Animals

I recently visited a wildlife park and saw lots of different animals. All of them were unique in their own way. Some were very fast, and others could climb the most challenging terrain with ease. I saw everything from insects to lizards and even big animals like lions.

Then I saw the scariest thing. He or she might have been small compared to me, but that spider jumped in my direction at the speed of light. Waving my hands around, I looked like someone trying their hand at kung fu.

It jumped, and I screamed and ran my short little legs off. It intrigued me. When I got home, and I had to find out what animals jump the highest? I did some research, and this is what I found.

Animals like Pumas, Impalas, Springbok, and even dolphins are some of the world’s highest jumpers. One of the highest jumpers in comparison to its size is the jumping spider; this arachnid can leap 50 times the length of its own body. Another contender is the grasshopper, and they can jump up to 23 ft.

While most animals have had to adapt to their surroundings at one time or another, some would make even the most accomplished human athletes wish they had four legs or eight in some cases. These magnificent animals come from all over the animal kingdom and can shatter some of the world’s most formidable Olympic records without breaking a sweat.

However, it is essential to remember that some of these high jumpers might not be big mammals but can jump staggering heights compared to their body size.  I did a lot of research, and here is what I found. 

Animals that jump the highest from around the world are:

• The kangaroo rat
• The froghopper
• Pumas
• Kangaroo
• Grasshoppers
• Impalas
• Dolphins
• Jumping Spider
• Mountain Goats
• Fleas

Table of Contents

• The Kangaroo Rat
• The Froghopper
• The Puma
• Kangaroo
• Grasshoppers
• Impalas
• Dolphins
• Jumping Spider
• Mountain Goats   
• Fleas
• The Conclusion

The Kangaroo Rat

Despite its name and appearance, the … Read the rest of the story.

My family and I were walking through our garden the other day, we caught sight of a leaf running away from us and up the trunk of a tree. The funny thing is, there was no wind blowing at the time. As we got closer to it, just hanging out on the tree branch, we realized it was an insect, a type of Mantis that has a camouflaged body that makes it look just like a brown leaf.

While investigating further, we found out that the insect was called a Ghost Mantis. It made me wonder about other animals that could camouflage themselves.

Research shows that different animals use mimicry and camouflage depending on three factors: behavior, hunting grounds, and blending in, e.g., a wrap-around spider uses its anatomy and behavior, predators use the environment they hunt in a while blending in with the habitat common for a chameleon. 

In my research, it was surprising to learn that animals use camouflage regardless of their environment. Terrestrial animals, aerial animals, aquatic animals, and arboreal animals all have some species that use mimicry or camouflage as it’s commonly known to survive.

If you love animals just as much as I do, you will find the information I have gathered just as compelling as I did. However, it is kind of scary to know some animals can be living in plain sight, maybe even in your back yard, and you would be none the wiser.

Table of Contents

• Mimicry vs. Camouflage
  • Mimicry
  • Camouflage
• Terrestrial Animals
  • Disruptive Coloration (Behavior and Anatomy): The Zebra
  • Active Camouflage (Environment): The Arctic Fox
  • Color Matching (Blending In): The Lion
• Aerial Animals
  • Disruptive Coloration (Behavior and Anatomy): The Horned Owl
  • Active Camouflage (Environment): Scarlet Tanager
  • Color Matching (Blending In): Butterflies
• Aquatic Animals
  • Disruptive Coloration (Behavior and Anatomy): The Cookie Cutter Shark
  • Active Camouflage (Environment): Squid and Octopi
  • Color Matching (Blending In): The Stonefish
• Arboreal Animals
  • Disruptive Coloration (Behavior and Anatomy): Leaf-Tailed Gecko
  • Active Camouflage (Environment): The Chameleon
  • Color Matching

… Read the rest of the story.

Coyotes and mountain lions have a lot of similarities. For example, they both hunt small prey like rabbits or deers. However, there are also many differences between the two species.

Coyotes and mountain lions are two different animals that live in very different habitats. Coyotes occupy the east coast of North America whereas mountain lions can be found on the west coast as well as throughout Canada and Mexico.

Read on to learn more about coyotes and mountain lions!

Coyotes are often confused with mountain lions. They may look similar, but they’re actually very different animals. Coyotes typically weigh less than 20 pounds, while a mountain lion weighs between 80-150 pounds.

