o Interesting facts Of the 9 species of fur seals in the world’s oceans only the Northern fur seal lives in the northern hemisphere. Northern fur seals are more closely related to sea lions than to true seals, both have external earflaps, which true seals lack. They also have the ability to walk on all fours. These marine mammals are philopatric meaning that they return to breed and give birth where they were born. The Guadalupe fur seal range overlaps slightly with the Northern fur seal in its southern range in California. Name Scientific name: Callorhinus ursinus Common name: Northern Fur…
Author: Staff writer
Did you know? There are only 3 Northern white rhinos left in the world. They live in a private sanctuary in Kenya. One of them is a male and two are female. Neither female is capable of natural reproduction. There are two subspecies of the White Rhino; the Northern white rhino which is and extinct in the wild and the Southern white rhino which is and has healthy increasing populations. Name Scientific Name: Ceratotherium simum cottoni Common Name: Northern white rhinoceros or Northern squared-lipped rhinoceros Conservation Status The Northern white rhinoceros is considered by the IUCN and is possibly extinct in…
Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species Animalia Chordata Aves Sphenisciformes Spheniscidae Spheniscus Speniscus humboldti Did you know? Humboldt penguins are named after the Humboldt current, a nutrient rich current of cold water current that runs along the coast of South America from northern Peru to the south of Chile. Conservation Status The Humboldt penguin is considered Vulnerable by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This species is listed under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Flora and Fauna (CITES). Its population has been greatly affected by El Niño effect…
Name Scientific Name: Platinista gangetica. Common Name: South Asian River Dolphin, Blind River Dolphin, Ganges Susu (Ganges River Dolphin subspecies), Bhulan (Indus River Dolphin subspecies). Conservation Status The South Asian River Dolphin is listed as Endangered by the Internation Union for the Conservation of Nature. It is listed under Appendix I of the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of WIld Fauna and Flora. Major Threats Water development projects such as dams, canals, barrages and water diversion have degraded and diminished the quality and quantity of habitat fragmenting its already vulnerable population. Pollution in South Asia rivers have increased with…
Interesting Facts The last common ancestor of today’s apes and humans lived about 18 million years ago. Humans and Pan (chimps and bonobos) diverged 5 to 8 million years ago. One explanation for the genetic separation between bonobos and is the formation of the Congo River about 1.5 million years ago which divided the population preventing contact. Bonobos, chimps and humans share 98% of genes. Hybrids between bonobos and chimps have occurred in captivity. All great apes (bonobos, and) can recognize themselves in the mirror. Bonobos (pan paniscus) was recognized in 1929 as a separate species from chimpanzees. 0 Name Scientific Name: Pan…
Interesting Facts Genetic studies show that chimpanzees and humans share a common ancestor and 98% of genes. Because we are so similar chimpanzees get many infectious diseases that humans get. Chimps belong to the group of greater apes along with gorillas, bonobos and . They are stronger than humans because of the way neurons activate their muscles they have less control over how much muscle to use. Jane Goodall is a scientist who spent almost 30 years studying chimps in the wild in Gombe National Park in Tanzania. Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Primates Family: Hominidae Genus:…
Interesting Facts The Hawsksbill Sea Turtle is the most endangered of all the turtle species. Its population has declined over 80% in a century. One of the most important reasons for the global decline of the Hawksbill Sea Turtle has been the high demand for its richly patterned shell. It is used in a variety of products including tortoise shell combs, inlays in fine furniture and jewelry. Its bones were used to make tools and other parts to make traditional medicine. Its decline is also due to its use as ceremonial and religious practice. A shell can sell for up to…
Interesting Facts Electric eels are not true eels but they have a strong resemblance to true eels (Anguilliformes). They are Gymnotiformes commonly known as South American knifefish or neotropical fish. These fish can produce up to 650 volts of electricity enough to severely injure humans and other animals. Male electric eels make a nest with their saliva where females will lay their eggs. The only way to safely catch an electric eel is to make them tired by continually discharging the organs that produce electricity. A group of electric eels is called a swarm. Conservation Status and Population The…
o o Interesting Facts The Andean Titi Monkey belongs to the genus Callicebus. There are 30 species of titis that belong to this genus. The Andean Titi is locally known as “mono tocon” or in the native Awajun language as the “sugkamat”. Their tails are longer than their bodies. Name Scientific Name: Callicebus oenanthe Common Name: San Martin Titi Monkey, Rio Mayo Titi Monkey, Andean Titi Monkey. Conservation Status and Population The Andean Titi Monkey is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. Over the last 25 years its population has decreased by over 80% due to deforestation for agricultural activities and human…
Taxonomy Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species Animalia Chordata Mammalia Artiodactyla Monodontidae Monodon Monodon monoceros Interesting facts During winter sometimes narwhals get trapped under fast forming pack ice. They attempt to keep the breathing hole open with their tusks but die of exhaustion and suffocation unable to breathe. Tusks are overgrown teeth. Most narwhals have one tusk while a minority will develop two. Narwhals are one of the most vulnerable Arctic animals to climate change due to receeding ice coverage in their habitat in northern grounds. There are no narwhals in captivity. In the 60s and 70s…
0 Conservation Status Walruses have been part of the culture of many indigenous Arctic cultures for thousands of years. They have hunted them for their meat, skin, blubber, tusks and bones. During the 19th and early 20th century its population was rapidly depleted. The Pacific species has rebounded since then but the Atlantic and Laptev species remain fragmented and have not recovered. The global status of the walrus as a species according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is “Vulnerable”. However each subspecies have its own conservation status. The Atlantic walrus (Odobenus rosmarus rosmarus) is classified as “Near…
