We share our planet with some truly intriguing animals, and the sea urchin is no exception. Despite its tiny stature, this unassuming ocean dweller is incredibly capable of thriving in a wide range of conditions, especially impressive when you consider that it lacks a brain. Urchins come in a variety of vibrant reds, purples, oranges, […]
Most people know that octopuses have eight legs or arms. But did you know that these alien-looking creatures have nine brains? It’s little wonder these animals are so intelligent! Octopuses have inspired movies, featured in popular songs, and appeared in legends, and in 2010, an octopus named Paul was asked to predict the result of […]
The gorilla is a creature that deserves our admiration. With stocky bodies, broad chests, and muscular arms, gorillas are the epitome of strength in the animal kingdom. Gorillas are part of the great ape family, including other impressive species like orangutans and bonobos; gorillas are essential to our planet’s biodiversity. Gorillas are our third closest […]
There are over 2,500 species of scorpions inhabiting some of the harshest climates on the planet, and they all have one thing in common: they’re super creepy. Like other arachnids, scorpions scuttle their shiny exoskeleton along on their four sets of legs, brandishing their venomous tail like some kind of demented merengue dancer. And while […]
Flamingos are truly striking creatures! With their bright pink plumage, long, slender limbs, and elegant curved necks, these colorful birds are a sight to behold. They even spend most of their day standing on one leg! Despite their vibrant appearance, flamingos live in sparse habitats, but they are perfectly adapted to thrive in these conditions. […]
When you hear the word “shark,” do you immediately think of the man-eating Great White in the iconic 70s movie Jaws? Well, you’re not alone! But did you know that there are thought to be at least 500 species of sharks in the world’s oceans? Sharks range in size from 40-foot-long, filter-feeding Whale sharks to […]
I’ve seen a few falcons in my time, and my dad particularly likes to spot them out with his binoculars in hand. Growing up in the UK, we don’t really see many predatory birds, so seeing a falcon swopping and clawing onto its prey mid-air really is an impressive sight to see. Falcons live in […]
Welcome to exploring the one animal on land that causes the most human deaths in Southern Africa. Dangerous, grumpy, and with the size and grit to back up its threats – the hippopotamus is an animal to be feared. Go into its territory at your own risk because your very presence will cause annoyance of […]
When Theodore Roosevelt chose not to shoot that black bear back in 1902, he started a craze that continues today. That black bear he saved became the father of all teddy bears, but there’s no evolutionary link between the two! Let’s leave the teddy bears where they belong (in bed) and focus on the iconic […]
Overview Masters of powered flight on a thin wing membrane is nothing short of miraculous in itself. Yet, the Nose leaf bat does it, and so does the blood-sucking Vampyrum spectrum bat. No matter whether we discuss the Pteropus giganteus (Indian flying fox), Spectral bat, or the little Brown bat, their flight muscles are designed […]