And while coyote pelts have been mislabeled as “mountain lions” for years, there is no such thing; we only know what they look like because of their close resemblance to one another! Mountain lions prey on deer and other large mammals like elk or moose, but coyotes feed on rodents and rabbits instead.

Table of Contents

• What is a mountain lion?
• What is a coyote?
• Differences in Physical Characteristics
• Differences in Behavior
• Differences in Habitat
• Differences in Diet and Prey
• Differences in Life Span
• Conclusion

What is a mountain lion?

A mountain lion, also called a puma or cougar, is a large cat. It’s similar to a domestic cat, but it’s much bigger. In fact, mountain lions can grow up to 2 meters long and weigh 70 kilograms!

Mountain lions live in the northern part of the Americas and their habitat stretches from Canada all the way to Argentina.

What is a coyote?

A coyote also called a prairie wolf or brush wolf is a wild dog. It’s smaller than a mountain lion and it has pointier ears, long legs, and a bushier tail. Coyotes look like small wolves (but they aren’t related to wolves at all). They’re usually tawny brown with cream-colored bellies and darker fur on their back, tail, face, and ears.

Differences in Physical Characteristics

• One major difference between the mountain lion and the coyote is their

… Read the rest of the story.

You may think that coyotes and bobcats are the same animals because they have pointy, furry ears. However, there is a lot of difference between these two animals. Coyotes and bobcats are found all over North America and come in many sizes.

The coyote is the smaller of the two. It’s also more intelligent and can be found in just about any neighborhood. This makes it an easy target for hunters. The bobcat is larger but less aggressive than its cousin. They are more reclusive and prefer to hunt on their terms.

What do you think would happen if these two met? Who do you think would win? If you live in the U.S., you’ll likely see one of these two animals during the day!

They’re both very different and interesting creatures, but which is stronger? Let’s take a look.

Table of Contents

• Coyote
  • Interesting Facts of Coyotes
• Bobcat
  • Interesting Facts on Bobcat
• Similarities Between Bobcats and Coyotes
• Bobcat vs. Coyote: Who will win the fight?
  • Are Coyotes Dangerous?
  • Do Bobcats Attack Humans?
• Final Thoughts

Coyote

Coyote is a member of the Canidae family, which includes wolves, jackals, foxes, and dogs. Coyotes are native to North America. Coyote is not the only member of the Canidae family that lives in North America.

There are 19 subspecies of coyotes. They live in grasslands, forests, mountains, and deserts.

Coyotes can survive anywhere where there is enough food and shelter for their family groups, called packs. A pack usually comprises a male parent, a female parent, and their young pups. Coyotes are most active at sunrise and sunset.

At night, they sleep in dens made from hollow trees or underground caves.

Interesting Facts of Coyotes

Coyotes are lean, quick animals that stand about 1 foot tall at the shoulder and measure 2-4 feet long from nose to tail. Their fur is usually yellowish-brown with reddish tints, but it can also be gray or white in northern populations. Coyotes shed their winter coats in late spring.

Coyotes can run up to 40 miles per … Read the rest of the story.

There are few animals as ferocious as the weasel. While small in stature, these mammals are very active predators that hunt rodents such as rabbits and mice, as well as birds and frogs. A weasel may consume up to 40% of its body weight per day.

Although weasels hunt day or night, they are active mostly during the hours of dawn and dusk. With a home range of 10 to 30 acres, weasels are solitary and will defend their territory from invaders, except during the breeding season when they will seek out a mate.

Table of Contents

• Where do Weasels Live?
• How Big Are Weasels?
• 1. Stoat
• 2. Mink
• 3. Polecat
• 4. European Badger
• 5. Honey Badger
• 6. Wolverine
• 7. Fisher
• 8. Sable
• 9. Ferret
• 10. North American River Otter
• 11. Sea Otter
• 12. Skunk
• 13. Zorilla
• 14. Tayra
• 15. Greater Grison

Where do Weasels Live?

The weasel can be found all over the world, from North America down to South America, throughout Europe, North Africa, and Asia. They do not inhabit Australia, sub-Saharan Africa, or India. Weasels may live in an abandoned burrow or make a nest under rocks or in a hollow log.

