The Complete List Of Animals

[Scientist]

The armored dinosaur known as Ankylosaurus had a tail that ended in a large, bony club. It was one of a family of plant-eating dinosaurs that walked on four legs and was protected by heavy armor. Euoplocephalus was another member of this family.

Where and when Ankylosaurus lived

Ankylosaurus lived 70 to 65 million years ago, during the period of the Earth's history known as the Cretaceous. Many Ankylosaurus fossils, or remains, have been found in North America, mostly in Montana, Wyoming, and in Canada. These dinosaurs lived in areas that were thick with plant life and that often surrounded bodies of water, such as lakes.

Physical features

Ankylosaurus was a stocky dinosaur that reached a length of 25 to 33 feet (7 to 10 meters), weighed up to 4 tons, and stood 4 feet (1.2 meters) tall. This dinosaur had small bony plates covering its entire body. In addition to these plates it had rows of small bony projections on its sides and bony knobs on its back. Ankylosaurus also had hornlike ridges in the upper and lower corners of its skull, just behind its eyes. It had a short, wide head and rather weak beaklike jaws with a few small teeth. Ankylosaurus stood and walked on all four of its sturdy legs. The two back legs were longer than the front two, and its feet were wide and hooflike.

Behavior

Ankylosaurus was a plant eater that fed on soft and pulpy low-growing plants and shrubs. This dinosaur, like other plant-eating dinosaurs, swallowed small stones to help grind the plant material in its stomach. Ankylosaurus was a slow-moving dinosaur. It depended on the bony plates covering its body to protect it from its enemies. The club at the end of its tail was used as a weapon in self-defense. When attacked, Ankylosaurus could swing its tail with a great deal of force. Like most other dinosaurs, Ankylosaurus reproduced by laying eggs.

[Scientist]

Ants are social insects who live in organized colonies. There are some 8,000 different types of ants in the world. They are found almost everywhere, but they are most common in hot areas.

Physical features

Most ants have the same basic physical structure. They range in size from 8100 to 1 inch (2 to 25 millimeters). They are usually yellow, brown, red, or black. The body of an ant is divided into three sections: the head, the thorax, and the abdomen. The head is large, and the abdomen is slender and oval. The thorax, or midsection, is connected to the abdomen by a small waist. The mouth is an important tool for most ants. It consists of two sets of jaws, the outer pair and the inner pair. The jaws are used for fighting, eating, and carrying food and other materials.

Most ants have simple eyes, called ocelli, on top of the head, as well as a compound eye with many lenses on each side of the head. However, their vision is believed to be poor. More useful than the eyes are the antennae. The antennae are located on the top of the head and help in guiding the ant. They also act as an organ of smell and communication.

Life cycle

The life cycle of the ant has four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The larvae have no eyes or legs. After the larvae hatch out of the eggs, they shed their skin several times. Most of them spin a silken cocoon around their bodies and rest inside while they grow into adults. When a pupa is ready to break out of its cocoon, a nurse ant bites a hole at the end of the silken wrapping and helps the weak little ant free its legs and antennae. Then she washes and feeds it. Most ants live for 6 to 10 weeks, though some live up to 15 years.

Behavior

There are different classes in the social organization of ants: queens, workers, soldiers, and males. The queen spends her life laying eggs. The workers are females and do the work of the nest; the larger females, the soldiers, defend the colony. At certain times of the year, many species produce winged males and queens. They fly into the air, where they mate. The male dies soon afterward, and the fertilized queen establishes a new nest.

Ants are very social creatures. They live in groups called colonies inside a nest. They make their nests out of many materials, including soil, sand, wood, and leaves. Some ants build anthills. The nest is kept very clean. If an ant dies, a worker carries it from the nest to a place that is a cemetery and a garbage dump. If the queen dies, however, the workers continue to care for her as long as her body is unharmed.

Ants are also capable of warlike behavior. Ants have different methods of defense. Some bite or spit out a disagreeable liquid. Others run away when under attack, “play dead,” or send sound signals to warn other members of their colony of danger.

