Animal of the Week. Each week we feature a different species, taking an in-depth look at its lifestyle, range, habitat, conservation status and more. Each page is packed with fun facts, amazing pictures and videos. This is your chance to discover new and interesting species!
With a lifespan of over 200 years, the bowhead whale is thought to be the world’s longest living mammal. It’s also one of the largest living animals, and the animal with the largest mouth.
Continue reading to find out more about this fascinating species...
The common minke whale is one of two species of minke whale. Unlike the closely-related Antarctic minke whale, which is typically found in the colder regions of the Southern Hemisphere, the common minke whale is found in oceans worldwide.
Read on to find out more about the common minke whale…
The North Atlantic Right Whale (Eubalaena glacialis) is a critically endangered baleen whale species. On this page is a complete guide to this large marine mammal…
The sperm whale is the world’s largest toothed predator, and one of the deepest-diving, hunting giant squid at depths of over 2 km / 1.24 miles below the surface.
Moby Dick, the fearsome “white whale” in Herman Melville’s book of the same name, was based on a sperm whale. Melville’s story was partly based on a real incident in which a whaling ship was sunk after having been attacked by a sperm whale.
On this page you’ll find a complete guide to this formidable marine mammal…
With a population numbering several million, the common dolphin is the world’s most abundant cetacean. Living in large pods that can contain thousands of individuals, the common dolphin is known for its acrobatics and is often seen riding the bow waves of boats.
Read on to find out more about this amazing marine mammal...
The Rhesus macaque is a primate belonging to the Old World monkey family. Found in Asia, this common and wide-ranging species inhabits a larger area than any other non-human primate.
The sand cat, Felis margarita, is the only wild cat that lives primarily in desert habitats. It is found in arid regions with sparse vegetation in North Africa, the Middle East and parts of Central Asia. Slightly smaller than a domestic cat, the sand cat has several adaptations for living in the desert, including furry paws, large ears and a thick, sand-colored coat.
Sand cats are opportunistic feeders and hunt a variety of prey animals, including venomous vipers.
Read on for the complete lowdown on this remarkable felid…
The groundhog – also known as a woodchuck – is a burrowing rodent in the squirrel family Sciuridae. It is found in grasslands and forests of the USA and Canada, and is unusual among marmots for living in lowland areas.
A groundhog named Punxsutawney Phil is central to the traditional Groundhog Day celebrations held each year on the 2nd of February in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.
It’s said that if Phil emerges from his burrow and is able to see his shadow, then there will be six more weeks of winter. If Phil cannot see his shadow, then spring will arrive early!
Sadly, this year (2021) Phil did see his shadow!
On this page you’ll find groundhog facts, pictures and in-depth information on the species…
The elk is the second-largest species of deer in the world (only the moose is larger). It is found in forest, shrubland and grassland habitats in North America and eastern Asia. Bull elk are characterized by their impressive, branched antlers and loud “bugling” cries, which can be heard during the fall mating season.
Elk are thought to have evolved about 20 million years ago in the steppe regions of Beringia, a mass of land that once stretched between Siberia in northeastern Asia and Alaska in northwestern North America.
Today, the total elk population numbers around two million individuals, and is thought to be increasing. The species’ conservation rating is “Least Concern”.
Read on for more elk facts…
The gray fox is a small, omnivorous, new world fox species belonging to the family Canidae (the dog family). Sometimes known as the “tree fox” or “cat fox”, the gray fox is one of only two canid species that can climb trees.
Although the gray fox is fairly common, it is elusive and can prove difficult to spot in the wild. It is widespread across North and Central America and is found from southern Canada all the way down to Venezuela and Columbia.
The American crocodile is a large crocodilian in the family Crocodylidae (the “true crocodile” family). It is found in coastal and aquatic habitats in the warmer waters of North, Central and South America, as well as on Caribbean islands. The species shares part of its range with the similarly-sized American alligator.
Like other crocodilians, the American crocodile is an ambush predator. Rather than actively pursuing its prey, it lurks under the water waiting for unsuspecting animals to come within reach of its powerful jaws.
In many parts of its range the American crocodile was once hunted almost to extinction for both its meat and its hide. The species is now protected under national and international laws. Although no longer endangered, the American crocodile is still rated as “Vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Read on for more American crocodile facts…
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