They live in varied habitats from forests and grasslands to sand dunes and moors. In the wild, a weasel may live for up to two to three years.

How Big Are Weasels?

Compact with long, slender bodies and short legs, weasels are generally about six to 10 inches long with their tails being about a quarter of their length. Males weigh in at an average of about seven ounces and are larger than females, who weigh a little more than half that.

Weasels usually have red, brown, or gray coats with white bellies, although most species will turn all white in the winter. They do not hibernate and will be active all year long.

In the family Mustelidae, weasels and their relatives are a very successful and voracious group. Here are 15 other animals similar to the weasel.… Read the rest of the story.

Alligators are well-known members of the crocodilian species and are usually found in the southeastern part of the United States. They thrive in a habitat of marshes, freshwater swamps, lakes, rivers, and small bodies of water. Younger alligators usually enjoy a diet that includes small fish, frogs, and insects, while adult alligators feast on small mammals, birds, turtles, fish, and even small alligators.

They usually don’t like to leave their habitat unless there is a dry season, which may cause them to move closer to human habitats. Humans are discouraged from feeding alligators because it causes alligators to be less wary of humans, making them more likely to attack. The average alligator can grow to be 14.7 ft and can weigh as much as 990 lb with an average life expectancy of 50 years.

There are many members of the crocodilian species, and they are often mistakenly called alligators. Keep reading to learn more about other members of the crocodilian species who are often mistaken for alligators.

Table of Contents

• Spectacled Caiman
• American Crocodile
• Slender-Snouted Crocodile
• Orinoco Crocodile
• Philippine Crocodile
• Morelet’s Crocodile
• Nile Crocodile
• New Guinea Crocodile
• Mugger
• Estuarine Crocodile
• Cuban Crocodile
• Siamese Crocodile
• African Dwarf Crocodile
• False Gharial
• Broad-Snouted Caiman
• Yacare Caiman
• Black Caiman

Spectacled Caiman

Also known as the brown caiman, the spectacled caiman can be found in various parts of South America, and although they are very adaptable, they prefer areas of stillwater, wetland, and riverine habitats. They differ from alligators because they are only aggressive during mating season and they only grow up to 8.2 ft, can weigh up to 128 lb, and live up to 40 years.

They typically enjoy the same diet as alligators as they enjoy consuming turtles, fish, mammals and amphibians.

American Crocodile

Like alligators, American crocodiles can be found in the coastal areas of South Florida, but differ from alligators because they enjoy a habitat of coves, ponds, and creeks. They are unlikely to have conflict with humans because of their shy … Read the rest of the story.

“That’s a lotta otters,” the man said.

Not only are there a great many otters in the world. There are a great many animals who are similar to otters. Let’s have a look. Let us compare them all to our classical North American otter (Lontra Canadensis).

Also called the Northern River Otter, Lontra Canadensis is an aquatic mammal. It abides in rivers, lakes, swamps, river deltas, and estuaries. It lives in a den, often a den abandoned by some other animal. It prefers holes in riverbanks with underwater entrances.

Our American otter dines on crayfish, crabs, and a wide variety of fish. However, its palate is not limited to fish. It also enjoys small mammals (lookout, mice!) and it will not refuse a salad of water plants.

What does he/she look like? They have a longish streamlined body with short legs and fully webbed feet. When the heads are above water we see a pointed nose and small ears. The eyes are dark and mischievous. Out of the water, we notice dense dark fur, perfect insulation for cold waters, and a thick, pointed tail.

The tail is heavily muscled. It makes up 40% of the otter’s overall length. With the help of its tail, the otter can reach speeds of 8-10 miles an hour underwater and dive as deep as 40 feet. An adult will weigh 10 or 35 pounds and be 2.5 to 5 feet in length. Females are about 1/3 the size of males.

Otters prefer unpolluted waters and a minimum of human interference. They can thrive in hot or cold climates. They are adaptable to either high or low altitudes. The North American otter’s home range can extend up to 30 square miles but it is usually 15 square miles. The home range will tend to shrink significantly during the breeding season.

River otters may live alone or in pairs but they often socialize in groups. They are famous for their playful antics. Their agility enables them to swiftly twist, roll, dive and … Read the rest of the story.

