A mantis shrimp is neither a mantis nor a shrimp; however, their physical features resemble that of both species. They can reach a length of up to 38 centimeters and they may exhibit multiple colors from brown to bright neon hues. They are common predators found in the shallow waters of the tropical and subtropical marine habitats, and they reside mostly in burrows and holes. The mantis shrimp are currently referred to as thumb splitters due to the fact that they are able to dismember small human appendages with ease. With their powerful claws, they are able to stun, mutilate, or spear their prey. In some rare cases, larger species of mantis shrimp are capable of breaking through aquarium glass with a single strike.

Did You Know? The swing of a mantis shrimp is so powerful that one of its mighty blows counts as two strikes due to the impact of its appendage on the victim and the shockwave that follows. Even if it misses, the shockwave is sufficient enough to kill or stun its prey.

Mantis shrimp are generally solitary animals that live in burrows and only come out during feeding time or when they relocate. In order to obtain their food, they either wait for their prey to chance near them or they hunt, chase, and kill them. The type of mantis shrimp is dependent on their claw structure. Spearers contain spiny appendages that are attached to barbed tips and are used to stab and grab prey. Smashers, on the other hand, contain a more complex club used to smash their meals apart. These appendages also possess a sharp edge which can cut prey while the mantis shrimp swims. The strike of a smasher is so rapid that they may swing at speeds equal to that of a .22 caliber bullet.

The Aye Aye is related to the lemur and can be found primarily in the eastern part of Madagascar. This nocturnal animal mostly relies on its rodent-like teeth and elongated middle finger to obtain its food.

The Aye Aye is related to the lemur and can be found primarily in the eastern part of Madagascar.

While it gnaws its teeth through wood, it also uses its specialized finger to dig into the penetrated area of the wood to capture grubs.

The Aye-Aye is considered an omnivorous creature that eats fruits, nuts, seeds, fungi, nectar, and even grubs. When food is scarce around its natural habitat they usually steal from nearby villages. When looking for grubs, they use their long middle fingers to tap on the wood several times per second. The intensity of the sound or the echo that is produced from the hallow chambers inside the wood determines the presence of grubs.

Like other prosimians (primates other than apes and monkeys), females are the dominant sex and are often territorial. Researchers found that male home territories overlap with each other and are very social amongst each other aye ayes; female territories are much smaller and never overlap with that of other females. Males are polygamous and tend to become very aggressive when competing for other females; they can be seen pulling other males off of females when mating. When a female is pregnant, they will remain in close proximity with her mate until the baby is born and has matured. The infant’s primary source of interaction is with their mothers. For playtime, they often wrestle, chase, and even play “peek-a-boo”. After 13 weeks of age the infants will become independent and play with others of their own kind.

The Hagfish or the “slime eel” is probably one of the oddest sea creatures that you will ever encounter due to the fact that they are the only living organism with a skull but without a vertebral column. They may reach an average length of 18 inches and are extremely flexible, allowing them to tie themselves into knots. Their colors may range from pink to black and they also do not contain true fins, have six to eight barbells around their mouths, and have a single nostril.

Did You Know? A Hagfish has four hearts and two brains.

Hagfish excrete a large amount of mucus which is used as a defense mechanism. When captured, they release the mucus substance and tie into a knot, which allows the mucus to drip down from head to tail until the Hagfish can slip out of the predator’s mouth.

Little is known about the Hagfish, although there are some thoughts of species being hermaphroditic and other species having a ratio as high as 100:1 in favor of females. Researchers believe that the ovaries remain stagnant until they have reached maturity and are around a particular environmental factor in the case of the hemophroditic species, however in other species; hagfish containing ovaries are given sperm by another containing testicles. In this case the females lay 20 to 30 eggs after both sexes mate.

Did You Know? A Hagfish has four hearts and two brains.

Grey wolves are the largest species of the Canidae family and survivors of the Ice Age era originating during Late Pleistocene 300,000 years ago. They are considered apex predators, meaning that they do not contain predators of their own. They lived in much of Eurasia and North America until they were annihilated due to human hunting. Human hunting of grey wolves is considered both sport and extermination because of threats to livestock and people.

Did you know? A pack of wolves can range from 2 to up to 20 members.

Grey Wolves are sexually dimorphic in terms of weight and their physique. Males usually weigh around 79 pounds on average while females typically weigh 20% less with narrower muzzles, foreheads, and less massive shoulders. Grey wolves rely on their endurance rather than their speed. They can trot at speeds of up to six miles per hour and reach a maximum speed of 40 miles per hour during a chase. Their paws are designed to tread easily in snow and other terrains. Their front paws are much larger in proportion to their hind paws and each toe contains slight webbing. They also contain scent glands, which leave other wolves aware of its presence. Wolves begin to mate between the months of January and April. A male may mate with one or more of its subordinate females unless there is one of his same hierarchy. After a gestation period of 60 days, an average of 5 to 6 pups are born usually deaf, blind, and completely dependent on their mother. For two weeks they consume milk from their mother and afterwards they begin to eat regurgitated food. After two months they escape from their dens and explore their environment up to a mile away. Eventually they are introduced to the pack.