Interesting Facts A calf born in the Cincinnati Zoo in Ohio was the first Sumatran Rhinoceros born in captivity in over 100 years. There are fewer than 250 Sumatran Rhinoceros in the wild, they are so endangered that they are one of the rarest large mammals in the world. There are five types of rhinoceros: Black, White, Javan, Indian and Sumatran rhinoceros. Javan and Sumatran Rhinos are critically endangered. Their horns are made of keratin, a protein found in hair and nails. Rhinos are killed for their horns which is used as traditional medicine or worn as ornaments. Taxonomy Kingdom:…
Critically Endangered animals as classified by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Common Name Scientific Name Status Class Location Ambystoma mexicanum Critically Endangered Mexico Huso huso Critically Endangered Black, Caspian, Azov and Adriatic Seas Diceros bicornis Critically Endangered South Africa, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Namibia Gymnogyps californianus Critically Endangered Southern and Baja California, Grand Canyon Acinonyx jubatus Critically Endangered Sub-Saharan Africa, Iran Alligator sinensis Critically Endangered Eastern China Andrias davidianus Critically Endangered South China Lipotes vexilifer Critically Endangered Yangtze River, China Crocodylus rhombifer Critically Endangered Zapata and Lanier Swamp, Cuba Dermochelys coriacea Critically Endangered Atlantic, Pacific, Indian…
Interesting Facts Tokyo Tsukiji Market is the largest wholesale market of Southern blue fish tuna. In 2013 a 222 kl tuna was sold for $1.8 million or $8,000 a kilogram. This species was previously considered as a subspecies of the or the Recreational and game fishers of Southern Bluefin Tuna is allowed in Australia and its catch is regulated by legislation. Bluefin tuna migrate vertically and horizontally. Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Perciformes Family: Scombridae Genus: Thunnus Species: Thunnus maccoyii Name Common Name: Southern Bluefin Tuna Scientific Name: Thunnus maccoyii 0 o Population and Conservation Status The Southern…
Interesting Facts There are three types of bluefin tuna: Pacific, Atlantic and Southern. Tokyo Tsukiji Market is the largest wholesale market of bluefin tuna. In 2013 a 222 kl tuna was sold for $1.8 million or $8,000 a kilogram (2.2 lb). About 80% of the Atlantic and Pacific Bluefin Tuna is consumed in Japan. As early as the 1960’s bluefin tuna (including Pacific, Atlantic and Southern) was sold for pennies a pound and was used to make cat food. Name Pacific bluefin tuna – Thynnus orientalis 0 0 Population and Conservation Status According to the Pacific Bluefin Tuna Working Group…
Name Common name: Atlantic Bluefin Tuna Scientific name: Thunnus thynnus Population and Conservation Status The Atlantic Bluefin Tuna is a highly valuable species in the Japanese sashimi market which has been overfished across its range. According to the IUCN as of 2010 there has been a decline of up to 51% over the past 39 years. This species is listed as Endangered because of its critical historical low levels due to overfishing. The International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Bluefin Tuna (ICCAT) was established in 1967 and establishes annual fishing quotas. Distribution and Habitat This species live in subtropical and…
Interesting Facts The two species of orangutan, Sumatran Orangutan (pongo abelii) and Borneo Orangutan (pongo pygmaeus), genetically diverged about 1.5 million years ago. Orangutans have 32 teeth, the same amount as humans. It is believed that humans and apes had a common ancestor 15 million years ago. They share 97% of their DNA with humans. Orangutans are the only apes found outside Africa. Name Common name: Sumatran Orangutan and Bornean Orangutan. From the Malay language “orangutan” which means “person of the forest”. Scientific name: Pongo abelii and Pongo pygmaeus 0 0 Population and Conservation Status The population of wild Sumatran Orangutans was estimated at 7,300 individuals…
Blue Whale are the largest animals to have ever existed on earth, due to its size there are no Blue Whales in captivity. These animals are also the loudest animals on earth. During the 20th century the species was almost exterminated due to commercial whaling. Blue Whales can be found in all major oceans of the world. Name Common Name: Blue Whale, Pygmy Blue Whale. Antarctic Blue Whale. Great Northern Rorqual, Sibbald’s Rorqual. Scientific Name: Balaenoptera musculus. Balaenoptera comes from two Latin words Balaena meaning whale and pteron meaning fin. Musculus means mouse in Latin. Conservation Status The Blue Whale was sought after for…
Interesting Facts about Gorillas Gorillas develop twice as fast as humans. Gorillas share 95% of our human genome. A group of gorillas is called troop. The Western Lowland Gorilla is the subspecies that is often found in zoos. American zoologist George B. Schaller was the first scientist to study and observe gorillas. He published his findings in his book “The Mountain Gorilla: Ecology and Behavior” Conservation Western Gorillas are listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. The species is listed under Appendix I of CITES and Class A of the African Convention. National and International law…
Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species Animalia Chordata Mammalia Perissodactyla Rhinocerotidae Diceros D. bicornis o o Conservation The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species lists the Black Rhino as Critically Endangered. The species is listed on CITES Appendix I. International trade in Black Rhinos and their products is prohibited. Fun Facts about Rhinos Rhinos are one of the oldest groups of animals. They provide important source of income from ecoturism. In 1961 WWF was the first organization to launch an international effort to save black rhinos from extinction. Their name come from two Greek words, rhino meaning nose…
Interesting Facts about Gorillas Gorillas are our closest relatives. They share 98% of our genome. American zoologist George B. Schaller was the first scientist to study and observed gorillas. He published his findings in his book “The Mountain Gorilla: Ecology and Behavior” Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order Primates Suborder: Haplorhini Family: Hominidae Genus: Gorilla Species: Gorilla beringei Subspecies: Gorilla beringei beringei o o Name Common name: Mountain Gorilla. Scientific Name: Gorilla beringei beringei Population and Conservation Status There is a combined total of 680 Mountain Gorillas in its two isolated Virunga and Bwindi populations. The species…
Population and Conservation Status The South China Tiger is the most critically endangered species of tiger in the world. There are about two dozen in world in reserves in China and South Africa. According to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature this subspecies may be functionally extinct as it has not been observed in the wild during the last two decades. It is listed as “critically endangered” by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. In the mid 20th century these tigers were hunted for their body parts which are used in traditional Chinese medicine. They were also…