Found throughout North America and Central America, Gophers are a member of the order Rodentia. There are at least 35 distinct species, of which 13 live in the United States.

Gophers are often found in pastures, gardens, savannas, and forests. They prefer to live alone underground.

A single gopher’s burrow may extend as far as 600 square meters. The network includes designated living areas and many subterranean passageways.

They are recognizable by their round, rat-like shape and hairless tails. Weighing in at one and two pounds, a gopher stands about eight inches tall.

Gophers exclusively eat vegetation. They forage at night, seeking out plants, roots, and certain types of vegetables.

The plants they forage are stored inside cheek pockets that are lined with fur. This has earned them the nickname “pocket gophers.”

Table of Contents

• Blesmols
• Pacas
• Groundhogs
• Prairie Dogs
• Tuco-tucos
• Chipmunks
• Porcupines
• Lemmings
• Beavers
• Capybaras
• Chinchillas
• Gundis
• Hutias
• Pacaranas
• Voles
• Coypus

Blesmols

Blesmols are a type of rodent found only in the contentment of Africa. Their habitat range is south of the Sahara desert. They are called Mole Rats because they look very similar to moles.

The largest species is the Dune Blesmole, which grows up to 13 inches long and weighs four pounds. They have long, cylindrical bodies with short limbs and long front teeth.

Like gophers, blesmoles live underground and create intricate tunnel systems. They are also herbivores, foraging for roots and plants. Most species are solitary and live alone.

Unlike gophers, blesmoles dig with their teeth and use their feet to kick dirt out of tunnels. Two species live in large colonies of up to 300 other individuals.

Pacas

Pacas are herbivorous rodents found in South America and Central America. They prefer the tropical climate found in rain forests and water forests.

As the sixth-largest member of the order Rodentia, pacas grow up to 30 inches in length and can weigh as much as 30 pounds.

Pacas resemble pigs, with long, stocky bodies and short slender legs. … Read the rest of the story.

Muskrats are large aquatic rodents that live primarily in North America. They can be found in wet environments such as marshes, swamps, lakes, and ponds. Their diet is mostly a vegetarian one, consisting of various plants. Some of these plants include grass, sedges, and cattails.

Even though they’re known to be bigger rodents, they only weigh about four pounds and are about 16 to 25 inches long. They work hard to find food and make a shelter to stay alive. The average lifespan of a muskrat is about 3 to 4 years.

Table of Contents

• Groundhog
• Nutria
• Beaver
• North American river otter
• European water vole
• Capybara
• Rakali
• Gray squirrel
• Pocket gopher
• Moles
• Field voles
• Minks
• Black rats
• Golden-bellied water rat
• Marsh rabbits

Groundhog

Groundhogs are moderate-sized rodents with light brown fur. They are part of the Sciuridae family, which means they are found in most parts of North America. Groundhogs tend to reside in open areas like fields and grassland. They burrow and build dens for protection from other animals in their habitat.

Groundhogs are omnivores that eat a mostly veggie diet. Groundhogs weigh about 13 pounds and can grow up to 20 inches. Groundhogs can be vocal at times but are more quiet and solitary animals. A successful lifespan for this species is about 2 to 3 years.

Similar:

• Omnivorous diet
• Rodents
• Lifespan is shorter

Different:

• Groundhogs don’t live an aquatic lifestyle
• Muskrats aren’t known for digging as much
• Muskrats are more nocturnal, groundhogs are more diurnal

Nutria

Nutrias have many similarities with the muskrat. The rodents are indigenous to South America and can be found on multiple continents. Water-filled ecosystems are where they can be located, such as marshes and wetlands.

Most of the nutria’s meals are vegetation that can be found in their own environment. Small water species such as mussels are also a part of their diet. Nutrias are medium in length and weight, measuring around 2 feet long and weighing 12 pounds.

Nutrias cannot see very well, so they … Read the rest of the story.

Wolves are large, carnivorous mammals that are native to North America, Asia, and Europe. They can grow to be up to three feet tall at the shoulder and weigh up to 180 pounds. In the wild, wolves usually live about eight to 13 years.

There are four main wolf species and about 40 subspecies. The most common species (and the only one indigenous to North America) is the gray wolf. The other three are the maned wolf, the Ethiopian wolf, and the red wolf.

