Animals can be cute, cuddly, fast, smart … and gross, but they’re all pretty amazing! Kids love learning about animals, so these amazing animal facts are perfect for sharing with ychour students. Post one during your morning meeting or share the facts about the animals you’re learning about, from amphibians to mammals.
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Amazing Amphibian Facts
The goliath frog is the largest frog in the world.
It can weigh up to 7.2 pounds and grow to 12.5 inches in length!
The golden poison frog’s skin contains enough toxin to kill 10 grown men.
Found in the rainforests of Colombia, this bright-colored amphibian carries a lethal defense mechanism, a potent toxin in its skin that has been used by indigenous people to coat their blowgun darts.
A group of frogs is called an army.
When frogs gather in large numbers, their collective might is aptly termed an army, ready to leap into action.
The axolotl can regenerate not just its limbs but also its heart and other vital organs.
This remarkable ability makes the axolotl a subject of intense scientific study in the field of regenerative medicine.
Frogs don’t drink the way we do—they absorb water through their skin.
A frog’s skin acts like a sponge, allowing them to soak up moisture directly from their environment.
Frogs can freeze without dying.
Frogs can turn into frogsicles in the winter and hop away just fine when they thaw out.
Salamanders can regenerate body parts.
Incredibly, they can grow back their tail, limbs, and jaw!
The axolotl gets its name from an Aztec god.
According to legend, the axolotl is Xolotl, the Axtec god of fire and lightning. He disguised himself as a salamander to avoid being sacrificed.
Lungless salamanders breathe through their skin.
This type of salamander uses cutaneous respiration, or exchanging air through its skin, to breathe.
Many newts are toxic.
At least 10 species of newts have a powerful toxin, tetrodotoxin, that blocks signals from your nervous system to your muscles.
Amazing Bird Facts
The shoebill is capable of swallowing baby crocodiles whole.
Subsequently, it regurgitates the bones and other parts that cannot be digested.
Roosters protect their hearing by tilgreeting their heads back when they crow.
This action completely covers their ear canal, acting as a natural earplug.
A group of swans is called a bevy or a regatta.
Gliding gracefully on serene waters, swans come together in bevies, their elegance and poise mirrored in the calmness around them, transforming into a regatta as they sail like ships in the breeze.
A group of larks is called an exaltation.
Soaring and singing, larks rise into the sky in exaltations, their melodious calls a celebration of the joy and beauty of flight.
The sunbird uses its long, curved beak to extract nectar from flowers.
Darting from bloom to bloom, the sunbird’s beak is perfectly shaped for sipping nectar, a vibrant participant in the pollination dance.
A group of kookaburras is called a riot.
With their raucous laughter and communal lifestyle, kookaburras create a riot of sound and activity, embodying the spirited nature of Australia’s varied birdlife.
The honeyguide bird leads humans and other animals to beehives so that they can share in the spoils once the honey has been harvested.
In a remarkable example of interspecies cooperation, the honeyguide and humans engage in a mutualistic relationship, each benefiting from the other’s abilities in the pursuit of sweet rewards.
The golden eagle is one of the largest, fastest, and most nimble raptors in North America.
With a wingspan that commands the sky, the golden eagle is a symbol of power and precision, soaring and diving with breathtaking agility.
The frigate bird can stay aloft for two months at a time.
Soaring on high, the frigate bird is a marvel of endurance, spending weeks to months in flight without touching land or sea, and they can sleep while in flight!
The hoatzin is known as the “stinkbird.”
This is due to its unique digestive system that ferments vegetation, causing a manure-like odor!
The kiwi lays the largest egg in relation to its body.
Its eggs can weigh up to a quarter of its body mass!
The wandering albatross has the largest wingspan of any living bird.
The largest documented had a wingspan of over 11 feet!
A group of quails is called a covey.
These small, ground-nesting birds form close-knit groups known as coveys (but also bevies and flocks), providing warmth, protection, and social interaction within their habitats.
A group of swans is called a bevy or a wedge when in flight.
Swans, with their graceful elegance, gather in bevies on the water, transforming into a wedge formation as they take to the skies, a testament to their beauty and coordination.
The blue-footed booby dances to attract a mate.
Watch this video for footage of the blue-footed booby’s adorable dance.
The gray parrot can live up to 60 years in captivity.
Known for their intelligence and ability to mimic human speech, gray parrots are long-lived companions that form deep bonds with their human caretakers.
A group of starlings is called a murmuration.
In the twilight skies, starlings come together in murmurations, performing breathtaking aerial ballets that ripple and swirl, a natural spectacle of coordination and beauty.
A group of parrots is called a pandemonium.
Reflecting the noisy, chaotic nature of their social interactions, a group of parrots is fittingly known as a pandemonium, a term as colorful as the birds themselves.
The falcon is the fastest bird, capable of diving at 240 mph.
In its hunting stoop, the peregrine falcon becomes a living missile, plummeting towards its prey at speeds that make it the fastest bird on earth.
The African gray parrot is one of the most intelligent birds.
Renowned for their cognitive abilities and vocal skills, African gray parrots can learn an impressive vocabulary, engage in simple conversations, and even develop an understanding of concepts like color and shape.
The toucan’s beak is one-third of its body length.
Not just a colorful display, the toucan’s large beak is a versatile tool for reaching fruit, regulating body temperature, and engaging in social interactions.
A group of geese on the ground is called a gaggle.
Geese exhibit different social structures based on their environment, whether honking together on land or flying in V formations in the sky. When flying, geese are referred to as a flock or skein.
A group of pigeons is called a kit, flock, or flight.
When flying, pigeons are called a flight, moving together with impressive coordination, often seen swirling through the skies in urban environments. The term “kit” is mostly used by pigeon breeders, while the more common “flock” is used for groups of pigeons in general.
A group of ducks on the water is called a raft.
They can also be called a bunch or paddling.
The male lyrebird can mimic sounds from its environment to attract mates.
With an extraordinary ability to reproduce a variety of sounds, the lyrebird’s vocal performances are among the most complex and beautiful in the avian world.