An adult bald eagle, young ones do not have white plumage in the head and tail. o o Cool facts about the bald eagle The Bald Eagle has been the national emblem of the United States since 1782. Benjamin Franklin did not approve of the bald eagle as the US emblem. He thought it lacked courage, had bad moral character and did not get his living honestly. Bald eagles are not really bald. Their head is white, but their name actually comes from the old English word piebald which meant “white headed” rather than hairless. They are a sacred…
o o Name Scientific name: Phocoena sinus Common name: Vaquita, Gulf Porpoise, Gulf of California Porpoise. Vaquita is for “little cow” in Spanish. Conservation Status The vaquita is the most endangered cetacean after the was declared functionally extinct in 2006. Phocoena sinus is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. In 2007 the IUCN estimated a population of around 150 individuals with a population trend that is decreasing. The International Committee for the Recovery of the Vaquita was created in 1997 to protect the species in the Gulf of Mexico. The Mexican Ministry of Environment…
o o Name Scientific name: Megaptera novaenanglia. Megaptera is derived from the Greek mega for “large” and pteron for “wing”. Novaeangliae for New England where the humpback was first described scientifically. Common name: Humpback whale, hump whale, hunchbacked whale. Conservation Status The humpback whale is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Its status was changed from Vulnerable to Least Concern in 2008. Up to 1988 it was listed as Endangered. They are designated as “Endangered” by the Endangered Species Act (ESA). It is listed in Appendix I of CITES and the Convention on Migratory Species of Wild Animals. Humpback…
Name Common name: Sperm Whale, Spermacet Whale, Cachelot, Pot Whale. “Spermaceti”, the organ in the head of the whale which contains an oily liquid once believed to be sperm. Scientific name: Physeter macrocephalus. Physeter is derived from the Greek word for “blowpipe or blowhole” Macrocephalus is derived from Greek meaning “big head”. Conservation Status The sperm whale is classified by the IUCN as a Vulnerable species. It is listed in CITES Appendix I. The International Whaling Commission manages sperm whale populations. Distribution and Habitat This is distributed in all the oceans including enclosed or partially enclosed seas such as the…
o o Name Common name: Leatherback, Leatherback Sea Turtle, Leathery Turtle, Trunkback Turtle, Coffinback, Luth. Scientific name: Dermochelys coriacea Conservation Status by Subpopulations East Pacific Ocean subpopulation: Critically Endangered. Nesting females and nests declined by 97.4% during the past three generations. Northeast Indian Ocean subpopulation: Data Deficient. There is insufficient reliable trend data of this subpopulation. Northwest Atlantic Ocean subpopulation: Least Concern. Its population is widespread and increasing. Southeast Atlantic Ocean subpopulation: Data Deficient. Long term data on this subpopulation is unavailable. Southwest Atlantic Ocean subpopulation: Critically Endangered. There are only 35 mature individuals in the wild. Southwest Indian…
o o Name Common name: Baiji, Yangtze River Dolphin, Chinese river dolphin, white-fin dolphin, white-flag dolphin. Scientific name: Lipotes vexillifer. Population The total population in the early 1990s was believed to be less than 100 individuals in the wild. The last documented sighting was in 2002. In 2006 an acoustic and visual survey failed to find a single individual in the Yangtze River. According to the IUCN evidence suggests that the Chinese river dolphin is close to extinction. The baiji may be functionally extinct in the wild. Another cetacean following the steps of the baiji is the that…
Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phyllum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Sirenia Family: Trichechidae Genus: Trichechus Species: Trichechus inunguis o o Name Common name: Amazonian manatee, South American manatee, Amazon sea cow. Scientific name: Trichechus inunguis. Physical Features The Amazonian manatee is the smallest of the three living species of the Trichechus genus, the West Indian manatee (trichechus manatus) and the West African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis). Its skin color is gray with white markings on the abdomen and chest. Its rubbery skin is 2 inches thick (5 cm) and covered with fine hairs. They have thick bristles on the upper and lower…
Name Common name: Amazon River dolphin, pink dolphin, boto, bufeo. The name originates from the Greek delphus meaning “womb”. It can be interpreted as “fish” with a “womb”. Scientific name: Inia geoffrensis. Inia derives from the Guarayos tribe in Bolivia. Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Cetacea Family: Iniidae Genus: Inia Species: Inia geoffrensis Subspecies: Inia geoffrensis geoffrensis Subspecies: Inia geoffrensis humboldtiana Subspecies: Inia geoffrensis boliviensis Distribution The Amazon River dolphin is distributed throughout the Amazon and Orinoco Rivers and their tributaries. Its distribution covers approximately 2.5 million sq miles (7 million sq km) in Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, Colombia,…
Name Common name: Giant otter, giant Brazilian otter, giant river otter. Scientific name: Pteronura brasiliensis Population The IUCN Otter Specialist Group estimates a total wild population of 1,000 to 5,000 individuals and an estimated decrease in population of 50% over the next 20 years. Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Musteliadae Subfamily: Lutrinae Genus: Pteronura Species: Pteronura brasiliensis o o Physical Features The giant otter is the largest and the second heaviest (the sea otter is the heaviest) of the Mustelidae or weasel family. They reach adult size at 9 to 10 months old. Males are from 4.9…
Taxonomy Kingdom: Animal Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Hippopotamidae Genus: Choeropsis Species: Choeropsis liberiensis o o 0 Population The IUCN estimates a population of less than 3,000 individuals with a projected decline of 20% over the next 20 years. Name Scientific name: Hexaprotodon liberiensis or Choeropsis liberiensis. Choeropsis from the Greek “having the appearance of a young pig” Liberiensis from the country Liberia where most of the distribution of pygmy hippos is concentrated. Common name: Pygmy Hippopotamus, pygmy hippo. Physical Features Its skin is dark green to black on its back, fading to grey on the sides and…
Population According to the IUCN as of 2004 there were 600 wild Bactrian camels in China and 350 in Mongolia. Population trend is decreasing. Name Scientific name: Camelus ferus. Camelus from the Latin camelus and the Greek Kamelos for “camel”. Ferus from the Greek word ferus meaning “savage” or “wild”. Common name: Mongolian wild camel, wild Bactrian camel. Bactrian from the Bactrian region of ancient Persia, modern day northern Afghanistan. Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Camelidae Genus: Camelus Species: Camelus bactrianus (domestic Bactrian camel) Species: Camelus dromedaries (dromedary) Species: Camelus ferus (wild Bactrian camel) Distribution The…