A fifth species, the Falkland Islands wolf, has been extinct since at least 1880 because of its unusually friendly and trusting nature. This nature, unfortunately, made them easy for humans to lure and kill.

Wolves are natural-born predators; they travel and hunt in packs of anywhere from two to 30 members, but the average size of a pack is between four and nine wolves.

Wolves can run at an astonishing 37 miles per hour and cover a lot of ground. Because of this, wolf pack territories can be anywhere from 50 to 1,000 square miles. The size of a pack’s territory generally depends on the area’s availability of prey.

A wolf’s bite is extremely powerful. On average, a wolf can bite with 1,500 pounds per square inch of pressure, which is about seven times more powerful than the average German shepherd’s 238-pound bite. When hunting, wolves prefer large prey like deer, elk, moose, and buffalo, but they are also known to eat smaller prey like rodents, beavers, and rabbits as well.

Here’s a look at the animals that most closely resemble wolves.

Table of Contents

• Domestic dogs
• African wild dogs
• Jackals
• Coyotes
• Foxes
• Dingoes
• Raccoon dogs
• Bush dogs
• Dholes

Domestic dogs

Obviously, domestic dogs are closely related to wolves. Currently, the American Kennel Club (AKC) recognizes 167 different breeds of dogs. Although domestic dogs vary wildly in size and appearance, they are actually all the same species, able to procreate with any other breed and produce viable offspring.

African wild dogs

African wild dogs are … Read the rest of the story.

Animal: Groundhog

Other Common Names: Woodchuck

Type of Animal: Mammal

Family: Squirrel (Scuiridae)

Distribution: Groundhogs are found in North America, from Canada to the southern regions of the United States.

Habitat: Woodlands, open forests, fields, and some rocky slopes.

Diet: Herbivores; eat plants, insects, and snails on occasion.

Longevity: Approximately 3 years

Adult Weight: 5 to 13 pounds (2 to 6 kilograms)

Adult Body Length: 16 to 20 inches (41 to 51 centimeters)

Behaviors: They are active during the day making them a diurnal species. Groundhogs burrow into the dirt to create multi-chambered burrows to store food, rest, and hibernate. They only live with a mate and tend to be solo otherwise.

Table of Contents

• Gopher
• Prairie Dog
• Badger
• Beaver
• Muskrat
• Marmot
• Ground Squirrel
• Hyrax
• Nutria
• Chipmunk
• Mole
• Vole
• Marten
• Hedgehog
• Wombat

Gopher

Animal: Gopher

Type of Animal: Mammal

Family: Pocket Gopher (Geomyidae)

Distribution: Gophers live throughout North and Central America, mostly in regions of the United States and Mexico.

Habitat: Woodlands, grass prairies, coastal areas, and mountainous regions.

Diet: Omnivores; eat earthworms, other bugs, shrubs, plant roots, and some vegetables.

Longevity: Approximately 4 years

Adult Weight: Around 0.5 pounds (200 grams)

Adult Body Length: 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters)

Behaviors: These animals are active during the day and tend to remain in underground burrows for most of their lives, making them fossorial individuals. Gophers usually live alone unless with their mate.

Similarities to Groundhogs: Both of these animals burrow underground and live isolated from one another.

Differences to Groundhogs: Gophers have fur-less tails, long teeth that have a yellow to brown coloration, fur-lined cheeks for storing food, and are smaller. Groundhogs have fur-covered tails, white incisors, and a relatively large body mass.

Prairie Dog

Animal: Prairie Dog

Type of Animal: Mammal

Family: Squirrel (Scuiridae)

Distribution: This is a North American species living in areas of Canada, the United States, and Mexico.

Habitat: Primarily dry and sparsely vegetated grasslands, but also low valleys, mountain meadows, and prairies.

Diet: Omnivores; eat … Read the rest of the story.

Raccoons live throughout North and South America, Europe, and Asia in forests and mountain ranges. Noted for their distinctive ringed tail and black facial mask, they are extremely intelligent creatures. Studies have shown they are adept problem solvers and remember the solutions for years.

They are a member of the suborder Caniformia, a group describing dog-like carnivores. With a weight range of 10 to 60 pounds, Raccoons are omnivorous. Their diet consists of insects, fish, small animals, and plants.

