Animal Facts Archives

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.

Primates: The Ultimate Guide – Facts, Pictures, In-Depth Information

What Are Primates?

Primates are mammals in the order Primates. Modern primates include bushbabies, lorises, lemurs, tarsiers, monkeys, and apes (including humans). Primates evolved from forest-dwelling ancestors and have adaptions for an arboreal (tree-dwelling) existence, including flexible shoulders and dextrous hands.

Porcupine Facts: Species, Where Found, Diet, Predators, Lifestyle & More…

Fun facts on porcupines: find out where these quilled rodents live, what they eat, how they defend themselves and much more…

American Crocodile Facts, Pictures & In-Depth Information

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…

North American Porcupine Facts: Discover North America’s Second-Largest Rodent

The North American porcupine is the second-largest rodent found in North America (the largest is the North American beaver). This slow-moving mammal spends much of its life in the trees, and is mainly active at night. Like all porcupines, the North American porcupine has a coat of sharp quills. The quills, which are actually modified hairs, serve as a defense against predators.

Read on for more North American porcupine facts…

Nine-Banded Armadillo Facts, Pictures & In-Depth Information

The nine-banded armadillo Dasypus novemcinctus is a mid-sized burrowing mammal with flexible, bone-plated armor covering its head, back and tail. The species, one of 21 living armadillos, is found in South, Central, and southern North America, and is the only armadillo regularly found in the USA.

Read on for nine-banded armadillo facts, pictures and in-depth information…

Bighorn Sheep Facts: Discover The Largest Sheep Native To North America

The bighorn sheep Ovis canadensis is the largest wild sheep native to North America. The species gets its name from the massive, curled horns of the male, which are used to fight other males in order to establish dominance within a herd. The sound of the crashing horns of battling bighorns can be heard from up to a mile away.

This iconic North American mammal is usually found in rugged, rocky terrain. Its specially-adapted hooves allow it to traverse the steep cliffs and make leaps from ledge to ledge with apparent ease.

The bighorn sheep is the state mammal of both Colorado and Nevada, and the provincial mammal of Alberta.

Continue reading for more bighorn sheep facts, pictures and information…

American Alligator Facts, Pictures & In-Depth Information

The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) is large predatory reptile found across the southeastern United States from North Carolina to the Rio Grande. This iconic American species is the state reptile of Florida, Louisiana and Mississippi. It inhabits hot wetlands and is present in the Florida Everglades and the Mississippi Delta regions of the United States.

This page contains facts, pictures and in-depth info on the American alligator. Be sure to watch the video of an adult male bellowing!

Flying Squirrels Facts: Meet The Gliding Rodents Of North America!

Flying squirrels are true squirrels, but they don’t actually “fly”. Instead these ingenious rodents glide from tree to tree, using a membrane of thick skin stretched between their arms and legs to slow and control their fall.

On this page you’ll find amazing facts on the three flying squirrels found in North America.