o o Population and Conservation Status Chilean flamingo (Phoenicopterus chilensis) – Near Threatened. The Chilean flamingo breeds erratically and irregularly. The IUCN estimates a total population of 300,000 individuals. Caribbean flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber ruber) – Least Concern. This species has a large range with an increasing population. Lesser flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor) – Near Threatened. Decreasing population trend. Greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus ruber roseus) – Least Concern. This species has the largest distribution of all species with healthy population growth. James’ flamingo (Phoenicoparrus jamesi) – Near Threatened. The IUCN estimates a population of 106,000 individuals with a stable population trend. It is…
Taxonomy Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species Animalia Chordata Mammalia Carnivora Felidae Panthera Panthera pardus o o Name Scientific name: Panthera pardus. Panthera is derived from the Latin word panthera or the Greek word panther meaning “panther, leopard”. Pardus is derived from the Latin pardus or from the Greek pardos meaning “male panther”. Common name: Panther, Leopard. The word leopard comes from the Greek words leon meaning “lion” and pardos meaning “male panther”. Leopards were believed to be a hybrid of lion and panther. Habitat Leopards have highly variable habitats. They live in rainforest, savannas, grasslands, woodlands, deserts, mountains,…
Name Scientific name: Equus grevyi. The word equus is from the Latin word for “horse”. This species was named Grevyi after Jules Grèvy, president of the Third Republic of France in the late 18th century who was given one of these zebras as a gift in 1882. Common name: Grevy’s zebra, Imperial zebra. The word zebra comes from the Old Portuguese word zevro for “wild ass”. Taxonomy Kingdon: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Perissodactyla Family: Equidae Genus: Equus Species: Equus grevyi o o Species of zebra Plains zebra ( Equus quagga) – IUCN Status Least Concern Mountain zebra…
Conservation Status The snowy owl (Bobus scandiacus) has a wide distribution and healthy population numbers, though its trend is declining. According to the IUCN its global population is estimated at more than 300,000 individuals. It does not meet the criteria for Vulnerable and it is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN Red List of Endangered Species. Snowy owls are protected birds under the U.S. Migratory Bird Act. Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Strigiformes Family: Strigidae Genus: Bubo Species: Bubo scandiacus 0 0 Name Common name: Snowy owl, Arctic owl, Great white owl. Scientific name: Its classification…
Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Mustelidae Genus: Enhyndra Species: Enhyndra lutris o o Name Common name: Sea otter. Scientific name: Enhyndra lutris. Enhiyndra comes from the Ancient Greek word for “water” and lutris from the Latin word for “otter”. Habitat Sea otters live in coastal areas, primarily in the ocean but they can walk on land. About 84% of foraging occurs in water at depths of less than 98 ft or 30 m. The rest occurs within a kilometer from shore. Their habitat includes kelp canopy, sand, silt and mud sea bottoms in rocky coastlines and barrier…
Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Hippopotamidae Genus: Hippopotamus Species: Hippopotamus amphibious 0 0 Name Common name: Common hippopotamus, river hippopotamus, Nile Hippopotamus, large hippo. Scientific name: Hippopotamus amphibious. Hippos from the Greek word “horse”, potamos from the Greek “river or rushing water”. Physical Features The common or river hippopotamus is the third largest living mammal on earth after the and rhinoceros. It has a barrel shaped body and short legs. Its tail is laterally flattened and measures up to 14 in or 35 cm. Its head is adapted for submersion. Ears, nostrils and eyes are located…
Taxonomy Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species Animalia Chordata Reptilia Testudines Testudinidae Chelonoidis Chelonoidis nigra 0 0 Name Common name: Galapagos tortoise, giant Galapagos tortoise. The word tortoise is usually used for terrestrial turtles in the family Testudinidae. Scientific name: Chelonoidis nigra Physical Features Galapagos tortoises are the only surviving lineage of giant turtles in the world that show two different types of shell shapes. There are two remaining families of giant tortoises in the world the Galapagos tortoise and the Aldabra Atoll tortoise of Seychelles in the Indian Ocean. This reptile is the largest living species of tortoise.…
o o Conservation Status The Asian elephant is listed under Appendix I of CITES. The Asian elephant is listed as “endangered’ in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Its population has declined by more than 50% over the last 45 years. The subspecies Sumatran elephant (Elephas maximus sumatranus) is listed as “critically endangered”. It has experienced a population decline of over 69% over the past 25 years. Physical Features The Asian elephant is the largest in Asia. It is smaller than the and can be distinguished by the smaller size of their ears, rounded or convex back and smoother…
Name Common name: African Scientific name: Loxodonta africana Physical Features African elephants are the largest and heaviest on earth. They have larger ears than the and they are shaped like the continent of Africa. Each ear can measure 4 ft or 1.2 m across. Their large ears are used to control their body temperature. They contain capillaries helping release heat. Males and females have visible tusks with no difference in length. They grow up to 10 ft or 3 m long and weigh 130 lb or 60 kg each. Tusks are overgrown incisor teeth in the upper jaw and they…
Taxonomy Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genera Animalia Chordata Mammal Proboscidea Elephantidae Loxodonta Elephas 0 0 Distribution and Habitat There are two subspecies of elephants: and Asian elephant (Eliphas maximus). are distributed throughout sub-Saharan Africa and found in 37 countries. Asian elephants are found throughout South Asia and Southeast Asia. Elephants need a vast habitat to survive. Their habitat includes savannas, deserts, rainforests and marshes near sources of water. Physical Features Their most distinctive feature is their long trunk or proboscis which is used for picking up objects, touching, producing sounds and breathing. They can lift up to 770 lb…
Taxonomy Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species Animalia Chordata Reptilia Crocodilia Alligatoridae Alligator Alligator sinensis o o Name Common name: Chinese alligator, China alligator, Yangtze alligator. Scientific name: Alligator sinensis. Distribution and Habitat The Chinese alligator is one of two species of alligators found in the world, the other one is the American alligator ( mississippiensis) that lives in the southeastern states of the United States. The Chinese alligator is confined to a small area in the Yangtze River basin in Eastern China. Its habitat includes rivers, streams, swamps, ponds, lakes or any other sources of fresh water.…
Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Sphenisciformes Family: Spheniscidae Genus: Aptenodytes Species: Aptenodytes forsteri Name Common name: Emperor penguin. Scientific name: Aptenodytes forsteri o o Distribution and Habitat Emperor penguins live in the waters of the Antarctic, the continental shelf, fast ice and surrounding islands. Its distribution is limited to the area between 66˚ and 78˚ South latitude. They have a circumpolar range. They breed in colonies found on pack ice up to 75 miles or 120 km off shore near ice cliffs and icebergs that shelter them from the wind. Their habitat may reach temperatures below 40˚C or…
Taxonomy Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species Animalia Chordata Mammalia Carnivora Ursidae Ursus Ursus thibetanus 0 0 Name Common Name: Asiatic black bear, Asian black bear, Himalayan Black bear, Tibetan black bear, moon bear. Scientific Name: Ursus thibetanus Distribution and Habitat The Asiatic black bear has a wide distribution. Its range covers southeastern Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan and through the Himalayas to Myanmar. It also covers Southeast Asia to southern China, southern Russian Far East, North Korea and South Korea. Its distribution extends to the southern islands of Japan and Taiwan. Habitats of the Asiatic black bear include coniferous and…
Taxonomy Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species Animalia Chordata Mammalia Carnivora Ursidae Melursus Melursus ursinus 0 0 Name Common name: Sloth bear. Scientific name: Melursus ursinus Sloth bears are not related to sloths. George Shaw, a European zoologist, believed they were related. He named this species for features they share with tree sloths such as their long, thick claws and teeth and the fact that sometimes they hang upside down on tree branches. Distribution and Habitat Sloth bears live in South Asia in the Indian Subcontinent covering the countries of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal and Sri Lanka. Its population…
List of land mammal species from A to Z A B C E G H K L M N O P R S T W Z
Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Ursidae Genus: Ailuropoda Species: o o Name Common name: Giant panda, panda bear, panda. Scientific Name: Ailuropoda melanoleuca Distribution and Habitat Historically the giant panda occupied most of southern and eastern China. Today its distribution has been reduced by 92% from its original range. Currently they are found in south central China in 6 mountain ranges in the provinces of Sichuan, Gansu and Shaanxi. About 75% of its population inhabits in Sichuan Province. Giant pandas inhabit temperate forest and subalpine habitats at elevations of 4,000 to 11,500 ft or 1,200…
Taxonomy Kingdon: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Rodentia Family: Caviidae Genus: Hydrochoerus Species: Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris Name Common Name: Capybara Scientific Name: Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris o o Distribution and Habitat Capybaras are distributed throughout the basins of the Orinoco, Amazon, San Francisco and La Plata Rivers. Water and temperature are the main factors in its distribution. Its range covers the countries of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Ecuador, Colombia, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay and Venezuela. Capybaras live in lowland habitats near water sources. Its habitat includes forests, wetlands, mangrove swamps and riverbanks. Physical Features The capybara is the largest…
Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phyllum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Ursidae Genus: Helarctos Species: Helarctos malayanus oName Scientific name: Helarctos malayanus. Common name: Honey bear, sun bear. Named for its distinctive sun like colored chest patch. Distribution and Habitat Its range covers the countries of Bangladesh, Brunei, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam. Its habitat is greatly fragmented due to deforestation and according to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species its population has declined by more 30% over the past 30 years. Sun bears inhabit lowland dense tropical forests where there is plenty…
Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Ursidae Genus: Tremarctos Species: Tremarctos ornatus . . Name Scientific name: Tremarctos ornatus Common name: Spectacled bear, Andean bear, jukumari (Aymara), ukumari (Quechua), Ukuku. Distribution and Habitat The spectacled bear is the only surviving bear species endemic to South America. Its distribution is concentrated in the Andes Mountains of South America covering Colombia, western Venezuela, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia. They are also found in the border of the Pacific coastal desert and the western Andean mountain range in Peru. There are historical reports of its presence in Panama and northern…
Taxonomy Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species Animalia Chordata Mammalia Carnivora Felidae Panthera Panthera tigris 0 0 Name Scientific name: Panthera tigris. Common name: Tiger. Distribution There are 8 recognized subspecies of tigers living in 13 Asian countries: India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Myanmar, China, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Malaysia, Vietnam, Russia and North Korea. It is possibly extinct in North Korea and regionally extinct in Afghanistan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Singapore, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. According to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species tigers have lost 93% of their historic range. The Indian Subcontinent harbors more than 80%…
0 Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Osteoglossiformes Family: Arapaimidae Genus: Arapaima Species: Arapaima gigas 0 Name Scientific name: Arapaima Common name: Pirarucu in Brazil, paiche in Peru. Physical Features The arapaima is the largest freshwater fish. They have a large and wide mouth with a toothed tongue which is a characteristic of the osteoglossiformes order. It has a streamlined body with green-gray scales which can reach 2.36 in or 6 cm in length. Near the end of its body it has orange or red speckled scales. Its dorsal and anal fins are set near the tail. The…
Taxonomy 0 Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species Animalia Chordata Mammalia Carnivora Ursidae Ursus Ursus arctos 0 Name Common name: Brown bear, grizzly, grizzly bear. Scientific name: Ursus arctos. Distribution The brown bear has a circumpolar distribution historically covering most of North America, northern Asia, Europe, the Atlas Mountains of North Africa and the Middle East. In most of these areas Ursus arctos is extinct or their numbers have been drastically reduced. The brown bear is one of the 8 species of extant bears and the most widely distributed. This species is one of three of the ursidae…