[Scientist]

Among the most curious looking animals in the world are the anteaters. Their long heads and snouts look like tubes, and they have no teeth at all. Their front legs are very strong and armed with heavy, curved claws, which they use to break open the nests of ants and termites. Then, when the insects rush out, they snatch them up with their long, sticky tongues.

Three Species

Anteaters are found in the swamps and forests of Central and South America. There are three species, of which the largest is the giant anteater. The scientific name of the giant anteater is Myrmecophaga tridactyla. Although its body is only about 3 feet (1 meter) long, it measures more than twice that length from the tip of its snout to the end of its long, bushy tail. It weighs about 55 pounds (25 kilograms). Its body is covered with gray hairs, with a band of black across the breast and a white stripe on the shoulders. It spends all its time on the ground, and it may be active both by day and by night. It is not usually a savage animal, but it becomes very fierce if it is cornered. It can do severe damage with the very sharp claws of the forefeet.

The lesser anteater, or tamandua (Tamandua tetradactyla), lives in trees. This species is much smaller than the great anteater, measuring only about half the length. It has a long but not a bushy tail, which helps it to climb on tree branches. Active mainly at night, it feeds chiefly on ants nesting in trees.

The two-toed anteater (Cyclops didactylus) is the smallest of the family. It is the size of a squirrel. Because of the color of its fur it is sometimes called the golden anteater. Like the lesser anteater, the two-toed anteater lives in trees and is most active at night.

The Anteater's Relatives

Various other insect-eating animals are sometimes called anteaters, though they really belong to other groups of animals. One of them is the aardvark, or ant bear. Another is the echidna, or spiny anteater, which is related to the platypus. The pangolin, or scaly anteater, is covered with protective scales. Other relatives of the anteater include the sloth, the armadillo, and the numbat, or banded anteater.

[Scientist]

Antelopes are plant-eating animals known for their beauty, grace, and speed in running. The impala, gazelle, addax, gnu, and kudu are all antelopes.

Where antelopes live

Antelopes are found on the large grassy plains of Africa and in the central and southwest regions of Eurasia. Only one antelope, the pronghorn or prongbuck, is found in North America.

Physical features

Most antelopes have horns that sweep up and back. Their coats are generally golden, reddish tan, or gray. The face, belly and rump tend to be white. In size, antelopes generally compare with most goats and deer. The largest and tallest antelope is the African giant eland, about 69 inches (175 centimeters) tall at the shoulders and weighing about 1,764 pounds (800 kilograms). The smallest is the African royal, about 10 inches (25 centimeters) tall at the shoulders and weighing only about 6 pounds (2.7 kilograms).

Antelope horns vary greatly in size and shape. The giant sable antelope has huge horns about 63 inches (160 centimeters) long, while the royal has small spikes that are only 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) long. The four-horned antelope of India has two pairs of horns, one on its forehead and a larger pair on the top of its head.

Antelopes have excellent senses of smell and hearing. This helps them to detect danger and leap to safety. Antelopes can run very fast. The pronghorn can run 43 miles (70 kilometers) per hour and leap 20 feet (6 meters). Thomson's gazelle can run 50 miles (80 kilometers) per hour. The impala, known for its great springing leaps, can jump to a height of almost 8 feet (2.4 meters) and cover 33 feet (10 meters) in a bound.

Behavior

Antelopes are herbivores, which means they eat plants and grass. They follow a circular grazing route over a particular area of land and may cover more than 200 square miles (500 square kilometers) in a year. They generally travel in herds of several hundred antelopes. A few live alone—these are usually old or weak animals, males with no mates, or females about to give birth. A doe, or female antelope, returns to the herd once her young are big enough to follow her.