Did you know? A pack of wolves can range from 2 to up to 20 members.

Alligators have been known to exist for 200 million years, since the ages of reptiles. There are currently two well known types: American Alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) and Chinese Alligators (Alligator sinsensis). The species name originates from the Spanish term “el lagarto” which means “the lizard” when translated in English. The American Alligator can grow up to 14.5 feet and weigh up to 1,032 pounds while the Chinese Alligator can only grow up to 5 feet and weigh up to 100 pounds.

Did You Know? The sex of alligators is determined by the incubation temperature while they are still in their shells. A temperature of 83°F or lower produce females while a temperature of 93°F or higher produce males.

They also grow rather slowly, only reaching two feet after 2 years.

American alligators are found in the southeastern United States, where they live in freshwater environments such as ponds, marshes, rivers, lakes, and swamps. The largest recorded population of alligators living in the United States is found in Louisiana. The area can hold up to 1 million of these reptiles at a given time. Chinese Alligators are only found near the Yungtze River Valley, the longest river in Asia and the third longest in the world after the Nile and the Amazon.

Generally, the larger males tend to be solitary and territorial while the smaller species remain in close proximity to each other. Their main sources of food are smaller animals, although they may sometimes consume larger prey by drowning them and initiating the “death-roll.” The “death-roll” is a technique used by alligators to tear off larger chunks of meat of their prey by spinning convulsively.

In the spring, females lay about 40 eggs at a time and the incubation period is 65 days. The hatchlings use their “egg-tooth” to break open the shell. Alligators stay with their mothers for about 1.5 years until they move on to live on their own.

Did You Know?
The sex of alligators is determined by the incubation temperature while they are still in their shells. A temperature of 83°F or lower produce females while a temperature of 93°F or higher produce males.

Spider monkeys are found in the tropical forests of Central and South America ranging from southern Mexico, to Colombia, to Brazil. They are known for their long limbs and extremely flexible tails, which they mainly use for climbing and balance. Out of the New World monkeys, they are considered the most intelligent for their communication and memorization skills. They are capable of emitting a large range of sounds and postures either for warding off predators or for selecting a potential mate. Their frugivorous diet also drives them to recall a wide variety of plants in which they can consume. When fruit is not available, they will resort to leaves, flowers, insects, honey, and bark.

Did you know? A Colombian spider monkey’s tail contains a hairless tip with tiny skin grooves that is similar to fingerprints.

Colombian spider monkeys form groups of 15 to 25 normally, however during the day they will separate into 2 to 8 monkeys per subgroup. The size of the subgroup depends on food competition and risk of predation. A female monkey will part from her family during puberty rather than a male, who will become dependent and form groups with his other male relatives. The female will form her own close bonds through her offspring.

Spider monkeys are diurnal, meaning that they spend the night sleeping in carefully chosen trees and the day searching for food which is led by the female. The females are responsible for planning what route to take during feeding time. If there are not enough sources for the entire group, the spider monkeys will split up into smaller sub-groups.

Did you know?
A Colombian spider monkey’s tail contains a hairless tip with tiny skin grooves that is similar to fingerprints.

Toco Toucans are by far the largest birds in the toucan family, containing massive hollow multicolored bills. They mostly reside in Central and South America. The airy, honeycombed, bone structure allows them to easily carry weight while they maneuver their heads around to catch their prey or collect fruit. Toco Toucans are mainly identified by their black feathered bodies, white throat and chest, and red undertail feathers.

Their eyes consist of thin blue rings around their outer edge, which in turn, are surrounded by rings of orange bare skin. Toucans’ diets consist of fruit, insects, frogs, small reptiles, and small birds. They are considered poor flyers, alternating between gliding and short rapid flaps, due to their small rounded wings.

One of the main functions of toucans’ bills, especially for males, is to attract females. Before mating, they will often perform a fruit toss as a mating ritual. Females will search for a tree to lay their eggs after several days. The nesting chambers of toucans are never lined, however, the eggs usually rest upon a few chips of rock and regurgitated seeds of multiple sizes. Both parents will contribute to the incubation of their offspring usually switching every hour. After 16 days of incubation offspring will hatch blind and featherless. They are fed fruit by both parents until they are about 8 weeks old when they are able to care for themselves.

Did You Know?

A Toucan’s bill is made of keratin, the same structural material that makes up our fingernails. Also, their tongues are completely flat and may reach a length of 6 inches.

Most people probably recall the desperate Wile E. Coyote in his wackiest and exaggerated failed attempts in capturing the Road Runner. Being that it was one of the popular cartoons growing up for our generation, who doesn’t? As a matter of fact, a typical coyote can run up to 40 miles per hour while a roadrunner can only run 17 miles per hour; therefore, even if a coyote comes across such a bird, he/she could successfully outrun them.