0 Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Sphenisciformes Family: Spheniscidae Genus: Spheniscus Species: Spheniscus mendiculus 0 Name Scientific name: Spheniscus mendiculus. Common name: Galapagos penguin. Distribution and Habitat Galapagos penguins live in the northernmost habitat of all penguin species. They are the only species to live and breed in tropical climate. They are found on the equator on the islands of the Galapagos Archipelago. About 95% of the population lives on Isabela and Fernandina Islands and 5% on Bartolomé, Santiago and Floreana Islands. The islands are under the administration of the Galapagos National Park and Marine Reserve. Their…
Taxonomy Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species Animalia Chordata Mammalia Carnivora Ursidae Ursus Ursus maritimus 0 0 Name Scientific name: Ursus maritimus Common name: White bear, ice bear, polar bear. Distribution and Habitat The polar bear is distributed throughout the Arctic Circle and surrounding areas. Their range is limited by the extent of sea ice. Their range includes territories of 5 nations: Denmark, Norway, Russia, USA and Canada. These countries have signed the International Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears. Their preferred habitat includes pack ice that covers the water of the continental shelf and Arctic along the…
Taxonomy Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species Animalia Chordata Amphibia Caudata Cryptobranchidae Andrias Andrias davidianus , There are 3 species of the Cryptobranchidae family: Chinese giant salamander, Japanese giant salamander and North America Hellbender. Name Common name: Chinese giant salamander. Scientific name: Andrias davidianus. Distribution and Habitat The Chinese giant salamander is an amphibian endemic to China. Its native range covered central, south west and south China. Before the 1970s its distribution was widespread along the Yangtze, Yellow and Pearl Rivers. Today its distribution is fragmented due to urbanization, industrial and agricultural development, pollution, and poaching. It was introduced…
Taxonomy Kingdon: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Cetacea Family: Monodontidae Genus: Delphinapterus Species: Delphinapterus leucas Name Common name: White whale, beluga whale. Its name comes from the Russian world “beloye” meaning white. Scientific name: Delphinapterus leucas. Delphinapterus means dolphin without a wing – or dorsal fin. Habitat and Distribution Beluga whales are widely distributed across the Arctic Ocean and surrounding seas at around 76˚N to 80˚N. Its northernmost range reaches Alaska, northwest Canada, Greenland and northern Russia. Its southernmost rage reaches the St. Lawrence River in eastern Canada and Sakhalin Island in the Sea of Okhotsk. In the…
Taxonomy Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species Animalia Chordata Mammalia Carnivora Ursidae Ursus Ursus Americanus 0 0 Name Scientific name: Ursus Americanus. Common name: American black bear, Olympic black bear. Physical Features The black bear is the smallest of the North American bears. The other North American bears are the and the They have non-retractable inch long claws that give them the ability to climb trees. Females have thinner and more pointed faces than males. Males are larger than females. They have small rounded ears. Black bears do not have shoulder hump like the . They have soft fur…
0 Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinoptergii Order: Acipenseridae Genus: Huso Species: Huso huso Name Scientific name: Huso huso. Common name: Beluga sturgeon, great sturgeon, giant sturgeon, European sturgeon. 0 Habitat and Distribution The Beluga sturgeon is native to the Black, Caspian, Azov and Adriatic Seas. Historically they have spawn in the Danube, Dniester, Dnieper and Southern Boug Rivers that flow into the Black Sea; the Volga and Ural Rivers that flow into the Caspian Sea; and the Don River that flows into the Sea of Azov. According to the IUCN Red list of threatened species about 90%…
0 Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Amphibia Order: Caudata Family: Ambystomatidae Genus: Ambystoma Species: Ambystoma mexicanum Name Scientific name: Ambystoma mexicanum Common name: Axolotl, Mexican salamander, Mexican walking fish, Ajolote. 0 Distribution and Habitat The axolotl is an amphibian native to central Mexico specifically to the high altitude, fresh water lakes Xochimilco and Chalco south of Mexico City. Their distribution is fragmented due to the decline of the quality and extension of its habitat. Lake Chalco has been drained for drinking water and no longer exists. Lake Xochimilco is only a network of canals and lagoons. In its native…
The red lionfish (Pterois volitans) belongs to the pteroinae genus which has 10 species of lionfish. Two of them, Pterois volitans and Pterois miles, are invasive species in the North West Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean. Of the two species Pterois volitans makes up 90% of the total. 0 Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Scorpaeniformes Family: Scorpaenidae Genus: Pterois Species: Pterois volitans 0 Name Scientific name: Pterois volitans. Common name: Red lionfish, red firefish, turkefish, zebrafish. Distribution and Habitat The lionfish is a marine species native to the Indo-Pacific Ocean covering most of Oceania east to French Polynesia.…
Taxonomy Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species Animalia Chordata Reptilia Squamata Varanidae Varanus Varanus komodoensis , . A Komodo dragon in the Komodo National Park in Indonesia. Name Scientific name: Varanus komodoensis Common name: Komodo dragon, land crocodile. Habitat and Distribution Komodo dragons are native to the archipelago of Indonesia to the islands of Komodo, Flores, Rinca, Padar and Gili Motang. Adult Komodo dragons are terrestrial and have a wide habitat that includes tropical savannah forests, wide open areas with tall grasses, beaches, ridgetops and dry riverbeds. Their home range covers about 0.77 sq miles or 2 sq km.…
Taxonomy Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species Animalia Chordata Reptilia Squamata Iguanidae Iguana Iguana Iguana 0 0 Name Scientific name: Iguana iguana Common name: Green iguana, common iguana. Habitat and Distribution The green iguana is a species of lizard native to the tropical rainforests of South America and Central America. Its native range is from southern Mexico to Central Brazil. Introduced by men, today they are found in South Florida, Hawaii, Rio Grande Valley in Texas, Grand Cayman, Puerto Rico and other Caribbean islands. Their habitat is the forest canopy near sources of water. Adult green iguanas spend…