The cassowary is considered one of the most dangerous birds in the world due to its powerful kick.
Armed with sharp claws, the cassowary can slice up an enemy with a single kick!
The male bowerbird builds elaborate structures to attract mates.
These avian architects gather and arrange objects ranging from shells to plastic items, creating artful displays to woo females.
The albatross can fly for thousands of miles without landing.
In fact, it can go for years without touching the ground!
Parrots are one of the only species capable of using tools with their feet.
These intelligent birds can manipulate objects with their zygodactyl feet, showcasing their problem-solving skills and dexterity.
The world’s largest bird egg is laid by the ostrich.
The largest egg on record weighed 5 pounds 11.36 ounces and was laid by an ostrich at a farm in Sweden.
Flamingos are born with gray feathers, which gradually turn pink.
This color change is caused by a natural pink dye they obtain from their diet of shrimp and algae. It’s a vibrant example of how an animal’s appearance can be directly influenced by its food source.
Some species of birds can fly for weeks without stopping.
In fact, the common swift can continue flying for 10 straight months!
The male emperor penguin incubates the eggs while the female hunts.
In the harsh Antarctic winter, emperor penguin dads keep their eggs warm in a remarkable display of parental care.
A group of owls is called a parliament.
This dignified term reflects the wise and solemn appearance of owls, creatures often associated with wisdom in folklore.
The turkey is one of the most famous birds in North America.
Celebrated in culture and cuisine, the turkey is an iconic symbol of American wildlife and tradition.
The average chicken can live for 5 to 10 years.
Chickens are not just farmyard animals, they can be feathery friends with personalities, living much longer than many people think.
Owls don’t have eyeballs, they have eye tubes.
Owls take seeing to a whole new level with their tube-shaped eyes, giving them an extraordinary view of the night world, even if it means they can’t give you the side-eye.
Peacocks make their colorful feathers rattle as a display and warning.
Peacocks aren’t just about the visual flair, they add a rattling soundtrack to their display, turning their feather show into a full sensory experience.
Ravens can mimic human speech and other sounds.
With a talent for mimicry, ravens are the master impersonators of the bird world.
Hummingbirds are the only birds that can fly backward.
These tiny birds are the acrobats of the sky, zipping backward as easily as they do forward.
Ostriches can run as fast as horses, and the males can roar like lions.
Not only are ostriches superb sprinters, but their mighty roars might also make you think a lion is nearby!
Penguins have knees inside their bodies.
Even though you can’t see them, penguins have knees that help them waddle and swim in the ocean.
A group of crows is called a murder.
This spooky name comes from old stories where crows were often seen as a sign of bad luck.
Kiwis lay eggs that can weigh up to a quarter of their body weight.
A mother kiwi fasts for two or three days before laying her eggs as there’s not enough room inside her body for food!
A group of flamingos is called a flamboyance.
Such a fun name for a fun group of birds!
Kiwis have nostrils at the end of their long beaks.
Kiwis can’t see well, so they use their sense of smell to navigate their world.
Both male and female pigeons produce milk for their babies.
Male and female pigeons provide milk to help pigeon chicks grow quickly in their first days.
An emperor penguin can stay underwater for 27 minutes.
A penguin can stay underwater for more than 20 minutes and can dive 500 meters to catch fish.
An eagle’s vision is four times sharper than a human’s.
Find out what would happen if humans had eagle vision.
Some hummingbirds weigh less than a penny.
A penny can weigh up to 4 grams (less than an ounce), but some hummingbirds, like the bee hummingbird, weigh only 2 grams!
An ostrich’s eyes are bigger than its brain.
An ostrich’s eyes take up so much room in the skull that the brain is actually smaller than either one of the eyeballs.
A hummingbird’s wings can beat up to 200 times per second.
Hummingbirds’ wings typically beat 70 times per second but increase to 200 times per second when they’re diving. See them fly, drink, shake, and more in this amazing slow-motion video from National Geographic.
Amazing Fish Facts
The mudskipper fish can walk on land and breathe air.
On the muddy shores of mangrove forests, the mudskipper blurs the line between aquatic and terrestrial life, a fish out of water that feels right at home. Watch this video about the fish that walks on land!
The Greenland shark’s meat is toxic if eaten raw but can be consumed if properly processed.
In the icy waters of the North Atlantic and Arctic, the Greenland shark’s flesh harbors a potent toxin, yet through traditional preparation, it becomes a part of the Inuit diet, a link between survival and the stark beauty of the Arctic.
The barreleye fish has a transparent head and tubular eyes.
In the deep, dark ocean, the barreleye looks upward through its transparent skull, its eyes like telescopes peering into the waters above, a living embodiment of nature’s ingenuity. This incredible video is mind-blowing!
The African lungfish can survive droughts by burrowing into mud and entering a state of suspended animation.
When water is scarce, the lungfish retreats into the earth and becomes a living fossil that breathes air and waits for the rains to return, a testament to survival in the harshest conditions.
The archerfish hunts by spitting water at insects above the surface.
With remarkable precision, the archerfish uses water as a weapon, knocking insects into the water to eat. Watch an archerfish take down a spider with this technique!
The male anglerfish is much smaller than the female and spends its life attached to her body.
In a bizarre twist of nature, the male anglerfish becomes a permanent appendage of the female, a living testament to the extreme adaptations of deep-sea life.
The electric eel generates enough electricity to power 10 light bulbs.
In the murky waters of the Amazon, the electric eel wields its bioelectric capabilities not only for defense and predation but also as a fascinating example of nature’s power.
The sailfish is the fastest fish in the ocean, capable of speeds up to 68 mph.
Slicing through the water with its sleek body and long, bill-like snout, the sailfish is the ocean’s speedster, hunting with incredible velocity.
The Greenland shark has the longest known lifespan of all vertebrate species.
It’s estimated to be at least 272 years.
The pufferfish inflates into a ball shape to deter predators.
When threatened, the pufferfish’s ability to balloon in size, combined with its toxic defense, helps keep it safe.
