Active Wild - Wildlife & Science News, Facts & Info For Kids & Adults

Groundhog Facts, Pictures & Information: Meet The Real-Life Punxsutawney Phil!

The groundhog – also known as a woodchuck – is a nocturnal, 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 2^nd of February in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania.

It’s said that if Phil emerges from his burrow and is unable to see his shadow, then there will be six more weeks of winter.

Sadly, this year (2021) Phil didn’t see his shadow!

On this page you’ll find groundhog facts, pictures and in-depth information on the species…

The Major Rivers Of Africa: List With Maps, Pictures & Amazing Facts

The major rivers of Africa include the Nile, Congo, Niger, Zambezi and Orange. These waterways are of vital importance to a continent in which many people live in poverty and many regions are dry. Africa’s rivers bring life to otherwise infertile and barren regions, enabling people to grow crops, catch fish and transport natural resources.

Blue Wildebeest Migration Facts – Discover The World’s Largest Land Migration

The annual blue wildebeest migration in East Africa is the world’s largest land migration, and one of the most famous of all natural spectacles.

During their annual circular migration, huge herds of over a million blue wildebeest travel a distance of around 1,000 miles (1,600 km) in search of fresh grazing and water.

Challenges faced by the blue wildebeest during the journey include crossing crocodile-infested rivers and the continuous threat of predation by animals such as lions, hyenas and cheetahs.

Online Zoo: Discover The Animal Kingdom In A Virtual Zoo For Kids And Adults

Online Zoo - Virtual Zoo for kids and adults

Welcome to the Active Wild Online Zoo, a virtual zoo for kids (& adults). Discover amazing animals from all over the world… without leaving your home!

View incredible animal pictures;
Discover amazing animals from all over the world;
Talk about each species with other animal fans in the comments section on every page;
Share the incredible species you’ve discovered with your friends on social media – there are share buttons on every page!
New animals added regularly – be sure to visit often to see the new arrivals!

You can download FREE “Dingo Dan” printable worksheets for use with the Online Zoo from this page: Free Printable Worksheets.
You can learn more about the animal kingdom on this page: Animals: The Ultimate Guide.

Dog Facts For Kids (And Adults). Facts, Pictures & Information About Domestic Dogs

For many people, a dog is part of the family – a companion and protector, always ready to play a game, or to keep its owners safe at night.

Dogs play an important role in the lives of many humans, not only as pets, but also as working dogs, helping to solve crimes, acting as our eyes if we can’t see, or rounding up sheep on a farm.

Dogs are known as “man’s best friend” and there’s a good reason for this; dogs improve our lives in many different ways!

On this page we’ll discover some amazing facts about dogs for kids (and adults!)

Elk Facts, Pictures & Information: Discover One Of North America’s Iconic 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…

Rainforest Animals List With Pictures, Facts & Links To Further Information, Plus FREE Printable Question Sheets

Rainforest Animals

Rainforest animals include mammals such as sloths, tapirs, jaguars, tigers, howler monkeys, spider monkeys and orangutans; reptiles such as caimans and the green anaconda; amphibians such as poison dart frogs and the red-eyed tree frog; and birds such as toucans, macaws and the harpy eagle.

Are Whales Mammals? A Fact-Filled Look At Whale Evolution And Animals Related To Whales

Are Whales Mammals?

Yes, whales are mammals whose bodies have evolved for an aquatic existence. Despite having flippers and a tail rather than arms and legs, whales possess all of the characteristics of mammals, and are related to land mammals such as hippos.

In order to prove this, we need to take a deeper dive into what makes a mammal a mammal, and how the land-living ancestors of whales eventually evolved into fully-aquatic animals…

Centipede Facts, Pictures & Information. Get The Lowdown On These Ancient Predatory Arthropods!

Centipede facts, pictures and information. Find out exactly what a centipede is, what centipedes eat, where they’re found, and much more…

Raccoon Facts, Pictures & Information: Discover An Adaptable, Nocturnal North American Mammal

The raccoon is a mid-sized mammal that is widespread throughout much of North America. It is a member of the carnivoran family Procyonidae, which also includes animals such as coatis and ringtails. The raccoon originally lived in forests, but this adaptable animal is today found in a wide variety of additional habitats, including urban environments.

Gray Fox Facts. Discover A Common (But Elusive) Nocturnal American Canid

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.