It’s a very large type of duck that’s also called the paradise shelduck. It has lived in New Zealand for thousands of years. The Indigenous Maori

In fact, the four species of echidna are the only mammals other than the platypus who do so. Female echidnas lay a single egg per year and

It may come as no surprise that many animals have a strong sense of hearing. In fact, several can hear a wider range of frequencies than humans can. Cats, for example, hear

What was the helicoprion? For a long time, paleontologists thought it was a shark. Today, they know it’s most closely related to the modern ratfish. The helicoprion swam

The Great Indian Bustard, one of the heaviest flying birds, can weigh up to 15 kg and grow up to one meter in height. It

Birds seem to think so, too. Their feathers are unique. In fact, you might say they’re one of the bird’s defining characteristics. If it’s got feathers, it’s

Birds have many different ways they adapt to life in the coldest months. They have a hard time in cold weather because their body temperatures

There are actually two mammals that can lay claim to the title of the world’s smallest mammal. The winner depends upon how you define “smallest.”

The cockroach comes in an amazing number of different types. Scientists believe there are over 4,500 different species of cockroaches around the world. Of those

Elephants are huge, which means they produce a lot of body heat. Since elephants also typically live in very hot climates, it’s essential that they have a very efficient way to get rid

Do fish sleep? And assuming they do, HOW do fish sleep? If you’ve ever watched fish for any length of time, you know they get

As you might suspect, the number of teeth a shark has depends upon exactly what type of shark it is. There are many, many different types of

Most of our Wonder Friends already know that many birds migrate from place to place each year. As the weather begins to turn cold in the north,

Not quite! But the giraffe is known for having a long tongue. It’s also known for having a tongue that’s dark black, blue, or purple in color. So what’s

Do birds simply hate cold weather? Not necessarily! Many birds can do just fine in cold weather as long as there is plenty of food.

The simple answer is that snakes shed their skin because they are just like all other animals. All animals shed their skin — even you! In mammals, especially humans, this is an ongoing process that’s

But did you know that dolphins also possess a unique ability to see with a sound that still amazes and mystifies scientists to this very

Parasites are small organisms that get their food and shelter from others. Sometimes that other organism might be YOU. If so, the parasite calls you

Butterflies fascinate many people. One reason is the miraculous transformation they go through. They start as caterpillars. Then, through an amazing process, they turn into beautiful butterflies.

The idea of a “dog year” probably came about as a result of the fact that dogs develop at a different rate than human beings. A

When most of us hear the word “pony,” we think of a small horse. In fact, it’s not unusual for people to believe that a pony is

Snails and slugs are both parts of the same class of creatures called gastropods. Gastropod comes from the Greek words gastros (stomach) and podos (foot).

Have you ever seen a caterpillar transform into a beautiful butterfly? There are few transformations in nature as miraculous and fascinating as the process of becoming a butterfly. Butterflies go through a life cycle

Monkeys probably don’t know much about nutrition, but they know they love bananas. Why? It’s probably because bananas tend to grow in the hot, tropical areas where monkeys

Have you ever seen a murmuration? If you have, you would know it. Seeing hundreds — even thousands — of starlings flying together in a whirling, ever-changing pattern is

A sea anemone (pronounced uh-NEM-uh-nee) looks a lot like a flower, but it’s actually a marine animal. In fact, it’s named after the beautifully-colored anemone flower. The oceans of the

As colder weather approaches, what changes do you make? You probably start to wear heavier clothing, including long pants, long-sleeved shirts, and coats. You may also

Jellyfish are very simple sea creatures that have lived in the oceans since before the time of the dinosaurs. Found in every ocean around the

Anteaters — sometimes called “antbears” — are four species of mammals from the suborder Vermilingua. The four species include the Giant Anteater, the Silky Anteater, the Southern Tamandua, and the Northern Tamandua. The

Ladybugs are actually insects known as beetles. They are from the scientific family Coccinellidae. True “bugs” are insects, such as cicadas and aphids, that are members of the scientific order Hemiptera. Just

20 Jan-Penguin Awareness Day 31 Jan-International Zebra Day 3rd Saturday of Feb-World Pangolin Day 27 Feb-International Polar Bear Day 3 March-World Wildlife Day 20 March-World

Known by the scientific name Electrophorus electricus, the electric eel is an electric fish able to generate powerful electric shocks. Electric eels use their shocking abilities for hunting and self-defense.

Scientists believe ants have been around for more than 110 million years. In that time, they managed to colonize just about every part of the

Most animals relax their muscles during sleep. With birds, it’s different. The tighter the muscles in birds, the stronger and healthier their sleep. During sleep,

Have you ever seen a catfish? If so, you might already know where its name came from. Long, thin tendrils protrude from around their mouths. These look

Watching geese fly together across the sky is intriguing. Have you wondered why they always fly in a V pattern? There’s a reason for it.

Snakes and Their Senses Every creature has unique senses that are adapted for its survival. Some possess superior sight, hearing, taste, touch, or—like the snake—smell.

When you visit penguins at the zoo, their home is usually decorated with faux icebergs. This plays into our belief that all penguins live in

Over 60 living species of flightless birds currently exist, ranging in size from the gigantic ostrich to the tiny woodhen. Here are some you may or may

The air-breathing lungs of mammals, including humans, must be dry and empty of fluids to work properly. When we take a breath, tiny air sacs

In a fertilized egg, the yolk provides a source of food for the developing embryo. As the chick matures, it pulls nutrients from the yolk until it is strong enough to

Anteaters — sometimes called “antbears” — are four species of mammals from the suborder Vermilingua. The four species include the Giant Anteater, the Silky Anteater, the Southern Tamandua, and the Northern Tamandua. The