You are reading our best questions and answers in the animals category
Caterpillars are the larvae of butterflies and moths. This means that they are the juvenile version of the insect that will undergo metamorphosis into an adult insect. They are tubular in shape and are generally quite small. Caterpillars are known for their voracious diet as they prepare for their metamorphosis into a butterfly or moth. They are well known for eating leaves of many different plants (although some eat other insects) and some species are considered to be agricultural pests. Most species shed their skin 4-5 times during the caterpillar stage as they gain weight.
The brain is said to be the most complex organ in the body. It is the center of the nervous system in most animals and controls the other organs in the body. Much of the way that the brain functions is still a mystery to scientists. Interestingly, intelligence doesn’t really depend on the size of the brain. Most animals have a brain, from the very small to the very large, but which animal has the largest brain?
Whales are large marine mammals that live in the oceans of the world. There are two distinct types of whales, the toothed whales which include killer whales, dolphins, porpoises, sperm whale, pilot whale and the beluga whale. The second type of whale is the baleen whales; this includes species such as blue whale, humpback whale, bowhead whale and minke whale. Whales all have two large fins and a fluke tail. Whales also have the characteristic blowhole on the top of the head. Whales range in size from 11ft to 115ft long.
Many of us know that the largest animal in the world is the Blue whale at 100 feet (30.5 m) from head to tail. We also know that the blue whale lives in the ocean. Is there an animal that lives on land that can rival the blue whale for the title? What is the largest land animal alive today? Read on to find out.
Fur is the word that is used to describe the thick hair that covers animals. It is found mostly on types of mammals. Most animals have a number of different layers of fur called ground hair, guard hair and awn hair. Fur is often used to make clothing for human beings and many mammals have been hunted close to extinction just for their fur. You may be wondering, what is the purpose of fur, and why do animals have it? Read on to find out.
A platypus is part of a group of animals know as monotremes. Monotremes are the only mammals to lay eggs rather than giving birth to live young. Platypuses are semi-aquatic and are venomous, with the male of the species having a spur on the hind foot. They have a bill, four legs with webbed feet, and a tail similar to a beaver. Its body is covered in brown fur and it is quite adept at swimming. Adult platypuses can reach up to two feet (60 centimetres) in length, and six pounds (2.7 kilograms) in weight. The platypuses mating season occurs between June and October every year.
Snakeheads are a predatory freshwater fish that have gained much celebrity over the last few years. They have the amazing ability to breathe air and can cross short stretches of land in search of water and food. They have long, agile bodies and narrow pointed heads with sharp teeth. There are 30-35 species of snakehead and they are a very real threat when introduced to waterways other than their natural habitats.
There are many different species of animals in the world. They are all different, but uniquely adapted for the habitat/s which they occupy. So which animal in the world holds the record for being the biggest? Read on to find out.
The shark is a type of fish with a large, long body and predominant dorsal fin. They have a full cartilaginous skeleton and most species of shark have several rows of sharp teeth. They are covered with a layer of dermal denticles that protects their skin from damage and parasites. This covering also gives them greater speed when swimming. There are 440 species of shark the world over and they can be found in all the oceans of the world. Sharks are saltwater fish, but two species, the bull shark and the river shark, have the ability to live in both fresh water and saltwater.
A zoo is a facility in which animals are kept in captivity and put on display for the public. Zoos often bred animals and carry out research to help endangered species to survive in the wild. The word zoo comes from the word zoology, which is the study of animals. There are now over 1000 zoos in the world and 80% of those zoos are in cities. Zoos are now often referred to as wildlife conservation parks and bioparks. Most zoos attempt to replicate an animal’s natural environment and diet and have large spaces available for those animals that require them. Zoos are taking on many different forms now and are more committed to help animals survive in natural habitats.