Mammals are a large and diverse group of vertebrate animals that share many common characteristics. These include warm-bloodedness, the presence of fur or hair, internal fertilization and production of milk by female mammals to nourish their young. Mammals have evolved into an impressive array of species adapted for life on land, in water, and even …
Coyotes are well known for their distinctive howling. Commonly found in the United States, Canada, and Mexico, coyote howls echo through many rural areas at night. But why do these animals make such a loud noise? This article explores the reasons behind coyote howling behavior to gain insight into this unique animal species. Coyotes typically …
The ability of land animals to consume salt water is a topic that has been studied for centuries. It has become an increasingly relevant subject due to the implications it could have on future animal husbandry and conservation efforts. This article will explore the evidence surrounding whether or not any land animals drink salt water …
Territorial and solitary, the bobcat is sometimes confused with its close cousin, the lynx. Both cats have tufted ears and short tails, but the bobcat tends to be more aggressive. The bobcat got its name because of its short tail, which resembles the docked tails of domestic mammals such as cats and dogs. It looks …
It is easy to become mesmerized by the vast rainbow of colors on some tropical birds and reptiles. Mammals, on the other hand, have very dull colors in comparison. I wanted to find out why. Mammals do not use color to attract mates but other factors, including size and strength. Very few mammals are poisonous …
Although many vertebrates have tails, mammals probably have the most versatile tails out of all animals. Fish use their tails for swimming, while many reptiles, such as lizards, use their tails for locomotion. The massive amount of muscles in a reptile tail allow them to move but cannot be used for many other functions. Mammals …
One of my favorite mammals in North America, the bighorn sheep population, was once in decline. Due to its reintroduction by many states, the bighorn is now found in quite a few areas in North America. The Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep and Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep are found in the cooler mountainous ranges from Southern …
Many animals have whiskers. From domesticated pets to marine mammals, whiskers can be found on many different species, and they have lots of interesting uses. Animals use whiskers to navigate in the dark or low visibility and help decide if they can get through small gaps. Whiskers are used when hunting, such as marine mammals …
If you have found an animal digging holes in your garden, you might be surprised to discover it is a skunk. In this article, we look at why and how to stop them. The most effective method is to reduce the number of grubs on the lawn. Beneficial nematodes will kill ants, fleas, moths, beetles, …
If you have watched animals in the wild or have pets, you will probably have seen quarrels, fights, and threats between the same species. Animals in the wild fight for territory, mates, food, water, and nesting sites. Fighting is generally a last resort, and other techniques are used to avoid this. If you want to …
If you have seen a deer or horse chewing their food, you may have noticed that they eat with a sidewards motion. I wanted to learn about herbivores’ teeth and what I found was very interesting. Herbivores are animals that primarily eat plants as their main diet. Plants wear out teeth much faster than meat. …
We know that we are classed as mammals, like many other animals on the planet. Mammals share several other features, and I wanted to write this article about how mammals got their name. Carl Linnaeus, the father of taxonomy, named mammals. Linnaeus named mammals after the Latin word mamma, meaning breast. I looked further into …