Life cycle

During the mating season, male antelopes mark territories and then attract the attention of passing does. They do this by rubbing their scent glands against plants and trees. A male will defend his territory from other male antelopes by signaling them to fight. In such a case, two males lock their horns together and wrestle in combat. Neither animal comes to any great harm. One antelope, however, the African eland, has been known to fight to the death. The antelope doe may produce her young after four to eight months.

Survival issues

Some types of antelope have been hunted so much that they no longer exist at all. These include the Arabian oryx, giant sable, blesbok, and bontebok. Other antelopes, such as the eland, roan, greater kudu, and waterbuck, are still being hunted. Some antelopes in danger of extinction are being protected in special parks.

[Scientist]

A massive dinosaur, the Apatosaurus weighed as much as five adult elephants. The name Apatosaurus means “deceptive lizard.” This dinosaur may be better known by its former name, Brontosaurus, which means “thunder lizard.” It was called this because of the loud, earth-shaking sound it may have made while walking. Apatosaurus belongs to the group of dinosaurs known as sauropods, which also includes Brachiosaurus and Diplodocus. The sauropods were large, plant-eating dinosaurs with long necks, massive bodies, and four pillarlike legs to support the body.

Where and when Apatosaurus lived

Apatosaurus lived about 147 to 137 million years ago, during the late Jurassic and early Cretaceous periods of the Earth's history. Most Apatosaurus remains have been found in North America, particularly in Wyoming, Utah, Oklahoma, and Colorado. It was once believed that Apatosaurus lived in swampy areas because it needed to live in water to support the weight of its heavy body. Modern scientists now agree that Apatosaurus was mainly a land animal. Studies show that its thick legs, elephantlike feet, and strong skeleton were able to support Apatosaurus on land.

Physical features

Apatosaurus was one of the largest land animals of all time. It reached a length of 70 feet (21 meters), weighed 30 to 36 tons, and stood 15 feet (4.6 meters) tall at the hips. This dinosaur also had a very long neck and tail. Apatosaurus was a quadruped, meaning that it stood and walked on all four legs. It had claws on its large feet. Apatosaurus had a small, horselike head that measured only 2 feet (61 centimeters) in length, and long, peg-shaped teeth.

Behavior

Apatosaurus was a plant-eater. It fed on the leaves and needles of sequoia, fir, and pine trees, as well as ferns and other low-lying plants. Its long neck may have enabled Apatosaurus to reach as high as 35 feet (10.6 meters) to browse the treetops. In order to aid digestion, this dinosaur swallowed small stones to help grind up the plants in its stomach. Fossil sites suggest that Apatosaurus lived and traveled together in herds. Like other dinosaurs, Apatosaurus reproduced by laying eggs. Young Apatosaurus did not join the adult herd until they were large enough and weighed about 1 ton. Apatosaurus reached adulthood at about 20 years of age and lived to be about 100 years old.

[Scientist]

The most humanlike of all animals, the ape is often termed anthropoid, meaning, “resembling a human.” Apes and humans are members of the group of animals called primates. This group also includes monkeys, lemurs, lorises, and tarsiers. The apes are divided into two categories: the lesser apes and the great apes. The lesser apes are the gibbons, and the great apes are the orangutans, chimpanzees, and gorillas.

Where apes live
Apes live in tropical rain forests. Both gibbons and orangutans inhabit the forests of southeastern Asia. Gibbons are found in the mainland and islands, and orangutans are found in the lowland rain forests on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra.

Chimpanzees, bonobos, and gorillas inhabit rain forests that lie on or near the equator in Africa. Chimpanzees, in particular, have a wide geographic range and are found in more than a dozen countries of western and central equatorial Africa. Bonobos, on the other hand, are found only in the lowland rain forests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in central Africa.

Gibbons and orangutans are arboreal, meaning they live mainly in trees. The orangutan, in fact, is the largest tree-dwelling animal in the world. Sometimes adult male orangutans have to descend to the ground to travel long distances, as the smaller tree branches cannot support their weight. Chimpanzees spend time both on the trees and the ground. Chimpanzees and bonobos come down to the ground to cover larger distances. Most of their feeding otherwise takes place on the trees. Gorillas are largely terrestrial, that is, they spend most of their time on the ground.

