinct. Though they are distant relatives to Ostriches, it is

Longisquama

Published on 2013-03-20 12:00:00

Longisquama Longisquama is a bit of a conundrum. These extinct reptiles were very small, lived way back in the Triassic, and had massive protrusions sticking out of their backs. In fact, those crazy looking growths are responsible for the genus name

Ratas Island Lizard

Published on 2013-03-19 12:00:00

Podarcis lilfordi

Hihi

Published on 2013-03-18 15:00:00

Notiomystis cincta (male) The Hihi, or Stitchbird, is a small, rare, honeyeater-like bird

Irish Wolfhound

Published on 2013-03-17 10:44:00

Meet the tallest of the dog breeds-- the Irish Wolfhound. These gigantic canines can stand 3ft tall at the shoulder! Not only are they the tallest dog, but they are also one of the oldest breeds out there. Their ancestors appear in art and writings

Eurasian Hobby

Published on 2013-03-16 11:09:00

Falco subbuteo The Eurasian Hobby is a species of Falcon that is small and slim, with long wings that resemble those of a Swift. They live in Europe, Asia, and Africa, inhabiting open country areas. They are also migratory, with populations moving t

Spix's Guan

Published on 2013-03-15 12:00:00

Penelope jacquacu Guans are relatively large birds that live in South and Central America, and this particular species is found in the

Chow Chow

Published on 2013-03-14 12:00:00

The Chow Chow is a very ancient breed of dog, and may actually be one of the very first breeds developed. There are depictions of similar animals within 2,200 year old artwork! The breed was developed to serve many purposes. They were hunting dogs,

Paddletail Newt

Published on 2013-03-13 12:00:00

Pachytriton labiatus Paddletail Newts do indeed have a paddle-like tail. It is laterally compressed, and rounded at the end. They are an aquatic species, so this tail helps them greatly while swimming. They also use their tails for courtship and com

Pygmy Spotted Skunk

Published on 2013-03-12 12:00:00

Spilogale pygmaea Pygmy Spotted Skunks are found only on the Pacific Coast of Mexico, where they live in wooded areas. Because of their range, they are listed as Vulnerable. Tourism and development has lead to habitat loss and fragmentation. Pygmy

White Witch

Published on 2013-03-11 15:00:00

Thysania agrippina Thysania agrippina

Crested Oropendola

Published on 2013-03-10 12:00:00

Psarocolius decumanus The Crested Oropendola is an

Giant Cowbird

Published on 2013-03-09 10:47:00

Molothrus oryzivorus The Giant Cowbird is indeed a large bird... at least when you compare it to other members of its genus. They can grow well over a foot long, dwarfing the 8 or so inches that the others reach. Like it's relatives though, the gia

Emperor Goose

Published on 2013-03-08 16:00:00

Chen canagica The Emperor Goose is an interesting looking. It sports grey feathers over most of its body, but has a bright white head and neck... only it's not the front of the neck (like you see in other birds),

Qantassaurus

Published on 2013-03-07 12:00:00

Qantassaurus Qantassaurus is one of the more recently discovered Dinosaurs-- it was first unearthed back in 1996. The genus is named after QANTAS, the Queensland and Northern Territory Air Service, which has funded digs and transported fossils for s

Protoceratops

Published on 2013-03-06 12:00:00

Protoceratops Meet the Protoceratops. If the name sounds familiar, it may be because you are already

Beluga Sturgeon

Published on 2013-03-05 12:00:00

Huso huso The Beluga Sturgeon is the largest of all the Sturgeon species, and is also one of the largest freshwater fish in the entire world (though they can also be found in

Eastern Bluebird

Published on 2013-03-04 17:00:00

Sialia sialis (male and female) The Eastern Bluebird is a small little Thrush that is named after the coloration found in the males-- they have bold blue backs and orange-ish underside. The females have similarly-colored undersides, but have grey fe

Mangrove Monitor

Published on 2013-03-03 12:00:00

Varanus indicus Mangrove Monitors, if you couldn't guess, as lizards that live near mangrove swamps, lakes, and rivers. They have an absolutely massive distribution, and are found in

Charnia

Published on 2013-03-02 14:06:00

Charnia masoni Meet Charnia, an animal so ancient that it predates pretty much everything we've ever talked about on this blog-- it loved over 500 million years go! Though they look like leaves, they actually were like modern sea-pens. They are ani

Flower Hat Jelly

Published on 2013-03-01 12:00:00

Olindias formosa Flower Hat Jellies are pretty easy to recognize-- these Cnidarians have

Mountain Gorilla

Published on 2013-02-28 12:00:00

Gorilla beringei beringei There are two distinct Gorilla species in the world, and each one has two subspecies of its own. The Mountain Gorilla is one of the Eastern Gorilla subspecies, and is found only in a handful of Central African Countries. As

Archer's Lark

Published on 2013-02-27 12:00:00

Heteromirafra archeri The Archer's Lark is a very rare bird found only in a very small range within the country of Somalia. It is

Lesser Diving Beetle

Published on 2013-02-26 12:00:00

Acilius sulcatus In its Western European range, Acilius sulcatus

Duke of Burgundy

Published on 2013-02-25 17:30:00

Hamearis lucina The Duke of Burgundy is a small Butterfly that has a checkered orange-brown pattern on its wings. They belong to a subfamily known as the "Metalmarks," due to the

Europasaurus

Published on 2013-02-24 11:30:00

Europasaurus holgeri Europasaurus is a recently

Atlantic Spadefish

Published on 2013-02-23 11:19:00

Chaetodipterus faber The Atlantic Spadefish looks a lot like the Angelfish you see in aquariums... only they can grow up to 3ft long! They are found only within the Atlantic Ocean, off the eastern coast of North America and in the

Tody Motmot

Published on 2013-02-22 11:38:00

Hylomanes momotula The Tody Motmot is a small, colorful bird found in Central America. They have a very large range that spans across several different countries, and are quite common throughout it. Tody Motmots live tropical and

Hybodontiformes

Published on 2013-02-21 12:00:00

Hybodus fraasi

Crab-Eating Raccoon

Published on 2013-02-20 12:00:00

Procyon cancrivorus The Crab-Eating Raccoon is a lesser-known relative to the popular and iconic Common Raccoon. This particular species lives in Central and South America, inhabiting marshy, forested areas. The name is a bit misleading, as the Cra

Gunnison Grouse

Published on 2013-02-19 12:00:00

Centrocercus minimus The Gunnison Sage Grouse is the first new species of bird described in the United States since the 1800s. Interestingly, it wasn't classified until 2000, because it bore such a resemblance to the more common Sage Grouse and was

Sunda Clouded Leopard

Published on 2013-02-18 12:00:00

Neofelis diardi The Sunda Clouded Leopard has only been a designated species since 2006. before that, it was considered to be a subspecies of the Clouded Leopard which lives on the Asian continent. The Sunda (or Borneo) Clouded Leopard is only foun

Common Comet Star

Published on 2013-02-17 12:00:00

Linckia guildingii The Common Comet Star is a Sea Star found in the warm, tropical waters of the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. They grow 4-7 arms that can reach about 8in in length each, and are generally grey in color, though reds, purples,

Tiny Hawk

Published on 2013-02-16 11:35:00

Accipiter superciliosus The Tiny hawk is very appropriately named-- females are only around 10in long, and the males are even smaller. This makes them one of the smallest Raptors in the entire world. Tiny Hawks live in Central and South America, ha

Rhinoceros Hornbill

Published on 2013-02-15 12:00:00

Buceros rhinoceros The Rhinoceros Hornbill can be found in several countries through Southeast Asia, and are the state birds of the Malaysian state of Sarawak. They live in rainforests at altitudes below 1,400m, and you'll probably hear them before

Emu

Published on 2013-02-14 12:00:00

Dromaius novaehollandiae The Emu is the second largest bird in the world, behind only the Ostrich. These Ratites can stand over 4ft tall at the shoulder, and with their long necks can reach over 6ft. They also have incredibly long legs that give the

African Lion

Published on 2013-02-13 14:00:00

In the past we've learned about the now-extinct

Giant Pacific Octopus

Published on 2013-02-12 13:00:00

Enteroctopus dofleini The Giant Pacific Octopus is regarded as being the largest of all the Octopus species. Some specimens have weighed in at 150lbs! They have arms that can reach six feet in length, and the females are generally larger than the ma

Quillback Rockfish

Published on 2013-02-11 12:00:00

Sebastes maliger There are over 120 different species within the Sebastidae family, including the Quillback Rockfish. These spiny saltwater fish live along the Pacific coast of North America, hanging out near rocks and reefs where they are best camo

Grey Francolin

Published on 2013-02-10 13:01:00

Francolinus pondicerianus The Grey Francolin is a species found with the Pheasant family, and there are three different location-based subspecies. They were once referred to as Grey Partridges, but that was a bit of a confusing common name, as there

Lemur Leaf Frog

Published on 2013-02-09 11:38:00

Hylomantis lemur The Lemur Leaf Frog is a Critically Endangered Amphibian that lives in a very fragmented range that crosses parts of Colombia, Costa Rica, and Panama. Lemur Leaf Frogs can actually change color, and do so based upon how active they

Spotted Palm Thrush

Published on 2013-02-08 12:00:00

Cichladusa guttata The Spotted Palm Thrush is one of three Palm Thrush species. These birds, related to the Old

Tenkile

Published on 2013-02-07 12:00:00

Dendrolagus scottae The Tenlike, also known as Scott's Tree Kangaroo, is an extremely rare Macropod found only in the Torricelli Mountain Range of Papua New Guinea. They have dark fur, long tails,feed on a diet of vines and leaves, and are one of th

Heterixalus alboguttatus

Published on 2013-02-06 17:20:00

Heterixalus alboguttatus H. alboguttatus is a species of Frog native to the island of Madagascar. It lives at lower altitudes, and is most often found in grassland and

Masked Crab

Published on 2013-02-05 12:00:00

Corystes cassivelaunus The Masked Crab gets its name from patterns that sometimes appear on its elongated carapace-- they can look like faces! Aside from those designs, the Masked Crabs are yellowish to reddish brown in color, have very long antenn

Diana Monkey

Published on 2013-02-04 13:00:00

Cercopithecus diana The Diana Monkey is a Vulnerable species that is only found in Sierra Leone and Ghana, in West Africa. They live high up in the trees where they feeds on fruits, leaves, and invertebrates. Diana Monkeys live in social groups tha

Hooded Merganser

Published on 2013-02-03 12:30:00

Lophodytes cucullatus (male) The Hooded Merganser is a small species of duck that can be found in North America, living in wetlands that are near forested areas. They are migratory, moving north in order to breed (with large population around the Gr

Groundhog

Published on 2013-02-02 15:49:00

Marmota monax Today is, of course, Groundhog Day. And where I'm at, they did not see their

Greater Kudu

Published on 2013-02-01 18:02:00

Tragelaphus strepsiceros The Greater Kudu is one of the largest Antelope species out there, which the largest males standing over 5ft tall at the shoulder and weighing over 600lbs. They sport horns that equally as impressive in size-- the record is

Anatolian Shepherd

Published on 2013-01-31 12:00:00

Anatolian Shepherd The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a Turkish breed (Turkish that has roots dating back over 6,000 years. These large dogs are descended from the multitude of different central

Panther Chameleon

Published on 2013-01-30 17:22:00

Furcifer pardalis Male (top)

Eosinopteryx brevipenna

Published on 2013-01-29 19:00:00

Eosinopteryx brevipenna Man, I love it when new Dinosaurs get discovered, and this recent one is really, really cool. First officially described just this past week, Eosinopteryx brevipenna is a creature from the Late Jurassic that lived around 160

Pied Tamarin

Published on 2013-01-28 12:00:00

Sanguinus bicolor The Pied Tamarin is an endangered species of primate that is found only within a small part of Brazil, just near the city of Manaus. Pied Tamarins are named for their coloration.

Pegasus

Published on 2013-01-27 11:03:00

Pegasus and Bellerophon vs. the Chimera We'll close off this iteration of Mythical

Jörmungandr

Published on 2013-01-26 14:34:00

Jörmungandr with Hel and Fenrir Jörmungandr, also known as the World Serpent or the Midgard Serpent, is a creature from Norse Mythology. He is the middle child of Loki and the giantess Angrboða, which makes him the sibling to Fenrir and Hel. In

Griffin

Published on 2013-01-25 12:00:00

Griffin The Griffin (or Gryphon) is a well known legendary creature that has the head and talons of an Eagle, but the body and hind legs of a Lion. Sometimes they are also shown having a snake for a tail, and oftentimes only the female have wings--

Nandi Bear

Published on 2013-01-24 12:00:00

Nandi Bear? Asia and North America have Bigfoots and Yetis. Africa has the Nandi Bears-- cryptids that have been "sighted" for well over 100 years. The first Western sighting was reported in 1912, but native accounts date back even further. Nandi B

Gandaberunda

Published on 2013-01-23 12:00:00

Emblem of Gandaberunda The Gandaberunda is a two-headed bird that is found within the Hindu mythology. It is an incarnation of the god Vishnu, and is said to possess magical strength. The story behind this legendary creatures goes like this-- Lord

Champ

Published on 2013-01-22 18:40:00

The Mansi Photograph of Champ We've all heard about the Loch Ness Monster, but what about some of the other, similar sea creatures that are said to be hiding in the waters of the world? Champ is just one of the creatures. He (or she?) calls Lake Ch

Hippocampus

Published on 2013-01-21 12:00:00

Hippokampoi pulling Poseidon's Chariot The Hippocampus is also known as the Sea-Horse, and these half horse/half fish

Mythical Creatures Week, Part II

Published on 2013-01-21 07:00:00

So we've finally hit 1,000 animals. Wow! 1,000! So to celebrate we have yet another theme week-- this time a visit to a familiar theme from the past. Mythical Creatures Weeks, Part II! Sit sit back, relax, and enjoy some crazy and sometimes confusin

Iberian Lynx

Published on 2013-01-20 11:44:00

Lynx pardinus It is estimated that there are less than 150 adult Iberian Lynxes left in the wild, making it one of the most endangered cats on the planet. In fact, were they to go extinct, they would be the very first cat to do so since prehistoric

Spaghetti Worm

Published on 2013-01-19 10:38:00

Eupolymnia crassicornis The Spaghetti Worm is an annelid that lives underwater in

Scarlet Lobsterette

Published on 2013-01-18 14:00:00

Nephropsis atlantica The Scarlet Lobsterette is a small little Lobster (though still of a decent size when you compare them to all Crustaceans.) They measure it at only 4in long, which makes the diminutive name appropriate. They have bright red bodi

Heck Cattle

Published on 2013-01-17 14:00:00

Heck Cattle Way back we talked about the Aurochs, a now-extinct species of Cattle that once lived throughout Europe.

Emperor Gum Moth

Published on 2013-01-16 12:00:00

Opodiphthera eucalypti Emperor Gum Moths are large Moths found in Australia, as well as in New Zealand where they have been introduced. They have a wingspan of around 6in (15cm), and furry, reddish-brown wings with eye spots. As Caterpillars they a

Chihuahua

Published on 2013-01-15 12:00:00

Smooth-coated Chihuahua The Chihuahua is the smallest breed of dog in the world, and it also has some roots that date back over a millennium. It is believed that this modern breed descended from the Techichi, a dog favored by the Toltecs. Images of

Ringed Water Cobra

Published on 2013-01-13 13:48:00

Naja annulata There are two species of Water Cobra in the world, and today's animal is one of them (the other being the Congo water Cobra). They are a largely aquatic species (hence the name) and are rarely seen by humans, as they are active during

Marsh Owl

Published on 2013-01-13 12:00:00

Asio capensis Marsh Owls live in Madagascar and throughout Central and Southern Africa. Their primary habitats are (unsurprisingly) wetlands, marshes, and savanna areas. These owls actually build their nests on

Nile Lechwe

Published on 2013-01-12 12:00:00

Kobus megaceros Lechwe is the Bantu

Smooth Butterfly Ray

Published on 2013-01-11 12:00:00

Gymnura micrura The Smooth Butterfly Ray, with its sleek body (thanks to very tiny denticles), actually has a genus name to match-- Gymnura

Mountain Zebra

Published on 2013-01-10 12:00:00

Equus zebra There are three living species of Zebra out there, the Plains, the Grevy's, and today's animal-- the Mountain. Mountain Zebras are found only in southwestern Africa, residing in hills, and mountain slopes. They live at dry altitudes of u

Agassiz's Desert Tortoise

Published on 2013-01-09 12:00:00

Gopherus agassizii Today's animal gets its name from 19th century Swiss-American naturalist Jean Louis Rodolphe Agassiz, and it can be found in the desert areas of the Southwest United States (they are even the state

Elkhorn Coral

Published on 2013-01-08 12:00:00

Acropora palmata Elkhorn Coral is a very large, very fast growing Coral that can be found in the Caribbean waters, at depths of up to 30m. because of their fast growth they make wonderful reef builders, and have massive branches that can grow well o

Lappet-faced Vulture

Published on 2013-01-07 12:00:00

Torgos tracheliotos The Lappet-faced Vulture is one of the largest Vultures in the world-- they have wingspans of up to 9.5ft! These huge birds of prey around found in Africa and in parts of the Middle East, where they are split into two location-ba

Saola

Published on 2013-01-06 12:00:00

Pseudoryx nghetinhensis The Saola is a truly amazing animal, but it could be extinct very, very soon. What makes the species so remarkable is that it was only first discovered in 1992, which is an astoundingly long time for a 200+lb bovid to remain

Big-headed Turtle

Published on 2013-01-05 12:00:00

Platysternon megacephalum You may be surprised to find out that the Big-headed Turtle actually isn't that large when compared to other Turtles. Their heads are just proportionally larger than the rest of their bodies (their carapaces measure only ab

Corroboree Frog

Published on 2013-01-04 12:00:00

Pseudophryne corroboree There are two species of Corroboree Frogs, the Northern and the Southern. Both live only in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia. Both also happen to be Critically Endangered. Corroboree Frogs are named for

Tall Sea Pen

Published on 2013-01-03 12:00:00

Funiculina quadrangularis The Tall Sea Pen, like all Sea Pens, is a relative to Sea Anemones and Corals. And like Coral, though they may look like one creature, they are actually comprised of several

Greater Ani

Published on 2013-01-02 12:00:00

Crotophaga major The Greater Ani is a large member of the Cuckoo family, identified by its black-blue feathers, long tail, and ridged bill. They also have white eyes, which differentiate them from the other Ani species. These birds live in Central

Grison

Published on 2013-01-01 10:50:00

Galictis vittata There are two species of Grison in the

Akhal-Teke

Published on 2012-12-31 12:00:00

Akhal-Teke Today's animal is one of the

Achilles Tang

Published on 2012-12-30 12:26:00

Acanthurus achilles The Achilles Tang is a beautiful species of Surgeonfish that cane be found in the tropical waters of the Pacific Ocean. They are moderately sized, with adults reaching about 10in in length. You can identify this Tang from other

Steppe Mammoth

Published on 2012-12-29 12:50:00

Mammuthus trogontherii The Steppe Mammoth is an interesting creature because it actually predates the Woolly Mammoth that we known so well. These monstrous Proboscideans lived between 600,000 and 370,000 years ago, roaming about the steppes of Europ

Coconut Octopus

Published on 2012-12-28 12:00:00

Amphioctopus marginatus The Coconut Octopus is a rather

Lissodus

Published on 2012-12-27 12:00:00

Lissodus Normally when one thinks of prehistoric sharks, they imagine gigantic sea dwelling monsters like Megalodon-- huge

Antilopine Kangaroo

Published on 2012-12-26 11:34:00

Macropus antilopinus The Antilopine Kangaroo, also referred to as the Antilopine Wallaroo, is one of the lesser known Kangaroo species. They aren't as popular as the Grey and Red Kangaroos, though they are common and abundant, and decently large in

Rambouillet

Published on 2012-12-25 10:00:00

Rambouillet Sheep Meet the Rambouillet, a large breed of dual-purpose domestic sheep that has quite an interesting history and legacy. Before the late 18th century, the Merino sheep breed in Spain were under close guard. They were protected by the

Platecarpus

Published on 2012-12-24 11:23:00

Platecarpus tympaniticus The name Platecarpus means "flat wrist," a title that describe their large steering flippers. These members of the Mosasaur family lived during the late Cretaceous, around 85-80 million years ago, and swam that seas that cov

Kōkako

Published on 2012-12-23 10:58:00

Callaeas cinereus The

Wandering Leg Sausage

Published on 2012-12-22 12:00:00

Crurifarcimen vagans Today's animal has to have one of the best common names I've ever seen... or at least the most amusing. The Wandering Leg Sausage is a species that was only

White-fronted Bee-eater

Published on 2012-12-21 12:00:00

Merops bullockoides Today's feature is the White-fronted Bee-eater, a bird found all throughout the Savannahs of Africa. They are identified by their white

Collared Lemming

Published on 2012-12-20 12:00:00

Dicrostonyx groenlandicus So I'm stuck at home with a snow day today, so what better animal to talk about than one that turns white in the winter? The Collared Lemmings are members of a genus native to North America. They are the only rodents that c

Patas Monkey

Published on 2012-12-19 12:00:00

Erythrocebus patas The Patas Monkey's claim to fame is that it is the fastest of all the primates-- these guys can run at speeds of up to 35mph! You'll find these quick Primates in the open grasslands of central Africa.