Did You Know? 90% of coyote deaths are caused by either being shot, trapped, or poisoned by humans.

Coyotes or Jackals as well as Prairie Wolves are extremely adaptable creatures ranging all the way from Central America to Canada. What also makes them adaptable are their food choices, which include snakes, birds, rodents, deer, insects, fruits, grass, fish, and even carrion. Canis Latrans adjust their hunting methods in accordance to the type of prey. For instance, if a coyote spots a rodent, he/she will act out the characteristics of a feline stalking his/her prey and pouncing on it. However, if a larger size animal, such as a deer, is encountered, a pack of coyotes will work together to capture their meal.

Females are monoestrous, meaning that these lucky creatures undergo their menstrual cycle once per year and usually lie between late January and late March. As soon as a female chooses a partner they temporarily remain with each other for a few years. Coyotes in general contain a quick growth cycle where after their birth they are able to open their eyes, and their ears become erect after 10 days. By around 28 days they emerge from their dens and after around 35 they no longer suckle on their mother’s teats. Both parents take turns regurgitating food for their pups after they are weaned off the mother. They then reach full maturity after 12 months and the males separate from the family while the females stay with the parents to form a pack.

Did You Know? 90% of coyote deaths are caused by either being shot, trapped, or poisoned by humans.

Most common skunks found in the United States, Canada, and South America have black and white fur and are divided into 3 different genera. Mephitis are hooded and striped, Spilogale are spotted, and Conepatus are hog-nosed skunks. Fur color may range from black to brown to grey. The size of a skunk may range from 40 to 94 cm and can weigh up to 18 pounds.

Skunks can only spray 15 times before they run out of their liquid supply. They must wait 10 days in order for their bodies to replenish more of the foul smelling chemical.

Skunks are omnivorous creatures eating both plants and animals. They consume insects and larvae as well as earthworms, rodents, lizards, and frogs. They also consume berries, grasses, roots, fungi, and nuts. They may also act as scavengers, foraging for bird or rodent carcasses, especially left by cats or other animals. They are considered the predator of the honeybee, relying on their thick fur to protect them from the sting. Scratching the hive several times, the guard bees come out to investigate. The skunk then eats them as they try to protect their beehive.

Skunks use their powerful claws to dig holes and create their dens during the colder months and especially for the daytime when they rest. Skunks are solitary and nocturnal mammals hunting and/or scavenging for food at night although, in the colder parts of their range, they may share dens with other skunks for warmth.

Skunks commonly mate during the spring and are considered polygamous species, meaning they reproduce with more than one female. The female will search for a place to den before giving birth to her kits. The gestation period is about 66 days and when her litter is born they are blind, deaf, and covered with a soft layer of fur. The kits are weaned off of the mother’s milk after 2 months and stay with her for 1 year until they are ready to mate.

Everyone knows about the notorious foul smelling liquid that skunks spray through their anal scent glands when they feel threatened. The sulfur mixed chemical is said to smell like a combination of rotten eggs, garlic, and burned rubber. They may spray up to 15 feet in length with a high degree of accuracy and cause irritation and temporary blindness. The scent is also difficult to remove and can be detected in far distances by an insensitive human nose.

Skunks can only spray 15 times before they run out of their liquid supply. They must wait 10 days in order for their bodies to replenish more of the foul smelling chemical.

Cats and dogs are two different species, but if you put them together they will make up the characteristics of a fox. Red foxes have dog-like ears and even tails, as well as diamond-shaped pupils similar to a cat. They have an acute sense of hearing but poor vision. Red foxes can adapt to almost any environment and are noted for their cleverness in rationing their resources. During a time when food is plentiful, Vulpus vulpus will eat at least half their body weight and save the rest in holes underground.

This will ensure that they will still have some other sources of food just in case another scavenger comes along to steal a stored meal. The location of red foxes range from Canada to the United States, Europe, and most of Asia.

Red foxes can be as long as 57 inches from head to tail. Relative to a six-foot tall human, foxes reach just above the knee when standing in all fours. Their fur is commonly rusty red with black on the tail, ears, and legs, and white on their inner ears, tip of the tail, and belly. They are normally classified as carnivores when in actuality they are considered omnivores due to their diet. When necessary they may eat crayfish, mollusks, insects, and even earthworms; they may even consume fruits such as apples, blackberries, and plums. Red foxes can be very territorial with their meal unless it is mating time, at which point they will share with the females (“vixens”). The Estrous cycle for a female can span from one to six days, and ovulation can be spontaneous. From the time of copulation to labor, a male brings food to the female. Afterwards, the male (“dog”) leaves her alone in the den. Byy the time they are two weeks old, they will open their eyes and begin exploration outside. During the fall season, the young foxes will disperse and claim their own territory. Once they reach sexual maturity at the age of ten months, they will live for approximately three years (12 years in captivity).

Did You Know?

A fox’s hearing is so sharp that they may hear a watch ticking 40 yards away.

Arctic foxes use this great sense of hearing to find their prey hidden under the snow several feet down.