The anglerfish uses a luminous lure to attract prey in the deep, dark ocean waters.
In the abyssal depths where light is scarce, the anglerfish’s glowing bait stands out, drawing curious fish straight into its waiting jaws.
The frilled shark has remained mostly unchanged for over 80 million years.
Also known as a “living fossil,” this deep-sea shark’s prehistoric features offer a glimpse into the ancient past, showing how little some species have changed over eons.
The zebra fish can regenerate its heart.
This small tropical fish has the remarkable ability to heal its own heart, making it a subject of intense study for regenerative medicine and cardiac research.
The blobfish looks like a blob due to its lack of bones and muscles.
Adapted to the high pressures of the deep ocean, the blobfish’s gelatinous appearance becomes notably more peculiar when brought to the surface.
The electric eel can produce electric shocks of up to 600 volts to stun prey or defend itself.
Living in the murky waters of the Amazon and Orinoco basins, the electric eel uses its shocking ability to navigate and hunt in its dark environment.
The world’s smallest fish is the paedocypris, measuring just 7.9 mm in length.
This tiny freshwater fish from Indonesia is a marvel of miniaturization, barely visible to the naked eye.
The male seahorse carries and gives birth to babies.
Male seahorses are the ones that carry and welcome tiny seahorses into the world, taking fatherhood to a whole new level!
The black marlin is one of the fastest fish in the sea.
In the race through the ocean, the black marlin is a formidable competitor, reaching speeds up to 82 mph!
Sharks have been around longer than trees and dinosaurs.
Sharks were swimming in the oceans even before the first trees grew on land, making them ancient oceanic overlords.
A group of fish is called a shoal or a school.
Fish of the same species that swim in synchronized groups are called schools, a behavior that provides safety in numbers from predators and increases their efficiency in moving through water. When fish of different species swim together, it’s called a shoal.
Goldfish can recognize faces.
Next time you peek into a goldfish bowl, remember they might just be looking back at you, recognizing who you are!
Whales and dolphins are not fish, they’re mammals.
Whales and dolphins are warm-blooded, give birth to live young, and breathe air rather than having gills like fish.
It’s a myth that sharks can smell a drop of blood from a mile away.
They actually have a sense of smell similar to other fish. Sharks can detect smells at one part per 25 million and one part per 10 billion, depending on the shark and the chemical. So, that’s one drop of blood in a small pool.
Amazing Insect Facts
The dragonfly has been around for 300 million years.
With a lineage that dates back to before the dinosaurs, dragonflies have been gliding over waterways for eons, their design barely changing over the millennia.
The velvet worm shoots a sticky slime from its head to trap its prey.
In the damp underbrush, the velvet worm ensnares insects with a squirt of slime, making it a predator cloaked in softness, revealing the unexpected ferocity of the miniature world.
The mayfly holds the title for the shortest lifespan among animals worldwide.
The adult phase of its life lasts merely 24 hours.
The wandering spider is one of the world’s most venomous spiders.
Roaming the floors of the rainforest, the Brazilian wandering spider’s potent venom makes it a formidable creature, a hidden danger in the lush undergrowth.
A cockroach can continue to survive for weeks after its head has been cut off.
It can remain alive for weeks. What?!
The Saharan silver ant is one of the most heat-resistant terrestrial animals in the world.
In the scorching sands of the Sahara, this ant ventures out in the midday heat, its reflective silver hairs a natural adaptation to one of the harshest environments on Earth.
The monarch butterfly migrates up to 3,000 miles each year.
Embarking on one of the most remarkable journeys in the animal kingdom, monarch butterflies travel vast distances, from Canada to Mexico, in a multi-generational odyssey that spans the continent.
The honeybee can fly at 45 miles per hour.
Buzzing from flower to flower, honeybees are not only crucial pollinators but also nimble flyers, covering large distances in their quest for nectar.
The dung beetle is the world’s strongest insect.
They can pull the equivalent of a human pulling six double-decker buses, showcasing the dung beetle’s mighty prowess.
The tarantula can survive for more than two years without food.
With a slow metabolism and the ability to conserve energy, tarantulas are survival experts, enduring long periods without eating as long as they have water.
For every person on Earth, there are over 1.4 billion insects.
Read this great piece about why insects are so important to our planet’s survival.
A group of bees is called a swarm.
In their quest for a new home or when protecting their hive, bees move together in a swarm, a buzzing cloud of activity and collective purpose. A group of bees is also called a charm, game, or gritz.
A group of butterflies is called a kaleidoscope.
This poetic term beautifully captures the swirling, colorful patterns created by groups of butterflies fluttering together.
The Venus flytrap can digest insects by trapping them in its leaves.
This carnivorous plant has evolved specialized leaves that snap shut on unsuspecting prey, then utilizes digestive enzymes to break down its insect meals.
The average lifespan of a dragonfly is just six months.
Despite their brief life, dragonflies are agile flyers and important predators of mosquitoes and other small insects.
The average speed of a housefly is 5 miles per hour.
When they feel threatened, they’re capable of bursts of speed up to 15 miles an hour. No wonder they’re so hard to catch!
Bees can recognize human faces.
Bees have the incredible ability to remember human faces, showing that these busy pollinators are also keen observers.
A butterfly has a lifespan of only about two weeks.
Most butterflies grace us with their beauty for a brief two weeks to four weeks, but the longest-lived can survive for nine months.
The world’s deadliest animal is the mosquito.
Despite its tiny size, the mosquito tops the charts as the deadliest animal, responsible for more human deaths than any other creature on the planet.
The only continent without native ants is Antarctica.
Greenland and Iceland are also ant-free.
The lifespan of a housefly is only 15 to 25 days.
In some cases, though, they could be buzzing around for two months.
An ant can lift 5,000 times its own weight.
Ants might just be the strongmen of the insect world, with the power to lift objects up to 5,000 times their own weight, no gym membership required.
There are no mosquitos in Iceland.
Iceland’s unusual weather patterns make it inhospitable for mosquitoes.
Butterflies taste with their feet.