Gharial

Published on 2012-12-18 12:00:00

Gavialis gangeticus Meet the Gharial, one of the most interesting looking extant members of the Crocodile order. If you take a glance at the body, all seems normal. But the head? Gharials have

Batodonoides

Published on 2012-12-17 12:00:00

Batodonoides Yesterday I

Hairy-footed Flying Squirrel

Published on 2012-12-16 10:22:00

Belomys pearsonii Despite being first described in 1908, not much is known about the Hairy-footed

Martelli's Cat

Published on 2012-12-15 10:23:00

Felis lunensis Did you know that the Felis

Pine Processionary

Published on 2012-12-14 12:00:00

Thaumetopoea pityocampa The Pine Processionary is a major pest... well, at least in their larval stage. Those little insects are native to Southern Europe, and they continue to spread to areas that they previously were

Sordes

Published on 2012-12-13 12:00:00

Sordes pilosus Meet Sordes, a small Pterosaur that flew around during the Late Jurassic-- 150 million years ago. It had a wingspan of around 1.5-2ft (so far from the gigantic Pterosaurs we see in pop-culture), and most likely ate small amphibians an

Cozumel Fox

Published on 2012-12-12 12:00:00

Engraving of the Island Fox, a similar species Today's animal is so mysterious, and so rare, that there are no photographs of it, despite it being sighted in 2001. In fact, it hasn't even been officially described by science, has no official species

Araucana

Published on 2012-12-11 12:00:00

Araucana The Araucana is a most interesting breed of chicken, one that had three very distinguishing traits-- blue eggs, no tail, and ear tufts. They originated in Chile, and there are numerous theories on how they got the traits that they have, inc

Dzo

Published on 2012-12-10 12:00:00

Dzo Dzo is the Tibetan name for hybrid creatures that are the cross between Yaks and domesticated Cattle. The name technically refers to only the male crosses (females are reffered to as Dzomo), but for the sake of ease we'll use Dzo today for a gen

Munchkin

Published on 2012-12-09 12:00:00

Munchkin Cat The Munchkin is a very new breed of cat that has only been around for 30 years or so. Its creation has led to controversy, as there are many who believe that significant health issues will arise, and that the breed itself is based compl

King Quail

Published on 2012-12-08 12:37:00

Coturnix chinensis The

Short-tailed Hopping Mouse

Published on 2012-12-07 12:00:00

Notomys amplus The last time anyone saw a Short-tailed Hopping Mouse was back in 1896, and everything that we know about this now-extinct desert Mouse comes from two specimens collected over a hundred years ago. Did you know that there are, in fact

Prussian Carp

Published on 2012-12-06 12:00:00

Carassius gibelio If you look closely, and use some imagination when it comes

Pale-billed Mountain Toucan

Published on 2012-12-05 12:00:00

Andigena laminirostris The Andes mountains of South America are where you'll find the Pale-billed Mountain Toucan. They live in the humid forests that sit just under 10,000ft. You'll identify these birds by all their various color patches. They hav

European Jaguar

Published on 2012-12-04 12:00:00

Panthera gombaszoegensis The modern big cats are spread all over the world, but then to have very distinct ranges. Tigers in Asia. Cheetahs in Africa. Jaguars in South America. But in the past this was not the case. Lions lived in Europe and Asia. T

Palaeocastor

Published on 2012-12-03 12:00:00

Palaeocastor sp. Today there are only two species of true Beaver, the North American and the Eurasian. But these large rodents have a long history, with many now-extinct

Welsh Terrier

Published on 2012-12-02 14:17:00

Welsh Terrier The Welsh Terrier is a breed that was developed in Wales during the 19th century, and was first shown back in 1884. They have also been called the Old English Terrier and the Black and Tan Wire Haired Terrier. They were originally br

African Rock Python

Published on 2012-12-01 11:28:00

Python sebae The

Icadyptes salasi

Published on 2012-11-30 12:00:00

Icadyptes salasi Penguins are weird and interesting. Seabirds who swim better than they can fly.. or even walk? Well if the modern, waddling Penguins are so unique among birds, just take a look at some of their ancestors. Thankfully, the Penguins od

Giant Forest Hog

Published on 2012-11-29 12:00:00

Hylochoerus meinertzhageni As a species, the Giant Forest Hog of Central Africa is considered to be the largest pig in the entire world. Its only rivals for this title are a handful of Wild Boar subspecies, but even if there is a bigger hog out ther

Bargibant's Seahorse

Published on 2012-11-28 12:00:00

Hippocampus bargibanti I got a request to talk about Pygmy Seahorses, but there are actually several species that fall under that common name, so today we'll talk about one in particular. All Pygmy Seahorses are relatively new to Science, and most w

Eocursor

Published on 2012-11-27 12:00:00

Eocursor parvus Eocursor

Reddish Egret

Published on 2012-11-26 12:00:00

Egretta rufescens The Reddish Egret is an appropriately named species of Heron that can be found in Central America, and around the Gulf Coast in the United States. They stand a little under 3ft tall, and typically sport long dark legs, reddish head

House Finch

Published on 2012-11-25 12:22:00

Haemorhous mexicanus The House Finch is a bird that once was found only in the Western United States and Mexico, but over the past few decades that have spread across the continent and can now be found on the Atlantic Coast! Estimates are that there

Giant African Snail

Published on 2012-11-24 12:02:00

Achatina fulica Meet a member of the invasive species club-- the Giant Afican Snail is considered one of the top 100 worst Invasive Species on the planet. Ant not only are they on the top 100 list, they actually sit at #2! African Giant Snails are

White-collared Blackbird

Published on 2012-11-23 13:22:00

Turdus albocinctus The name "Blackbird" is one that applies to several dozen different bird species. Most of these are "New World" birds, meaning that they are found in

American Eel

Published on 2012-11-22 13:35:00

Anguilla rostrata Well, it's Turkey Day here in the United States, but we've already talked about the two different Turkey species. So why not learn about one of the other critters that made an appearance at the very first Thanksgiving? Yup. Eels.

Ringneck Snake

Published on 2012-11-21 12:00:00

Diadophis punctatus The Ringneck Snake has a very large range that covers most of the United States, bits of Canada, and stretches of Canada. They live in a huge range of habitats, from forests, to grasslands, to riversides. However, despite their s

Swedish Vallhund

Published on 2012-11-20 12:00:00

Swedish Vallhund The Swedish Vallhund is a dog breed that goes back around 1,000 years-- way back to the Viking times! Their name translates to "Herding Dog," which is

Hong Kong Newt

Published on 2012-11-19 12:00:00

Paramesotriton hongkongensis Hong Kong Newts are the only

Richmond Birdwing

Published on 2012-11-18 11:24:00

Ornithoptera richmondia The Richmond Birdwing is one of the smallest species of Birdwing Butterfly... though they are still quite large as far as Butterflies go-- their wingspan can get as large as 15cm. Males and females differ in appearance. The f

Pale Toadfish

Published on 2012-11-17 12:19:00

Ambophthalmos angustus The Pale Toadfish is a deep sea species that

White-tailed Deer

Published on 2012-11-16 12:00:00

Odocoileus virginianus (Bucks) It's that time of year again-- deer season. I live in a state where Deer hunting is a norm and a common topic of

Stoplight Loosejaw

Published on 2012-11-15 12:00:00

Malacosteus niger Stoplight Loosejaw is the common name for the two species found within the genus Malacosteus. They are a relatively deep-sea dwelling fish, living between 500 and 1,000m down. The "Stoplight" name derives from the fact that they c

Cape Gannet

Published on 2012-11-14 12:00:00

Morus capensis The Cape Gannet is a very striking seabird, identified by its yellow face and neck and sleek white and black feathers. They breed on islands off the Cape of South Africa, and winter along the African coastal shores. Fish makes up thei

Varanops

Published on 2012-11-13 12:00:00

Varanops brevirostris Varanops is one of those cool ancient reptiles that wasn't actually a Dinosaur. In fact, they lived before Dinosaurs even existed, and belonged to the same group that modern mammals eventually evolved out of millions of years l

Sir David's Long-beaked Echidna

Published on 2012-11-12 12:00:00

Zaglossus attenboroughi Of the four extant species of Echidna, only one is named after one of the greatest naturalists alive-- Sir David Attenborough. Sir David's Long-beaked Echidna is also referred to as Attenborough's Echidna, and as teh Cyclops

Yochelcionella

Published on 2012-11-11 12:00:00

Yochelcionella Today's animal is one of the older ones that we've talked about. Older than Dinosaurs, older even than the

Savannah Monitor

Published on 2012-11-10 12:00:00

Varanus exanthematicus Savannah Monitors are one of the more popular Monitor Lizard species to be kept in captivity. This is due to their small(er) size, docile attitude, and general toleration of handling. (Disclaimer: Don't just go out and buy a 4

White-throated Dipper

Published on 2012-11-09 12:00:00

Cinclus cinclus Allow me to introduce you to the White-throated, or European, Dipper. These aquatic Passerine birds can be

Neotropical Pygmy Squirrel

Published on 2012-11-08 13:00:00

Sciurillus pusillus The Neotropical Pygmy Squirrel is an animal that really intrigues me... because I know almost nothing about it. There is actually so little recorded about these rodents that they are

Kiang

Published on 2012-11-07 12:00:00

Equus kiang The Kiang is the largest species of Wild Ass in the world, and can be found in the Tibetan Plateau where it lives in the mountainous grassland steppes and meadows. There are three location-based subspecies, with the Eastern Kiang being t

Spotted-necked Otter

Published on 2012-11-06 12:00:00

Hydrictis maculicollis The Spotted-necked Otter can be found in many of the rivers and lakes of Sub-Saharan Africa. They prefer to live near clear, continuous, fresh water, and will build dens near these sources. When it comes to Otter size, this s

Huchen

Published on 2012-11-05 10:44:00

Hucho hucho Today's animal is the Huchen, a freshwater fish also

Sooty Tern

Published on 2012-11-04 08:57:00

Onychoprion fuscatus There are dozens of species of Tern, and while many look alike, today's animal is quite distinct. Sooty Terns have very dark feathers on their back, wings, and on their face, as well as a black bill and feet. This sets them apar

Bohor Reedbuck

Published on 2012-11-03 12:00:00

Bohor Reedbuck On first glance, the Bohor Reedbuck isn't a flashy antelope. They have short horns, a small to medium build, and sandy, patternless coats. But wait till you hear them and watch them move! Like a few other species of small antelope, t

Platybelodon

Published on 2012-11-02 12:00:00

Platybelodon sp. Platybelodon is the name of a genus that contained four different species of Proboscideans (the Order also houses our modern day Elephants). They lived between 15 and 4 million years ago, and while they spread across Europe, Asia, A

Red-crested Pochard

Published on 2012-11-01 12:00:00

Netta rufina

Tree Cricket

Published on 2012-10-31 14:36:00

Tree Cricket Today we'll be learning about a whole bunch of different animals-- the members of the Subfamily Oecanthinae. More commonly referred to as "Tree Crickets," these insects can be found on every single continent, except for Antarctica. Tre

Najash

Published on 2012-10-30 12:00:00

Najash rionegrina Najash is an extinct Snake named for the Hebrew word Nahash--

Black-throated Loon

Published on 2012-10-29 10:59:00

Gavia arctica Meet the Black-throated Loon, also known as the Arctic Loon and the Black-throated Diver. (The name we'll use today is a compromise between the other two names, a name thought up by the International Ornithologists Union). These migratory birds can be found across Europe and Asia, breeding in the northern, Arctic areas, and wintering further south. There are also some populations in

Desert Iguana

Published on 2012-10-28 10:54:00

Dipsosaurus dorsalis The name "Iguana" usually brings up images of gigantic green lizards hanging out in rainforests. Today's Iguana is a little bit different, sporting a dry desert habitat and sandy-colored, brown spotted scales. He is the appropriately named Desert Iguana, and he hails from the Southwestern United States. Desert Iguanas are actually incredibly common throughout their range, and even though temperatures can hit well over 115°

Pale Fox

Published on 2012-10-27 12:00:00

Vulpes pallida What do you know about the Pale Fox? Not much? Me neither. But readers, we aren't alone in our lack of knowledge about this canine. You see, the Pale Fox is one of the least studied foxes in the entire world! There are a few reasons why they hold such a distinction. 1.) They live in remote, sandy areas of the African Sahel. 2.) They have sandy colored coats that make them very difficult to spot in these habitats. 3.) They are nocturnal. Pale Foxes are so little studied that it [..]

Utah Prairie Dog

Published on 2012-10-26 12:00:00

Cynomys parvidens There are five different species of Prairie Dog, with the Utah being the smallest. They also happen to be one of the most rare, and are listed as Endangered. They have cinnamon colored backs, white tails, and brown spots above and below the eyes. Unsurprisingly, the Utah

Pliosaurus funkei

Published on 2012-10-25 12:00:00

Pliosaurus funkei (compared to an Orca, Blue Whale, and Human) Today we'll be learning about yet another newly

Allenius iviei

Published on 2012-10-24 12:00:00

Allenius iviei Well hurray, it's time to learn about a brand new species! This recently discovered Ladybird Beetle is one of the rarest in the United States, and is known from only two specimens. Allenius iviei

Kagu

Published on 2012-10-23 12:00:00

Rhynochetos jubatus I couldn't talk about the Sunbittern yesterday without talking about it's interesting cousin, the Kagu, today. For a fast

Sunbittern

Published on 2012-10-22 12:00:00

Eurypyga helias Yesterday we learned about the Yellow Bittern, a small Heron that lives in southeast Asia. Just looking at the names, you would assume that today's animal would be a very similar creature... but interestingly, they are not closely related at all. They

Yellow Bittern

Published on 2012-10-21 12:00:00

Ixobrychus sinensis The Yellow Bittern is a small species of Heron that lives in southern and eastern Asia. They only grow to sizes of around 15in (about a quarter of the size of the largest Heron-- the Goliath Heron!) The name comes from the coloration of the male, who is a dull yellow-brown with lighter undersides. Females are streaked brown. They are difficult to spot while not in flight, as their colors camouflage them in the reeds and other aquatic plants. Yellow Bitterns are, on the whol [..]

Chambered Nautilus

Published on 2012-10-20 12:00:00

Nautilus pompilius The Nautilida Order contains six extant species and a handful of extinct ones, some of which date all the way back around 550 million years. They are

Costa's Hummingbird

Published on 2012-10-19 12:00:00

Calypte costae (male) The Costa's Hummingbird makes its home in the southwestern United States and in northern Mexico. They live in arid scrub areas, and feed on plant nectar and small insects.

Guanaco

Published on 2012-10-18 12:00:00

Lama guanicoe The wild Guanaco is a close, genus sharing relative of the domesticated Llama. In fact, it is believed that Llamas actually came from Guanacos around 6,000 years ago. These elegant, slender Camelids live in the arid, mountainous regions of South America. About 90% of the wild Guanacos now live in Argentina. Guanacos are one of the largest wild herbivores in South America. Though they look slim and lanky, they can actually weigh more than 250lbs. Guanacos both graze and browse, an [..]

Archey’s Frog

Published on 2012-10-17 12:00:00

Leiopelma archeyi The Archey's Frog is a very primitive looking species, in that it looks very much like 150 million year old fossils. It also has some anatomical features that are rather uncommon, including tail wagging muscles (but no tail), no external eardrums, an extra back vertebrae, and no true vocal chords. Some females also have a special extra W-Chromosome, which

Akohekohe

Published on 2012-10-16 12:00:00

Palmeria dolei The Akohekohe is an extremely rare, critically endangered bird found only on the island of Maui, one of the Hawaiian Islands. They were once found on Molokai as well, but have been

Daring Jumping Spider

Published on 2012-10-15 11:25:00

Phidippus audax Daring Jumping Spiders are common jumpers in North America. They are large for their family, and are predominantly black with some spots or stripes on the legs and abdomen. They also have incredibly shiny, metallic blue-green mouth parts (called Chelicerae). Compared to body size, humans can't jump very far. Even the very best long jumpers only make it to distances of 3-4 times their height. The Daring Jumping Spider has us beat for sure! These little 2cm Spiders can leap betwe [..]

Green Junglefowl

Published on 2012-10-14 11:31:00

Gallus varius The Green Junglefowl is a close relative to domesticated chickens, as it belong in the same genus as their ancestor, the Red Junglefowl. They are

Megalania

Published on 2012-10-13 12:00:00

Megalania prisca I am really, really excited about today's animal. I love Megafauna, I

Giant Grouper

Published on 2012-10-12 12:00:00

Epinephelus lanceolatus Meet the largest reef dwelling fish on the planet, the

Tibetan Antelope

Published on 2012-10-11 12:00:00

Pantholops hodgsonii Meet the Tibetan Antelope, or Chiru, a endangered ungulate that has been on a free-falling population decline over the past century. Around 1900, it was estimated that there were over a million of the Antelope roaming about the

Wattled Crane

Published on 2012-10-10 12:00:00

Bugeranus carunculatus There are 15 species of Crane in the world, and we've talked about a few of them already-- tall, elegant birds that are symbols of luck and serve as national icons. (On a side note, you can see all fifteen Crane species in one place at the International Crane Foundation in Baraboo, WI. I'll make it out there one of these days...) Anyway, today's Crane is a little less... beautiful... than some of its relatives. But it is still a very

Rusty-spotted Cat

Published on 2012-10-09 12:00:00

Prionailurus rubiginosus The Rusty-spotted Cat is one of the smallest cat species in the world, and as adults they weigh only a tiny 3.5lbs. For a comparison, that makes them less than half the size of a normal domestic cat! You'll find these mini-felines in India and Sri Lanka, though good luck spotting one in the wild. They are incredibly

Halloween Crab

Published on 2012-10-08 13:06:00

Gecarcinus quadratus The Halloween Crab goes by many names, including the Red Land Crab, Whitespot Crab, and Moon Crab. I personally like Halloween Crab though, since it really reflects the interesting colors. They have black carapaces, orange-red legs, and purple claws! Halloween Crabs live in the Pacific coast mangroves and forests of Central and South America. They actually live in

Madras Treeshrew

Published on 2012-10-07 12:00:00

Anathana ellioti Have you ever heard about the Treeshrews? These small mammals belong to the same Superorder (Euarchontoglires) as Primates,

Subantarctic Fur Seal

Published on 2012-10-06 12:00:00

Arctocephalus tropicalis The Subantarctic Fur Seal is one of the smaller Fur Seals, and it is also one of the most "tropically" located. They live closer to the Equator than than other Southern Hemisphere relatives do, though they don't quite make it up to the literal tropics... which makes their species name a little misleading. As with most seals, there is some difference in size between the males and females. Males tend to grow about 2ft longer than the other sex, and can weight three

Zebra Blue

Published on 2012-10-05 12:00:00

Leptotes plinius The Zebra Blue is a striking little Butterfly found in south Asia and Australia. You'll find them near a variety of different plants within the Citrus and Legume

Garganey

Published on 2012-10-04 12:00:00

Anas querquedula The Garganey is a species of dabbling duck that has a massive range covering nearly the entire Eastern Hemisphere (at one point or another). Their unusual name comes from an Anglicized version of an Italian word which is

Atlas Tortoise

Published on 2012-10-03 12:00:00

Colossochelys atlas In the past we have learned all about the massive prehistoric Sea Turtles that once swam the world's oceans, but we have yet to talk about what is possibly the largest land

Eoraptor

Published on 2012-10-02 12:00:00

Eoraptor lunensis We've been learning a lot about Dinosaurs recently, though most of those lived in the Cretaceous period, not long before the big extinction event that wiped all the Dinosaurs out. Today's Dinosaur comes from the opposite end of the timeline-- it is one of the earliest known Dinosaurs, and lived nearly 230 million years ago. Eoraptor ("Dawn Theif"), hailed from the Late Triassic. They were small, only about 3ft long in total, and walked on two legs. Their mouths were filled wi [..]

Common Earwig

Published on 2012-10-01 12:00:00

Forficula auricularia The Common Earwig is also called the European Earwig, but that name is a little bit misleading. Though they did orginate in Europe and Northern Africa, they can now be found all over North America as well, thanks (or not thanks?) to introduction during the 20th century. You can identify Common earwigs by their skinny bodies and large forceps on the abdomen (they are slightly larger in males). They use them to mate, to feed, and for self defense! The Earwig lives in cool, [..]

Lystrosaurus

Published on 2012-09-30 11:54:00

Lystrosaurus Have you ever heard of Lystrosaurus? This amazing little creature was one of the very few lifeforms that actually survived the massive

South American Armored Catfish

Published on 2012-09-29 12:00:00

Corydoras semiaquilus The South American Armored Catfish gets its name from the visible plates on their sides. Many Catfish species have no scales at all, but this small fish has bony scutes that run the length of their body, giving them a very interesting look (as opposed to the smooth appearance of other members of their Order). The Amazon Basin of South America in where these fish call home. Like many Catfish, they are nocturnal bottom feeders, using their flat heads and barbels to search f [..]

Cape Porcupine

Published on 2012-09-28 12:00:00

Hystrix africaeaustralis Allow me to introduce you to the largest Porcupine in the world, and the largest Rodent on the African Continent-- the Cape Porcupine. They shiny critters can grow almost 3ft long (not including the tail), and individuals have been found that weigh over 60lbs! Though the name hints at a specific location, the Cape Porcupine can actually be found throughout central and southern Africa. They live at elevations below 2,000m, and can be found in a large range of habitats, [..]

Himalayan Quail

Published on 2012-09-27 12:00:00

Ophrysia superciliosa The Himalayan Quail is one of the rarest birds in the world... if they are actually still out there. Are they extinct, or are they still alive in the remote mountains of India? The last confirmed sighting was way, way back in 1876. Since then there have only been a light spattering of unconfirmed reports, and official searches have turned up

Ankylosaurus

Published on 2012-09-26 12:00:00

Ankylosaurus magniventris About a week ago we learned all about an armored Sauropod, Ampelosaurus. Today we'll learn about one of the most famous armored Dinosaurs of them all- Ankylosaurus. Like Ampelosaurus, Ankylosaurus lived during the late Cretaceous period... though a few million years later and in a different part of the world. There is only one identified species within the Ankylosaurus

Short-eared Dog

Published on 2012-09-25 12:00:00

Atelocynus microtis The Short-eared Dog is one weird Canine. Though sometimes also called the Short-eared Fox, they are close relatives of neither domestic dogs or foxes. They actually belong to their own

Plott Hound

Published on 2012-09-24 12:00:00

Tan Brindle Plott Hound The Plott Hound is an interesting breed of dog in that is also not too well known (even though it is the state dog of North Carolina!). They are strong, active, athletic dogs, and their coats come in either black or a brindle variation. One interesting fact is that the Plott Hound is the only breed of American Hound that does not trace its ancestry back to English Foxhound.

Metamynodon

Published on 2012-09-23 12:00:00

Metamynodon Don't you just love convergent evolution? Today's animal is a great example of the

Liben Lark

Published on 2012-09-22 09:30:00

Heteromirafra sidamoensis Meet the Liben Lark, one of the most endangered birds in the world. If nothing is done and their populations continues to decline, they may also have the unfortunate distinction of being the first bird to go extinct in mainland Africa. Liben Larks are endemic to Ethiopia, and are restricted to a very small range of grassland that measures only 36 square kilometers. They are small birds, with brown streaked feathering and buff undersides. Males and females look alike. [..]

Ampelosaurus

Published on 2012-09-21 12:00:00

Ampelosaurus atacis Ampelosaurus is one incredible looking Dinosaur. Not only are they members of the gigantically long Sauropod group, but they also had armor on their backs! Ampelosaurus wasn't as long, or even as long-necked as some of its Sauropod relatives, but at 50ft in length they were far from tiny. They bony plates on the back are called osteoderms, and they grow from the dermal layers of the skin. Ankylosaurus and Stegosaurus are two other

Midas Cichlid

Published on 2012-09-20 12:00:00

Amphilophus citrinellus Many of the other Cichlids that we've talked about up to this point live in the African Rift Valley. Today's species is a bit different, and actually hails from the other side of the world-- the San Juan River and nearby waters in Central America. The Midas Cichlid, as it is often called in the aquatics trade, is a large, hardy freshwater fish that is actually a pretty popular pet, due to their size and coloration. In nature, males have much larger humps than females, t [..]