Most apes are active during the day. At night they lodge in trees and all except gibbons build sleeping nests for the purpose.

Physical characteristics
Apes share many characteristics, yet each species is quite distinctive in appearance. For instance, all apes have hair, but the color and volume varies from species to species. Gibbons range from tan or silvery to brown or black. Orangutans have a long, reddish-brown coat, or pelage, and are sometimes also called the red ape. Chimpanzees sport a coat of brown or black hair. Gorillas have black skin and hair. The adult male gorilla has a prominent crest on top of the skull and a “saddle” of gray or silver hairs on the lower part of the back. Hence mature males are given the name, silverback.

Gorillas, chimpanzees, and orangutans have short, thickset bodies, long arms, and short legs. Bonobos closely resemble chimpanzees, but have longer arms and a more slender body. Gibbons have remarkably long arms though they are the smallest among apes.

Gorillas are the largest apes. They may attain a height of about 5 12 feet (170 centimeters) and a weight of 300–600 pounds (135–275 kilograms) in the wild.

One feature common to all apes, and which separates them from other primates like monkeys, is that they do not have a tail. Like humans, apes have opposable thumbs and toes, which enable them to grasp and hold objects and to climb. Their fingers and toes have flat nails instead of claws.

Behavior
Movies and books have often portrayed gorillas as ferocious. Studies, however, show that they are not aggressive by nature. Gorillas live in stable family groups of 6 to 20 animals that are led by one or two adult males. The adults are protective towards the other members of the group and turn violent only when they are disturbed or when they sense danger.

Most other apes live in groups as well, though the size of their communities varies. Adult orangutans are the only solitary apes. They come together only for a brief period of courtship before mating.

Apes usually eat shoots, fruits, leaves, seeds, and grass. Gorillas live on an entirely vegetarian diet, but other apes may eat insects, birds' eggs, young birds, or rodents. Bonobos may even eat young antelopes, and chimpanzees sometimes stalk and kill young baboons and bush pigs.

Apes are intelligent creatures, particularly orangutans, gorillas, and chimpanzees. Chimpanzees in the wild use sticks as tools. For instance, they cleverly poke twigs, grass, or other objects into ant and termite nests, withdraw them, and eat the insects that cling to these tools.

Trainers and experimenters have taught both chimpanzees and gorillas to solve problems and use sign language. Orangutans in captivity also show considerable skill and are particularly clever with mechanical objects.

Reproduction and growth
Reproduction among apes is similar to humans. Most apes give birth to a single offspring, after a pregnancy of about seven to nine months. Twins are rare. Infants are generally helpless for the first few months after birth and depend entirely on the mother. They become sexually mature when they are 7 years or older, and may live up to 30 years. It has been noticed that apes generally live longer in captivity.

Under threat
The numbers of most ape species in the wild is shrinking because of hunting and destruction of their natural habitat. Many, like chimpanzees and gorillas, have been exported to zoos and research laboratories. In Africa, gorillas and chimpanzees are prized for their meat. In addition, infant apes bring a high price in the illegal pet trade. These species are considered either vulnerable or endangered.

Steps have been taken for their conservation. Several national parks have been established in countries like Rwanda in Africa and Indonesia and Thailand in southeastern Asia for the protection of gorillas, orangutans, and gibbons. In addition, the law in Indonesia and Malaysia protects the orangutan. The gorilla and bonobos are also protected, but illegal hunting of apes continues.

[Scientist]

A prehistoric bird, Archaeopteryx is best described as a feathered dinosaur with wings. Archaeopteryx is considered proof that birds developed from dinosaurs, because it had the traits of both. The name Archaeopteryx means “ancient wing.”