Raccoons use their front feet like hands and are able to manipulate small objects. It is common for them to wash their food before eating. The average lifespan in the wild is three years, although they can survive much longer in captivity.

Raccoons are not solitary. Males and females live together in sex-specific groups consisting of three or four individuals. Their primary defense against predators is to climb trees.

Table of Contents

• Skunks
• Sun Bears
• Coatis
• Red Pandas
• Cacomistles
• Badgers
• Anteaters
• Olingos
• Sloth Bear
• Ring Tailed Cat
• River Otters
• Olinguitos
• Weasel
• Kinkajous
• Raccoon Dog

Skunks

Skunks are best known for their ability to ward off threats by releasing a foul-smelling fluid from their anal glands. Their closest relative is the Stink Badger. There are 11 different species of skunk, most of which are found in North and South America.

Full-grown, they are about the size of a small dog. Skunks have very poor eyesight, instead of relying on their sense of smell and hearing to forage and detect predators.

Like the Raccoon, skunks are nocturnal and omnivorous. They eat a variety of small mammals, reptiles, fish, bird eggs, and some types of plants.

Skunks differ from raccoons in that they are more solitary. Socialization only occurs during mating. They also live longer in the wild, with the average lifespan being ten years.

Sun Bears

Sun Bears live in Asia among the tropical rainforests and mangroves. It is the smallest bear in the family Ursidae. The trend towards solitary living but is sometimes seen in pairs.… Read the rest of the story.

Armadillos, “little armored ones,” are New World placental mammals. They have greyish-brown oval bodies with long, tapering tails; pointy snouts, leathery armor shells.

Most species can be found in South America, although some have expanded northward. The Nine-banded armadillo is the only one that made it to the United States. Some have been found as far north as Missouri.

They live 7 to 10 years in the wild. Giant armadillos have been found to be as large as 59 inches and 119 pounds. Average armadillos are 25 to 48 inches long and weigh 8 to 18 pounds.

They live in warm, moist climates and favor forested areas and grasslands with loose soil. They dig burrows to live in with their sharp claws. They also dig for their food. Some roll up in a tight ball when threatened.

They are solitary creatures, except while breeding or caring for their young.

Table of Contents

• Anteaters
• Sloths
• Pangolins
• Turtles
• Tortoises
• Terrapins
• Indian Rhinoceroses
• Thorny Devils
• Alligators
• Saltwater Crocodiles
• Sea Urchins
• Crabs
• Lobsters
• Crayfish
• Shrimp

Anteaters

Anteaters are mammals. They are members of the suborder Vermilingua, or “worm-tongue.” They live 15 years on average.

They have long noses and long sticky tongues that extend longer than their heads. This makes it easy for them to feed on ants and termites. They have no teeth.

The giant anteater is by far the largest at 5 feet, 11 inches. It weighs up to 90 pounds. Smaller species of anteaters are 14 inches to 3 feet, 11 inches.

They live in South America, but some have extended their range up into Mexico. They are closely related to the sloths and the armadillos but have no armor.

Their habitats are varied, including grasslands, rain forests, and dry tropical forests.

Their body temperature varies between 91 and 97 degrees F. Their daily behavior is mainly an effort to manage their temperature, heating up during foraging, and keeping cool during rest periods.

Anteaters are similar to armadillos in that they share the same … Read the rest of the story.

Beavers are a type of semi-aquatic mammal that are part of the rodent family. There are two species of beaver. The Eurasian Beaver is found in Europe and Asia, while the more common North American Beaver is native to most of Canada and the U.S. though it was introduced as far south as Chile.

Both species are found in freshwater rivers, streams, and ponds where they build their elaborate homes from trees, branches, and mud.

They are low-slung animals that are better suited to the water with their webbed feet and a large, flat tail that acts as a rudder as they swim. They can be quite large, weighing as much as 70 pounds, though on average they are closer to 50 pounds. At maturity, beavers may be up to 1.5 feet tall and between 2.5 and 3 feet long.

The famous image of the beaver is one of the long-toothed, furry, brown animals gnawings on riverside tree trunks which it uses to make its famous beaver dams. They drag the fallen trees down the banks, into the water, and maneuver them into place. They use their tail to slap mud onto the floor and walls of the structures which can wind up being over 10 feet high.