Japanese Badger

Published on 2012-09-19 12:00:00

Meles anakuma Why it's that day of the year again. Happy Badger day! (We actually

Meganeuropsis

Published on 2012-09-18 12:00:00

Meganeuropsis A while back we learned about Meganeura, a genus of gigantic Dragonflies that lived

Gold Tegu

Published on 2012-09-17 12:00:00

Tupinambis teguixin Tegus are large, omnivorous lizards that inhabit South America. They essentially fill the same niche that the Monitor lizards fill in Asia and Africa. Though the two lizard types look similar and do the same jobs, they are not closely related (go convergent evolution!) The Gold Tegu is one of the seven species of Tegu. They live in the northern parts of South America, inhabiting tropical forests. They have powerful legs, a very thick tail, and can reach lengths of up to 3ft [..]

Sivatherium

Published on 2012-09-16 12:00:00

Sivatherium Today there are only two living members of the Giraffe family-- the Giraffe itself, and the mysterious mountain-dwelling Okapi. But there were other Giraffes in the past, even as recently as 8,000 years ago! Today's

Blackspotted Puffer

Published on 2012-09-15 12:00:00

Arothron nigropunctatus We've talked about Pufferfish more generally in the past, getting a quick overview of the 121 different members of the Tetradontidae family, but

Great Barracuda

Published on 2012-09-14 12:00:00

Sphyraena barracuda The Great, or Giant, Barracuda is a very slender fish that can grow to lengths of 6ft (though the average is around 3.5). They swim in the warm, tropical and subtropical ocean waters of the world, typically living near shore but sometimes also venturing to the open ocean. The species can be identified by their long torpedo-like bodies, their large eyes,

Lesula

Published on 2012-09-13 12:00:00

Cercopithecus lomamiensis I love writing about newly discovered animals, and this one is so new that it was just introduced yesterday! Meet Cercopithecus lomamiensis, locally referred to as the Lesula. The Lesula avoided detection for so long because their native range is in very remote forests of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It was only noticed because a man found a young one on a hunting trip, and brought it back to his 13-year-old

Grizzled Giant Squirrel

Published on 2012-09-12 12:00:00

Ratufa macroura The Grizzled Giant Squirrel is a threatened species that is found in only a few spots of India and Sri Lanka. There are three different subspecies, and as a whole they are the smallest of the Indian Giant Squirrels. Grizzled Giant Squirrels are named for the white flecks of hair that cover their greyish-brown bodies, giving them a grizzled look. They also have very long tails that can constitute over half their total body length, and small round ears with tufts. Though there a [..]

King Eider

Published on 2012-09-11 12:00:00

Somateria spectabilis (male) Take a look at the male King Eider in its breeding plumage. What a gorgeous duck! Their blue, yellow, and green face, contrasted with the stark white chest and black body, makes for a truly spectacular looking bird. Of course, they don't look as brilliant all year-- outside of the June and July breeding season the colors dull significantly. And of course, like many other ducks, the females are significantly less dramatic looking-- their feathers are reddish brown, [..]

Common Chaffinch

Published on 2012-09-10 12:00:00

Fringilla coelebs (male) The Common Chaffinch is a bird with a very large distribution. They can be found throughout Europe, large patches of western Asia, and north Africa and the Middle East. They have also been introduced to Australia and New Zealand, and are occasionally found in southeast Asia and even in the United States. There are many different location-based subspecies. The males of the species are easy to identify-- they have white barred wings, a red chest,

Parictis

Published on 2012-09-09 12:00:00

Meet the Parictis

Two-toed Amphiuma

Published on 2012-09-08 12:00:00

Amphiuma means The Two-toed Amphiuma is actually one of the longest Salamanders in the world, and the

Knobbed Hornbill

Published on 2012-09-07 12:00:00

Aceros cassidix (male) The Knobbed Hornbill is a large Hornbill that is endemic to the lowland forests of Indonesia. They are primarily herbivores, and feed on fruits and berries. They also will snatch up the occasional insect. Knobbed Hornbills are

Butikaw

Published on 2012-09-06 12:00:00

Varanus bitatawa Today's animal goes by two different common names. The first is the titles of this post- Butikaw. This is the name given to the Lizard by the local residents. The second is Northern Seirra Madre Forest Monitor Lizard. Which is a bit of a mouthful. You can see why we'll be using the shorter name, right? The Butikaw is actually a relatively new species to science-- they were first described and catalgoed as a species only a few years ago. The Butikaw is quite

American Cheetah

Published on 2012-09-05 12:00:00

Miracinonyx trumani The American Cheetah is a cat surrounded in taxonomic controversy. Are they Cheetahs? Are they Pumas? Are they both? Unfortunately, the two species, M. inexpectatus

Vulturine Guineafowl

Published on 2012-09-04 12:00:00

Acryllium vulturinum Meet the Vulturine Guineafowl, the largest of all the Guineafowl species. These strange looking birds can be found in eastern Africa, where they inhabit dry grass and scrublands. Vulturine Guineafowl get their name, of course, from their Vulture-like appearance. While all Guineafowl have bare heads, this species lacks feathers all the way down the neck as well, giving it a very strong resemblance to the scavenging birds. This bird is also interesting because they much pre [..]

Driver Ants

Published on 2012-09-03 10:00:00

Dorylus sp. Today we're going to learn about a genus of Ant called Dorylus. Their are sometimes referred to as

Kouprey

Published on 2012-09-02 12:00:00

Bos sauveli (the only captive Kouprey) Meet the Kouprey, one of the rarest hoofed mammals still alive on our planet-- in fact, it may actually extinct. These large bovines are close relatives

Spotted Jelly

Published on 2012-09-01 12:00:00

Mastigias papua The Spotted Jelly is a neat little Jellyfish that hails from the shallow lagoons and bays of the Indian and Pacific Oceans (Theya re also sometimes referred to as Lagoon Jellyfish). They aren't especially, large, but aren't by any means tiny either. They can grow to lengths of around 1ft (30cm), with bell

Sinocalliopteryx

Published on 2012-08-31 12:00:00

Sinocalliopteryx gigas Sinocalliopteryx certainly has a mouthful of a name! It actually translates to "Chinese Beautiful Feather," as they had feathers, and their fossils were uncovered in the Yixian Formation in north east China. It is a relatively new species, in terms of discovery, and was only first described in 2007. Sinocalliopteryx lived around 130-125 million years ago, during the Early Cretaceous. They are the largest known members of their entire family, measuring nearly 8ft long. Th [..]

Greater Blue-ringed Octopus

Published on 2012-08-30 12:00:00

Hapalochlaena lunulata The Greater Blue-ringed Octopus

Ring Ouzel

Published on 2012-08-29 12:00:00

Turdus torquatus (male) The Ring Ouzel is a Thrush that

Confusing Toad

Published on 2012-08-28 12:00:00

Incilius perplexus Meet the Confusing Toad, which has certainly confused scientists when it comes to their classification! I've found three different possible genus names for this little guy, dating back to 1943, though it looks like the most recent classification (in 2008) has stuck. Incilius perplexus

Side-striped Jackal

Published on 2012-08-27 12:00:00

Canis adustus The Side-striped Jackal is one of three different Jackal species, all of which can be found on the continent of Africa. This particular brand lives not only in grasslands, but

Brown Falcon

Published on 2012-08-26 14:39:00

Falco berigora Meet the Brown Falcon, a

Cabezon

Published on 2012-08-25 12:00:00

Scopaenichthys marmoratus The Cabezon is a fish whose name means "Big Head," and their genus actually translates to "Scorpion Fish," though it is interesting to note that they are not actually true

Cebu Hawk Owl

Published on 2012-08-24 12:00:00

Ninox rumseyi We've been learning about many extinct animals lately, so I thought today we'd shift gears and talk about a species that is extant but was just discovered--

Asian Koel

Published on 2012-08-23 12:00:00

Eudymanys scolopaceus (male) The Asian Koel is a bird named for its call-- Koel

Archelon

Published on 2012-08-22 12:00:00

The Archelon type specimen I love covering extinct Turtles because they have such an interesting evolutionary history. Turtles have been around since the Triassic, dating back 220 million years. They've even had roughly the same body shape for the last 200 million of those years, with modifications being made to their teeth (losing them), their shells (going from soft to hard) and their size (varies completely!) Today's Turtle, Archelon,

Schomburgk's Deer

Published on 2012-08-21 12:00:00

Rucervus schomburgki The Schomburgk's Deer, named after British consul to Bangkok Richard H. Schomburgk, was first described in 1863. Less than 75 years later this graceful species was extinct. It appears that the Schomburgk's Deer was endemic to Thailand, based on sightings and information, though they may have also lived in

Ferret

Published on 2012-08-20 12:00:00

Ferrets Today's animal will probably be a familiar one, as they have become very popular pets in the last 30 or so years. But did

Shuvuuia

Published on 2012-08-19 12:00:00

Shuvuuia deserti Meet Shuvuuia, a small Cretaceous Dinosaur that was most likely covered in a coat of feathers! The type fossil of the species was found with many deteriorated structures surrounding it, structures that were similar to the central shafts of modern bird feathers. Further analysis showed that these

Poitou Donkey

Published on 2012-08-18 12:00:00

Poitou Donkey We've talked about several Horse breeds in the past, but today just might be the very first Donkey breed. And what an interesting breed it is! Like many equine breeds, the precise origin story of the Poitou Donkey is unknown. They date back at least a few

Ground Cuscus

Published on 2012-08-17 12:00:00

Phalanger gymnotis After a week of cold-blooded, carnivorous Sharks, I think we're due for

Crocodile Shark

Published on 2012-08-16 12:00:00

Pseudocarcharias kamoharai Our final Shark of the week is the Crocodile Shark, a small

Greenland Shark

Published on 2012-08-15 12:00:00

Somniosus microcephalus Today's Shark is one of my all time favorites-- they are

Cladoselache

Published on 2012-08-14 12:00:00

Cladoselache species Today's Shark is the largest one that we have talked about so far, and it is also the oldest. Cladoselache

Horn Shark

Published on 2012-08-13 12:00:00

Heterodontus francisci Today's Shark is a very interesting looking species-- it has a very blunt head, prominent ridges over its eyes, two tall dorsal fins with spines, and a sandy colored body covered in dark spots. It also happens to be on the smaller side, though not as small as yesterday's Shark. Horn

Dwarf Lanternshark

Published on 2012-08-12 12:00:00

Etmopterus perryi The 25th Annual Shark Week starts today, so obviously we need

Eastern Tiger Salamander

Published on 2012-08-11 12:00:00

Ambystoma tigrinum The Eastern Tiger Salamandar is the largest land-dwelling Salamander is all of North America, and it also has the distinction of being the most widespread. You'll find these guys just about everywhere on the continent except in the coldest northern reaches-- they live throughout the United States, Mexico, and in most of Canada. You can identify Eastern Tiger Salamanders by their

Pumpkinseed

Published on 2012-08-10 12:00:00

Lepomis gibbosus The Pumpkinseed is a species of small freshwater fish that belongs to the same genus as the Bluegill. They once had a range that spread only through eastern North America, but they can now be found all the way west to the Pacific Coast. Pumpkinseeds have also been introduced in

Bohaskaia monodontoides

Published on 2012-08-09 12:00:00

Bohaskaia monodontoides The animal that we're going to learn about today has been extinct for around 3 million years-- but it bears a very striking similarity to some of the creatures that are still swimming around in the Earth's oceans, and also gives scientists some insight into where those modern animals came from. Bohaskaia monodontoides

Dunlin

Published on 2012-08-08 12:00:00

Calidris alpina (breeding plumage) Meet the Dunlin, a small wading bird that can be found all over the Northern Hemisphere (depending on the time of year). Populations breed in the northern reaches of Europe, Asia, and North America, and migrate south as far as Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central America during the winter. The species is highly gregarious, especially in winter, and can be found in massive

Poli's Stellate Barnacle

Published on 2012-08-07 12:00:00

Chthamalus stellatus Did you know that Barnacles, those weird bumpy things that attach themselves to rocks, are not only animals, but they are Crustaceans just like Crabs and Lobsters? Let's learn about one species today! These Barnacles, named for Italian biologist Giuseppe Saverio Poli, can be found in

Swan Goose

Published on 2012-08-06 12:00:00

Anser cygnoides The Swan Goose is a very large Goose that breeds in China, Russia, and Mongolia, with some small populations also being found in

Bagheera kiplingi

Published on 2012-08-05 12:00:00

Bagheera kiplingi Today's animal is rather unusual-- it has an almost exclusively

Netherland Dwarf

Published on 2012-08-04 12:00:00

Netherland

Green Violetear

Published on 2012-08-03 12:00:00

Colibri thalassinus Violetears are Hummingbirds that belong to the Colibri

Trakehner

Published on 2012-08-02 12:00:00

Trakehner Horse I've been watching a lot of Olympics coverage lately, and this morning was the start of the team Dressage competition. Without writing an essay, Dressage is an Equestrian Sport where a horse and rider perform a series of moves within an arena. "Horse Ballet" is a term sometimes used, and it's not far off. The horses perform very practiced moves, and there is a huge amount of training involved in the discipline. The sport even dates back hundreds of years. Most horses involved i [..]

St. Lucia Racer

Published on 2012-08-01 12:00:00

Liophis ornatus Yesterday we talked about about a snake that is Critically Endangered, and considered "the rarest snake in the world". Today we'll learn about a snake that might be able to vie for that title-- it was considered extinct for nearly 75 years before being recently rediscovered. The St. Lucia Racer, another snake endemic to a Caribbean Island, was actually

Antiguan Racer

Published on 2012-07-31 12:00:00

Alsophis antiguae The Antiguan Racer is believed to be the rarest snake in the entire world. It is so rare, in fact, that in 1995 there were only 50 left! The Racers grow to lengths of around 1m, prefer to live in shady areas, and are completely harmless to humans. Unfortunately, humans were farm from harmless toward the Racer population, which dwindled due to human involvement and introduced predators. When colonists arrived on the island of Antigua, they

Aquatic Warbler

Published on 2012-07-30 12:00:00

Acrocephalus paludicola Today's animal is one of the most threatened Passerine birds in Europe, and is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN. The species was once widespread and numerous, found in wetland areas throughout the continent. At present, the Warblers are restricted to only a few dozen sites across six countries, and it is estimated that there are less than 12,000 males left. So why are

American Dipper

Published on 2012-07-29 12:00:00

Cinclus mexicanus I confess, when I hear the term "Songbird," I

Tailless Tenrec

Published on 2012-07-28 12:00:00

Tenrec ecaudatus Today's animal is native to Madagascar, and has been introduced to the Mascarene Islands. But happily, unlike some of the other critters we've talked about this week, the Tailless Tenrec is not on the verge of extinction! These interesting little mammals actually have a stable population, no major threats, and a wide range. So now that we've got conservation status out of the way, what on Earth is a Tenrec?! The answer is... interesting. Tenrecs are members of that weird Afric [..]

Wattle-necked Softshell Turtle

Published on 2012-07-27 12:00:00

Palea steindachneri Wow, this week is becoming an unofficial Mascarene Islands theme week, and sort of by accident too! I came across today's animal while browsing around a site that listed the reptiles and amphibians of Hawaii. I zeroed in on a Softshell Turtle, as they are very

Réunion Kestrel

Published on 2012-07-26 12:00:00

Falco duboisi A few days ago we learned about an entire genus of Tortoises that went extinct from the Mascarene Islands in early 19th century. Today's animal didn't make it that long-- the Réunion Kestrel was gone before 1700. It is a similar sad story, with the arrival of man prompting a fast decline... But the exact cause of the extinction is still a bit of a mystery. European colonization was in full swing by

Giant Water Bug

Published on 2012-07-25 12:00:00

Lethocerus sp. Today we'll be talking about an entire taxonomic family-- Belostomitidae. Insects within this group are more commonly referred to as Giant Water Bugs. There are around 160 different species, organized into nine different genera. The "Giant" name is certainly apt, as some members (especially those in the genus Lethocerus) can reach lengths of several inches. Even the smallest group members are a few centimeters in length. Giant Water Bugs can be found all over the world, and are [..]

Cylindraspis Tortoises

Published on 2012-07-24 12:00:00

Cylindraspis peltastes There were five different Tortoise species within the Cylindraspis

Calandra Lark

Published on 2012-07-23 12:00:00

Melanocorypha calandra Meet the Calandra Lark, a bulky member of the Lark family that can be found in different parts of Europe and Asia, depending on

Zubron

Published on 2012-07-22 12:00:00

Zubron Meet

Sind Sparrow

Published on 2012-07-21 12:00:00

Passer pyrrhonotus Sind Sparrows look very much like the House Sparrows that live throughout Europe and Asia, though they are a tad smaller, and are located only around India and Pakistan. It is easiest to tell the two species apart when looking at the males. Sind Sparrows have short black bibs on their throats. House Sparrows have the same bibs, but they are much larger. Females are much harder to tell apart, tricky birds! They do have different calls though, with the Sind Sparrows having high [..]

Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher

Published on 2012-07-20 12:00:00

Ceyx erithaca Today's animal is an absolutely stunning little bird, sporting bright yellow, red, and bluish-black plumage. Though we'll refer to them as the Oriental Dwarf Kingfishers, they are also sometimes called Black-backed Kingfishers, due to the darker colors that contrast with the bright feathers elsewhere. If you're looking for a Oriental Dwarf Kingfisher, you'll find them

Mountain Pygmy Possum

Published on 2012-07-19 12:00:00

Burramys parvus The Mountain Pygmy Possum is a tiny little Marsupial whose prehensile tail is actually longer than the rest of its body! They are only about the size of a mouse, measuring only a few inches in length, and weighing just 45g. They have dense dark fur on the top, with lighter undersides. Mountain Pygmy Possums are rare and critically endangered. They were

Yellow-spotted Millipede

Published on 2012-07-18 12:00:00

Harpaphe haydeniana Not all Millipedes are gigantic like the big, 15in long African Millipedes. Today's animal is one of those Myriapods on the smaller side of the scale-- it doesn't get much bigger than 2in long! The Yellow-spotted Millipede is found along the Pacific coast of North America. They are very

Brown-throated Sloth

Published on 2012-07-17 12:00:00

Bradypus variegatus There are four species of Three-toed Sloth in the world, and the Brown-throated Sloth is the most common of the bunch. They can be found in different forested areas of Central and South America, typically living at

Green Ibis

Published on 2012-07-16 12:00:00

Mesembrinibis cayennensis The Green Ibis is a short little wading bird that also happens to be the only member of its genus. It can be found in Central and South America, living in wetlands and swampy woodland areas. These birds are typically residents of an area, though some may make very small

Green Stink Bug

Published on 2012-07-15 12:00:00

Acrosternum hilare Today's animal is quite the stinker! Literally! The Green Stink Bug has a very large gland on the underside of its thorax. These glands

Chinese Mountain Cat

Published on 2012-07-14 12:00:00

Felis silvestris bieti The Chinese Mountain Cat is a very elusive feline. In fact, they are so hard to find that they were the very last cats to be discovered by science! Even then, most of what we knew was taken from skins, and it wasn't until 2007 that the first photograph was taken of one in the wild! They were once considered to be their own

Dwarf Crocodile

Published on 2012-07-13 12:00:00

Osteolaemus tetraspis Meet the smallest living Crocodile, the appropriately named Dwarf Crocodile! These guys top out at lengths of only 5ft, which is pretty

Eight-spotted Forester

Published on 2012-07-12 12:00:00

Meet the Eight-spotted Forester, a small moth found in the eastern United States and in parts of eastern Canada. As adults, they have dark black bodies and eight white or yellow spots across their wings, giving them their common name. Alypia octomaculata Larvae Location has everything to do with the lifespans and generations of the Eight-spotted Forester. Only one generation is produced each year in the north, with adults flying from April to June. Two generations are more common in the s [..]

Eastern Long-necked Turtle

Published on 2012-07-11 12:00:00

Chelodina longicollis It's easy to see where this animal gets its name-- the Eastern Long-necked Turtle has a neck that can be nearly as long as their carapace! These necks are so long that they aren't pulled directly back into the carapace. They bend in sideways. These Australian natives have flat carapaces that grow to around 8in in length and are colored in shades that range from black to brown to green. Their undersides (plastrons) are cream colored with very distinctive black lines. You [..]

Giant Golden-crowned Flying Fox

Published on 2012-07-10 12:00:00

Acerodon jubatus The Giant Golden-crowned Flying Fox (also known as the Golden-capped Fruit Bat) is one of the largest bat species in the entire world... but it is also one of the most threatened. These monstrous bats are found only on a handful of islands in the Philippines, and they are in grave danger due to poaching and deforestation. Giant Golden-crowned Flying Foxes (that is a mouthful!) are named for a patch of golden colored hair found on the tops of their heads. The rest of the body r [..]

Common Bronzewing

Published on 2012-07-09 12:00:00

Phaps chalcoptera The Common Bronzewing is a medium sized species of Pigeon that is found throughout Australia. They live in a wide range of

Plotosus Catfish

Published on 2012-07-08 12:00:00

Plotosus lineatus Today let's talk about the Plotosus

Gold Dust Day Gecko

Published on 2012-07-07 12:00:00

Phelsuma laticauda The Gold Dust Day Gecko is a smallish Gecko, named for the gold specks that develop on their backs and legs as they age. They also happen to be diurnal, giving them the second part of their common name. The species is native to Madagascar and the Comoros Islands, but they have also been introduced to far away Hawaii, and inhabit several of the islands in that chain. They live in trees and (now) near human establishments. The Geckos live solitary lifestyles, and males can be [..]

Blood Pheasant

Published on 2012-07-06 12:00:00

Ithaginis cruentus The Blood Pheasant has kind of a disturbing name, but it gets it from the red skin of its face and legs, and the red feathers on the chin, chest, and tail. They are small members of their family, and are the only species found within the genus Ithaginis, though there are a dozen recognized subspecies. Blood Pheasants are found in the countries surrounding the Himalayas-- China, India, Nepal, and Bhutan. They

Blue-and-yellow Macaw

Published on 2012-07-05 12:00:00

Ara ararauna The Blue-and-yellow Macaw is a very striking parrot found in the tropical forests of South America (though there are a few introduced populations in Florida as well). They are large members of their family, growing to lengths of nearly 3ft. These Macaws have some pretty amazing mouths. They are able to move both their upper and lower beaks (a feat that many bird species cannot physically accomplish) and they have an amazing range of strength and dexterity with them. They can crack [..]

Pygora Goat

Published on 2012-07-04 12:00:00

Pygora Doe New breeds of domesticated animal are being created created all the time, and today's animal is one that is relatively recent. The Pygora Goat has only had an official association since 1987, and has been in existence only a few years longer than that. That makes them quite young for a breed, especially when compared to the Angora goats that they are

Blyth's Hawk-Eagle

Published on 2012-07-03 12:00:00

Nisaetus alboniger The Blyth's Hawk-Eagle is a really funky looking bird of prey, with a tall black crest and a black and white spotted breast. They are considered small for Eagles, but are medium-sized when compared to all birds of prey, sporting body lengths

Cephalaspis

Published on 2012-07-02 12:00:00

Cephalaspis We've talked about Placoderms before on Animal A Day.

