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The vole is a small rodent that is often mistaken for a mouse. This confusion is not helped by the fact that they are often referred to as a meadow mouse or field mouse. The difference between the two is that voles have smaller eyes and ears and a shorter tail.There are about 150 species of voles and they can be found in many parts of the world. They create tunnels near the surface of the ground and are considered to be a pest in many areas due to the damage they cause to landscaping and plants. They do not often enter homes, but have been known to do so if they can smell food.
Tortoises are reptiles that belong to the turtle family (in animal classification the order is called Testudines). Like other turtles, they have a shell for protection and are generally shy animals. They are different from other members in the turtle family because they are land dwelling reptiles that live away from the water. There are many different species of tortoises and some have been known to live for over 150 years. If you are wondering what tortoises eat, read on to discover the answer.
The armadillo is a small mammal that has a tough leathery covering instead of fur. They have sharp claws that they use for digging and a low body temperature of 33–36 °C.There are 20 species of armadillo and they are all native to the Americas. An armadillo is generally around 30 inches (75 cm) in length, but the Giant Armadillo can grow to 59 inches (150cm) in length. The smallest armadillo is the Pink Fairy Armadillo which has an average length of 5-6 inches (12-15 cm). The only species of armadillo to live in the United States is the Nine-Banded armadillo and it can be found predominately in the central southernmost states.
A fox is a small to medium sized, furry mammal that live in most environments in the world. They have a pointed muzzle and a bushy tail. Most also have large pointed ears on top of their head. They range in color depending on their habitat. There are 37 species of fox with 12 of those species being true foxes. The most common and widespread fox is the red fox. On average a Reynard (male fox) 5.9 kilograms (13 lb) and vixens (female foxes) weigh less, at around 5.2 kilograms (11.5 lb). Foxes tend to live in small families or are solitary.
Squid are a marine creature, from the cephalopod family, with eight arms arranged in pairs and two longer tentacles. Squid are strong swimmers and some of the 300 species of the squid can fly above the water for short distances. The squid’s main body is enclosed in a mantle which has fin-like protrusions for swimming. Squid have translucent underbellies and dark, splotches on the top to provide camouflage from predators. Squid are a saltwater species and are not found in freshwater.
A wasp is a winged insect that has the ability to fly. The word wasp is used to describe any insect that is not a bee or an ant, but is part of the order Hymenoptera. There are over 100,000 species of wasp and many have a venomous sting. Unlike bees wasps do not die after they have stung an insect or animal and actually use their sting as part of their hunting mechanisms. Common characteristics of wasps include two pairs of wings, a stinger (ovipositor) and few or no thickened hairs. Most wasp species build nests to brood their young. Wasps tend to be either solitary or social.
The porcupine is a large, spiny rodent that can be found in the Americas, southern Asia, and Africa. They are well known for their coat of sharp spines or quills. They are the third largest rodent on the earth after the capybara and the beaver. Porcupines can be brown, black or, in unusual cases, white. They can grow to a maximum length of 25–36 inches (63–91 cm) long, with a 8–10 in (20–25 cm) long tail. Most porcupines weigh between 12 and 36 pounds (5.4–16 kg). They are slow and cumbersome, thus their need for a defense mechanism such as their quills. Porcupines tend to live alone and are quite shy and non-aggressive. They are excellent tree climbers and spend much of their time in the trees rather than on the ground.
Bees are a flying insect that are characterized by their distinctive yellow and black covering. Some species of bees are also well known for their ability to produce honey. All bees are important in the pollination of plants and there are nearly 20,000 species of bee worldwide. They are found on every continent, other than Antarctica. Bees have two sets of wings with the bottom winds being the shortest. Some bees of certain species are unable to fly, but still have wings. There has been a massive decline in bee population over the last century and this has caused a great deal of concern among environmentalists, beekeepers and farmers alike.
A butterfly is a flying insect with four large symmetrical wings. They come in many colors and are admired by people throughout the world. The scientific name for butterflies is Lepidoptera which means “scaled wings.” Butterflies are most active during the day, particularly at dawn and dusk. They are good flyers and have a unique fluttering flying pattern.
The Snakehead is a freshwater fish that is native to Africa and Asia. They are called a snakehead because of their snake like teeth. It is a predatory fish with a long body and dorsal fin. The maximum size a snakehead can grow to is 1 meter. They are able to breathe air and are said to migrate across wet and dry areas of land. It can live for up to three days out of water. They do a great deal of damage to native wildlife and habitats when introduced to new countries.