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In the case of Harris hawks, birds of a feather don’t only flock together – they hunt and nest together, too. In some regions where they live this species is social, but in most regions, they are observed alone or with just one other hawk. Hawks belong to a group of birds known as raptors, … Continue reading "Harris Hawk"

When you think of storks, you most likely picture a European white stork. These large birds are most closely related to herons, bitterns, ibises, spoonbills, the shoebill, and the hammerhead.

The brown armor that covers the body of an armadillo, known as a carapace, is made of keratin – the same protein that makes up our hair and nails. The screaming hairy armadillo is native to South America and is considered a cultural symbol of the Bolivian highlands. They are often found building homes in sand dunes where they are easily able to dig.

There are more species in the skink family than in any other lizard family. They generally have reduced limbs and smooth, overlapping scales with a bony plate in the skin underneath each scale. Prehensile-tailed skinks are the longest members of the skink family and are endemic to the Solomon Islands. These islands northeast of Australia are the only place in the world where prehensile-tailed skinks are native.

There are 25 species of tenrec which are mostly found on Madagascar, but some are native to mainland Africa. The name lesser hedgehog tenrec is misleading, as tenrecs are not related to hedgehogs. Their closest relatives are moles and shrews. However, like hedgehogs, tenrecs have spines covering much of their bodies. Although the underlying muscular structure is less specialized than a hedgehog’s, tenrecs have well-developed muscles under the skin that allow them to raise and lower their spines.

This medium-sized tarantula species gets its name from the pinkish hue of the hairs on its back. Like all spiders, Chilean rose hair tarantulas are venomous. Their venom primarily helps them eat and is not known to be fatal in humans, but reactions can vary widely from person to person. These tarantulas are known for their docile and relatively slow-moving nature. While males typically only live three to four years, females can live into their 20s.

Corn snakes, also known as red rat snakes, are a slender species of snake known for their orange coloration. This native Georgia species lives in many different habitats, ranging from forests to inside barns and attics. Corn snakes were once in trouble due to collection from the wild for the pet trade, but breeding programs have mitigated this threat.

Meerkats are well-known to most people who enjoy animals because of their charismatic postures and social activities. They live in highly social groups, foraging together and dividing labor across the group, with one of the most important tasks being the lookout guard who will be vigilant to detect threats and alert the others.

Giraffes are Earth’s tallest living mammals and specialize in browsing leaves and flowers from the tops of trees. Newborns may weigh over 100 pounds and stand 6 feet tall at birth.

This is one of the most distinctive animals on the planet. African elephants are the largest of the three elephant species. Elephants have many unique characteristics, and the secrets of some of their adaptations are still being discovered to this day. Elephants live long and very social lives centered around a matriarch and her offspring. The illegal killing of elephants for ivory represents a serious and pressing threat to the future of this species.