Snub-nosed Spiny Eel

Published on 2012-07-01 12:02:00

Notocanthus chemnitzii Today's critter, the Snub-nosed Spiny Eel is found in oceans all around the world... well, except for in tropical areas. They prefer colder waters, and are

Fearful Owl

Published on 2012-06-30 15:30:00

Nesasio solomonensis Say hello to the Fearful Owl, a very large owl that sports a dark face and very distinctive white eyebrows. They are very similar in appearance to the Whekau, or Laughing Owl. And if nothing is done about the downward trend they are on, they might just be extinct like the Whekau as well! The Fearful Owl is a tropical owl found in lowland forests of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. They

Greater Long-tailed Hamster

Published on 2012-06-29 12:00:00

Tscherskia triton Did you know that there are literally dozens of species of Hamsters, not just the ones that we keep as pets? Today's animal is one of the wild ones. It is considered to be a "Rat-like Hamster" and is actually considered to be quite the nuisance! Meet the Greater Long-tailed Hamster, a rodent species that is found in China, North and South Korea, and parts of eastern Russia. They live in open areas near water,

Milky Stork

Published on 2012-06-28 12:00:00

Mycteria cinerea Today's animal is the Milky Stork, a tall bird with a milky-white body and black flight feathers. They can be found in the marshes, mudflats, and mangroves in Indonesia, Cambodia, and Malaysia. They breed in large, multi-species colonies during the dry season, building nests that can be several feet in diameter. Milky Storks were

Chocolate Chip Sea Star

Published on 2012-06-27 12:00:00

Protoreaster nodosus It's no wonder how the Chocolate Chip Sea Star got its name. These tropical echinoderms have creamy, brownish bodies topped with dark brown tubercles all over the top, making them resemble the popular cookie! You can find Chocolate Chip Sea Stars in the shallow waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, hanging out in sandy beds and near coral reefs. Sea Stars have no eyes, so they must find they prey using their sense of smell. Chocolate Chips aren't picky about what they [..]

Western Jackdaw

Published on 2012-06-26 12:00:00

Corvus monedula Meet the Western Jackdaw. These mostly-black birds are the second smallest members of their genus, and are one of the littlest species in the entire Corvid family. Western Jackdaws can be found across Europe, as well as in North Africa and Central Asia. Most of the

Cookiecutter Shark

Published on 2012-06-25 12:00:00

Isistius brasiliensis Today's animal is no joke! Though they only grow to be about a foot and a half long, they can do some really amazing looking damage to much larger sea creatures!

Proailurus

Published on 2012-06-24 12:00:00

Proailurus lemanensis Meet Proailurus, a cat-like creature from the early Miocene that is shrouded in taxonomic mystery. Its fossils have been found in Europe

Lesser Electric Ray

Published on 2012-06-23 12:00:00

Narcine bancroftii The Lesser Electric Ray is a smaller species of ray that is found in the tropical and subtropical waters of the Atlantic Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Caribbean Sea. They are very slow,

Moon Wrasse

Published on 2012-06-22 12:00:00

Thalassoma lunare Today we're going to learn all about the beautifully colored Moon Wrasse, which gets its name from the crescent moon shaped pattern on its tail. They are also sometimes referred to as Lunar Wrasses and Cruscent Wrasses. In the wild, Moon Wrasses can be found in the tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. They prefer shallow, oxygen rich waters that are no deeper than about 60ft, and are most common in and around Coral Reefs. They are carnivorous, and feed on small i [..]

Island Fox

Published on 2012-06-21 12:00:00

Urocyon littoralis Meet the Island Fox, one of the smallest foxes in North America, and also

Ivory Gull

Published on 2012-06-20 12:00:00

Pagophila eburnea The Ivory Gull is a small to medium sized Gull that spends most of its time at the high Arctic latitudes. They migrate only very short distances (it is rare for them to enter temperate zones), and are usually found within close vicinity of pack ice. They are the only members of their genus, Pagophila. Ivory Gulls are appropriately colored for a snowy, winter-year-round environment. Their feathers are

Brown Leaf Chameleon

Published on 2012-06-19 12:00:00

Brookesia superciliaris The Brown Leaf Chameleon belongs to the same genus as some of the smallest reptiles in the entire world (B. micra

Broad-bodied Chaser

Published on 2012-06-18 12:00:00

The Broad-bodied Chaser is a very distinctive Dragonfly that is found in several

Coccosteus

Published on 2012-06-17 12:00:00

Coccosteus There are several different types of fish swimming around today. We have the Ray-finned Fish, The

Galapagos Penguin

Published on 2012-06-16 12:00:00

Spheniscus mendiculus Did you know that there is only one species of Penguin that lives north of the Equator? Today's animal is the very one! The Galapagos Penguin is endemic to its

Kentrosaurus

Published on 2012-06-15 12:00:00

Kentrosaurus aethiopicus Meet the Kentrosaurus, a member of the Stegosaurus family whose fossils have been

Malabar Tree Toad

Published on 2012-06-14 12:00:00

Pedostibes tuberculosus The Malabar Tree Toad is a very small, slender species that is found only in the forests around the Western Ghats in India. They are also referred to as the Warty Asian Tree Toad. If you couldn't guess from the name, these Toads live in the trees that are usually close to a body of water. They are found on the

Spotted Redshank

Published on 2012-06-13 12:00:00

Tringa erythropus The Spotted Redshank is quite the little

Golden-crested Mynah

Published on 2012-06-12 12:00:00

Ampeliceps coronatus The Golden-crested Mynah is a smallish Starling that can be

Protylopus

Published on 2012-06-11 12:00:00

Protylopus It's pretty amazing to think about the origins of some of the animals that we know so well. When you picture a camel, you probably envision a large, humped mammal with cloven, padded feet. But did you know that their earliest discovered ancestor was comparatively tiny, had no humps, and had four toes? Meet Protylopus, the oldest known camel. These guys lived during the Eocene, around 45-40 million years ago. They were absolutely diminutive by modern camel standards. They were

Galah

Published on 2012-06-10 11:19:00

Eolophus roseicapilla The Galah, or Rose-breasted Cockatoo, is a very wide-spread Cockatoo that cane be found throughout Australia. Their name is derived from the Yuwaalaraay word

Morgan Horse

Published on 2012-06-09 12:00:00

Morgan Colt The Morgan Horse is one of the earliest horse breeds developed in the United States, dating back to the late 18th century. They are small, strong horses that often toe the line between being of horse size (over 14.2 hands) and pony size (under 14.2 hands). They come in a wide variety of colors, though black, chestnut, and bay are the most common. The breed dates back to 1789, when a

Blue Whale

Published on 2012-06-08 12:00:00

Balaenoptera musculus Happy World Oceans Day everybody! And what animal could represent the oceans better than the largest one in them? Meet the astonishing Blue Whale, the biggest creatures to have ever lived! Blue Whales can reach

Delicate Mouse

Published on 2012-06-07 12:00:00

Mus tenellus Today's creature is one of those animals that not very much is written about. Maybe it is due to their small size? Maybe specific mouse species just aren't distinguishable enough from one another? Well, we're going to try and learn as much about the Delicate Mouse as possible anyway (though it may not be much). Because who couldn't be interested in a tiny creature with a name like that? The Delicate Mouse is one of many, many species found within the Mus

Tufted Puffin

Published on 2012-06-06 12:00:00

Fratercula cirrhata Meet the Tufted Puffin, a seabird from the Northern Pacific that is the largest of the Puffin species. These birds are best

Catahoula Leopard Dog

Published on 2012-06-05 12:00:00

Red Merle Catahoula Leopard Dog The Catahoula Leopard Dog (also known as the Catahoula Cur) is an American dog breed that has an ancestry dating back

Giant Pangasuis

Published on 2012-06-04 12:00:00

Pangasius sanitwongsei Meet the Giant Pangasuis, who certainly is one monster of a fish! These dwellers

Cape Lobster

Published on 2012-06-03 12:00:00

Homarinus capensis The Cape Lobster is a species of Crustacean that lives off the coast of South Africa. The main things to know about these guys is that they are incredibly elusive. From 1792 to 1992 only fourteen specimens were collected. In 1992 the discovery of one of these rare Lobsters prompted a surge in discovery, and another 20 or so have been identified since... though most have been as parts regurgitated by fish. Why are Cape Lobsters so hard to find? South Africa's waters have bee [..]

Variegated Fairywren

Published on 2012-06-02 12:00:00

Malurus lamberti (male and females) I just love the look of today's animal-- the Variegated Fairywren. Their name means "having streaks or patches of different colors," which is very true for the males. They sport black chests, bright chestnut patches on the shoulders, and brilliant blue heads. (Females are shades of grey). You can find the Variegated Fairywren (and most other Fairywrens) in Australia, where

Pleurosaurus

Published on 2012-06-01 12:00:00

Pleurosaurus A long, long time ago we talked about the Tuatara-- the last living reptiles that belong to an incredibly ancient Order that dates to the Mesozoic. Though only two species of Tuatara survive today, there were once several other different Sphenodontians roaming the planet, and today's animal is one of them. Meet Pleurosaurus, a very snake like reptile that lived an aquatic lifestyle in what are now the lakes of Western Europe. Pleurosaurus was a small little guy, measuring

Flammulated Owl

Published on 2012-05-31 12:00:00

Otus flammeolus The firs thing that came to mind when I saw this animal for the first time was, "wow... that's a tiny Owl!" And they certainly are! Flammulated Owls are really small members of their family. Their bodies are only about half a foot long, and their entire wingspan is around 14in. For a comparison, the Eurasian Eagle Owl (one of the largest Owls) can have a wingspan as large as 6ft! Aside from their small size, Flammulated Owls can be identified by their small ear tufts and colora [..]

Fruitadens

Published on 2012-05-30 12:00:00

Fruitadens haagarorum Allow me to introduce you to a tiny little Dinosaur named Fruitadens. They are the smallest discovered members of the entire Ornithischian (bird-hipped) Order. These tiny guys only measured 2ft in length, and weighed less than 2lbs! Fruitadens are not, in fact, named "Fruit Tooth." The moniker actually comes from

Brown Tree Snake

Published on 2012-05-29 12:00:00

Boiga irregularis Today's animal is the Brown Tree Snake, a reptile that would be nothing

Bharal

Published on 2012-05-28 12:08:00

Pseudois nayaur The Bharal is one of those animals that goes by many different common names. Nabo, Naur, and Himalayan Blue Sheep are all some of the different monikers given to the species. Why so many names? Well, the Bharal lives in Central and East Asia, so different countries with different languages refer to the animal in different ways. Bharal live in the

Six-spot Burnet Moth

Published on 2012-05-27 16:00:00

Zygaena filipendulae Today's animal is a small, colorful insect with a name that describes it pretty much to the tee. The six-spot Burnet Moth does in fact have six spots on each wing... though sometimes they get a bit merged together, which can result in some spot-count confusion. Six-spot Burnets live throughout Europe and are incredibly common on the continent. There are over 20 different

Mourning Dove

Published on 2012-05-26 12:00:00

If you live in North America, I'm sure you've met today's animal before. This is the Mourning Dove, or Turtledove, or Carolina Pigeon, or Rain Dove... It goes by a whole lot of names. These members of the Columbidae family are some of the most widespread and abundant birds in North America, boasting a range of over 11 million square miles! Mourning Doves spend a whole lot of time eating. They

Hazel Grouse

Published on 2012-05-25 12:00:00

Tetrastes bonasia (male) Meet the Hazel Grouse, a little bitty member of its family that can be found across the northern areas of both

Percheron

Published on 2012-05-24 12:00:00

Percheron Horses Ever since yesterday's Abyssinian Cat, I've been in a bit of a domesticated animal mood. So today let's learn about one of the most distinct draft horses out there, the Percheron. (And don't be shocked if you see another domesticated breed tomorrow...) The breed is best known for its grey coloration, and in France and Britain only grey and black horses are allowed to

Abyssinian Cat

Published on 2012-05-23 12:00:00

Abyssinian The Abyssinian Cat is yet another domesticated creature that has a slightly confusing back-story. The breed gets its moniker from Abyssinia, an old

Common House Mosquito

Published on 2012-05-22 12:00:00

Culex pipiens We learn about all sorts of creatures on Animal a Day. Sometimes they are majestic Leopards, sometimes they are beautiful Birds-of-Paradise.... and sometimes they are tiny little disease carriers that everyone hates. I'm

Berghia coerulescens

Published on 2012-05-21 12:00:00

Berghia

Red-rumped Swallow

Published on 2012-05-20 09:45:00

Cecropis daurica Today's animal is the Red-rumped Swallow, a bird that has a pretty wide distribution, and can be found across

Proganochelys

Published on 2012-05-19 12:00:00

Proganochelys quenstedti Poor Proganochelys. For over 100 years it was the oldest turtle species ever discovered. its fossils dated back 210 million years! ...And then Odontochelys was found in 2008 with fossils 10 millions years older... and ruined that "oldest" distinction. Ah well, such is science! I'm sure even Odontochelys will be dethroned at some point; we still have such much to learn about the Earth's past. Proganochelys fossils have been found in Germany and Thailand, and they show t [..]

Southern Tree Hyrax

Published on 2012-05-17 12:00:00

Dendrohyrax arboreus The Hyrax is such a weird little animal! There are four different species within three genera, all of which are found in Africa and the Middle East. They look like rodents, digest their food like ungulates, but are most closely related to Elephants and Manatees. So bizarre. As a side note to that-- the Superorder Afrotheria encompasses several genetically distinct animal species that all evolved on the African continent,

Horned Grebe

Published on 2012-05-16 12:00:00

Podiceps auritus

Bowfin

Published on 2012-05-15 12:00:00

Amia calva Today's animal is one of those really neat fish that harkens back to the Dinosaur days! They are the Bowfins, and they are the only surviving members of their entire Family, as well as their whole Order. The three other extinct Families within the Order date back between the Jurassic and the Eocene, with most of the fossils going back 100 million years! For whatever reason, the other neat ancient fish we've talked about are found in more exotic locations (or at least exotic to Ameri [..]

Red Admiral

Published on 2012-05-14 12:00:00

Vanessa atalanta Today's animal is one that is very close

Gray Whale

Published on 2012-05-13 12:00:00

Eschrichtius robustus As it is Mother's Day, we're going to learn about one really awesome mother from the Animal Kingdom-- the Gray Whale! Gray Whale breeding season takes place in November and December, and happens while the Whales are wintering in warmer waters near the Equator. Females gestate for a whopping 13.5 months and give birth to a single calf while in their wintering grounds the following year. Calves are born in safer waters off of Baja, Mexico that are free from predators, and t [..]

Helmeted Iguana

Published on 2012-05-12 10:34:00

Corytophanes cristatus The Helmeted Iguana is also sometimes referred to as the Forest Chameleon.

Altay Sheep

Published on 2012-05-11 12:00:00

Altay Sheep Ewe When we think of sheep, we often imagine domesticated animals that are kept and bred for their wool, not for their meat. Such is not the case for today's breed, which was developed in

Moustached Treeswift

Published on 2012-05-10 12:00:00

Hemiprocne mystacea Moustached Treeswifts are not actually true Swifts, but they are close relatives. There are actually just four species of Treeswift in the world, and they all belong to the same genus and live in Southeast Asia. Today's animal is another critter that I chose

Great Egret

Published on 2012-05-09 12:00:00

Ardea alba Are you ready to get confused?

Barnard's Lanternfish

Published on 2012-05-08 11:00:00

Symbolophorus barnardi Today's animal is one of those mysterious

Common Moorhen

Published on 2012-05-07 10:27:00

Gallinula chloropus Meet the Common Moorhen, a very distinctive looking bird that has black plumage, a bright red and yellow beak, and gigantic

Alpine Marmot

Published on 2012-05-06 11:00:00

Marmota marmota It's been a while since we last talked about a Marmot- those big old Ground Squirrels that tend to produce some hilarious photographs. Today's Marmot is the largest of the clan, which also makes it the largest of all the world's Squirrels as well! Alpine Marmots are found (where else?) in the European Alps. Though I

Green-headed Tanager

Published on 2012-05-05 11:00:00

Tangara seledon Happy Saturday everyone! I don't know about where you all are reading from, but here is it pretty dark and rainy, so a bright colored little bird is exactly what I need to liven things up! Meet the Green-headed Tanager... which has a misleading name. Though they

Spotted Wobbegong

Published on 2012-05-04 11:00:00

Orectolobus maculatus If you look hard enough you'll be able to tell that today's animal, the Spotted Wobbegong, is actually just a very strange looking shark. In fact, all members of it's order are pretty goofy in appearance, and are collectively known as Carpet Sharks due to their mottled coloring and bottom-dwelling natures. Spotted Wobbegongs in particular have a greenish/yellowish/brownish coloration, covered in small, lighter outlined circles. These colors help them to remain camouflaged [..]

West Caucasian Tur

Published on 2012-05-03 09:01:00

Capra caucasica The West Caucasian Tur might look very familiar to you, cause it

Florence Merriam Bailey

Published on 2012-05-02 08:57:00

Florence Merriam Bailey, 1904 Alas, the first Naturalist's Week has come to an end. I hope you had an enjoyable time learning about some of the people who helped to discover, innovate, and conserve the animals that we normally learn about on this site. I tried to pick some individuals who may be a bit lesser known and it was fun to go back to my roots (part of my background is in European History, so writing about people, places,

Aldo Leopold

Published on 2012-05-01 09:06:00

Aldo Leopold Today's Naturalist is a little more contemporary, at least when compared to those people who

Mary Anning

Published on 2012-04-30 10:26:00

Portrait of Mary Anning, c. 1842 So far all of our Naturalists have dealt with the living animals that they saw during their studies and travels. Today we'll mix that up a bit and learn all about a woman who made some pretty awesome contributions to Paleontology... some of which she did when she was only twelve years old! Mary Anning was born in Dorset, England in 1799. Her parents had ten children, but only Mary and her brother Joseph lived to adulthood (Mary herself was actually named after [..]

Georg Steller

Published on 2012-04-29 11:00:00

If you are a frequent reader of Animal a Day, you'll recognize today's featured naturalist. That is because, in the past, we've featured several of the different animals species that were named after him! Hmm... just doing a quick search we have: Steller's Eider Steller's Sea Cow Steller's Sea Eagle Steller's Sea Lion So if those animal names didn't give it away already, Georg Wilhelm Steller was a naturalist and explorer who that did his work while on Ocean Expeditions. No images of Stell [..]

Maria Sibylla Merian

Published on 2012-04-28 10:30:00

Portrait c. 1700 Today's featured person is one you may have never heard of- 17th century German illustrator Maria Sibylla Merian. She is known for the numerous paintings and engravings that she did of plants and insects, as

Pliny the Elder

Published on 2012-04-27 10:30:00

Let's kick off this theme week by going really, really old school. Our first naturalist is noted Roman scholar Pliny the Elder. And by Rome, I don't just mean the city, I mean the Empire! Pliny lived nearly 2,000 years ago! A 17th

Second Anniversary!

Published on 2012-04-27 09:00:00

Happy Birthday to Me! Well... blog me, not real me... though to confuse things today is my brother's actual birthday. Anyway. Today is the 2 year

Tritonia diomedea

Published on 2012-04-26 09:00:00

Tritonia diomedea My daily inspiration for

Discus Cichlids

Published on 2012-04-25 09:26:00

Symphysodon

Parabogidiella Shrimp

Published on 2012-04-24 09:00:00

Parabogidiella ?? I just love new species, don't you? And today's animal is so

Painted Stork

Published on 2012-04-23 10:22:00

Mycteria leucocephala The Painted Stork is a rightly colorful wading bird found in south and southeast Asia. They have bright yellow beaks, orange-ish heads, black and white banding across the body and wings, and bright pink tertial feathers. Males and females share that same bright coloration, though you can tell the sexes apart by the body and beak size (males tend to be larger). The coloration on the Painted Stork also becomes more dull when it is outside of the breeding season. Plumage pla [..]

Earth Day!

Published on 2012-04-22 10:36:00

Earth Day was started in 1970 by a Wisconsin senator named Gaylord Nelson who was interested in environmental issues after witnessing the

Giant Panda

Published on 2012-04-22 10:23:00

Captive Panda at the Smithsonian National Zoo Earth Day has arrived! And in celebration let's talk about the symbol of the World Wildlife Fund and one of the most iconic conservation poster animals out there- the Giant Panda. These large mammals are endemic to China Giant Pandas are some weird bears. And yes, they are

Turkey Vulture

Published on 2012-04-21 08:21:00

Cathartes aura Happy Earth Day Weekend Everybody! I'll be putting together a

Giant Golden Mole

Published on 2012-04-20 11:30:00

Chrysospalax trevelyani Oh Classification, you can be so confusing, and so contentious! Moles. Burrowing, insectivorous animals that have tiny or no eyes and giant claws. You'd think they'd all be closely related, right? Nope. There are actually True Moles, Marsupial Moles, and Golden Moles. They all belong to completely different orders and are examples of what convergent evolution can do! Today's animal, the Giant Golden Mole is (unsurprisingly) one of the Golden Moles. This group of 21 spec [..]

White-headed Buffalo Weaver

Published on 2012-04-19 09:00:00

Dinemellia dinemelli Let's start out today by breaking down the common name of today's animal, since that will tell us quite a bit about them! White-headed : Self explainitory. They have white feathers on their heads and on their chests, orange coloration on the underside, and dark wings. They also have strong black beaks that are used for cracking seeds. Buffalo : They live in very close proximity to African Water Buffalo, and feed on seeds knocked away by the Buffalo, as well as on the inse [..]

Waterfall Climbing Cave Fish

Published on 2012-04-18 09:30:00

Cryptotora thamicola Today's animal is one of those strange, mysterious cave dwellers that is rarely seen by human eyes. Its common name is the Waterfall Climbing Cave Fish, and it does exactly what its name describes! These fish have fins that allow them to climb, and have been founding moving up ledges near small underground waterfalls! The species has only been found in eight subterranean sites within Thailand's Pang Mapha karst formation. It is believed that they only live within that form [..]

Degu

Published on 2012-04-17 09:29:00

Octodon degus For the last decade or so I've kept Degus, but that came to an end this weekend when my last girl passed away. For some reason I hadn't written about these neat little rodents before, so now seems like the fitting time to do it. When people heard about my ownership of these animals, their first response was always "What the heck is a Degu?" And I don't really blame them. Before I stumbled upon the

Sahamalaza Sportive Lemur

Published on 2012-04-16 08:19:00

Lepilemur sahamalazensis It amazes me sometimes that we are still only just discovering new species. And not just tiny little frogs and insects, but 2ft long Primates as well! Today animal, the Sahamalaza Sportive Lemur, was described for the first time in 2006! And it wasn't the only Lemur recently uncovered in the forests of Madagascar, it was actually one of fifteen! The name of today's animal comes from the Sahamalaza Peninsula, the location in northwestern Madagascar where they live. Scie [..]