Imagine tasting your favorite ice cream just by walking on it—that’s how butterflies check out flowers!
Honeybees communicate through dance.
Bees do the waggle dance to communicate how other bees can find the hive. You’ve got to watch this video of the Bee Dance to believe it!
Only female mosquitos bite.
A fact that’s nice to know when you’re scratching a mosquito bite?
Cat fleas have amazing jumping skills.
Fleas use their legs and a secret skill stored in their thorax to jump up to 200 times their height.
Dragonflies can see in all directions at the same time.
A dragonfly eye is made of thousands of segments, allowing it to see in many directions at once.
There are no male or female earthworms.
Earthworms are hermaphrodites, meaning that they each have male and female parts.
Amazing Pet Facts
A group of cats is called a clowder.
Cats, known for their independent yet occasionally social nature, come together in clowders, sharing territories and occasionally forming bonds.
A cat’s jaw cannot move sideways.
Cats have a specialized jaw structure that allows for powerful vertical bites but not side-to-side chewing motion.
The world’s smallest dog breed is the Chihuahua.
A little Chihuahua named Pearl is the shortest dog alive!
A cat has 32 muscles in each ear.
Cats have the remarkable ability to move their ears in any direction, thanks to the 32 muscles in each ear, making them highly attentive listeners.
Greenland sled dogs are the world’s oldest known breed of domesticated dog.
The breed arose in the Bering Sea region at least 2,000 years ago and arrived in Greenland approximately 1,000 years later.
The basenji is the only dog that can’t bark.
Quiet as a mouse, the basenji stands out in the canine world by keeping its barks to itself, thanks to a one-of-a-kind voice box.
Cats have no collarbone and almost always land on their feet.
Along with their super agility, cats are the gymnasts of the pet world, always sticking the landing.
A cat can use its whiskers to check whether it will fit into a space.
They can measure if it’s too small for them to fit through and help them navigate in the dark. Watch this video about how cats use their whiskers.
There are an estimated 700 million to 1 billion dogs in the world.
The United States has the most dogs at about 90 million. Learn more about different dog breeds in this video.
Dogs are the most popular pet.
One-third of all households around the world have a dog.
Humans have made dogs what they are today.
Humans have bred dogs for specific purposes. For example, around 9,500 years ago, humans started breeding dogs to survive in the cold, which created sled dogs. They have also been bred for their ability to hunt (Labradors) or go down a rabbit hole (dachshunds).
Dogs have a second nose.
Dogs have a vomeronasal organ in between their nostrils and the roof of their mouth. Scientists aren’t sure why they have this but believe it may be used when sniffing other dogs’ scent marks.
The dwarf hamster can be as small as 2 inches long.
The dwarf hamster is 2 to 4 inches long. That’s significantly smaller than the most common hamster, the Syrian hamster, which is typically 6 inches long.
Cats have a favorite paw.
Your cat may be right- or left-pawed, depending on its preference.
Cats are crepuscular.
That means they are most active during dawn and dusk, so they have lots of hours in between to sleep, and they sleep 13 to 16 hours per day.
You can have a capybara or an axolotl for a pet.
It’s legal to own those animals and others, including a serval, chinchilla, and kinkajou.
Amazing Reptile Facts
The thorny dragon uses grooves in its skin to collect water from any part of its body and channel it to its mouth.
In the arid Australian outback, the thorny dragon sips moisture from the morning dew—and even moist sand!—and is a testament to life’s adaptability in the face of scarcity.
A group of turtles is called a bale.
In the water or on land, turtles come together in bales, slow-moving congregations that reflect the ancient lineage and enduring appeal of these reptiles.
A group of alligators is called a congregation.
In the swamps and rivers of the American South, alligators gather in congregations, ancient reptiles that command respect and caution.
A group of snakes is called a nest or a pit.
Whether coiled in a nest or gathered in a pit, snakes evoke both fascination and fear, representing the diverse and often misunderstood world of reptiles.
The chameleon changes its color not only for camouflage but also to express mood, temperature, and to communicate.
This ability to shift hues is a sophisticated form of communication, reflecting the chameleon’s emotions and interactions with its environment and fellow creatures.
The komodo dragon can eat 80% of its body weight in one meal.
The formidable komodo dragon, with its voracious appetite, devours huge meals with efficiency, ruling over its island habitat as a top predator.
The Galapagos tortoise can live to be over 100 years old, making it one of the longest-living animals.
The oldest known tortoise lived to be 175 years old!
The anaconda is the heaviest snake in the world.
Found in South American rainforests and waterways, the anaconda is a formidable predator, relying on its massive strength to overpower prey.
A group of lizards is called a lounge.
Basking in the sun or lying low in the shade, these reptiles certainly know how to relax in style, forming lounges that can be a sight to behold.
The venom of a king cobra is strong enough to kill an elephant.
King cobras possess one of the most potent venoms in the snake world, a testament to their status as formidable predators.
The eyes of a chameleon can move independently and look in two different directions.
This gives chameleons a panoramic view of their surroundings, making them expert hunters.
A crocodile cannot stick out its tongue.
Unlike alligators, crocodiles can’t move their tongues due to a membrane that keeps it in place.
Crocodiles can gallop like horses.
Believe it or not, some crocodiles can gallop when they need to hustle, but alligators cannot.
Turtles can breathe through their butts.
This helps them stay underwater for a long time without coming up for air.
Snakes can see with their eyes closed.
Snakes’ eyes adapt to their conditions, helping them be their sneaky selves.
The giant tortoise of the Galapagos Islands weighs as much as a brown bear.
These giants of the tortoise world can weigh 500 pounds.
A chameleon’s tongue can be twice as long as its body.
It’s also one of the fastest tongues on earth, so watch out!
The regal horned lizard has a gross way of repelling attackers. They squirt blood out of their eyes!
It’s really gross, but if you want to see the lizard in action, check out this video from Animal Planet.
Snakes do not have ears, but they can hear.
Snakes respond to sound frequencies, but we don’t know how.
The Barbados threadsnake can curl up on a quarter.