Where and when Archaeopteryx lived
Archaeopteryx lived about 159 to 144 million years ago, during the period of the Earth's history known as the Jurassic. All known Archaeopteryx remains have been found in the Bavarian region of southern Germany. Scientists were able to classify Archaeopteryx as a bird because the fine-grained limestone in this region has perfectly preserved impressions of the animal's delicate feathers. Archaeopteryx lived in a tropical environment on islands among coral lagoons. Low, scrubby evergreens were the tallest trees that grew on the islands.

Physical features
Archaeopteryx ranged in size from that of a blue jay to that of a large chicken. It reached 2 feet (60 centimeters) in length and had a wingspan of 2 feet (60 centimeters). It developed long forearms, which were specially adapted to support feathers. Its primary wing feathers match those of modern pigeons, showing that Archaeopteryx could fly or glide. Archaeopteryx also shared several features with a group of small, meat-eating dinosaurs, however. One major similarity was the presence of well-developed teeth. Like these dinosaurs, Archaeopteryx had a long, slender and flexible neck. It had long leg and foot bones, and it had claws on its hands. Archaeopteryx had a long, bony tail, as well. The only difference was that feathers were attached along each side of its tail.

Behavior
Some scientists believe that Archaeopteryx took off by running along the ground and leaping into the air, flapping its wings forcefully. However, other experts believe that Archaeopteryx probably did not have the well-developed breast muscles used by modern birds to take off from level ground. These experts believe that Archaeopteryx most likely spent a lot of time perched in low-growing trees. It may have used its long, sharp claws to haul itself up the trunks of the trees. The animal could then simply launch itself from atop the low branches and glide out on short flights. When it was not in the trees it is possible that Archaeopteryx swam and fished in the lagoons surrounding the islands on which it lived. It may have wandered along the beach, searching for crabs, washed-up fish, worms, and insects. Archaeopteryx, like both dinosaurs and modern birds, reproduced by laying eggs.

[Scientist]

Armadillos are small, piglike mammals related to sloths and anteaters. They have a bony armor that protects them from enemies and other dangers. The word armadillo is Spanish for “little armored one.”

Where armadillos live
Armadillos belong to the scientific family Dasypodidae, which contains 20 species. They are found mainly in or near tropical regions of Central and South America. One species can be found in the central United States. Most species inhabit open areas, but some live in forests.

Physical characteristics
Armadillos are stout, short-legged animals with strong, curved claws. They are usually brownish black, marked with yellow above and yellowish white underneath. Their armor is made up of solid plates and flexible bands. It covers most of the body, including the head and usually the tail. The three-, six-, and nine-banded armadillos are named for the number of movable bands in their armor. Species range in length from about 6 inches (15 centimeters) to 5 feet (1.5 meters).

The coat of armadillos varies among the species. Some armadillos, such as the nine-banded species, have very little hair. The pink fairy armadillo, however, has a fairly dense coat of soft, white hair on its underparts and sides.

Behavior
Armadillos live alone, in pairs, or in small groups. They are usually active at night. They live in burrows and can dig very quickly. Armadillos feed mainly on termites and other insects, worms, roots, and small animals. They can run surprisingly fast on their short legs and are good swimmers. Before entering the water they swallow air to help keep afloat.

Armadillos are timid animals. When threatened, they retreat to their burrows when possible. If caught in the open, they draw in their feet so their armor touches the ground. They may also run away or claw at the attacker. The three-banded armadillos are able to roll up into a ball to protect their underparts.

Female armadillos of some species bear one to 12 identical young. All develop from a single egg, or ovum, and are the same ***.

[Scientist]

Baboons are large monkeys that move around both on the ground and in trees. They are very smart, noisy, and often ferocious.

Where baboons live
Baboons are found in Africa south of the Sahara and in Arabia. They are able to live in a variety of places, including open woodlands, grasslands, and rocky hills. They spend most of their time on the ground, but they sleep in high places, including in trees and on cliffs.

Physical features
The head and face of a baboon are similar to those of a dog. Baboons have large cheek pouches and a long muzzle, or snout. Their front teeth are huge, and their limbs are powerful. They walk on all four legs.