Mohua

Published on 2012-04-15 09:15:00

Mohoua ochrocephala The Mohua, also known at the Yellowhead, is a small endangered bird that is endemic to the South Island of New Zealand. Mohua is also similar to the

Some Delightful Changes...

Published on 2012-04-14 12:37:00

Did you know that the

Leopard Lacewing

Published on 2012-04-14 09:32:00

Cethosia cyane (Male, Top) It's not too hard to figure out why the Leopard Lacewing has its name. The males of the species sport colorful orange wings with spotted patterns and a lace-like border around the edges. While the topside is

Leopard Tortoise

Published on 2012-04-13 10:00:00

Stigmochelys pardalis The Leopard Tortoise, sometimes also referred to as the African Leopard Tortoise is a large, colorful species of reptile that can be found throughout the grassland and semi-arid regions of the African continent. They also happen to be popular in the pet industry. What blows my mind about keeping these guys as pets is that they can grow to be over 2ft long! One typically thinks of pet reptiles as living in small little terrariums, but not these Tortoises! They are actually [..]

Swallow-tailed Gull

Published on 2012-04-12 10:00:00

Creagrus furcatus Where I live we have heaps of Seagulls, Canadian Geese, and Pigeons. They're everywhere to the point that most people don't consider them to be

Hoatzin

Published on 2012-04-11 09:17:00

Opisthocomus hoazin Meet the Hoatzin, a bird that can be found near bodies of water throughout northern South America. Hoatzins are... well... kind of weird. Mostly because of what they look like as chicks. Oh, and the fact that they are so

White-Faced Saki

Published on 2012-04-10 15:51:00

Pithecia pithecia (male) The White-Faced Saki is one of the handful of Saki money species. They are all New World Monkeys, meaning that they live in the Americas. Today's

Namaqua Dove

Published on 2012-04-09 11:36:00

Oena capensis (male) The Namaqua Dove is a small member of the pigeon family that can be found in Sub-Saharan Africa and also on the Arabian Peninsula. Both males and females sport one of those long tails, but only the males have the black face with its red and

New Flickr

Published on 2012-04-08 11:05:00

I've got an all new Flickr page

Bateleur

Published on 2012-04-08 09:50:00

Terathopius ecaudatus The Bateleur is a medium-sized Eagle that can be found throughout the open Savannas of Sub-Saharan Africa. Its name actually comes from a French term for a tightrope walker or acrobat. It is a pretty accurate name when

White Crested Laughing Thrush

Published on 2012-04-07 11:18:00

Yesterday, on yet another jaunt to the zoo (memberships are the best!)

Gray Tree Frog

Published on 2012-04-06 09:00:00

Hyla versicolor Though the common name identifies this species as the Gray Tree Frog, the scientific name is a bit more accurate. Hyla versicolor

Prognathodon

Published on 2012-04-05 10:00:00

Prognathodon waiparensis Prognathodon is a genus of nine extinct lizard species. This genus resides in the Mosasaur family and they lived during the late Cretaceous, ultimately going extinct around 65 million years ago. Prognathodons lived in oceans around the world, and their fossils have been found in Europe, North America, Africa, and New Zealand. They were absolutely gigantic ocean predators, with some measuring as large as 30ft! We know that Prognathodons lived in

Dorcas Gazelle

Published on 2012-04-04 09:00:00

Gazella dorcas The Dorcas Gazalle is a small, desert dwelling species of antelope that can be found in North Africa and the Middle East. There are about half a dozen located-based subspecies, including the Moroccan Dorcas Gazelle and the Israeli Isabella's Gazelle. Dorcas Gazelles thrive in the desert

Priscacara

Published on 2012-04-03 09:00:00

Priscacara liops Priscacara is the name of a now extinct genus of fish that was once abundant over 50 million years ago. Three

Steller's Eider

Published on 2012-04-02 09:00:00

Male Polysticta stelleri Hey look! Another Steller's animal! I think we're almost through all of them... Sea Cow, Sea Eagle, Sea Lion... and now an Eider. Eiders are Sea Ducks, and there are four different species (Steller's Eider actually belongs to a

Tasmanian Mock Walrus

Published on 2012-04-01 14:10:00

Why not spend April Fools learning about an animal that doesn't even exist? Meet the Tasmanian Mock Walrus, a hoax animal that caused quite a bit of confusion way back on Aprils Fools Days, 1984. As a joke, the Orlando

Swordfish

Published on 2012-03-31 09:00:00

Xiphias gladius The three most interesting things that I learned while reading about Swordfish are that 1) they are the only living

Helicoplacus

Published on 2012-03-30 09:00:00

Helicoplacus Today's animal might just be the oldest creature I've ever talked about. It lived in the early Cambrian period around

West Indian Manatee

Published on 2012-03-29 09:30:00

Trichechus manatus As I write this there are four living Sirenian species in the world. Three are Manatees, and one is the Dugong. The order gets its name from the Sirens of Greek myth, and there are legends of sailors mistaking this giant aquatic mammals for mermaids! The West Indian Manatee is one of the three living Manatees, with the African and the Amazonian being the other two. Though they live exclusively in the water like Whales do, they aren't closely related at all. Their nearest liv [..]

Amazonian Giant Centipede

Published on 2012-03-28 09:00:00

Scolopendra gigantea It may not be obvious from the picture, but today's animal is an absolutely massive Centipede. It can grow to be a foot long! Amazonian Giant Centipedes can be found in locations outside the Amazon- they live throughout northern South America, as well as on several different Caribbean Islands. These Centipedes have around 23 different red body segments, each with a pair of yellow-ish legs. They use all those legs to move about quickly, but also to hold on to their prey. A [..]

Lake Erie Water Snake

Published on 2012-03-27 09:00:00

Nerodia sipedon insularum The Lake Erie Water Snake is actually a subspecies of the very common Northern Water Snake. While the species as a whole is found across the northern

Aguascalientia Camels

Published on 2012-03-26 11:26:00

Aguascalientia Jawbone Today we're

Wood Duck

Published on 2012-03-25 09:18:00

Aix sponsa Wood Ducks are known as one of the prettiest of all the ducks, and in in my opinion is takes the top prize out of the North American species. They are found

Walking Catfish

Published on 2012-03-24 09:00:00

Clarias batrachus Today we're going to be learning about yet another animal that has entered the pet trade... but with some damaging results. Walking Catfish in their native environment aren't all that bad. They hail from Southeast Asia, and live in a variety of freshwater habitats. They can even be found in waters that other fish will not tolerate well, like canals, flooded areas, and even in brackish zones. The common name of this species come from the fact that they can "walk" across land. [..]

Flemish Giant

Published on 2012-03-23 09:30:00

Flemish Giant It was pointed out to me that this week has been a bit of an unofficial theme week- the last couple days have featured animals that are popular within the pet industry! Well, why not keep this

Neon Tetra

Published on 2012-03-22 09:00:00

Paracheirodon innesi Like yesterday's animal, the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, today's creature is also popular within the pet industry. In fact, the Neon Tetra is one of the most commonly kept tropical fish out there. In the wild, these little guys can be found in tropical freshwater rivers of Brazil, Colombia, and Peru. They are found in clear and blackwater areas, but not in whitewater, and are found in groups due to

Sulphur-crested Cockatoo

Published on 2012-03-21 09:00:00

Cacatua galerita You may recognize today's animal, the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, from their popularity in the pet industry and from their iconic looks. In the wild they hail from Australia and New Guinea, and in some places they are so numerous that they are actually considered pests! When you think of a Cockatoo, you probably envision this species- snowy white body, large yellow crest on the head, loud

Wandering Violin Mantis

Published on 2012-03-20 09:30:00

Gongylus gongylodes Today's animal is yet another one of the many suggestions that have been pouring in lately. Thanks everyone! Meet the Wandering Violin Mantis, also known as the Indian Rose Mantis and the Ornate Mantis. You can see where the "Ornate" name comes from. These Mantises sport very slender bodies, but huge

Crabeater Seal

Published on 2012-03-19 12:36:00

Lobodon carcinophagus The Crabeater Seal is an incredibly abundant species that can be found throughout the Antarctic waters. It is estimated that there are literally millions, if not tens of millions of these guys swimming around, which is a huge contrast to some of the other Seals we've talked about that are on the brink of extinction. What makes Crabeater Seals so successful? Well, they have incredibly specialized teeth that allow them to strain out Krill and other small critters. (Interest [..]

Pileated Woodpecker

Published on 2012-03-18 10:02:00

Dryocopus pileatus The Pileated

Amazon River Dolphin

Published on 2012-03-13 09:00:00

The Amazon River Dolphin is one of the four (possibly five) species of freshwater Dolphin found in the world. They live in the Amazon basin and go by a handful of other names, including Boto and Boutu. Inia geoffrensis "Pink Dolphin" is yet another name for the species, due to the coloration that many of the individuals exhibit. The precise cause of the pinkness is not known, but Dolphins in murkier water tend to be more pink than those in clearer areas. Some are even as bright as flamingos! [..]

Humboldt Penguin

Published on 2012-03-12 09:30:00

Humboldt Penguin at the Milwaukee County Zoo The Humboldt Penguin shares its namesake with a Squid, a Skunk, a Dolphin, several plants, a handful of geological features, a few cities and counties, and more parks than I can even quantify (I have actually lived within in mile or so of two Humboldt Parks in two different states... weird). The Mr. Humboldt in question is Alexander von Humboldt, a late 18th-early19th century German naturalist and explorer who traveled extensively throughout South a [..]

Common Brushtail Possum

Published on 2012-03-11 09:26:00

Trichosurus vulpecula The Common Brushtail Possum is a species of Marsupial found in Australia. As the name probably suggests, they are a common animal, and have the largest range and most abundant population of any Australian Marsupial. The Brushtails do in fact have very bushy tails, though the underside had a naked patch. This is because the Possum's tail is prehensile, and that patch allows them to grip things better. They feed on a variety of plants, including fruits and Eucalyptus, and h [..]

American Kestrel

Published on 2012-03-10 09:00:00

Falco sparverius The American Kestrel (another suggestion from a reader, yay!) is the smallest Falcon in North America. For a comparison to other Birds of Prey, their maximum body length is around half that of a Red-Tailed Hawk, and less than 1/3 the length of a Bald Eagle. Unfortunately, their small size means that they can become prey for these larger cousins, as well for other large birds like Crows and Ravens. American Kestrels live in both North and South America. Some populations live ye [..]

Lilac-breasted Roller

Published on 2012-03-09 10:00:00

Coracias caudatus Today's animal was recommended to me on the Suggestions page, and I'm so glad it was! What a beautiful bird! (Hint: I love getting suggestions!) Lilac-breasted Rollers belong to the same genus as the Blue-bellied Rollers that we learned about last month. They also share a very similar range, spanning across sub-Saharan Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula. They inhabit open woodlands, grasslands, and acacia country, and are typically a sedentary species. All Rollers are [..]

Pinterest

Published on 2012-03-08 10:57:00

Hey friends! I've hopped on the Pinterest Bandwagon... though I've actually been on it for ages with a personal account... Anyway, Check out the Animal A Day Pinterest boards. I'll be adding lots of cool animal pictures and videos- from the super cute, to the really weird, and the totally awesome. http://pinterest.com/animaladay/

Haikouichthys

Published on 2012-03-08 09:00:00

Haikouichthys Haikouichthys is quite a mouthful to say for such a tiny creature. (High-Koo-ICK-Thisss!) These prehistoric swimmers measured only about an inch long, and lived way back in the Early Cambrian around 530 million years ago! Haikouichthys is one of the many, many animals that evolved during the Cambrian. This period, which lasted from 542-488 million years ago, saw rapid and diverse evolution and population growth. What makes this particular animal so interesting is that it could be [..]

Thalassomedon

Published on 2012-03-07 09:30:00

Thalassomedon hanningtoni Thalassomedon is one crazy looking sea reptile! These members of the Plesiosaur order lived 95 million years ago and have necks that make up half of their overall body length and contain 62 vertebrae! Thalassomdeon means "Sea Lord," and while they weren't the most frightening creature of the late Cretaceous (I'm looking at you Mosasaur) they certainly looked to be great ambush hunters. The eyes of the Thalassomedon were very large and were located on the tops of thei [..]

African Wildcat

Published on 2012-03-06 09:00:00

Felis silvestris lybica Most people understand that dogs were domesticated from Grey Wolves, but the ancestry of the domestic cat isn't as widely known. Enter the African Wildcat, a Wildcat subspecies that is responsible for all of the housecats we have today! There are several different Wildcats around the world, spanning across Europe, Asia, and Africa. Though they are all genetically similar, and they all look a heck of a lot like domesticated cats, it is one particular African subspecies ( [..]

Gaboon Viper

Published on 2012-03-05 09:32:00

Bitis gabonica The Gaboon Viper of Sub-Saharan Africa has a couple of important distinctions. Is has the highest venom yield among its family members, the longest fangs (up to 2in!), and the largest weight. Gaboon Vipers hunt at night in forested areas. Their scale patterning makes for excellent camouflage among the leaves. They hunt small mammals, birds, and amphibians by waiting quietly and then ambushing with their deadly fangs and venom. Female Gaboon Vipers only breed once every 2-3 year [..]

Pygmy Hog

Published on 2012-03-04 08:40:00

Porcula salvania Meet the Pygmy Hog, a tiny little pig found only in Assam, India. They are the smallest members of the pig family. Pygmy Hogs are now a critically endangered species, and it is estimated that there are only 150 left in the wild. Pygmy Hogs have had a confusing taxonomic history. They were first described back in 1847, and were placed into a brand new genus. But then it was decided that they were actually closely related to the European Wild Boars, and were moved into the genus [..]

Golden Parakeet

Published on 2012-03-03 08:00:00

Guaruba guarouba The Golden Parakeet is a gorgeous yellow Parrot with dark green flight feathers. These vibrant birds are endemic to Brazil, and live in only a handful of regions. There is little definitively information about the wild Golden Parakeets, as they are rare and have only recently been the subject of scientific study. We do know that fruits, seeds, and nuts make up most of their diets. They also seem to live in small flocks, and breed during the December-April wet season. Nests are [..]

Odontochelys

Published on 2012-03-02 11:00:00

Odontochelys semitestacea Odontochelys is an extinct animal that was only just recently discovered (2008). It is pretty darn remarkable find, and represents the earliest Turtle that we know about.. it dates back to the Early Triassic over 220 million years ago! Odontochelys is a transitional reptile. It shares many characteristics with modern turtles, but also demonstrates traits found in earlier reptiles. It has a plastron, which is the under part of a turtle's shell, but it has no carapace! [..]

Dingo

Published on 2012-03-01 10:00:00

Dingoes Today is the 5th birthday of my parents' dog. Not bad for a little guy who almost died of an auto-immune disorder a few years ago. Did you know dogs can have blood transfusions? Well, you do now! Anyway, we have no idea what that dog is. He's medium sized and orange with a weird husky-like tail. We've just always called him a Dingo. So today, for his birthday, we're going to learn about the actual Dingoes of Australia. The subspecies Canis lupus dingo actually refers to more than just [..]

African Bullfrog

Published on 2012-02-29 09:00:00

Pyxicephalus adspersus Happy Leap Day! To celebrate, let's learn about one of my favorite "leapers," the monstrous and voracious African Bullfrog! These frogs are some of the largest in the world, with some males weighing up to 4.5lbs! Males are larger than females, a trait that is not especially common among frogs (females are often larger). Regardless of sex, African Bullfrogs have broad bodies, short snouts, and a dull green coloration. They also have teeth in their lower jaw! African Bull [..]

Elephant Shark

Published on 2012-02-28 09:30:00

Callorhinchus milii The Elephant Shark goes by many, many names. Ghost Shark, Whitefish, Elephant Fish, and Silver Trumpeter are all names given to Callorhinchus milii, a cartilaginous fish that is a member of the Chimaera subclass. Despite the name they are not Sharks. Sharks, Skates, and Rays are their distant cousins, and they share an overall Class. Elephant Sharks cane be found in the continental shelf waters off of Australia and New Zealand. They don't tend to go much deeper than 200m, a [..]

Least Weasel

Published on 2012-02-27 09:40:00

Mustela nivalis The Least Weasel has a very appropriate name- they are the smallest member of the entire Carnivora order! Though their size is small, their home range is not. These little Mustelids live in Europe, North America, North Africa, and Asia. They have also been introduced to several other locations as well. Least Weasels feed on other small mammals, and on rare occasion also hunt birds and amphibians. While their prey is usually smaller, like a mouse or gerbil, they have been known [..]

Yellow-billed Kingfisher

Published on 2012-02-26 11:13:00

Syma torotoro Yellow-billed Kingfishers are medium-sized members of their family, and have a very distinctive yellow coloration that gives them their name. Their heads and bills are a very bright yellow, while the rest of their bodies are blue (on the backs) and white (on the undersides). Yellow-bellied Kingfishers live in New Guinea and in the northern, rainforested areas of Australia. They are solitary and live on the lower trees and mangroves. Despite the name, Yellow-bellied Kingfishers d [..]

Brookesia micra

Published on 2012-02-25 09:00:00

Juvenile Brookesia micra While we're on the topic of animals in the news, lets discuss the discovery of the world's smallest chameleon. Scientists recently identified four new members of the Brookesia genus in Madagascar. They were all first spotted between 2003 and 2007. All of them are very small, but B. micra takes the cake. As adults, these mini Chameleons measure only an inch from snout to tail. And as you can see from that picture, the juveniles are much smaller than that! Brookesia mic [..]

Shepherd's Beaked Whale

Published on 2012-02-24 09:00:00

Tasmacetus shepherdi The Cetacean World is all abuzz this week! The Shepherd's Beaked Whale, a very rare and elusive species, has just been photographed alive for the first time ever. This is all thanks to the Australian Antarctic Division research team, who stumbled across some of the surfacing whales while hunting for their much larger, Blue Whale cousins. This species lives in deep waters near New Zealand and Australia; their distance from shore is one of the reasons that they are so rarely [..]

Australian Sea Lion

Published on 2012-02-23 09:00:00

Neophoca cinerea The Australian Sea Lion is a sedentary Pinniped found off of the southern and western coasts of Australia. They breed on beaches and offshore islands, and rarely stray far from the area in which they were born. Australian Sea Lions are the only species within their genus, and they are also one of the most endangered Pinnipeds in the world. Back in the 18th century, when Australia was first colonized by Europeans, the Sea Lions were hunted extensively for their hides and oil. T [..]

Redwing

Published on 2012-02-22 09:30:00

Turdus iliacus The Redwing is a member of the Thrush family that can be found living in various parts of Europe and Asia during the year. They are a migratory species, spending their summers in northern areas like Scotland, Scandinavia, and Iceland, and their winters in Southern and Central Europe, Northern Africa, and Central Asia. Some populations have even made their way to Greenland and North America. The Redwing is rather obviously named for its reddish-brown wings and sides. The rest of [..]

Bailey's Snake

Published on 2012-02-21 09:30:00

Thermophis baileyi Yesterday we learned about a Monkey that lives at a higher altitude than just about any other primate species. Today we'll talk about a snake that has that same distinction within its own family (what can I say, I got really inspired by an episode of Nature.) Bailey's Snake is a species that is only found around the Chutsen Chugang Hot Spring in Tibet, though they may also be present by a few other nearby springs. The altitude of this area is around 14,300ft (4350m). They li [..]

Golden Snub-nosed Monkey

Published on 2012-02-20 09:22:00

Rhinopithecus roxellana The Golden Snub-nosed Monkey is found only in a small, temperate, mountainous section of central China. They live at altitudes as high as 10,800ft, and can withstand cold temperatures better than just about any other primate species. Their snub-nose is actually a trait to help them deal with the cold; a longer nose would be more susceptible to frostbite! Golden Snub-nosed Monkeys spend a majority of their time up in the trees. Their diet consists primarily of Lichens, b [..]

Lesser Antillean Iguana

Published on 2012-02-19 09:08:00

Iguana delicatissima Meet the Lesser Antillean Iguana, one of the two members of the Iguana genus, and a resident of the Carribbean Lesser Antilles Islands. Males of the species have a very interesting anatomical trait- they change color when it comes time to breed! They are typically more green in color, but when the time comes to mate their bodies goes gray, their jaws go pink, and the tops of their heads turn blue! During the breeding season the dominant males will defends territories that [..]

Red-crowned Crane

Published on 2012-02-18 09:00:00

Grus japonensis The Red-crowned Crane is a large species of bird that can be found in the rivers and marshes of East Asia. They are the heaviest of the Crane species, and are also the most aquatic; they live, breed, nest, and feed there. The Crane's diet consists of fish, insects, amphibians, and a wide variety of reeds and aquatic grasses. Red-crowned Cranes are also sometimes referred to as Japanese or Manchurian Cranes. They are symbols of peace, long life, and fidelity in their native coun [..]

Pekingese

Published on 2012-02-17 09:30:00

Malachy the Pekingese The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show took place earlier this week, and they crowned a tiny ball of fur named Malachy as the Best in Show. The toy breed, known as a Pekingese, is one of the oldest breeds of dog out there! (And no, they don't always have fur that crazy!) The Pekingese originated in China some 2,000 years ago, and their name derives from the former name of Beijing, Peking. Their flat face gives them a strong resemblance to the Guardian Lions, and they are co [..]

Cobb's Wren

Published on 2012-02-16 09:00:00

Troglodytes cobbi The Cobb's Wren is a small, mousy brown bird endemic to the Falkland Islands. They tend to live near shorelines and feed on the invertebrates that live among the beach grasses and kelp. Their coloration and ground-dwelling nature makes them hard to spot, but they love to sing. You will most likely hear them before you see them. Cobb's Wrens are one of the many, many species of island bird that is suffering from the introduction of non-native species. These little Wrens adapte [..]

Ornithomimus

Published on 2012-02-15 09:50:00

Ornithomimus Ornithomimus means "bird mimic," and what an appropriate name that is! This genus of Cretaceous Dinosaur had long slender legs, a log neck, and a toothless beak. Think of it as an ancient Ostrich- they had similar omnivorous diets, similar body-types, and could even run at comparable speeds. They may have also been covered with feathers, but the evidence doesn't prove anything 100%. The fist Ornithomimus fossils were uncovered in Colorado back in 1889. Who found them? Why none oth [..]