This tiny snake is only 4 inches long!
Snakes swallow their prey whole rather than chewing it.
Snakes have a unique jaw adaptation that allows them to swallow prey that is much larger than themselves. They are unable to chew food.
Amazing Mammal Facts
The vampire bat is the only mammal that feeds entirely on blood.
In the shadows of the night, the vampire bat embarks on its quest for blood, a unique dietary choice that fuels myths and legends about these nocturnal creatures.
Young elephants suck on their trunks for comfort.
Baby elephants suck their trunks in a manner similar to how human infants suck their thumbs.
Cows can be potty-trained.
Impressive! Read more about how this could help our environment.
The naked mole rat is capable of surviving in an atmosphere with almost no oxygen.
They can endure up to six hours in environments with extremely low oxygen levels.
Japanese macaques play with snowballs for fun.
Also referred to as snow monkeys, Japanese macaques also love soaking in hot springs.
A mere 5% of cheetah cubs reach maturity.
The cheetah population in Africa, which is at risk, faces an alarmingly high cub mortality rate, with so few cheetah cubs surviving until adulthood.
The red panda uses its long, bushy tail for balance and to cover itself in winter, acting as a blanket.
In the tree branches of the Himalayas, the red panda’s tail serves as a cozy scarf, a splash of color in the snow, and a tool for agile movement through the canopy.
A group of guinea pigs is called a herd.
In the warmth of their burrows or the comfort of our homes, guinea pigs form herds, their gentle chatter and curious explorations a testament to their social nature.
The arctic wolf is one of the only mammals that can survive the arctic cold.
Cloaked in white, the arctic wolf traverses the icy wilderness, its adaptation to the cold a testament to the enduring spirit of wildlife in the planet’s most extreme environments.
Otters often hold hands while sleeping.
They clasp paws while resting to prevent drifting apart from each other in the water. Look at this really cute video!
A group of moles is called a labor.
Digging tirelessly through the soil, moles form labors, a collective effort that transforms the landscape beneath our feet, unseen but essential to the ecosystem.
The markhor is the national animal of Pakistan and has incredibly long, twisted horns.
Climbing the rugged mountains of Central Asia, the markhor’s majestic horns spiral toward the sky, a symbol of the wild beauty and resilience of nature.
The pygmy hippopotamus is a smaller, less aquatic relative of the common hippopotamus.
Treading through the forests and streams of West Africa, the pygmy hippo leads a more secretive life than its larger cousin, a rare glimpse into the diversity of the hippopotamus family.
The bumblebee bat is one of the smallest mammals in the world.
Weighing less than a penny, this tiny bat flutters through the night skies of Thailand and Myanmar, a minuscule marvel of the mammalian world.
The Amazon river dolphin, or pink dolphin, is the largest species of freshwater dolphin.
Adorned in shades of pink and living in the murky waters of the Amazon, this dolphin navigates its complex habitat with intelligence and agility, a mystical presence in the river’s folklore.
The snow leopard cannot roar.
Silent and elusive, the snow leopard’s quiet presence in the high mountains of Central Asia speaks to its solitary nature and the mystery that surrounds this beautiful big cat.
The clouded leopard has the largest canine teeth in proportion to body size of any animal.
Their canines can measure 2 inches or longer!
A group of seals is called a herd.
On ice floes and in coastal waters, seals gather in herds, their collective presence a reminder of the social structures that bind the animal kingdom.
The gibbon is known for its loud, elaborate songs used to mark territory and attract mates.
In the rainforests of Southeast Asia, the haunting calls of gibbons echo through the canopy, a symphony of sound that defines the acoustic landscape.
A group of leopards is called a leap.
Stealthy and solitary, leopards may come together in what is beautifully termed a leap, highlighting the grace and agility of these formidable predators.
The sea otter uses tools such as rocks to break open shellfish.
As one of the few mammals known to use tools, sea otters exhibit remarkable intelligence and dexterity, floating on their backs as they dine on their hard-earned meals.
The okapi’s tongue is so long that it can wash its own eyelids and clean its ears.
This elusive forest dweller, with its zebra-striped legs and giraffe-like build, uses its lengthy tongue in a display of personal hygiene that is both bizarre and fascinating.
A group of giraffes is called a tower.
Elegantly stretching toward the sky, giraffes form what is aptly called a tower, a sight that captures the majesty and grace of these tallest of terrestrial animals.
A group of rats is called a mischief.
This term aptly describes the playful and sometimes troublesome nature of rats, who are known for their curiosity and knack for getting into tight spots.
The tarsier can rotate its head nearly 180 degrees in either direction.
With its large, fixed eyes, the tarsier compensates with an incredibly flexible neck, allowing it to scan its environment for prey and predators alike.
The platypus senses its prey through electrolocation.
This unique sensory ability allows the platypus to hunt underwater with its eyes, ears, and nose closed, navigating and finding food through electrical signals.
Elephants communicate over long distances using infrasound that humans cannot hear.
These gentle giants maintain complex social bonds and coordinate movements through low-frequency sounds, demonstrating the depth of their communicative abilities.
A group of hyenas is called a clan.
Hyenas, known for their laughter-like calls, can also be called a cackle.
The three-toed sloth is one of the slowest-moving animals in the world.
It commonly travels at a top speed of 0.03 miles per hour!
A group of dogs is called a pack.
Dogs, with their pack mentality, form close-knit groups that hunt, play, and live together, showcasing their ancestral ties to wolves.
An orca is not technically a whale.
The largest member of the dolphin family, orcas are powerful predators known for their intelligence, complex social structures, and striking black-and-white coloring.
The humpback whale sings complex songs that can last up to 30 minutes.
These haunting melodies, unique to each population, are thought to play a role in communication and mating, showcasing the deep social connections of these marine giants.
The proboscis monkey is named for its long nose, which amplifies its vocalizations.
This distinctive feature of the male proboscis monkey not only plays a role in attracting mates but also enhances its calls, echoing through the mangrove forests of Borneo.
The cheetah can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in just 3 seconds.
