Porcupine quills are always growing. They are made of a material very similar to our hair and nails, so they would actually become way too long for the short, round little critter to navigate if old ones didn’t naturally fall out and grow back. Porcupine quills are very interesting, so let’s take a look at …
Porcupines are best known for the long, sharp quills they use for defense against predators. Up to 30,000 of these hollow-point weapons cover the North American porcupine. While they can’t shoot their quills, they do have some superpowers: porcupines can swim, sing, dance, and yes, even climb trees! What is a porcupine? Odds are you …
There are some things you might not know about wolves. For example, did you know that they sometimes like to swim? They also like to play and can be very friendly animals. Learning more about wolves can be fun and interesting, so if you get a chance, make sure to check out some of the …
The smallest animal living in the Amazon Rainforest is a small canopy jumping monkey known as the pygmy marmoset. Also known as the dwarf monkey, thumb monkey, or pocket monkey, this tiny creature can move up to 12 miles per hour and be highly aggressive. However, the pygmy marmoset’s appearance makes it seem cute. The …
What animals are edible in the Amazon rainforest depends on how hungry you are and your situation. If you survived a plane crash and had little chance of being rescued, you might be willing to eat things that you would not if you were adventure hiking for a weekend. There is also a difference between …
Introduction What images come to mind when you think of a tropical rainforest? Do you imagine a dense, green forest with tall trees, vines, and flowers? Or do you picture a hot, humid jungle teeming with insects and dangerous animals? Maybe you envision both. Tropical rainforests are located near the Earth’s equator. They are home …
The words possum and opossum are used interchangeably but they refer to different animals. Scientists and most dictionaries say an opossum is the Virginia opossum or any of those that live in North or South America. The possum is a very similar animal that lives in Australia and New Guinea. It is not really that …
Rats are one of the most controversial animals in the world. While some people think of them as adorable pets, others see them as nothing more than destructive vermin. But no matter your stance on rats, there’s no denying that they’re pretty exciting creatures. Did you know that rats have poor eyesight, but they make up …
In addition to fishers, porcupine quills have been detected in the bodies of wolves, bears, lynxes, foxes, bobcats, cougars, coyotes, and even great horned owls. Predators kill porcupines by biting or flipping them over, exposing the weak bottom, and then devouring the defenseless head and neck. However, the fisher is its most successful predator. What …
Porcupines have a long lifespan. They can live between 10 and 15 years out in the wild, while they can live up to 20 years when in captivity. Some have been known to live up to three decades. The funny or maybe not so funny thing is that these long-lived rodents can die from simple …
As homeowners, we sometimes get critters under our houses, sheds, porches, or decks. At times, wildlife like possums tend to set up camps where they find food and safety. You might wake up one day to your trash scattered and little paw prints in the dirt surrounding the trash cans. You may even find, to …
Deer are majestic creatures that people have long been interested in observing and trying to figure out what they are all about. We know for certain that their antlers come off of them at some point, but people always wonder how that happens and why. There is even a rumor that the deer eat their …
Imagine standing next to one of the tallest and oldest species still alive today–and taller than the tallest dinosaur ever recorded. The Sitka Spruce are some of the oldest trees in America and they reach towards the sky at an impressive 180 feet, about the height of a 17 story building. There are places in America …
You might be wondering why raccoons make all those different noises. Well, there are a few reasons. The most common noise that raccoons make is called screaming. This is because it’s mating season, and the females are trying to find males in their territory. Males will also scream when fighting other males over territory or …
You can tell the difference between a moose, elk, or deer mainly by their size and their antlers. These aren’t the only differences. Hopefully, by the time we are done exploring, you will be able to tell them apart with confidence. The first thing we need to emphasize is that while all moose and all …
Lizards are some of the most fascinating and diverse creatures on Earth. They come in all shapes, sizes, colors, and even live in a range of habitats from deserts to rainforests. But many people don’t know about these amazing animals because they think lizards are just small snakes or slow-moving slugs that only exist in …
Old trees are fascinating because they have seen history unfold. All the ancient trees have been through more than any person alive today, considering the UK’s oldest forests are home to trees that are thousands of years old. But that isn’t the only reason why old trees are so special. The oldest trees are better …
When we hear the word wolverine, we may automatically think of the famous X-men character. However, a wolverine is actually a weasel-like mammal that is found in remote areas of the Northern Hemisphere, such as North America, Europe, and Asia. Wolverines are known for their strength and ferocity and are even known to take down …
Domestic canines usually bark most of all creatures. However, many animals besides dogs bark, according to Katherine Lord of the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Coyotes Coyotes sound the most like a dog of all other creatures. That makes sense when you think about the genius and species name. In English, Canis latrans translates as “dog …