Pudu

Published on 2012-02-14 09:30:00

Pudu puda There are two species of Pudu in the world, the Northern and the Southern. Both are found in South America, appropriately hanging out int he northern and southern stretches of the Andes, respectively. They also (in my opinion) have some of the cutest babies in the entire animal kingdom. Just watch the video if you don't believe me. The Northern Pudu is the smallest species of deer in the entire world, and the Southern is only a hair bit larger. They have stocky bodies and skinny litt [..]

Volcano Rabbit

Published on 2012-02-13 11:01:00

Romerolagus diazi The Volcano Rabbit is the second smallest Rabbit in the entire world (after the very appropriately named Pygmy Rabbit). They have short ears, short legs, and a coat that allows them to easily blend in with the soil in their home range. They live in a very, very small range in Mexico and are currently listed as Endangered. Surprise surprise, Volcano Rabbits live on the slopes of Volcanos! The Pelado, Iztaccíhuatl, Tlaloc, and Popocatepetl volcano slopes are where they make th [..]

Stingless Bee

Published on 2012-02-12 10:55:00

Trigona carbonaria Did you know that there are Stingless Bees out there? How awesome! Bee stings stink! ...Though the name is a little bit misleading, as these 500 or so species are not the only bees out there with reduced stingers. Stingless Bees can be found in Tropical and Subtropical regions around the world, like in Australia, Africa, and Southeast Asia. They belong to the Tribe Meliponini, and are active year round due to their warm environment. Stingless bees actually do have stingers, [..]

Stoneflies

Published on 2012-02-11 08:00:00

There are over 3,500 species within the Plecoptera order, and these insects are commonly referred to as Stoneflies. They can be found on every single continent except for Antarctica. They are poor fliers as adults, which means the individual species tend to remain in small, specific areas. This is one of the reasons why there are so many distinct species. Chloroperlidae Enderlein Stoneflies are awesome because they are a very primitive order. Fossils of their close relatives have been date [..]

Imperial Shag

Published on 2012-02-10 09:30:00

Phalacrocorax atriceps The Imperial Shag goes by many names, including the Blue Eyed Shag and the Blue Eyed Cormorant. They live in the southern reaches of the planet, hunting and breeding as far away as Antarctica. As with all Cormorants, the Imperial Shag dives for its food. They have very little body fat and heavy bones. This allows them to be less buoyant and to swim underwater easier. The Shags posses a large volume of blood, and that extra oxygen lets them stay underwater for up to 4 min [..]

Green and Gold Tanager

Published on 2012-02-09 09:00:00

Tangara schrankii Another day, another pretty bird. Today's feathered friend is one of the 49 species found within the Tanager genus, Tangara. Meet the appropriately named Green and Gold Tanager! While it would be appropriate for these guys to live up near Lambeau Field (horrible football reference, I'm sorry), they are actually found in the tropical and subtropical forests and swamps of the Amazon Basin. Green and Gold Tanagers are omnivores that forage up in the trees for fruits, nuts, seed [..]

Yellow Tang

Published on 2012-02-08 10:00:00

Zebrasoma flavescens I remember going to pet stores as a child and always admiring the huge display tanks of saltwater fish. And one particular fish always stood out- the Yellow Tang. How could it not? Its large(ish) size, its bright, almost neon coloring. It's quite the beauty! Yellow Tangs are native to the shallow, coastal reefs of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. They don't swim much deeper than 46m, and the larger fish tend to stay in the shallowest waters. Hawaii is a particular hotspot fo [..]

Sultan Chicken

Published on 2011-07-05 10:25:00

Female Sultan Chicken I've had chickens on the brain lately thanks to a new ordinance in town that's allowing backyard coops (and I've been interesting in keeping some of these guys for a while). So in the course of my readings I've come a

Bald Eagle

Published on 2011-07-04 09:59:00

Haliaeetus leucocephalus Well, it's the Fourth of July, so why not talk about the national bird of the United States? The Bald Eagle is a large fish eagle that can be found throughout North America. They typically live near lakes, rivers, and oceans

Asiatic Lion

Published on 2011-07-03 11:18:00

Panthera leo persica The Asiatic Lion is a subspecies of Lion that is found in the wild in only one location on earth. There are some individuals in captivity, but the wild population is found exclusively within the confines of India's Gir Forest.

Moa-nalo

Published on 2011-07-02 11:17:00

Chelychelynechen quassus Moa-nalo refers to four species found within three different genera. All of whom were once found on the Hawaiian, all are now extinct, and all were gigantic ducks. Moa-nalo (that is both the singular and plural form) could s

Black Caiman

Published on 2011-07-01 08:40:00

Melanosuchus niger The Black Caiman, named for its dark coloration, is the largest of all the Alligator species. Individuals as large as 19ft (6m) have been measured! These massive reptiles can be found stalking freshwater areas of South America. B

Raggiana Bird-of-Paradise

Published on 2011-06-30 11:00:00

Male Raggiana Bird-of-Paradise The Raggiana Bird-of-Paradise is one of the largest members of the Bird-of-Paradise family. Like many of its cousins, this spectacular bird can be found in New Guinea. It is actually the national bird of Papua New Guin

Nyala

Published on 2011-06-29 11:00:00

Male Nya The Nyala is a medium-sized antelope found in forested areas and grassland thickets in southern Africa. Males are much larger than the females, and are grey colored with massive horns that can measure as long as 31in (80cm). Females and juv

Jellies

Published on 2011-06-28 22:06:00

I took a trip over to Chicago's Shedd Aquarium this past weekend. Partially to hang out with some sweet Lungfish (I love you Granddad), partially to check out how big Nunavik the baby Beluga is getting, and partially to hit up their current special e

Yeti Crab

Published on 2011-06-28 11:00:00

Kiwa hirsuta The Yeti Crab, or Yeti Lobster, is a relatively new species as far as human discovery is concerned. Scientists discovered this interesting little crustacean in 2005, hanging out in waters 7,540ft (2,300m) deep. Located in waters south

Australian Lungfish

Published on 2011-06-27 09:12:00

Granddad (with the sports) and a friend Yesterday I had the delight to meet Granddad, the world's oldest fish in a public aquarium. Granddad is an Australian Lungfish who first arrived at Chicago's Shedd Aquarium in 1933! So if you only le

Wonambi

Published on 2011-06-26 09:12:00

Wonambi Named for an aboriginal deity sometimes called the Rainbow Serpent, the Wonambi was a massive snake that lived in Australia during the Pleistocene. Measuring as long as 20ft, the two species within the genus were formidable predators&nb

Wild Boar

Published on 2011-06-25 07:51:00

Sus scrofa Wild Boars are the ancestors of domesticated pigs. They are native across Europe and Asia, but have been introduced to Australia and North America. The species first appeared in these locations for food, but were later imported

Cuban Giant Owl

Published on 2011-06-24 07:52:00

Ornimegalonyx oteroi The Cuban Giant Owls were the largest Owls to have ever lived. As the name suggests, they inhabited the island of Cuba, where numerous fossil remains have since been found, including three almost-complete skeletons. This partic

Whalesucker

Published on 2011-06-23 11:00:00

Remora australis Remoras are interesting little fish. They latch on to hosts like sharks, rays, and dolphins, but they don't actually do any real harm to them at all. Instead, Remoras use the adhesive disks on their heads to stick to hosts and bum f

Andean Huemul

Published on 2011-06-22 11:00:00

Hippocamelus bisulcus The Andean Huemul, or Andean Deer, is an endangered ungulate that lives in the mountains and valleys of the southern Andes. Andean Huemuls are diurnal, and live in small family groups. They feed primarily by browsing.

Egyptian Vulture

Published on 2011-06-21 11:00:00

Neophron percnopterus Egyptian Vultures are relatively small Vultures that can be found in parts of Europe, North Africa, and Asia. They are predominantly white, with bald faces and dark flight feathers. Though carrion does make up a large chunk of

Liger

Published on 2011-06-20 11:21:00

Liger Oh the controversial Liger! This Hybrid cross between a male lion and a female tiger is both infamous and condemned. There have been records of these strange creatures dating back over 200 years. Ligers are the largest of all cats, due to the

Ladybird Spider

Published on 2011-06-19 08:29:00

Eresus cinnaberinus It seems like there are so many spiders out there with awesome looking appearances. Like the Happy Face Spider, or even the iconic Black Widow. The Ladybird Spider is yet another interestingly "dressed" arachnid; adult males have

Aurochs

Published on 2011-06-18 11:00:00

Bos primigenius Aurochs were gigantic wild cattle that roamed about Asia, Europe, and North Africa for hundreds of thousands of years. Likenesses of them are found in prehistoric art, and they are the descendants of many of our modern cattle. Howeve

Plain Xenops

Published on 2011-06-17 11:00:00

Xenops minutus I chose today's animal out of an interest to find a creature whose name started with the letter 'X.' Xenops are birds found within the genus of the same name, and are small bodied with long tails and flat, upturned bills. Th

Marsh Rice Rat

Published on 2011-06-16 11:00:00

Oryzomys palustris The Marsh Rice Rat is one of the most common mammals found near the Atlantic and Gulf coasts. There are around half a dozen different location-based subspecies that ranged from Texas to New Jersey. Water is of no concern to the M

Danube Crested Newt

Published on 2011-06-15 11:00:00

Triturus dobrogicus As the name might suggest, the Danube Crested Newt can be found near the Danube River in Europe. They can be found in a huge range of temperate habitats, ranging from rivers and ponds to forests and scrublands. Slender bodies an

Indricotherium

Published on 2011-06-14 11:00:00

Artists reconstruction of Indricotherium Indricotherium was the largest land mammal to have ever walked the planet. It weighed 3-4 what our modern elephant weighs, and stood almost 18 feet tall at the shoulder! The adults were so large that they wer

Barbados Threadsnake

Published on 2011-06-13 13:30:00

Leptotyphlops carlae At a whopping 4 inches in length, the Barbados Threadsnake measures in as the tiniest snake known to man. These minuscule reptiles were first discovered in 2006 on the island of Barbados, where they are believed to be

Reunion Cuckooshrike

Published on 2011-06-12 11:00:00

Coracina newtoni The Reunion Cuckooshrike is a small, arboreal bird found only on Reunion Island, a small French territory in the Indian Ocean. Not only is it exclusively found on that island, but it can be located in only two very small pocket

King Vulture

Published on 2011-06-11 11:00:00

Sarcoramphus papa Maybe I'm just crazy, but I find the bright, colorful wattles and bald head of the King Vulture to be quite striking. The baldness even has an important function! It helps these large scavengers to feed on carrion without high risk

Hector's Dolphin

Published on 2011-06-10 11:00:00

Cephalorhynchus hectori The Hector's Dolphin is not only one of the smallest Ceteceans in the world, they are one of the rarest as well. These tiny ocean mammals (only 4-5 feet long!) are found exclusively off the coast of New Zealand, and are liste

Merychippus

Published on 2011-06-09 11:00:00

Merychippus illustration with leg detail Horse evolution is a pretty fascinating thing, especially because it is so well documented in the fossil record. The earliest horses date back to Hyracotherium nearly 55 million year ago, and in the millions

Greenland Cod

Published on 2011-06-08 11:00:00

Gadus ogac The Greenland Cod is perhaps not as well known as its cousin, the Atlantic Cod, but that doesn't mean it is any less deserving of today's feature! Swimming in the frigid waters off of Greenland and northern Canada, the Greenland Cod is a

Monk Parakeet

Published on 2011-06-07 11:00:00

Myiopsitta monachus The Monk Parakeet is a very common member of the Parrot Family. Though they are originally from Argentina and its surrounding neighbors, feral populations exist in many areas, thanks to the birds ability to survive in temperate a

Eurasian Otter

Published on 2011-06-06 10:49:00

Lutra lutra The Eurasian Otter is also frequently referred to as the Common Otter. They have a pretty large range that spans across Europe and Asia, and they can be found near all sorts of waterways, including areas of both salt and fresh

Halicephalobus mephisto

Published on 2011-06-05 09:20:00

Close up of the 0.5mm long worm Today's animal was only discovered very, very recently, and has been quite the rage in the world of scientific news this week. You see, Halicephalobus mephisto is the deepest living multi-cellular organism to have eve

Sea Mink

Published on 2011-06-04 11:00:00

Neovison macrodon Sea Minks are another species that have gone extinct in more recent times. These close relatives to the American Mink lived on the Atlantic coast, and were for a while considered to be a subspecies of the American Mi

King Bird-of-Paradise

Published on 2011-06-03 11:00:00

Male King Bird-of-Paradise Not to be confused with the Emperor Bird-of-Paradise or the King of Saxoy Bird-of-Paradise, the King Bird-of-Paradise is the smallest of the entire Bird-of-Paradise family. Found in the forests of New Guinea, the males of

Nursehound

Published on 2011-06-01 11:00:00

Scyliorhinus stellaris The Nursehound is a type of shark known as a "Catshark." Also sometimes confusingly known as Dogfish, the Catsharks are characterized by elongated eyes and dorsal fins that are set far back toward the tail. Nursehounds are one

Scottish Fold Cat

Published on 2011-06-01 11:00:00

Scottish Fold I've talked about different dog breeds before, but I believe this is the first time I've discussed one of the many varieties of domestic cat. The Scottish Fold is a relatively new breed that originated in Scotland in the 1960s. The fi

Gargoyle Gecko

Published on 2011-05-31 11:00:00

Rhacodactylus auriculatus The Gargoyle Gecko gets its name from the little bumps found on their heads. They come in several different colors, including grays, browns, and oranges. Different morphs also posses colored splotches and stripes. Gargoyles

Black Swan

Published on 2011-05-30 11:03:00

Cygnus atratus Before stumbling upon this species I had always thought that black swans were just a color variation. But not so! Their is actually an entire, unique species of bird that can be found in Australia, as well as in introduced popu

Malagasy Civet

Published on 2011-05-29 09:05:00

Fossa fossana The Malagasy Civet is an interesting mammal that is actually more related to the Fossa than the Palm Civets of mainland Africa and Asia. Like the Fossa, it is found on the island of Madagascar, and lives in forested areas. Malagasy Ci

Tiger Snail

Published on 2011-05-28 10:18:00

Achatina achatina The Tiger Snail, also known as the African Giant Snail, is the largest land dwelling snail in the entire world. Some of the largest shells ever measured were a foot long! They are found in West Africa, and are kept as pet

La Gomera Giant Lizard

Published on 2011-05-27 11:00:00

Gallotia bravoana It's already really awesome when a species is "rediscovered." Until about ten years ago, most had thought that this large lizard species was extinct. And not only recently extinct, but extinct for about 500 years! In 2000, Biologi

Ring-Tailed Lemur

Published on 2011-05-26 11:00:00

Lemur catta The Ring-Tailed Lemur is perhaps the best recognized of all the Lemurs, due to it's fantastic black and white ringed tail. Like all Lemurs, the Ring-Tailed live on Madagascar, an island that they evolved on in isolation for around 50 mil

Red-Footed Booby

Published on 2011-05-25 11:00:00

Sula sula The Red-Footed Booby is the smallest of the six Booby species, and can be found living near tropical and subtropical oceans around the world. They are non-migratory birds, though they can fly as far as 90 miles (144km) from their roosts to

Leicester Longwool Sheep

Published on 2011-05-24 11:00:00

Leicester Longwool at Colonial Williamsburg While on vacation I made my way over to Colonial Williamsburg, where, since the 1980s, they have been maintaining a rare breeds program to support and conserve different types of livestock. One of the

Leatherback Sea Turtle

Published on 2011-05-23 09:33:00

Dermochelys coriacea Did you know that today is World Turtle Day, an event created in 2000 to bring attention to Turtles and Tortoises? In honor of today I'll be doing my own part to inform and educate about one of the world's most en

Clouded Leopard

Published on 2011-05-22 10:06:00

Neofelis nebulosa The Clouded Leopard is a curious feline, stuck somewhere size-wise between the big and small cats. They look a lot like their larger Leopard family members, albeit with a more irregular, "cloudy" shaped coat, but they actually only

Ram's Horn Squid

Published on 2011-05-21 11:00:00

Spirula spirula Today we have another reader suggestion, Spirula spirula, also known as the Ram's Horn Squid. As the suggester points out, the shell of this creature may look very familiar, but most people probably don't know that it

Black Pacu

Published on 2011-05-20 11:00:00

The Black Pacu or Tambaqui is a very large, slow moving, mostly herbivorous fish that is actually a relative to the Piranhas. They are one of the largest members of their order swimming around in South America, and can weigh as much as 65lb

Io Moth

Published on 2011-05-19 11:00:00

I got a suggestion the other day to write about a moth from the Saturniidae family, and boy are there a lot of choices! The family is comprised of over 1,300 species, and the group as a whole is made up of some of the largest moths out there. Selecti

Mertens' Water Monitor

Published on 2011-05-18 11:00:00

Mertens' Water Monitor at the National Zoo The Mertens' Water Monitor is yet another creature that I encountered on my recent travels, albeit once again in a captive setting. Mertens' Water Monitors live natively in northern Australia, hanging out

National Zoological Park

Published on 2011-05-17 21:24:00

Giant Panda having fun with some fruit frozen in ice Last week I was able to make my first ever trip to the National Zoo just outside of Washington, D.C.. The location is notable because it is one of the few zoos in the country to have Giant Pandas

Gastornis

Published on 2011-05-17 11:00:00

Gastornis at the NMNH Today's animal, which I encountered in a cast, skeletal form at the National Museum of Natural History, was actually a bit tricky to track down and research, since it goes by two different names. You see, the genus was first di

Guira Cuckoo

Published on 2011-05-16 09:15:00

Guira Cuckoos atBusch Gardens Well I just made it back from vacation, and now that Marsupial Week is all wrapped up I'd like to share with you some of the animals that I met while out of town. The first of these is the Guira Cuckoo, a scruffy looki

Thylacine

Published on 2011-05-15 11:00:00

Alas, we come now to the end of Marsupial Week. Our final feature is the Thylacine, sometimes known as the Tasmanian Tiger or Tasmanian Wolf. This extinct carnivore is another great example of convergent evolution; because it lived in a place devoid

Virginia Opossum

Published on 2011-05-14 10:30:00

Yesterday we learned about one of the Western Hemisphere's most unique marsupials, and now we'll move on to one of its most common. The Virginia or North American Opossum is the only marsupial on the continent to live north of Mexico. They can b

Monito del Monte

Published on 2011-05-13 11:00:00

Let's totally switch gears now for a second, and look at one of the amazing Marsupials found outside of Australia and New Guinea. ...But first, a sort of history lesson. The only living member of Microbiotheria The first Marsupial and Placental m

Tiger Quoll

Published on 2011-05-12 11:00:00

Dasyurus maculatus When I wrote about the Tasmanian Devil a while back, I discovered that it was the world's largest living Marsupial carnivore. This then made me wonder what other types of Marsupial carnivores were out there. You always think about

Eastern Grey Kangaroo

Published on 2011-05-11 11:00:00

Macropus giganteus So now lets move from the largest Marsupial to ever live, to one of the largest living in the present day. The Eastern Grey Kangaroo is a commonly encountered Marsupial throughout Eastern Australia. They inhabit all sorts of areas

Diprotodon

Published on 2011-05-10 11:00:00

So based on the past two animals, we've learned that Marsupials evolved traits that were similar to those found in their placental counterparts. But did you also know that there were Marsupial Megafauna, similar to the gigantic animals found elsewher

Sugar Glider

Published on 2011-05-09 11:00:00

Petaurus breviceps Oh the ever so adorable Sugar Glider. Did you know that these popular exotic pets are also members of team Marsupial? Like yesterday's Southern Marsupial Mole, Sugar Gliders are also a great example of convergent evolution. They c

Southern Marsupial Mole

Published on 2011-05-08 11:00:00

Marsupials are so amazing because they are their own separate group of mammals that evolved independently from the mammals found elsewhere in the world. Yet, at the same time, they are strikingly similar. The Southern Marsupial Mole is a fantastic ex

Affirmed

Published on 2011-05-07 10:00:00

I had to write today's post ahead of time since I'll be hanging out at the Kentucky Derby all day, and I wanted to feature one of the world's most prominent animal sporting events with a relevant post. Today we'll be learning all about Affirmed, the

New Design and a New Theme Week!

Published on 2011-05-06 11:30:00

You may have noticed a slight change in the way AAD looks today. After a whole year of animals, I thought it was about time for a bit of something new. The old logo, featuring a Capped Heron, had been on the site since practically day one, and went

Great Cormorant

Published on 2011-05-06 11:00:00

Phalacrocorax carbo The Great Cormorant is a large seabird that can be found across the world in various subspecies. They are the most widespread of all the Cormorants, and can be found on coastlines in Europe, eastern North America, Asia, Africa, a

Reef Stonefish

Published on 2011-05-05 11:00:00

Synanceia verrucosa Meet the most venomous fish in the entire world, the Reef Stonefish. These well camouflaged fish have thirteen spines on their backs that are capable of injecting extremely toxic venom into their unlucky victims. They do only use

Killdeer

Published on 2011-05-04 11:00:00

Charadrius vociferus The Killdeer is a medium-size Plover with a brown back and wings, light colored underside, and two black rings around the neck. Some populations are found year-round in many areas of the United States and Mexico, while other mig

Evolving Eden

Published on 2011-05-04 09:30:00

By Alan Turner, Illustrated by Mauricio Anton Paperback : 304 Pages August 1, 2007 For the past 35 million years, the continent of Africa has been host to a plethora of evolving mammals of all shapes and sizes. Evolving Eden: An Illustrated Guide

Spanish Dancer

Published on 2011-05-03 11:00:00

Hexabranchus sanguineus When you think of Sea Slugs, you probably don't think about beautiful creatures, but the Spanish Dancer might just be an exception. These members of the Nudibranch order are named for their flowing shape that resemb

Jacob Sheep

Published on 2011-05-02 11:00:00

Jacob Sheep Jacob Sheep are a primitive, domesticated breed that has a bit of an obscure and speculative history. The name actually comes from the Biblical Jacob, who had his own herd of spotted sheep, though the name was not given to the breed unti

Gypsy Moth

Published on 2011-05-01 11:00:00

Lymantria dispar The story of the Gypsy Moth is quite the opposite from most of the conservation stories that I write about. Because, you see, we want to get rid of them rather than protect them. Around 1868, an amateur entomologist from Boston nam

Prehistoric Mammals

Published on 2011-05-01 10:30:00

By Alan Turner, Illustrated by Mauricio Anton Hardcover : 192 Pages October 1, 2004 Prehistoric Mammals is another wonderful pairing from the Turner/Anton super duo. It's an introductory book intended for a younger crowd, but even as an adul

Excalibosaurus

Published on 2011-04-30 11:00:00

Excalibosaurus costini Excalibosaurus is the name given to a genus known only from two specimens from a single species. Both of these fossils were found in England. That fact, combined with the long, swordlike nose, gave this creature a name derived

Barreleye Fish

Published on 2011-04-29 11:00:00

There are actually several fish species that fall under the name "Barreleye," but today we're just going to focus on Macropinna microstoma, an incredible looking deep-sea fish that has a transparent head! Macropinna microstoma Researchers at the

Griffon Vulture

Published on 2011-04-28 11:00:00

The Griffon Vulture is a large, Old World Vulture that can be found in mountainous areas of Europe, North Africa, and Asia. They have light, buff colored bodies, white neck ruffs, and bald heads that help them to stay disease free when digging around

Bactrian Camel

Published on 2011-04-27 10:00:00

Can you believe it's been an entire year of Animal A Day already? To celebrate this monumental occasion I wanted to write about one my my favorite animals that I haven't yet talked about : The Bactrian Camel. These two humped ungulates are quite inte

Dalmatian Pelican

Published on 2011-04-26 11:00:00

Pelecanus crispus Dalmatian Pelicans are one of the largest Pelican species, and are found in two populations that migrate between . The first is located in Eastern Europe, and the second can be found in Russian and South and Central Asia. They have

Silver Arowana

Published on 2011-04-25 11:56:00

Osteoglossum bicirrhosum The Silver Arowana is a bony fish indigenous to the Amazon and a handful of other rivers in South America. What is so remarkable about them, and their family, is that they are considered to be an ancient group of f

Eastern Cottontail

Published on 2011-04-24 09:46:00

Sylvilagus floridanus The Eastern Cottontail Rabbit is one of the most common rabbit species in North America, though they can also be found in parts of Central and South America as well. They are a crepuscular species, meaning they are most active

Happy Face Spider

Published on 2011-04-23 11:30:00

Theridion grallator What an amazing looking spider! Theridion grallator, also known as the Happy Face Spider, is a remarkable looking arachnid found in Hawaii. Though keep in mind, not all individuals have such distinctive markings; the species vari

Fossa

Published on 2011-04-22 10:00:00

Fossas are the largest carnivores on the island of Madagascar. While they kind of resemble cats, they are actually more closely related to mongooses... even though they have retractable cat-like claws. This strange creature owes its uniqueness to mil

Happy Earth Day!