The epitome of speed, the cheetah’s acceleration outmatches most sports cars, making it a supreme hunter on the African plains.
The capuchin monkey uses tools more variedly and effectively than any other animal but humans.
These intelligent primates have been observed using rocks to crack nuts, sticks to fish for termites, and even sponges made from leaves to soak up water, showcasing their remarkable problem-solving skills.
The star-nosed mole is the fastest-eating mammal.
Researchers found that the star-nosed mole can eat 10 chunks of earthworm, one at a time, in 2.3 seconds, or 0.23 second a chunk.
A group of squirrels is called a scurry.
Their other collective names include squad, colony, and dray.
The tunnel system where rabbits live is called a warren.
Rabbits, with their burrowing habits and social structures, form warrens, complex networks of underground tunnels where they live and raise their young.
The pygmy marmoset is the smallest monkey in the world.
Weighing as little as a stick of butter, this tiny primate clings to the trees of the South American rainforests, leaping and feasting on gum and insects.
The sea lion has the ability to walk on all fours and can climb stairs.
Unlike their seal cousins, sea lions have flexible flippers that allow them to move with ease on land, navigating obstacles with surprising agility.
Polar bears are not really white. Their fur is actually transparent.
Polar bears have black skin with hollow hair. It appears white so they can blend into their environment.
Bats are the only mammals that can fly.
Some mammals glide, but bats are the only ones that truly fly.
The sun bear is the smallest of the bear species.
Found in the tropical forests of Southeast Asia, the sun bear’s compact size and nocturnal habits make it a unique member of the bear family.
Bats have thumbs.
The thumb usually has a substantial claw, which is used for climbing, food handling, and more.
Gorillas burp when they’re happy!
Learn more about amazing gorillas in this video from Nat Geo Kids.
A group of monkeys is called a troop.
Monkeys, with their social nature and complex behaviors, live in troops that navigate the challenges of their environment together, forming bonds and establishing hierarchies.
A giraffe has seven bones in its neck.
That’s the same number as humans have, but giraffes’ are much larger.
Cheetahs only need to drink once every three to four days.
They can even go without drinking for up to 10 days!
The koala sleeps up to 22 hours a day.
Living a leisurely life in the eucalyptus trees, koalas spend most of their time sleeping, conserving energy for their low-nutrition diet.
You can tell the age of a whale by looking at the wax plug in its ear.
Much like tree rings, whale earwax accumulates in layers, adding a layer about every six months. By slicing up the wax, a scientist can estimate a whale’s age.
Gorilla noseprints are as unique as human fingerprints.
No two gorilla noses are alike, and scientists use gorilla noseprints to identify individuals.
Male rhinos are called bulls, and females are called cows.
Male rhinos are bulls and females are cows, like alligators, camels, dolphins, and reindeer.
A tiger’s roar can be heard as far as 3 kilometers (2 miles) away.
Tigers can pump up their vocal chords to make the sound travel farther.
Walruses can sleep in water.
Walruses sleep around 19 or 20 hours a day! They can sleep in water and on land, although they sleep for longer periods on land.
Giant anteaters can eat over 30,000 insects a day.
Anteaters primarily eat ants and termites, and gosh they eat a lot!
Baby elephants are able to stand within 20 minutes of being born.
And they can walk within 1 hour of being born!
Reindeer grow new antlers every year.
Both male and female reindeer grow antlers, and the antlers are like our fingerprints—no two are alike!
Sloths are so slow that in their native climate, algae actually grows on their fur.
This is a symbiotic relationship. The sloth provides the algae with shelter and water. The algae provide the sloth with camouflage and extra nutrients.
A grizzly bear’s bite is so strong that it can crush a bowling ball.
Grizzly bears can crush a bowling ball, or skull, easily.
Rats laugh when being tickled.
They actually let out tiny giggles, too high for humans to hear.
Vampire bats have such sharp teeth that you may not feel them bite you.
On top of that, their saliva dulls pain, so they can feast on their victim’s blood without being detected.
Humans share 98.8% of chimpanzee DNA.
Chalk it up to evolution: As our species evolved, we maintained a lot of what connects us to chimpanzees.
A rhinoceros horn is made from keratin, the same protein found in hair and fingernails.
Shockingly, it’s not bone or another substance! Watch this video to learn more about why rhinos’ horns are so valuable.
The hippo’s closest living relatives are whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
Hippos have a lot in common with marine mammals.
Adult bison are the largest land mammals in North America.
They’re the national mammal of the United States, and the largest.
Nine-banded armadillos always give birth to identical quadruplets.
And the armadillo babies are so cute!
Sea otters have the densest fur of any mammal.
Otter fur contains 600,000 to 1,000,000 strands per square inch.
Camels can drink 50 gallons of water in 3 minutes.
That’s a lot of water! They don’t store the water in their humps—those are made of fat deposits. Camels store energy, like we do, except it’s all in the hump, not spread around their bodies like other animals.
Blue whales are louder than jet engines.
A blue whale’s sound is louder than a jet engine, at 188 decibels.
Sheep have four stomach compartments.
Sheep are ruminants, so they have more than one stomach to digest their food.
Dolphins have names for each other, communicated through whistles.
According to researchers, “dolphins copy the signature whistles of loved ones, such as a mother or close male buddy, when the two are apart.”
Elephants can sense rain up to 150 miles away.
It’s because they can vividly remember the sound of rain!
The heart of a blue whale is so big that a human can swim through its arteries.
That’s hard to even imagine, but it’s real!
The tongue of a blue whale can weigh as much as an adult elephant.
That’s because it needs a huge tongue to gulp down thousands of fish in one big swallow.
The cheetah is the only cat that has semi-retractable claws.
Cheetahs have built-in running shoes with spikes—their claws don’t retract the way other cats’ do, helping them dash at lightning speed.
A cow produces nearly 200,000 glasses of milk in its lifetime.
Cows are like the superheroes of the dairy world, producing enough milk to fill a small lake, one glass at a time, throughout their lives.