Beavers are strict herbivores and eat twigs, leaves, and the soft inner bark of deciduous trees like cottonwoods and aspens. Whether building its home or foraging for food, gnawing on the trees is essential to wear down its front teeth, which, like other rodents never stop growing. While a beaver may only live for about 10 years, the dams may be repaired and recycled for generations.

Table of Contents

• Nutria
• Muskrat
• River Otter
• Sea Otter
• Groundhog
• Water Vole
• Capybara
• Porcupine

Nutria

The animal most frequently mistaken as a beaver is one that few may have heard of. The nutria is also a semi-aquatic, brown, herbivorous rodent. The nutria is most commonly found in South America though there are some colonies in the coastal areas of the U.S. Gulf Coast. Though they are considered … Read the rest of the story.

Antelope is a general name used to denote many species with even-toed hooves. Antelopes are mostly found in Africa and Eurasia, and they mainly inhabit savannahs. They are herbivores where they feed on grass, bushes, and small trees.

Antelopes vary in size and weight by species. Large antelopes are 178 cm tall and weigh 950 kgs which small antelopes are 24 cm long and weigh 1.5 kgs. Antelopes have a 20 years lifespan although it varies by species and habitat.

Most of the antelopes are monogamous when it comes to mating. Antelopes graze in large numbers, and they are also fast for defense purposes. Most female antelopes do not have horns. The article evaluates different animals that are similar to antelopes.

Table of Contents

• 1. Sheep
• 2. Goats
• 3. Deer
• 4. Muskoxen
• 5. Bison
• 6. Cattle
• 7. Giraffe
• 8. Camel
• 9. African Buffalo
• 10. Water Buffalo
• 11. Llama
• 12. Alpaca
• 13. Gazelle
• 14. Pronghorn
• 15. Takin

1. Sheep

Sheep are both domestic and wild ruminant mammals. They originated in Asia and Europe, but now they inhabit all parts of the world. Sheep are herbivores, specifically glazers, which suggests that they only feed on low-growing plants.

Wild sheep are large and heavier compared to domestic sheep. A normal sheep weighs around 45-160 kgs, and it is 1.3-16 meters tall. Sheep have a lifespan of 10-12 years, although some do live to around 20 years.

Sheep have a flock behavior where they graze in large numbers. They also tend to establish dominance through fighting. Sheep do well in savannahs, although most of them can adapt to different environments.

Antelopes and sheep belong to the same family of Bovidae. Both are hoofed, and they are herbivores. The two are also even-toed, and they exhibit similar grazing behaviors where they both graze in herds.

However, the two differ in the size and shape of horns and their fur’s nature. Sheep have small unbranched horns, while antelopes have long and branched horns. In addition, antelopes have smooth and … Read the rest of the story.

Ferrets live in the wild in Europe, Asia, and Africa. Black-footed ferrets still exist in the wild in North America but are listed as endangered. The small mammals weigh 1-5 pounds and are up to 18 inches long. Ferrets have a lifespan of 5-10 years or longer when domesticated.

Wild ferrets reuse tunnels built by other animals. They need about 120 acres of living space for adequate food resources. As nocturnal creatures, ferrets hunt for small mammals, birds, fish, and other meat to survive.

Ferrets are part of a family of mammals known as mustelids. The mustelid is a small carnivorous mammal known for its long bodies, short legs, and anal scent glands. Domesticated ferrets come in white, sable, black, and brown, and many combinations. Owners often have the scent glands removed in pet ferrets.

Table of Contents

• 1. Weasel
• 2. Badger
• 3. Otter
• 4. Marten
• 5. Skunk
• 6. Mink
• 7. Wolverine
• 8. Tayra
• 9. Polecats
• 10. Mongoose
• 11. Meerkat
• 12. Civet
• 13. Fossa
• 14. Fisher
• 15. Stoat

1. Weasel

Weasels are also part of the mustelid family. They have brown, black, or gray coats, but all turn white in the winter. Weasels look like ferrets but are much smaller. They weigh between 1-12 ounces and are about 4-10 inches in length.

Weasels live in many parts of the world and enjoy a much larger variety of terrain than the ferret. The weasel will happily make their home in woodlands, riverbanks, meadows, and marshes. Weasels can dig a burrow for a home quickly. They do not rely on other animals to dig their tunnels but take over abandoned homes if one becomes available.