Published on 2011-04-22 09:55:00

...and almost Birthday to Animal a Day! For those of you who have been keeping track, Animal a Day will be celebrating its first birthday on Wednesday, April 27th. And in true anneversary form, I'll be putting together a theme week. ...Though it wil

Finless Porpoise

Published on 2011-04-21 08:58:00

Neophocaena phocaenoides Did you know that there are only six living porpoise species? And that today's animal, the Finless Porpoise, can be found in both salt and fresh water, making it the only freshwater Porpoise? Finless Porpoises live in coasta

The Third Chimpanzee: The Evolution and Future of the Human Animal

Published on 2011-04-20 13:30:00

By Jared Diamond Paperback : 432 Pages Originally published January 1992, Paperback Edition January 2006 Even though The Third Chimpanzee is primarily about the evolution of humans, humans are still animals, and our primate relatives are feat

Tiger Cowry

Published on 2011-04-20 11:43:00

Cypraea tigris Tiger Cowries are one of the most abundant Molluscs in the Ocean, and their shells have been used by people all over the world, despite the fact that they are found only in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. But more on that l

Hoary Marmot

Published on 2011-04-19 15:46:00

The Hoary Marmot can be found in the mountainous areas of the North American northwest, living in alpine meadows just above the tree line. It is the largest of all the North American ground squirrels. Marmota caligata These Marmots get their name

Birdology: Adventures with a Pack of Hens, a Peck of Pigeons, Cantankerous Crows, Fierce Falcons, Hip Hop Parrots, Baby Hummingbirds, and One Murderously Big Living Dinosaur

Published on 2011-04-19 13:26:00

By Sy Montgomery Hardcover : 272 Pages April 6, 2010 Birdology is a book about a woman and her experiences with, and passion for, birds. Each chapter outlines a different species or family (you can probably guess which by the descriptive sub-titl

Cape Dwarf Chameleon

Published on 2011-04-18 14:14:00

Bradypodion pumilum Cape Dwarf Chameleons are actually one of the largest of the Dwarf Chameleon species, topping out at a whopping 3in (8cm) body length! They, and many other members of their genus, have a very small range, specifically the area di

Saluki

Published on 2011-04-17 08:53:00

Saluki The Saluki is one of the oldest of all dog breeds, as images of dogs extremely similar in appearance have been dated to as far back as 5,000 years ago. Mummified Salukis have also been found in tombs, mummified with the likes of Pharoahs. The

Wilson's Bird-of-Paradise

Published on 2011-04-16 12:03:00

Female (top) and Male (bottom) Wilson's Bird-of-Paradise is a small Passerine bird found on only two islands in Indonesia, Waigeo and Batanta. They typically inhabit forested hill areas, though they have also been found in forests of both lower and

Screaming Budgett's Frog

Published on 2011-04-15 10:30:00

I recently picked up an amazing book, appropriately titled Astonishing Animals, by Tim Flannery and Peter Schouten. In it, they describe and illustrate little known, and often endangered species. That is how I stumbled upon today's animal, the absolu

Indian Muntjac

Published on 2011-04-14 10:35:00

Male Muntiacus muntjak The Indian or Common Muntjac is a small species of deer found in South and Southeast Asia.They are also known as "Barking Deer" due to the dog-like barking sound that they create when they are startled. When they feel especial

Mountain Quail

Published on 2011-04-13 09:00:00

Oreortyx pictus The Mountain Quail is the largest Quail in the United States. They have a very striking appearance, with brown faces, gray bodies, and bold brown and white banding on the underside. Both males and females sport the iconic head plume

Burton's Legless Lizard

Published on 2011-04-12 09:45:00

Burton's Legless Lizard Phylum : Chordata Class : Reptilia Order : Squamata Family : Pygopodidae Genus : Lialis Species : L. burtonis Body Length : 12in (30cm) IUCN Status : Not Listed As the name may suggest, Burton's Legless Lizard is a Lizard

Andean Condor

Published on 2011-04-11 14:09:00

Female Andean Condor Phylum : Chordata Class : Aves Order : Disputed Family : Cathartidae Genus : Vultur Species : V. gryphus Weight : Up to 33lbs (15kg) Wingspan : 10ft (3m) IUCN Status : Near Threatened Andean Condors are the largest raptors in

Brookfield Zoo

Published on 2011-04-11 13:23:00

I made my first trip over to the Brookfield Zoo yesterday, and had at the great fortune to stumble upon several species that I'd never seen in person before. ...Unfortunately it was about 85 degrees out, which was unseasonably warm for Chi

Caracal

Published on 2011-04-10 08:51:00

Caracal Phylum : Chordata Class : Mammalia Order : Carnivora Family : Felidae Genus : Caracal Species : C. caracal Height : 18in (46cm) Weight : Males up to 40lbs (18kg), Females up to 25lbs (11kg) IUCN Status : Least Concern Caracals are small,

Jaragua Sphaero

Published on 2011-04-09 10:14:00

Jaragua Sphaero Phylum : Chordata Class : Reptilia Order : Squamata Family : Gekkonidae Genus : Sphaerodactylus Species : S. ariasae Length : 16mm IUCN Status : Not Listed Did you know that the Jaragua Sphaero, also known as the Dwarf Gecko, is p

Roborovski Hamster

Published on 2011-04-08 11:45:00

Roborovski Hamsters Phylum : Chordata Class : Mammalia Order : Rodentia Family : Cricetidae Genus : Phodopus Species : P. roborovskii Length : up to 3in (7.5cm) IUCN Status : Least Concern You might recognize this tiny rodent from your local pet

Brown Centipede

Published on 2011-04-07 10:12:00

Brown Centipede Phylum : Arthropoda Subphylum : Myriapoda Class : Chilopoda Order : Lithobiomorpha Family : Lithobiidae Genus : Lithobius Species : L. forficatus Length : Up to 2in (5cm) IUCN Status : Not Listed The Brown Centipede is a very comm

Satin Bowerbird

Published on 2011-04-06 11:00:00

Male Satin Bowerbird Phylum : Chordata Class : Aves Order : Passeriformes Family : Ptilonorhynchidae Genus : Ptilonorhynchus Species : P. violaceus IUCN Status : Least Concern Cripes! I've never written about a Bowerbird! These birds, found in Aus

Bull Shark

Published on 2011-04-05 12:45:00

Bull Shark Phylum : Chordate Class : Chondrichthyes Order : Carcharhiniformes Family : Carcharhinidae Genus : Carcharhinus Species : C. leucas Length : 10ft (3m) Weight : 500lbs (226kg) IUCN Status : Near Threatened The Bull Shark gets its name f

Southern Giant Petrel

Published on 2011-04-04 11:33:00

Southern Giant Petrel - Photo by Paul Gale Phylum : Chordata Class : Aves Order : Procellariiformes Family : Procellariidae Genus : Macronectes Species : M. giganteus Wingspan : 78in (200cm) IUCN Status : Least Concern This particular species of b

Shell Castle Cichlid

Published on 2011-04-03 14:23:00

Male with Females and Shells Phylum : Chordata Class : Actinopterygii Order : Perciformes Family : Cichlidae Genus : Lamprologus Species : L. callipterus Length : Males 6in (15cm), Females 2.5in (6cm) IUCN Status : Least Concern Yesterday afterno

Dama Gazelle

Published on 2011-04-02 09:31:00

Dama Gazelle Phylum : Chordata Class : Mammalia Order : Artiodactyla Family : Bovidae Genus : Nanger Species : N. dama Height : 40in (1m) Weight : Up to 180lbs (81kg) IUCN Status : Critically Endangered The Dama Gazelle is both the world's larges

Matschie's Tree Kangaroo

Published on 2011-04-01 11:46:00

Matschie's Tree Kangaroo Phylum : Chordata Class : Mammalia Infraclass : Marsupialia Order : Diprotodontia Family : Macropodidae Genus : Dendrolagus Species : D. matschiei Body Length : 30in (76cm) Weight : 20lbs (9kg) IUCN Status : Endangered Th

Townsend's Big-eared Bat

Published on 2011-03-31 10:43:00

Townsend's Big-eared Bat Phylum : Chordata Class : Mammalia Order : Chiroptera Family : Vespertilionidae Genus : Corynorhinus Species : C. townsendii Body Length : 4in (10cm) Wingspand : 11in (28cm) IUCN Status : Least Concern The ears of a

Black Softshell Turtle

Published on 2011-03-30 10:38:00

Black Softshell Turtle Phylum : Chordata Class : Reptilia Order : Testudines Family : Trionychidae Genus : Aspideretes? Species : A. nigricans IUCN Status : Extinct in the wild Like the Yangtze Soft-shell Turtle, the Black Softshell Turtle is also

Domestic Goldfish

Published on 2011-03-29 11:00:00

Pearl scale Goldfish Phylum : Chordata Class : Actinopterygii Order : Cypriniformes Family : Cyprinidae Genus : Carassius Species : C. auratus auratus Length : Up to 12in (30cm) IUCN Status : Not Listed Did you know that Goldfish were one o

Ermine

Published on 2011-03-28 13:33:00

Winter Coat Ermine Phylum : Chordata Class : Mammalia Order : Carnivora Family : Mustelidae Genus : Mustela Species : M. erminea Length : 13in (33cm) IUCN Status : Least Concern Ermines (also known as Stoats) can be found natively throughout the

Kleinmann's Tortoise

Published on 2011-03-27 10:35:00

Kleinmann's Tortoise Phylum : Chordata Class : Sauropsida Order : Testudines Family : Testudinidae Genus : Testudo Species : T. kleinmanni Length : 4.5in (11.5cm) IUCN Status : Critically Endangered Kleinmann's Tortoises are also referred to as E

Green Peafowl

Published on 2011-03-26 13:00:00

Male Green Peafowl Phylum : Chordata Class : Aves Order : Galliformes Family : Phasianidae Genus : Pavo Species : P. muticus Length : 3.5ft (1.1m) Weight : 11lbs (5.5g) IUCN Status : Endangered The Green Peafowl is a rather large gamefowl f

Common Barn Owl

Published on 2011-03-25 10:30:00

Barn Owl Phylum : Chordata Class : Aves Order : Strigiformes Family : Tytonidae Genus : Tyto Species : T. alba Length : 15in (38cm) Wingspan : 43in (110cm) IUCN Status : Least Concern Did you know that the Common Barn Owl is one of the most wides

Woolly Rhinoceros

Published on 2011-03-24 10:10:00

Woolly Rhinoceros by Charles R. Knight Phylum : Chordata Class : Mammalia Order : Perissodactyla Family : Rhinocerotidae Genus : †Coelodonta Species : †C. antiquitatis Length : 12ft (3.7m) Weight : 2-3 tons (1,800-2,700kg) Status : Extinct si

Pakicetus

Published on 2011-03-23 11:36:00

Pakicetus Illustration by Carl Buell Phylum : Chordata Class : Mammalia Order : Cetacea Family : Pakicetidae Genus : Pakicetus Length : 3ft (.9m) Weight : 50lbs (23kg) Status : Extinct since the Early Eocene (40 million years ago) Take a look at

Herring Gull

Published on 2011-03-22 14:19:00

Herring Gull Phylum : Chordata Class : Aves Order : Charadriiformes Family : Laridae Genus : Larus Species : L. smithsonianus Length : 24in (60cm) Wingspan : 53in (135cm) IUCN Status : Least Concern It's a pretty disgusting day today, but the Sea

Spring Peeper

Published on 2011-03-21 11:11:00

Spring Peeper Phylum : Chordata Class : Amphibia Order : Anura Family : Hylidae Genus : Pseudacris Species : P. crucifer Length : 1in (2.5cm) IUCN Status : Least Concern It's that time of year again in the northern hemisphere: spring! And with sp

Upland Moa

Published on 2011-03-20 12:16:00

Upland Moa Illustration by Peter Schouten Phylum :Chordata Class : Aves Order : Struthioniformes Family : †Dinornithidae Genus : †Megalapteryx Species : †M. didinus Height : 4ft (1.3m) Weight : 55lbs (25kg) Status : Extinct since 1500CE I f

Vampire Squid

Published on 2011-03-19 10:28:00

Vampire Squid Phylum : Mollusca Class : Cephalopoda Order : Vampyromorphida Family : Vampyroteuthidae Genus : Vampyroteuthis Species : V. infernalis Length : 1ft (30cm) IUCN Status : Not Listed Vampyroteuthis infernalis literally means "Vampire

Wilson's Snipe

Published on 2011-03-18 07:55:00

Wilson's Snipe Phylum : Chordata Class : Aves Order : Charadriiformes Family : Scolopacidae Genus : Gallinago Species : G. delicata Length : 25in (63cm) Wingspan : 43in (109cm) IUCn Status : Least Concern Wilson's Snipe is a birds that can be fou

Wisent

Published on 2011-03-17 11:02:00

Wisent Bull Phylum : Chordata Class : Mammalia Order : Artiodactyla Family : Bovidae Genus : Bison Species : B. bonasus Height : 6ft (180cm) Weight : 2,000lbs (900kg) IUCN Status : Vulnerable Also known as the European Bison, the Wisent once had

Pygmy Marmoset

Published on 2011-03-16 11:00:00

Pygmy Marmoset Kingdom : Animalia Phylum : Chordata Class : Mammalia Order : Primates Genus : Cebuella Species : C. pygmaea Length : 6in (15cm) Weight : 5oz (140g) IUCN Status : Least Concern The ever so adorable Zooborns site alerted me to the b

American Lobster

Published on 2011-03-15 09:52:00

American Lobster Phylum : Arthropoda Class : Malacostraca Order : Decapoda Family : Nephropidae Genus : Homarus Species : H. americanus Length : 8-24in (20-61cm) Weight : 2-9lbs (1-4kg) IUCN Status : Not Listed The American Lobster, as its name m

Jackson's Chameleon

Published on 2011-03-14 10:42:00

Male Jackson's Chameleon Phylum : Chordata Class : Reptilia Order : Squamata Family : Chamaeleonidae Genus : Chamaeleo Species : C. jacksonii Length : 12in (30cm) IUCN Status : Not Listed Jackson's Chameleons are native to Kenya and Tanzania wher

Falabella

Published on 2011-03-13 15:08:00

Falabella Miniature Horse Phylum :Chordata Class : Mammalia Order : Perissodactyla Family :Equidae Genus : Equus Species : E. ferus Subspecies : E. f. caballus Hight : 25-34in (63-86cm) Despite their tiny size, Falabellas are not conside

Shoebill

Published on 2011-03-12 10:46:00

Shoebill Phylum : Chordata Class : Aves Order : Pelecaniformes Family : Balaenicipitidae Genus : Balaeniceps Species : rex Height : 45-60in (115-150cm) Wingspan :125cm (260cm) IUCN Status : Vulnerable Today's bird isn't the most attractive fellow

Dugong

Published on 2011-03-11 10:00:00

Dugong Phylum : Chordata Class : Mammalia Superorder : Afrotheria Order : Sirenia Family : Dugongidae Genus : Dugong Species : dugon Length : Up to 10ft (3m) Weight : 500-1,100lbs (226-499kg) IUCN Status : Vulnerable According to EDGE, the Dugong

Superb Fruit Dove

Published on 2011-03-10 10:19:00

Male Phylum : Chordata Class : Aves Order : Columbiformes Family : Columbidae Genus : Ptilinopus Species : superbus Length : 9in (23cm) IUCN Status : Least Concern As the resident of a large city, I am insanely jealous of the beautiful pigeons a

Eastern Coral Snake

Published on 2011-03-09 12:43:00

Eastern Coral Snake Phylum : Chordata Class : Reptilia Order : Squamata Family : Elapidae Genus : Micrurus Species : fulvius Length : 20-30in (51-76cm) IUCN Status : Least Concern The Eastern Coral Snake is found in the southeastern areas of the

Microraptor

Published on 2011-03-08 12:50:00

Gliding Microraptor Phylum : Chordata Class : Reptilia Order : Saurischia Family : †Dromaeosauridae Genus : †Microraptor Length : 2ft (61cm) Status : Extinct since the Early Cretaceous, 120 million years ago. Microraptors were tiny,

Sei Whale

Published on 2011-03-07 13:48:00

Sei Whale Phylum : Chordata Class : Mammalia Order : Cetacea Family : Balaenopteridae Genus : Balaenoptera Species : borealis Length : 65ft (20m) Weight : 99,000lbs (45,000kg) IUCN Status : Endangered Sei Whales (pronounced "say") are named after

Bearded Pig

Published on 2011-03-06 11:50:00

Bearded Pigs Phylum : Chordata Class : Mammalia Order : Artiodactyla Family : Suidae Genus : Sus Species : barbatus Weight : 95lbs (210kg) IUCN Status : Vulnerable Bearded Pigs are native to the Malay Peninsula, the Philippines, part of Indonesia

Did a Dinosaur Drink this Water?

Published on 2011-03-06 09:00:00

By Robert E. Wells Hardcover : 32 Pages January 1, 2006 Did a Dinosaur Drink this Water? is a children's book that deals with how water is used and reused over and over within the water cycle. Concepts are explained with help from dozens of illustra

Bluebuck

Published on 2011-03-05 10:47:00

18th Century Illustration of a Bluebuck Phylum : Chordata Class : Mammalia Order : Artiodactyla Family : Bovidae Genus : Hippotragus Species : leucophaeus Height : 4ft (1.2m) Weight : 350lbs (160kg) Status : Extinct since around 1800 The Bluebuck

Bird

Published on 2011-03-05 09:00:00

By David Burnie Hardcover : 72 Pages May 5, 2008 Bird is one of many books in the DK Eyewintess series, which is known for its concise, informational paragraphs and wonderful use of photographs and images. Bird is no different. The book contains se

Dumpy Tree Frog

Published on 2011-03-04 09:56:00

Dumpy Tree Frog Phylum : Chordata Class : Amphibia Order : Anura Family : Hylidae Genus : Litoria Species : caerulea Length : 4in (10cm) IUCN Status : Least Concern I chose today's animal entirely based on one of its common names: Dumpy Tree Frog

Feathered Dinosaurs: The Origin of Birds

Published on 2011-03-04 09:00:00

By John Long and Peter Schouten Hardcover : 208 Pages September 1, 2008 Feathered Dinosaurs: The Origin of Birds is a book of beautiful illustrations and accompanying text about feathered Dinosaurs and early Birds. In the past few decades more

What’s Faster Than a Speeding Cheetah?