The smell of a skunk can be detected by a human a mile and a half away.
Skunks carry around their own natural defense system, a smell so strong you could detect it from more than a mile away—if the wind is in your favor.
Camels have three eyelids to protect themselves from blowing sand.
Camels need all those eyelids to protect their eyes from wind and sand.
Researchers have struggled to understand how giraffes make sounds.
While studies have shown that giraffes do indeed have a larynx (or voice box), their narrow trachea, small lung capacity, and long neck make it hard to vibrate their vocal cords.
The fingerprints of koalas are so similar to humans that they could taint crime scenes.
They could cause a lot of confusion if they weren’t so busy with eucalyptus leaves.
A group of rhinos is called a crash.
They’re called a crash because when they run, they cannot see far in front of them, so they may crash.
Dolphins sleep with one eye open.
To keep themselves safe and sound, dolphins sleep with one eye open, always ready to spot friends or fend off foes even in their dreams.
The male platypus has venomous spurs on its hind feet.
Adding to their list of unique features, male platypuses come equipped with venomous spurs, making them one of the animal kingdom’s most intriguing creatures.
An elephant can smell water up to 12 miles away.
Their powerful trunks act like natural divining rods in the search for hydration.
The blue whale eats half a million calories in one mouthful.
No wonder it’s the world’s largest mammal!
A group of kangaroos is called a mob.
It can also be called a troop or a court.
Elephants can’t jump.
With their massive size and weight, elephants stay grounded.
A group of tigers is known as a streak or an ambush.
A streak refers to a female tiger and her cubs, and an ambush is a group of adults who come together to hunt or share resources.
The average lifespan of a squirrel is 5 to 10 years.
Squirrels, with their bushy tails and acrobatic antics, can enjoy a surprisingly long life scampering through the trees.
Giraffes can clean their ears with their tongues.
Not only are giraffes the tallest animals on land, but they also have incredibly long tongues, perfect for personal grooming.
Horses and cows can sleep standing up.
Thanks to a special locking mechanism in their legs, horses and cows can catch their zzz’s without ever lying down.
Goats have rectangular pupils.
Their rectangular pupils improve their peripheral vision and forward vision, which helps them see when they are grazing.
The color red doesn’t really make bulls angry—they’re color-blind.
Bulls react to the movement of the matador’s cape, not its color, debunking the myth that red incites their anger.
The world’s largest rodent is the capybara.
Native to South America, the capybara is a gentle giant, living in groups along water bodies.
An adult grizzly bear can run up to 40 miles per hour.
Don’t try to outrun one as grizzlies are faster than humans at short distances.
Whales can communicate with each other over thousands of miles underwater.
Through their complex songs and calls, whales can “talk” to each other across the vast expanses of the ocean.
A lion’s roar can be heard from 5 miles away.
The powerful roar of a lion, used to communicate and assert territory, can echo far and wide across the savanna.
The giraffe is the tallest mammal in the world.
With their long necks and legs, giraffes tower over other mammals, reaching heights that allow them to access leaves other herbivores can’t.
An elephant’s tooth is as big as a brick.
Elephant’s teeth weigh between four and five pounds. Elephants also go through six sets of teeth in their lifetime.
The kangaroo’s method of hopping is very efficient.
This unique form of locomotion conserves energy, allowing kangaroos to cover vast stretches of the Australian outback.
The arctic fox can change its fur color with the seasons for better camouflage.
With a white coat in winter and a brown one in summer, the arctic fox is always in style and stealth.
A group of whales is called a pod.
These social marine mammals travel in familial groups, sharing food and caring for each other’s young.
The narwhal’s tusk is actually an elongated tooth with sensory capability.
This “unicorn of the sea” uses its tusk to sense changes in its environment, and possibly to joust with rivals or break ice.
Wombats produce cube-shaped poop.
This peculiar trait helps wombats mark their territory, as the cubic poop doesn’t roll away easily.
A group of porcupines is called a prickle.
This fitting name reflects the porcupine’s spiky defense mechanism, which warns predators to keep their distance.
A group of hippos is known as a bloat.
Gathered in the rivers and lakes of Africa, these massive mammals form groups that aptly reflect their substantial presence.
Deer have antlers, not horns, which are shed and regrown each year.
This renewable resource allows male deer to compete for mates each breeding season with a fresh set of impressive antlers.
The flying lemur can glide for over 230 feet without losing much altitude.
It uses its large gliding membrane to move between trees, covering great distances with ease.
The saiga antelope has an unusually large nose that filters out dust and cools its blood.
This distinctive nose is perfectly adapted to the dusty, arid Asian habitats of the saiga, filtering air and regulating temperature during its migrations.
The pangolin is the only mammal in the world with true scales made of keratin.
These unique scales provide protection against predators. The pangolin curls up into a tight ball when threatened, making it resemble a living pine cone.
The honey badger will attack buffalo and lions.
Renowned for its fearless nature, the honey badger’s reputation for bravery and resilience is well earned, often facing off against animals much larger than itself.
The slow loris is one of the world’s few venomous mammals.
This seemingly adorable creature harbors a secret weapon in its bite, a rare trait among mammals that adds an element of danger to its cuddly appearance.
The quokka is known as the world’s happiest animal because of its smile-like facial expression.
Native to small islands off the coast of western Australia, the quokka’s cheerful demeanor and friendly nature have endeared it to people around the globe. Learn more from this video about this adorable animal!
The echidna is an egg-laying mammal.
These unique creatures are among the only mammals that lay eggs, sharing this rare reproductive strategy with their cousin the platypus. Learn more about this incredible ability!
The African elephant has the longest pregnancy of any land animal.
This extended gestation period can last up to 22 months.
The little brown bat can eat up to 1,000 mosquitos in an hour.
As nocturnal hunters, bats play a crucial role in controlling insect populations, feasting on thousands of mosquitoes and other pests each night.
A group of ferrets is called a business.
This playful and curious group of mammals is known for their energetic antics, forming what is appropriately termed a business, a bustling bundle of fur and fun.
It’s a common misconception that porcupines can shoot their quills at predators.
