Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Animals
Here, we try to answer all of the common (and some not so common) questions that people have about the various animals that we share this planet with.
Are you wondering something about a particular animal? Just search the search located at the top of the site and see if we can help you find the answer!
Amphibians
No they do not. Only mammals and birds hibernate by changing their body temperature, breathing, heart and metabolic rate. Sea horses are unable to do so and hence, do not hibernate.
No they do not. Beavers are not capable of echolocation, which is the practice of using sound echoes to locate and identify the environment.
However, beavers do use sound as a defense mechanism. When threatened, the beaver will dive into the water while slapping its tail hard on the surface. This makes a large booming sound that may scare the predator away while simultaneously alerting other beavers in the area.
No, they are not. Bottom feeders are animals that feed near the bottom of water. Fish that are bottom feeders include groundfish, halibut, cod, bass, grouper, carps and bream.
Salmon, on the other hand do not feed near the bottom of the ocean or lake and so are not classified as bottom feeders.
No, they do not. Bats in generally do not produce venom that is hazardous or threatening in any way to humans.
The closest thing to any form of ‘poison’ or harm is the saliva from a vampire bat, which has an anticoagulant effect and prolongs bleeding so the bat can continue to drink blood.
Do note that a very small percentage of bats (less than 1%) may carry rabies which may be spread to humans through scratches and bites.
They are flightless birds. Penguins are often mistaken for mammals or amphibians because they spend a good amount of their lives either on land or swimming in the waters to catch fish. But they are just birds that are unable to fly. Their swimming style resembles flying more than that of other fishes.
Yes. Utrasound are sound pressure waves (>20 kilohertz) with a frequency greater than the limit of human hearing, which is why we don’t hear them. Many animals like bats and dolphins often use ultrasound to navigate their environment.
A cat can hear ultrasonic frequencies ranging from 45 to 65 kilohertz. This ability was probably an evolution adaptation which allowed them to catch prey that emit high frequency sounds like mice, bats and other rodents.
Yes, they are nocturnal. This is especially true due to the fact that Axolotl (commonly known the Mexican salamander) geographically thrive in a very sunny region. There have been numerous studies that indicate salamanders survive best in very dark environments within streams or bodies of water.
Without a doubt this decribes perfectly the Axolotl species, considering they are neotenic salamanders. Neotonic means that they never leave water due to the fact they stop developing beyond the juvenile stage. Since Axolotl live in water for a life time, it is most certain that they are a species of salamander that is nocturnal.
An Axolotl, also known as a Mexican Walking fish, is an amphibian that can be found in high altitude, fresh water lakes in Mexico, such as Lake Xochimilco. Originally, these creatures were native to Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco, but because of flooding issues, Lake Chalco had to be drained and does not exist anymore.
Yes, stingrays do, in fact, have teeth! Stingray teeth are small and flat. They are attached to the jaw by a structure which is called a tooth band. The tooth band holds all of the stingray’s teeth. A stingray employs these teeth to crush and grind crustaceans. The tooth bands line the upper and lower jaw and the stingray uses both bands to crush prey.
Divers occasionally find stingray teeth, mixed in with shark teeth, resting on the ocean floor. Crustaceans can have very hard shells, so occasionally the stingray will lose a tooth. Stingray teeth are replaceable in a similar manner to sharks teeth. New teeth are grown on the backside of the tooth band and will push forward to replace missing teeth. It takes a lot of work to crush a crustacean and a the jaw plates of a stingray are very strong.
A stingrays mouth is only visible from underneath. Inside the frown-like mouth lies the strong jaws and rows of teeth which rest on the tooth bands. So, while we cannot usually see them, it is true that stingrays do have teeth.
Yes, they are. The axolotl is a type of aquatic salamander native to Mexico. Although these amphibians are exotic animals, they are easy to care for and make enjoyable house pets. When kept in an aquarium, most axolotls have a life span of 10 to 15 years. Occasionally, these salamanders will metamorphosize into a terrestrial state.
Purchase an aquarium of at least 10 to 20 gallons to house adult axolotls. The more members of this species you have, the larger the tank should be. Juveniles tends to be cannibalistic, so keep them separate until they are full grown. Even if a body part gets bitten off, however, these salamanders have amazing regenerative properties and can grow back the area over time.
Because the skin and gills of these salamanders is soft and sensitive, frequent handling is not recommended. Owners should pay strict attention to the axolotls’ water quality. Axolotls do best with filtered water that does not have any chlorine or chloramines. Replace about 20 percent of the water weekly. Use a siphon occasionally to clean the bottom of the tank and maintain water quality.
Feed axolotls a steady diet of brine shrimp, small pieces of beef, commercial earthworms, bloodworms, tubifex worms, or commercial fish pellets