Published on 2011-03-03 18:00:00

By Robert E. Wells Hardcover : 32 Pages January 1, 1997 In this installment of Wells’ science book series for kids we take a look at the concept of speed. What’s Faster Than a Speeding Cheetah? starts out with the titular feline and compares it

Ivory-Billed Woodpecker

Published on 2011-03-03 08:57:00

Ivory-Billed Woodpeckers by Audubon Phylum : Chordata Class : Aves Order : Piciformes Family : Picidae Genus : Campephilus Species : principalis Length : 18-20in Wingspan : 31in IUCN Status : Critically Endangered, but quite possibly Extinct The

Chinstrap Penguin

Published on 2011-03-02 10:06:00

A pair of Chinstraps Phylum : Chordata Class : Aves Order : Sphenisciformes Family : Spheniscidae Genus : Pygoscelis Species : antarcticus Height : 28in (72cm) Weight : 9-14lbs (3.5-5kg) IUCN Status : Least Concern Chinstrap Penguins are one of t

Javan Rhinoceros

Published on 2011-03-01 10:46:00

Javan Rhino caught on camera trap Phylum : Chordata Class : Mammalia Order : Perissodactyla Family : Rhinocerotidae Genus : Rhinoceros Species : sondaicus Length : 6-11.5ft (1.8-3.5m) Weight : 2,000-5,000lbs (900-2,250kg) IUCN Status : Critically

Speckled Padloper Tortoise

Published on 2011-02-28 15:55:00

Speckled Padloper Tortoise Phylum : Chordata Class : Sauropsida Order : Testudines Family : Testudinidae Genus : Homopus Species: signatus Length : 4in (11cm) IUCN Status: Near Threatened The Speckled Padloper Tortoise is the smallest tortoise in

Scarlet Ibis

Published on 2011-02-27 17:49:00

Scarlet Ibis Phylum : Chordata Class : Aves Order : Ciconiiformes Family : Threskiornithidae Genus : Eudocimus Species : ruber Body Length : 24in (61cm) IUCN Status : Least Concern My family is pretty into the Oscars and all of the film awards sh

Giant Huntsman Spider

Published on 2011-02-26 10:04:00

Giant Huntsman Spider Phylum : Arthropoda Class : Arachnida Order : Araneae Family : Sparassidae Genus : Heteropoda Species : maxima Legspan : 12in (30cm) Body Size : 2in (4.7cm) IUCN Status : Not Listed The Giant Huntsman Spider is a newly iden

Chinese Giant Salamander

Published on 2011-02-25 11:00:00

Chinese Giant Salamander Phylum : Chordata Class : Amphibia Order : Caudata Family : Cryptobranchidae Genus : Andrias Species : davidianus Length : 40in (1m) Weight : 25lb (11kg) IUCN Status : Critically Endangered The Chinese Giant Salamander is

Dinothesaurus

Published on 2011-02-24 09:59:00

By Douglas Florian Hardcover : 56 Pages March 10, 2009 Dinothesaurus: Prehistoric Poems and Paintings is a short, illustrated work that features the poems and paintings of Douglas Florian. All of the material relates to Dinosaurs or other prehisto

Brontomerus mcintoshi

Published on 2011-02-24 09:41:00

Brontomerus fights off an attacker! Genus : Brontomerus Species : mcintoshi Length : 46ft (14m) Weight : 13,500lbs (6,100kg) Status : Extinct since the Early Cretaceous, approximately 110 million years ago This animal came across my news radar t

Kinkajou

Published on 2011-02-23 11:00:00

Kinkajou Phylum : Chordata Class : Mammalia Order : Carnivora Family : Procyonidae Genus : Potos Species : flavus Length : Up to 44in (112cm) including tail Weight : 3-7lbs (1-3kg) IUCN Status : Least Concern The Kinkajou looks an awful lot like

Orchard Oriole

Published on 2011-02-22 07:50:00

Male Orchard Oriole Phylum : Chordata Class : Aves Order : Passeriformes Family : Icteridae Genus : Icterus Species : spurius Length : 7in (18cm) Wingspan : 10in (25cm) IUCN Status : Least Concern Sometimes I randomly ask my acquaintances&nb

Zebra Duiker

Published on 2011-02-21 15:20:00

Zebra Duiker Phylum : Chordata Class : Mammalia Order : Artiodactyla Family : Bovidae Genus : Cephalophus Species : zebra Height : 18in (45cm) Weight : 45lbs (20kg) IUCN Status : Vulnerable Did you know that US President Calvin Coolidge had a wid

It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

Published on 2011-02-21 11:00:00

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

Last Chance to See

Published on 2011-02-20 23:04:00

By Douglas Adams, Mark Carwardine Paperback : 256 Pages October 13, 1992 In 1988, writer Douglas Adams teamed up with zoologist Mark Carwardine to travel the word and see some of its rarest and most spectacular animals. Their journey was made into B

Iguanodon

Published on 2011-02-20 18:58:00

Iguanodon Phylum : Chordata Class : Reptilia Superorder : Dinosauria Order : †Ornithischia Family : †Iguanodontidae Genus : †Iguanodon Length : 33ft (10m) Weight : 10,000lbs (4,500kg) Status : Extinct for around 110 million years "Iguanodon

The Greatest Show on Earth

Published on 2011-02-20 10:00:00

By Richard Dawkins Hardcover : 480 Pages September 22, 2009 Written by the famed (and perhaps infamous) evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins, The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution explains the Theory of Evolution in wonderfu

Antlion

Published on 2011-02-19 09:53:00

Adult Euroleon nostras Phylum : Arthropoda Class : Insecta Order : Neuroptra Family : Myrmeleontidae Wingspan : 1-6in (2.5-15cm), varies by species If we want to get technical, the term "Antlion" most commonly refers to the larvae of the family My

Hippopotamus

Published on 2011-02-18 16:26:00

Hippopotamus Phylum : Chordata Class : Mammalia Order : Artiodactyla Family : Hippopotamidae Genus : Hippopotamus Species : amphibius Length : 10-16ft (3-5m) Weight : Males 3,500-10,000lbs (1,600 to 4,5035 kgs); Females 3,000lbs (1,400 kgs) IUCN S

King of Saxony Bird-of-Paradise

Published on 2011-02-17 09:57:00

Male King of Saxony Bird-of-Paradise Phylum : Chordata Class : Aves Order : Passeriformes Family : Paradisaeidae Genus : Pteridophora Species : alberti Body Length : 8.5in (22cm) Plume Length : 20in (50cm) IUCN Status : Least Concern The King

Long Nosed Bandicoot

Published on 2011-02-16 13:10:00

Long Nosed Bandicoot Phylum : Chordata Class : Mammalia Infraclass : Marsupialia Order : Peramelemorphia Family : Peramelidae Genus : Perameles Species: nasuta Length : 12-18in (30-46cm) Weight : 2.2lbs (1kg) IUCN Status : Least Concern I'm goin

Melon Aphid

Published on 2011-02-15 10:50:00

Melon Aphids Phylum : Arthropoda Class : Insecta Order : Hemiptera Superfamily : Aphidoidea Family : Aphididae Genus : Aphis Species : gossypii Length : 2-3mm The Melon Aphid also goes by the name Cotton Aphid, and is found in tropical and tempera

Lovebird

Published on 2011-02-14 17:04:00

Peach Faced Lovebird Phylum : Chordata Class : Aves Order : Psittaciformes Family : Psittacidae Genus : Agapornis Length : 5-7in (12.5-18cm) IUCN Status : The Black-Cheeked Lovebird is listed as Vulnerable. Lillian's and Fischer's Lovebirds a

It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

Published on 2011-02-14 11:30:00

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

Sea Lamprey

Published on 2011-02-13 10:58:00

Sea Lamprey Mouth Phylum : Chordata Class : Cephalaspidomorphi Order : Petromyzontiformes Family : Petromyzontidae Genus : Petromyzon Species : marinus Length : 20in (50cm) IUCN Status : Least Concern Despite the name, the Sea Lamprey can be foun

Atlantic Puffin

Published on 2011-02-12 11:00:00

Atlantic Puffins Phylum : Chordata Class : Aves Order : Charadriiformes Family : Alcidae Genus : Fratercula Species : arctica Height : 10in(25cm) Weight : 18oz (500g) Wingspan : 25in (63cm) IUCN Status : Least Concern Atlantic Puffins spend their

Big Skate

Published on 2011-02-11 09:24:00

Big Skate Phylum : Chordata Class : Chondrichthyes Superorder : Batoidea Order : Rajiformes Family : Rajidae Genus : Raja Species : binoculata Length : 6ft (1.8m) Weight : 200lbs (81kg) IUCN Status : Near Threatened The appropriately named Big Sk

Pink Pigeon

Published on 2011-02-10 11:24:00

Pink Pigeon Phylum : Chordata Class : Aves Order : Columbiformes Family : Columbidae Genus : Nesoenas Species : mayeri Length : 13in (32cm) Weight : 12oz (350g) IUCN Status : Endangered The Pink Pigeon is another one of those species that was on

Giraffe Weevil

Published on 2011-02-09 10:31:00

Male Giraffe Weevil Phylum : Arthropoda Class : Insecta Order : Coleoptera Family : Attelabidae Genus : Trachelophorus Species : giraffa Body Length : 1in (2.5cm) I chose today's animal based entirely on its looks, as it is otherwise a relatively

Witness to Extinction: How We Failed to Save the Yangtze River Dolphin

Published on 2011-02-09 10:11:00

By Samuel Turvey Paperback : 256 Pages October 15, 2009 Witness to Extinction: How We Failed to Save the Yangtze River Dolphin is without a doubt, one of the saddest books I’ve ever read. It is the true life account of the final Yangzte Rive

Plumed Basilisk

Published on 2011-02-08 09:00:00

Male Plumed Basilisk Phylum : Chordata Class : Sauropsida Order : Squamata Family : Corytophanidae Genus : Basiliscus Species : plumifrons Length : 2-3ft (.6-1m) Weight : 7oz (200g) IUCN status : Not Listed In its native lands in Central America

Nurse Shark

Published on 2011-02-07 14:18:00

Nurse Shark Phylum : Chordata Class : Chondrichthyes Order : Orectolobiformes Family : Ginglymostomatidae Genus : Ginglymostoma Species : cirratum Length : 7.5-10ft (2.2-3m) Weight : 200-325lbs (90-150g) IUCN Status : Data Deficient The origin of

It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

Published on 2011-02-07 11:03:00

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

Holstein Cattle

Published on 2011-02-06 09:58:00

Holstein Cattle Phylum : Chordata Class : Mammalia Order : Artiodactyla Family : Bovidae Genus : Bos Species : primigenius Height : 58in (147cm) Weight : 1500lbs (680kg) Well, It's Super Bowl Sunday and I'm sure you can figure out which team I'm r

Sun Bear

Published on 2011-02-05 08:40:00

Adult Sun Bear Phylum : Chordata Class : Mammalia Order : Carnivora Family : Ursidae Genus : Helarctos Species : malayanus Height : 4ft (1.2m) Weight : 65-130lbs (30-60kg) IUCN Status : Vulnerable The Sun Bear is the smallest of the bear species.

Some Color for a Winter Day

Published on 2011-02-05 07:37:00

I've spent three days digging cars out of snow banks, thanks to the massive Blizzard that smacked the Midwest earlier this week. Everything is now shades of gray out there, so I found one of the most colorful pictures that I have, Chilean Flamingos a

Vicuña

Published on 2011-02-04 10:30:00

(Image Source) Phylum: Chordata Class : Mammalia Order : Artiodactyla Family : Camelidae Genus : Vicugna Species : vicugna Height : 2.75-3.25ft (84-99 cm) Weight : 100-120lbs (45-55kg) IUNC Status : Least Concern (Image Source) The Vicuña is

Chatham Black Robin

Published on 2011-02-03 10:25:00

(Image Source) Phylum : Chordata Class : Aves Order : Passeriformes Family : Petroicidae Genus : Petroica Species : traversi Height : 4in (10cm) IUCN Status : Endangered The Chatham Black Robin is found only on the Chatham Islands, which are sit

Steller Sea Lion

Published on 2011-02-02 12:47:00

Bull Sea Lion Phylum : Chordata Class : Mammalia Order : Carnivora Family :Otariidae Genus : Eumetopias Species : jubatus Length : Males 11ft (3.25m), Females 8ft (2.5m) Weight : Males 2,500lbs (1120kg), Females 1,000lbs (35kg) IUCN Status : Endan

Electric Eel

Published on 2011-02-01 10:34:00

(Image Source) Phylum : Chordata Class : Actinopterygii Order : Gymnotiformes Family : Gymnotidae Genus : Electrophorus Species : electricus Length : Up to 6-8ft (2-2.5m) Weight : 40lbs (20kg) IUCN Status : Least Concern Did you know that despite

Greater Flamingo

Published on 2011-01-31 15:04:00

(Image Source) Phylum : Chordata Class : Aves Order : Phoenicopteriformes Family : Phoenicopteridae Genus : Phoenicopterus Species : roseus Height : 43-60in (110-150cm) Weight : 4.5-9lbs (2-4kg) IUCN Status : Least Concern The Greater Flamingo is

It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

Published on 2011-01-31 11:07:00

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

American Pika

Published on 2011-01-30 13:06:00

(Image Source) Phylum : Chordata Class : Mammalia Order : Lagomorpha Family : Ochotonidae Genus : Ochotona Species : princeps Length : 6-8in (15-20cm) Weight : 6oz (170g) IUCN Status : Least Concern Pikas are small, round little members 

What's Smaller Than a Pygmy Shrew?

Published on 2011-01-29 14:00:00

By Robert E. Wells Paperback : 32 Pages January 1, 1995 A companion book of sorts to Is a Blue Whale the Biggest Thing There Is?, What's Smaller Than a Pygmy Shrew? looks at the very very small. Starting with the minutly sized, 3inch long Pygmy Shre

Laughing Kookaburra

Published on 2011-01-29 10:43:00

(Image Source) Phylum : Chordata Class : Aves Order : Coraciiformes Family : Halcyonidae Genus : Dacelo Species : novaeguineae Length : 18in (45cm) Weight : 1lb (.5kg) IUCN Status : Least Concern The Laughing Kookaburra is one of the most iconic

Camera Critters : Snuggie For Dogs

Published on 2011-01-29 10:02:00

Maybe Snuggie for dogs works for some dogs.. but not my family's dogs. My favorite thing about this product is that they advertise the "large" size with a picture of a Collie. Because you know, Collies really need more fluffy covering. Anyway, we

Is a Blue Whale the Biggest Thing There Is?

Published on 2011-01-28 13:29:00

By Robert E. Wells Paperback : 32 Pages January 1, 1993 Is a Blue Whale the Biggest Thing There Is is an adorable book written with 4-8 year olds in mind. While it doesn’t exclusively cover animals, I enjoyed it so much that I’m going to add it

Whip-poor-will

Published on 2011-01-28 10:13:00

(Image Source) Phylum : Chordata Class : Aves Subclass : Neornithes Order : Caprimulgiformes Family : Caprimulgidae Subfamily : Caprimulginae Genus : Caprimulgus Species : vociferus Length : 9-10in (23-25cm) Wingspan : 16-20in (40.5-51cm) IUCN Sta

Zebra Mussel

Published on 2011-01-27 10:38:00

(Image Source) Phylum : Mollusca Class : Bivalvia Subclass : Heterodonta Order : Veneroida Family : Dreissenidae Genus : Dreissena Species : polymorpha Length : .25-2in (.6-5cm) IUCN Status : Not listed Zebra Mussels were originally located in So

Pere David's Deer

Published on 2011-01-26 12:29:00

(Image Source) Phylum : Chordata Class : Mammalia Order : Artiodactyla Family : Cervidae Subfamily : Cervinae Genus : Elaphurus Species : davidianus Height : 4ft (1.2m) weight : 290lbs (135kg) IUCN Status : Extinct in the Wild The Pere David's De

Secretary Bird

Published on 2011-01-25 11:00:00

(Image Source) Phylum : Chordata Class : Aves Order : Accipitriformes Family : Sagittariidae Genus : Sagittarius Species : serpentarius Height : 4ft (1.3m) Wingspan : 6.9ft (2.1m) Weight : 5-9lbs (2.3-4kg) IUCN Status : Least Concern Secretary Bi

Impala

Published on 2011-01-24 16:10:00

Male Impala Kingdom : Animalia Phylum : Chordata Class : Mammalia Order : Artiodactyla Family : Bovidae Subfamily : Aepycerotinae Genus : Aepyceros Species : melampus Height : 29-36in (73-92cm) Weight : 99-132lbs (45-60kg) IUCN Status : Least Co

It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

Published on 2011-01-24 09:43:00

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list.

Viceroy Butterfly

Published on 2011-01-22 10:39:00

(Image Source) Phylum : Arthropoda Class : Insecta Order : Lepidoptera Superfamily : Papilionoidea Family : Nymphalidae Subfamily : Limenitidinae Genus : Limenitis Species: archippus Length : 2.5-3.5in (6.5-9cm) wingspan I

Butterflies All Around

Published on 2011-01-22 10:14:00

A few weeks back I made my way over to the Milwaukee Public Museum, where they have a butterfly wing that you can stroll through. There are a handful of species, but I unfortunately neglected to figure out what was what, so now I have a whole mess

The Search for the Giant Squid: The Biology and Mythology of the World's Most Elusive Sea Creature

Published on 2011-01-21 15:16:00

By Richard Ellis Paperback : 336 Pages October 1, 1999 Richard Ellis is one of the foremost painters of Marine Natural History art in the United States, and is an accomplished writer on the subject to boot. He’s published roughly 80 magazine and

Babakotia

Published on 2011-01-21 10:50:00

(Image Source) Phylum : Chordata Class : Mammalia Order : Primates Suborder : Strepsirrhini Infraorder : Lemuriformes Family : Palaeopropithecidae Genus : Babakotia Species : radofilai Length : Around 4ft (1.2m) Weight : 20-40lbs (9-18kg) Sta

Arthropleura

Published on 2011-01-20 10:46:00

(Image Source) Phylum : Arthropoda Subphylum : Myriapoda Class : Arthropleuridea Order : Arthropleurida Family : Arthropleuridae Genus : Arthropleura Length : Up to 8.5ft (2.6m) Status : Extinct for about 280 million years! Arthropleura lived i

Northern Bald Ibis

Published on 2011-01-19 10:48:00

Captive NHI at the Milwaukee County Zoo Phylum : Chordata Class : Aves Order : Ciconiiformes Family : Threskiornithidae Genus : Geronticus Species : eremita Length : 27-32in (69-81cm) Weight : 1-1.3kg IUCN Status : Critically Endangered T

Giraffe

Published on 2011-01-18 10:02:00

Phylum : Chordata Class : Mammalia Order : Artiodactyla Family : Giraffidae Genus : Giraffa Species : camelopardalis Height : Males 18ft (5.5m); Females 13-15ft (4-4.5m) Weight : Males 3,000lbs (1,360kg); Females 1,500lbs (680kg) IUCN Status

It's Monday, What Are You Reading?

Published on 2011-01-17 16:37:00

It’s Monday! What Are You Reading, is where we gather to share what we have read this past week and what we plan to read this week. It is a great way to network with other bloggers, see some wonderful blogs, and put new titles on your reading list

Short-tailed Chinchilla

Published on 2011-01-17 16:16:00

(Image Source) Phylum : Chordata Class : Mammalia Order : Rodentia Family : Chinchillidae Genus : Chinchilla Species : chinchilla Length : 12-20in (30-50cm) Weight : 400-800g IUCN Status : Critically Endangered You might just recognize toda

Tawny Frogmouth

Published on 2011-01-16 10:56:00

Phylum : Chordata Class : Aves Order : Caprimulgiformes Family : Podargidae Genus : Podargus Species : strigoides Length : 9-21in (22.5-52.5cm) IUCN Status : Least Concern Tawny Frogmouths sure look like Owls, don't they? But they

Frilled Shark

Published on 2011-01-15 10:29:00

(Image Source) Phylum : Chordata Class : Chondrichthyes Order : Hexanchiformes Family : Chlamydoselachidae Genus : Chlamydoselachus Species : anguineus Length : Male 38-46in (97-117cm); Female 53-59in (135-150cm) IUCN Status : Near Threatened Fr

Evolving Eden

Published on 2011-01-14 10:34:00

New Bibliography Entry: Turner, Alan and Mauricio Anton. Evolving Eden : Evolving Eden: An Illustrated Guide to the Evolution of the African Large Mammal Fauna. New York: Columbia University Press, 2007. For the past 35 million years, the continen

Gray Fox

Published on 2011-01-14 10:29:00

(Image Source) Phylum : Chordata Class : Mammalia Order : Carnivora Family : Canidae Genus : Urocyon Species: cinereoargenteus Length : 30-45in (76-114cm) Weight : 8-15lbs (3.6-6.8kg) IUCN Status : Least Concern The Gray Fox is a small canine fou

Big Fin Squid

Published on 2011-01-13 08:59:00

(Image Source) Phylum : Mollusca Class : Cephalopoda Order : Teuthida Family : Magnapinnidae Genus : Magnapinna Length : 5-23ft (1.5-7m) Weight : Unknown IUCN Status : Not listed I'm afraid that this entry might be a short one, simply because th

Red-Billed Quelea

Published on 2011-01-12 10:08:00

Male in Breeding Plumage Phylum : Chordata Class : Aves Order : Passeriformes Family : Ploceidae Genus : Quelea Species : quelea Length : 5in (12.5cm) Weight : 15-20g IUCN Status : Least Concern The Red-Billed Quelea is the most abund

Keel-Billed Toucan

Published on 2011-01-11 10:47:00

(Image Source) I'm looking out the window right now and it's pretty miserable. The sky is gray, there is slushy snow everywhere... I think I need a little color. And what better animal than the Toucan to brighten up a day? There are around 40 diffe

Brain Coral

Published on 2011-01-10 14:41:00

Platygyra daedalea is one of the more common species of Corals referred to as "Brain Corals." All are members of the family Faviidae. This particular example is found in the tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans. Brain Corals are so n

Frogs: A Chorus of Colors

Published on 2011-01-09 14:13:00

Tomato Frog! I had the chance to catch the Milwaukee Public Museum's temporary exhibit Frogs: A Chorus of Colors yesterday, which was a really neat thing to see. They have 15 different species on display, ranging from the small but deadly Po

Western Tanager

Published on 2011-01-09 13:59:00

(Image Source) Western Tanagers (Piranga ludoviciana) are very bright songbirds found in Western North America. They are migratory, and spend their summer breeding at very high latitudes compared to others in their family. Some birds breed as far no

Mobile Site

Published on 2011-01-08 08:48:00

Did you know that Animal A Day now has a mobile site? Check it out on your fancy phone! Formatted for easier reading! It should auto-redirect, but if now, check out http://animaladay.blogspot.com/?m=1

Little Gull

Published on 2011-01-08 08:40:00

Summer Plumage I woke up this morning wanting to write about Seagulls. And then I quickly realized that there are many, many species and genera of gulls, and that I'd need to narrow it down to just one. So let's take a look at the smallest of all gu

Japanese Spider Crab

Published on 2011-01-07 08:52:00

(Image Source) Japanese Spider Crabs are the world's largest living arthropod, with a legspan that stretches nearly 13ft (4m). Their actually body, however, reaches only about 15in (37cm) across. These Crabs are found on the seafloor in the Pacific

Rufous Hummingbird

Published on 2011-01-06 07:50:00

Male Rufous Hummingbird Rufous Hummingbirds are native to the west coast of North America, where they migrate between their northern breeding grounds and their winter homes down in Mexico. They are quite small, measuring only about 3in (8cm). Males

Antelope Jackrabbit

Published on 2011-01-05 11:55:00

(Image Source) Despite the name, the Antelope Jackrabbit (Lepus alleni) is actually a hare, though rabbits and hare all members of the family Leporidae, which shares the order Lagomorpha with the Pikas. Antelope Jackrabbits are found in Western

Pangolin

Published on 2011-01-04 11:30:00

Sunda Pangolin There are eight species of Pangolin, all found within the genus Manis. Though they sort of resemble anteaters, they are actually the only extant members of their family, and also of their entire order, Pholidota. The Pangolin speci

Dolphin Fish

Published on 2011-01-03 10:44:00

(Image Source) The Dolphin Fish, sometimes known as Mahi-Mahi, live in tropical and subtropical oceans around the world. They are pelagic, and are oftentimes found underneath floating materials, including boats. In the Atlantic, Sargassum algae help

Tully Monster

Published on 2011-01-02 10:00:00

Artist's Interpretation The Tully Monster (Tullimonstrum gregarium) was a rather unique animal, both in biology and in location. It is the state fossil of Illinois, and that state is the only place in the world where they have been found. Some scien

Snowy Egret

Published on 2011-01-01 09:33:00

Breeding Plumage and Chicks The Snowy Egret is actually a small, white heron that can be found across the United States, and all the way down to South America. Population in warmer climates remain as permanent residents year round, while others in c

Asian Small-Clawed Otter

Published on 2010-12-31 08:57:00

(Image Source) The Asian Small-Clawed Otter, (Aonyx cinerea) also known as the Oriental Small-Clawed Otter, can be found in freshwater wetlands and swamps of South and Southeast Asia, as well as in Indonesia and the Philippines. They have slender, s