Porcupines cannot shoot their quills, although their quills actually detach easily when touched, embedding in predators as a defensive mechanism.
When it comes to hunting, the serval has the highest success rate.
A serval makes one kill for every two attempts.
Chinchillas bathe in dust.
Their fur is so thick, water won’t do the trick.
More Amazing Animal Facts
Starfish have no brain and no blood. And they aren’t even fish!
Not to mention there are 2,000 species of starfish!
Octopuses have three hearts and blue blood.
An octopus’s blue blood helps it transport oxygen efficiently.
The peacock mantis shrimp can throw a punch at the speed of a bullet.
These crustaceans can pack a punch!
Sea cucumbers can eject their internal organs to scare off predators.
It’s sea cucumbers’ weird but kind of super-cool way of saying “Back off!” to any creature that tries to eat them.
Lobsters have teeth in their stomachs.
These sea creatures chew their food in their stomach, which is just as weird and wonderful as it sounds.
A mystery snail can grow back a new eye if it loses one.
This snail species is amazing at playing peekaboo because they can grow a new eye if one gets lost.
An octopus has nine brains—one central brain and eight in its arms.
With a brain in each arm, octopuses are super smart and can multitask like no other creature in the sea.
The heart of a shrimp is located in its head.
Shrimps wear their hearts on their … heads, making them one of the most headstrong creatures in the sea.
A group of jellyfish is not a school but a bloom or a swarm.
These mesmerizing marine creatures drift together in large, sometimes luminous groups known as blooms.
The pistol shrimp can create a bubble hot enough to rival the sun’s surface temperature and loud enough to stun its prey.
With a snap of its claw, the pistol shrimp unleashes a powerful shock wave, showcasing one of the animal kingdom’s most explosive hunting techniques.
The Australian box jellyfish carries enough venom to kill more than 60 humans.
Considered one of the most venomous marine creatures, the box jellyfish poses a serious threat with its nearly invisible tentacles.
The dumbo octopus flaps its ear-like fins to move through the water.
Resembling the beloved flying elephant from Disney, the dumbo octopus glides through the deep sea with a grace that belies its odd appearance. Watch this video of one in action!
The turritopsis dohrnii jellyfish is effectively immortal.
This biological marvel challenges our understanding of aging and mortality as it’s capable of reverting back to its juvenile polyp stage after reaching maturity.
The mimic octopus can imitate the shapes and colors of other sea animals to avoid predators.
This master of disguise can transform its appearance to resemble venomous species, confusing predators and prey alike.
A group of ravens can be called an “unkindness.”
This term hints at the mystical and often misunderstood nature of ravens, birds that have fascinated humans for centuries with their complex behaviors and intelligence.
The Goliath birdeater tarantula is the largest spider by mass in the world.
Despite its intimidating size and name, the Goliath birdeater’s venom is relatively harmless to humans, making it a giant with a gentle bite.
The okapi has striped hindquarters similar to a zebra.
This elusive creature of the Congo rainforest, often called the forest giraffe, embodies a blend of giraffe and zebra features, with a long neck and striking stripes that provide camouflage in the dappled forest light.
The arctic tern has the longest migration of any animal in the world.
This incredible journey includes traveling from the Arctic to the Antarctic and back each year.
A group of sharks is called a shiver.
A group of sharks in general can also be called a school, like a school of fish.
The glass frog has see-through skin, allowing you to see its internal organs.
Inhabiting the rainforests of Central and South America, the glass frog’s translucent skin serves as a natural camouflage, blending in with the surrounding foliage and water.
A group of zebras is called a dazzle.
This term captures the mesmerizing effect of a herd’s moving stripes, which can confuse predators and create a stunning visual spectacle.
The mantis shrimp can see polarized light and multispectral images.
With the most complex eyes in the animal kingdom, the mantis shrimp can detect a range of colors and lights, making its view of the world incredibly rich and detailed.
The vampire squid lives in deep ocean waters and is named for its dark color and red eyes.
Inhabiting the oxygen-minimal depths, this mysterious creature has a cloak-like webbing and bioluminescent spots, giving it an otherworldly appearance.
The pistol shrimp can create a sound loud enough to break glass.
By snapping its claw shut at lightning speed, the pistol shrimp generates a cavitation bubble that collapses with a loud pop, capable of stunning its prey and deterring predators.
Jellyfish are made up of 95% water.
These ethereal sea creatures drifting through the world’s oceans are made almost entirely of water, giving them their ghostly, translucent appearance.
The blue-ringed octopus carries enough venom to kill 26 adult humans.
This tiny but deadly cephalopod, adorned with iridescent blue rings, harbors a potent neurotoxin, making it one of the ocean’s most dangerous inhabitants.
The giant squid has the largest eyes in the animal kingdom.
Peering through the deep, the giant squid’s dinner plate–size eyes are adapted to detect faint glimmers of light, helping it navigate the murky depths.
The coconut crab is the largest land-dwelling arthropod in the world.
This formidable crab, with its powerful claws, not only dominates the terrestrial invertebrate world but also showcases the incredible diversity and adaptability of crustaceans.
The giant Pacific octopus is the largest species of octopus.
In the cold waters of the Pacific, this cephalopod stretches its tentacles, a master of camouflage and intelligence, exploring the ocean’s depths with curiosity and skill.
The water bear can survive extreme conditions, including in outer space.
These microscopic creatures are virtually indestructible, enduring environments from the deep sea to the vacuum of space, a testament to life’s resilience.
The chambered nautilus has remained virtually unchanged for millions of years.
Known as a living fossil, the chambered nautilus glides through the ocean depths in its spiral shell, a symbol of the mystery and majesty of the marine world.
The yeti crab farms bacteria on its hairy claws and feeds on them.
In the blackness of the hydrothermal vents, the yeti crab cultivates life, its furry claws a garden in the deep, a whisper of warmth and sustenance in the eternal dark.
A typical garden snail has 14,000 teeth.
Furthermore, research has revealed that snail teeth are exceptionally strong.
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