Depending on the species, or type, a baboon can weigh from 30 to 88 pounds (14 to 40 kilograms) and measure from 20 to 45 inches (51 to 114 centimeters) long, not including the tail. A baboon's tail is usually about 16 to 28 inches (41 to 71 centimeters) long. Adult males are about twice the size of adult females.

Baboons can be different colors, including ash gray, reddish brown, olive brown, and yellow green. No matter what the color is, however, a baboon's fur is always rough. Adult males often have capes of long hair over their shoulders. The underparts, hands, feet, face, and buttocks of a baboon do not have fur.

Behavior
Baboons eat many different plants and animals, including grass, fruit, roots, birds, and small mammals such as rodents, hares, and gazelle fawns. Their diet varies from region to region depending on what food is available. Baboons can be very destructive to farmland.

Baboons live and travel in large groups called troops. Each troop is a very close society. Troops are led and guarded by one or more males. Baboons communicate with each other and have a number of calls that mean different things. For example, they announce alarm with a doglike bark. Baboons are thought to be very smart creatures that can be trained.

Life cycle
Male and female baboons do not stay together after mating. Instead they mate with other members of the opposite ***. Female baboons typically give birth to a single young. Although females remain with their mothers as they grow older, males leave at about age 7 to join other troops. Baboons may live 20 to 30 years in the wild and considerably longer in zoos.

[Scientist]

Badgers are mammals known for their powerful digging. The eight species, or types, of badgers differ in color and size, but all belong to the weasel family. Another member of the weasel family, the ratel of Africa and Asia, is called a honey badger, but scientists do not consider it to be a true badger.

Where badgers live
Badgers live in grasslands and forests. They are found on all northern continents and on many islands. The American badger lives in the western part of North America, from Canada to Mexico. Its territory centers on the Great Plains. The Eurasian badger can be found across the entire length of Europe and Asia, from Great Britain to Japan. Other badgers, including the hog badger, three kinds of ferret badgers, and two kinds of stink badgers, live in Southeast Asia and the large islands nearby.

Physical features
Badgers are mostly medium-sized animals, heavily built with short legs. The American badger sometimes appears to be wider than it is tall. It is about 9 inches (23 centimeters) high and 17 to 30 inches (43 to 76 centimeters) in length, with a weight of 8 to 25 pounds (4 to 11 kilograms). Most of its coat is gray, but it has a blackish face and feet and a white stripe from its nose to its back. The Eurasian badger is the largest of the badgers. It weighs between 22 and 50 pounds (10 and 23 kilograms). It is grayish with large black-and-white stripes on its face. Other badgers also have fur patterns of black and white.

Behavior
Badgers have strong forefeet, and their claws are built for digging. The American badger is a faster digger than a human with a shovel. Badgers dig to get at the burrowing rodents and other underground creatures that they eat. Badgers sometimes eat birds and plants as well. They feed mainly at night.

Badgers also use their digging skills to make burrows for themselves. American badgers live alone in their burrows, but Eurasian badgers live in groups with extensive networks of homes and escape routes. Badgers do not hibernate through cold winters, but they do stay underground for long periods.

Badgers are strong for their size and can fight savagely when threatened. All badgers have scent glands near the tail, but the stink badgers are especially known for shooting a foul-smelling liquid at their enemies.

Reproduction
For most badgers, the time between mating and the birth of the young is quite long. In American badgers the period of pregnancy may be seven months or more, and in Eurasian badgers it may be almost an entire year. Litters consist of one to seven young. The young are raised in the burrow until they are several months old.

Badgers and humans
Badgers help humans by eating many rodent pests, which may carry disease or damage crops. But some people consider badgers to be pests, too, because their burrows can be a hazard to cattle and horses. Such large animals have been known to break legs by stepping into a badger hole.

In the past, badgers were a valuable source of fur. Badger fur has been used as a trim on many types of Native American clothing.