Some species of weasel can live ten years, but most will only survive 3-5 years. Weasels often have litters of up to a dozen babies (called kits) compared to the 1-6 kits born to ferrets. The weasel and ferret have gestation times of about one month.

2. Badger

Badgers are from the same family as ferrets. They are bigger and can grow … Read the rest of the story.

Coyotes are members of the Canidae family and have many traits in common with their relatives (wolves, dogs, foxes, and jackals). They have tight snouts, lean bodies, yellow eyes, thick fur, and bushy tails. These canids are smart and versatile creatures and are generally labeled as ‘wily’ by human beings.

Their industrious characteristics have helped coyotes to spread throughout North America and even to live with people in the cities. The continental population continues to flourish despite occasionally rocky encounters with humans. These animals are significantly smaller than wolves.

A coyote skull is seldom greater than 7.9 inches (20 cm) long, whereas the wolf skull is typically greater than 22.5 cm (8.9″). Depending on where they live, their fur may be gray, white, tan, or brunette.

Native to regions throughout the Americas, coyotes are often found roaming across Canada, the United States, Mexico, and Central America. Their range extends throughout Mexico as well. Deserts, plains, and forests are preferred dwellings of the coyote.

These creatures have colonized all continents, with the exception of the polar regions, and continue to move south — quite close to the Central-South US frontier in eastern Panama.

Table of Contents

• Grey Wolves
• Racoon Dogs
• Red Fox
• African Wild Dog
• Maned Wolf
• Fennec Fox
• Bush Dog
• Golden Jackal
• Arctic Fox
• Crab-eating Fox
• Gray Fox
• Coy Wolf
• Culpeo
• Darwin’s Fox
• Pampas Fox

Grey Wolves

Grey wolves or wood wolves are canines, often having characteristically black-tipped, long bushy tails. Typically, their coloring is a mixture of gray and brown with buffy markings and undersides, though it may vary from solid white to brown to black. Gray wolves look like large German Shepherds.

The wolves’ appearance is dependent on where they live. and they can vary in size. In the north, wolves are generally bigger than in the south. The average length of a wolf’s body is 3-5 meters, and their tails are typically 1-2 meters long.

60 to 100 pounds is the typical weight range for females, while 70 to 145 pounds … Read the rest of the story.

Elk, also known as the wapiti, are one of the largest species within the deer family. Part of the Cervidae family branch, they are mammals native to North America and eastern Asia. Elk, like other members of the deer family, live in forests and forest-adjacent habitats where they feed on elk, plants, leaves, bark and the occasional berry.

Males are known for their large antlers that they shed every year, ritualized mating behaviors including rutting, posturing, antler wrestling, and bugling.

There are about 53 species belonging to the Cervidae family, which split down into 19 genera and 3 different subfamilies. They are spread throughout the world and can be found on nearly every continent, ranging in size from 13 inches tall to nearly eight feet tall.

Table of Contents

• Moose
• Marsh Deer
• Roe Deer
• South Andean Deer
• Taruca
• Amazonian brown brocket
• Mule deer
• White-tailed deer
• Pampas deer
• Pudu
• Reindeer
• Chital
• Red deer
• Sika Deer
• Thorold’s deer
• Fallow deer
• Tufted deer
• Pere David’s deer
• Bawean deer
• Muntjac

Moose

Moose are the largest relatives to the Elk, found in North America and Eurasia. They are most commonly seen in Canada, Alaska, New England, Poland, and Russia. They mostly eat terrestrial and aquatic vegetation like elk do but don’t let their vegetarian diet fool you. Moose are some of the most aggressive Cervids.

Male moose have massive antlers that look like clawed hands, and the female cows can and will attack everything to protect their young. Moose shares similar features to Elk, such as split hooves, horns, and mating habits. They differ mostly in size and location.

Marsh Deer

Marsh deer are often confused with another family member called the Barasingha because they are both sometimes called Swamp deer. Found in Argentina, Peru, Uruguay, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay, the marsh deer is the largest deer found in South America as they commonly reach around 4 feet tall.

Marsh deer are pretty visually different from elk. Large ears lined with white hairs, … Read the rest of the story.