Animals

Thursday, 7 May 2026
27 facts about turtles
27 facts about turtles
The only vertebrates so armored
The first turtles appeared on Earth at the end of the Permian about 240 million years ago. Although the first ones had neither plastron nor carapace, ...

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Laughing kookaburra
They were first described by the French naturalist and explorer Pierre Sonnerat.
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American flamingo
They are wading birds that are helped in their search for food by their long legs.
They use their feet to chase down aquatic creatures, then fish them out with their beak. Flamingos o ...
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European pine marten
The territory of the marten can cover up to 20 km² (12,5 sq mi) for males (although it is usually four times smaller). Females require a smaller territory, from 1.5 to 6.5 km² (0,9 to 4,3 sq mi).
The territory is marked by the scent produced by special glands on the abdomen and the anus. In winter, the territory of the marten decreases.
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Hawksbill sea turtle
Females chose the same place they hatched as their nesting grounds.
They dig a hole with claws on their flippers and lay an average of 140 eggs, which then they cover with sand and leaves. After the process is done, females return to the ocean, leaving eggs behind.
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Turtles
Two turtles circled the moon. This happened in September 1968 aboard the Zond 5 spacecraft.
The mission began at 21:42 UTC on September 14. The step-turtles stayed aboard the ship for 6 days, ...
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Platypus
Platypuses spend about 12 hours a day foraging for food.
While diving they can stay underwater for about 40 seconds. Between one dive and another platypuses rest above the water surface for about 20 seconds.
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Northern pike
They are mostly active during the day.
A characteristic feature of these fishes is the long time they spend each day foraging and a very fast metabolism. This explains why they can grow so fast when given enough food.
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American mink
They live near forest waters, marking the boundaries of their territory with the secretions of their perianal glands.
The size of the territory depends on the sex, males have areas of up to 440 ha, and females 8-20 ha.
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Guinea pig
Guinea pigs have well-developed hearing.
With four cochlear ganglia in the inner ear, they can hear sounds as high as 33.000 Hz. Among other ...
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Dodo bird
It is believed that dodo chicks were fed so-called bird’s milk.
In pigeons, the mucous membrane of the goiter contains glands that, a few days before the young hatc ...
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11 facts about Syrian brown bear
11 facts about Syrian brown bear
The only known bear with white claws
The Syrian bear (Ursus arctos syriacus) is the smallest of the brown bears. It lives in the highlands of the Middle East, but its population is system ...
19 facts about moose
19 facts about moose
Alces alces
The moose, known in Eurasia as elk, is the largest and heaviest living mammal from the Cervidae family (deer) and one of the largest land mammals in t ...
14 facts about dodo bird
14 facts about dodo bird
An extinct species that may be making a comeback
The dodo bird (Raphus cucullatus) has gained notoriety as a symbol of extinction and extermination. It inhabited the remote island of Mauritius in the ...
18 facts about bonobo
18 facts about bonobo
An ape with an exceptionally exuberant sexuality
The pygmy chimpanzee (Pan paniscus), also known as the bonobo, is a fascinating species of great ape that has attracted the attention of researchers a ...
16 facts about European tree frog
16 facts about European tree frog
Hyla arborea
These popular anuran amphibians are small frogs with very interesting characteristics. They are excellent climbers, often living in trees but can also ...
15 facts about common Surinam toad
15 facts about common Surinam toad
Pipa pipa
An ugly pokey frog with a triangular head fixed lidless eyes, and a pair of tentacles on its mouth that draws attention by its unusual way of reproduc ...
14 facts about adder
14 facts about adder
Vipera berus
The adder is one of the most widespread venomous snakes in Europe. Although it does not attack humans, it sometimes bites in self-defense. It lives in ...
13 facts about Komodo dragon
13 facts about Komodo dragon
The world’s largest lizard
The Komodo dragon is an endemic reptile that belongs to the family Varanidae and can be found on the Lesser Sunda Islands. It is the only modern speci ...
14 facts about common kingfisher
14 facts about common kingfisher
A symbol of happiness
Common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) attracts the attention of ornithologists and bird lovers worldwide because of its unusual appearance. This small bir ...
16 facts about manatees
16 facts about manatees
Peaceful sea giant
Manatees are gentle giants of the seas and oceans that fascinate with their unique nature and importance in aquatic ecosystems. These unique aquatic m ...
22 facts about hedgehogs
22 facts about hedgehogs
Insectivorous mammals of the Erinaceidae family
They share an ancestry with moles, shrews, and solenodons. Hedgehogs were introduced to Europe, Asia, Africa, and New Zealand, and currently cannot be ...
32 facts about tigers
32 facts about tigers
The largest of wild cats
This one of the largest terrestrial predators is a cunning, lone hunter, with perfect climbing and swimming skills. Equally fascinating and horrifying ...
12 facts about capybaras
12 facts about capybaras
The world’s largest rodent and social media star
The capybara, the largest rodent known to us today, is an animal with a very pleasant disposition and appearance, living both an aquatic and terrestri ...
14 facts about dik-dik
14 facts about dik-dik
Hare-sized antelope
Dik-dik is one of the smallest antelopes living in eastern and southern Africa. It is characterized by skittish nature and fast-paced movement. Dik-di ...
19 facts about Sea otter
19 facts about Sea otter
Animals nearly extinct due to fur trade
With their playful personalities, adorable faces, and impressive tool skills, sea otters are among the most fascinating and charismatic animals in the ...
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