0 Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Chondrichthyes Order: Carcharhiniformes Family: Carcharhinidae Genus: Negaprion Species: Negaprion brevirostris 0 Name Scientific Name: Negaprion brevirostris. Common Name: Lemon shark. Distribution and Habitat They inhabit the coastal inshore waters of the northwest Atlantic Ocean from the coast of the state of New Jersey to Southern Brazil, the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico. They also inhabit the east coast of the Pacific Ocean from Baja California to Ecuador. The lemon shark’s distribution also extends to the east Atlantic Ocean from the coast of Senegal to Ivory Coast in East Africa. They stay within…
Taxonomy Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species Animalia Chordata Mammalia Artiodactyla Camelidae Vicugna Vicugna pacos 0 Name: Scientific Name: Vicugna pacos Common Name: Alpaca Habitat and Distribution The alpaca is a camelid indigenous to the Andes Mountains of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador and Chile. Other camelids closely related to the alpaca are llama, guanaco and vicuna. Today they live everywhere in the world in alpaca farms where they are kept as pets or for their fleece. Their natural habitat includes high mountain foothills in the Altiplano range at 11,500 to 16,000 feet or 3,500 to 5,000 meters above sea…
0 Name Scientific name: Orcinus orca Common name: Orca whale, killer whale. Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Cetacea Suborder: Odontoceti Family: Delphinidae Genus: Orcinus Species: Orcinus orca 0 Physical Features The orca whale is the largest member of the dolphin family. They have large black body with white belly and a grey saddle patch behind the dorsal fin. The lower jaw and the underside of the tail flukes are white. They have a distinctive white patch behind the eye. The dorsal fin is curved backwards in females while in males it is more triangular shaped. The dorsal…
Taxonomy Family Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species Animalia Chordata Reptilia Crocodylia Crocodylidae Crocodylus Crocodylus rhombifer . Cuban crocodile in Hoyerswerda Zoo in Saxony, Germany Name Scientific name: Crocodylus rhombifer Common name: Cuban crocodile Physical Features The Cuban crocodile have powerful legs that give them the ability to jump. They are able to leap from the water and snatch animals hanging from branches. These crocodiles have short and broad head, broad snout with slight nasal prominences. It is a distinctive crocodile species. Its body is covered in yellow, olive green and black pebbled scales which are rougher than other crocodiles.…
Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Species Animalia Chordata Amphibia Anura Hylidae Agalychnis Agalychnis callidryas 0 0 Name Scientific name: Agalychnis callidryas. Common Name: Red eyed tree frog or Red eyed leaf frog. Range and Habitat The red eyed tree frog, also known as red eyed leaf frog, is an amphibian native to Central American countries, specifically to Belize, Colombia, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama. They live in tropical rainforest areas in lowland and mountainous forests with sources of fresh water such as ponds or rivers. High humidity at around 80 to 100%. Physical Features Red eyed…
Taxonomy Kingdom Phylum Class Order Family Genus Subspecies Animalia Chordata Aves Strigiformesa Strigidae Strix occidentalis Strix occidentalis caurina 0 0 Name Scientific name: Strix occidentalis caurina. Common name: Northern spotted owl. Habitat and Distribution The northern spotted owl is one of the three species of spotted owls, the other two are the California and the Mexican spotted owls. Northern spotted owls have historically inhabited forests throughout southwestern British Columbia in Canada, western Washington, western Oregon and northwest California. According to Oregon Fish and Wildlife Office suitable land has been reduced by 60% over the last 190 years. They inhabit old…
0 Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Gruiformes Family: Gruidae Genus: Grus Species: Grus Americana 0 Physical Features The whooping crane has snow white body feathers with black wingtips that can be seen when flying. The face has a black mask around the beak which is long and pointed so that it can reach into deep water and through vegetation. Their legs are long and dark. They have yellow eyes. Juveniles have brown feathers. Distribution and Habitat The whooping crane is native to North America and is one of two species found in the continent, the other is…
0 Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Chondrichthyes Order: Lamniformes Family: Lamnidae Genus: Carcharodon Species: Carcharodon carcharias Name Common name: Great white shark, white shark, white pointer or great white. Scientific name: Carcharodon carcharias. 0 Physical Features The white shark has a dorsal fin on top of its body, two pectoral fins at the bottom front and rear and a caudal fin. In addition they have two small fins at the pelvic level which gives them the aerodynamic and efficient glide in the water reaching speeds of up to 35 mph or 50 km/h. White sharks belong to the class…
What is in a name? Local Amerindians in the Amazon rainforest used toxins from the skin of these frogs to poison the tips of their blow darts, therefore the name poison dart frog. Taxonomy Kingdon: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Amphibia Order Anura Suborder: Neobatrachia Family: Dendrobatidae 0 Physical Features Poison dart frogs have bright colorful bodies. Their color is associated with toxicity and alkaloids. It is the skin that contains the poison. All species of dendrobatidae family are somewhat toxic. Toxicity varies among species. They are aposematic organisms, meaning that their coloration gives warning signal to predators. Another aposematic organism…
Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Cathatiformes Family: Cathartidae Genus: Gymnopyps Species: Gymnogyps californianus Name Scientific name: Gymnogyps californianus. Common name: California condor. 0 Physical Features The plumage of the California condor is black with white patches of white feathers on the underside of their wings. These patches are visible when flying. Like their relative,, they have bald head and no feathers on their neck which helps them keep clean when poking inside carcass. The skin of both head and neck fluctuates from yellow, white, red or orange. The color changes according to emotional state. Condors have sharp, hooked…
0 Taxonomy Family: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Testudines Family: Cheloniidae Genus: Chelonia Species: Chelonia mydas 0 Name Scientific name: Chelonia mydas Common name: Green turtle, green sea turtle, black sea turtle. Habitat and Distribution Its habitat extends throughout tropical and subtropical seas. They stay along the coast and islands between 30 degrees north and 30 degrees south. They rarely adventure to the open ocean. The largest nesting grounds of green turtles are located in Tortuguero in Costa Rica and Raine Island in Australia. In the U.S. their primary nesting ground is located in the central and south coast of Florida.…
Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phulum: Chordata Class: Reptilia Order: Squamata Suborder: Serpentes Family: Boidae Genus: Eunectes Species: Eunectes murinus 0 0 Name Common name: Green anaconda. Scientific name: Eunectes murinus 0 Habitat and Distribution The green anaconda is a non-venomous boa species found in South America. It is also known as the common anaconda or water boa because it spends most of its time in or around water. There are 4 anaconda species, the Bolivian anaconda, dark-spotted anaconda, yellow anaconda and the green anaconda. The green anaconda is the best known because of its size and distribution. They are native to tropical South…
0 Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Aves Order: Cathartiformes Family: Cathartidae Genus: Vultur Species: Vultur gryphus Name Common name: Andean condor. Scientific name: Vultur gryphus 0 Habitat and Distribution The Andean Condor (Vultus gryphus) is one of the 7 species of New World vultures found in warm and temperate areas of the American continent. The Andean condor inhabits high peaks of the Andes Mountains of South America at elevations of up to 16,000 ft or 5,000 m. Its habitat ranges from Colombia in the north, to Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile in the southern end of the continent. They…
The Latin name for seahorse is Hippocampus which means “Horse Caterpillar”. While seahorses appear to be very different from other fishes in the sea, they are fish nonetheless. According to the Smithsonian National Museum of National History there are 47 species of seahorses. Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Actinopterygii Order: Syngnathiformes Family: Syngnathidae Subfamily: Hippocampinae Genus: Hippocampus 0 Habitat and Distribution Seahorses live in seagrass beds, mangrove roots, and coral reefs, in shallow temperate and tropical waters around the world. Their distribution ranges approximately from 50 degrees north to 50 degrees south latitude. According to Seahorse Project, a conservation…
0 Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Мammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Felidae Subfamily: Pantherinae Genus: Panthera Species: Panthera Uncia 0 Physical Features Despite their name, snow leopards (Panthera Uncia) are not the color of the snow. Their fur color varies from smoky gray to yellowish brown with black spots and rosettes. They stand out against the snow but blend with rocks. Their bodies have adapted to cold temperatures and mountain life. They have thick fur, small and rounded ears to minimize heat loss. Their paws are wide and covered in thick hair acting as snow shoes. Their tails are long…
0 Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Felidae Genus: Acinonyx Species: Acinonyx Jubatus 0 Name Common name: Cheetah, hunting leopard. Scientific name: Acinonyx Jubatus. Physical Features Cheetahs have coarse short tan fur with black one inch black spots that serve as camouflage. They are distinguished from other big cats by their smaller size, spotted fur, small heads and ears and their “tear stripes” that go from the corner of the eyes to the side of the nose. When running at high speed cheetahs use their tails to steer. Cheetahs are the fastest land mammals on earth. They can run…
Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Phociadae Genus: Pagophilus Species: Pagophilus Groenlandicus 0 0 Name Common name: Harp seal or Greenland seal. Scientific name: Pagophilus Groenlandicus Distribution and Habitat The harp seal (Pagaphilus groenlandicus) is a marine mammal that lives in defined breeding grounds in the Arctic. There are three populations. The largest is the Western North Atlantic located in eastern Canada. The second group breeds on the “West Ice” on the eastern coast of Greenland. The third population breeds on the “East Ice” in the White See off the coast of Russia. Physical Features Harp seals…
Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Cetacea Suborder: Odontoceti Family: Delphinidae, Inidae, Lipotidae, Plantanstidae, Pontoporiidae. 0 0 Distribution and Habitat There are 42 species of dolphins found around the world. Of those, 38 are marine dolphins and 4 are river dolphins. Dolphins are found worldwide and thrive in shallow seas where weather is warm. Marine dolphins come from the family Delphinidae. The Bottlenose dolphin is the most common species and is found worldwide in tropical and temperate waters. Physical Features Dolphins have streamlined bodies for fast swimming. They use their tail called “fluke” for propulsion while the pectoral…
0 Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Artiodactyla Family: Giraffidae Genus: Giraffa Species: Giraffa camelopardalis Name Common name: Giraffe. The name giraffe comes from the Arabic “zarafa” which means fast walker. Scientific name: Giraffa camelopardalis 0 Distribution and Habitat Their habitat extends from Chad in the north to South Africa in the south and from Niger in the west to Somalia in the east. Giraffes inhabit the grasslands, savannas and woodlands of South Saharan Africa. There are 9 subspecies of giraffes distinguished by their coat pattern. Giraffes are native from the African continent and their scientific name is Giraffa…
Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phyum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Felidae Genus: Lynx Species: Lynx Canadensis 0 Name Common name: Canadian lynx. Scientific name: Lynx Canadensis Its name comes from the Greek word to “shine”, maybe in reference to their reflective cat eyes. Physical Features The Canadian lynx is a medium size wild cat. Canadian Lynx have a dense silvery brown coat in winter and in summer its coat becomes reddish brown. These species of lynx have long legs and furry padded paws to help them walk on deep snow and protect them against freezing temperatures. Their triangular ears are…
0 Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylom: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Procyoniade Genus: Procyon Species: Procyon lotor Name Common name: Raccoon, northern raccoon. Scientific name: Procyon lotor Physical Features Raccoon’s bodies are covered in a thick gray coat. They have an undercoat that accounts for 90% of its entire coat and insulates them from cold weather. Their distinctive features are their facial mask and front paws. It is believed that the facial mask may reduce glare and enhance night vision. Raccoons have short legs relative to their torso so they are unable to run fast or jump. They can reach speeds…
0 Taxonomy Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Infraclass: Marsupialia Order: Diprotodontia Suborder: Vombatiformes Family: Phascolarctidae Genus: Phascolarctos Species: Phascolarctos cinereus 0 Physical Features According to the Department of the Environment of the Australian government there is only one species of Koala with different physical features. Their fur ranges from silver gray to chocolate brown. Koalas in the north are of lighter color and smaller than in the south. Koalas’ coat is thicker and longer in the back and shorter on the belly. It protects them from cold and heat, it is also water repellent. Their coat has…