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Sumatran tigers are the smallest of the tigers. Unfortunately, all subspecies of tiger are endangered (and three already are extinct) because of the combined threats of habitat loss, fear-based persecution by humans, and wildlife trade for their skins, bones and other body parts.

The word “guenon” means fright in French and refers to the monkeys’ appearance (exposed teeth or grimacing) when excited. The name “wolf” is derived from the name of the person who discovered the species; it has nothing to do with a resemblance to wolves. Guenon species are a diverse group of Old World monkeys. Unlike their close relatives the colobus monkeys, guenons have enormous cheek pouches that they stuff with food opportunistically as they forage for fruits and small animals, then retire to feed from a safe treetop retreat.

Sidewinders get their name from their unique form of side-stepping locomotion that is an adaptation for moving across loosely packed desert sands. They are a type of rattlesnake and are venomous.

The intricate color patterns on these medium-sized cats provides excellent camouflage across a variety of habitats in southeastern Asia. Clouded leopards are secretive and mostly nocturnal and are adept climbers. In addition to habitat loss, they also face poaching for their pelts, bones and other body parts for traditional medicines.

Fossas are the largest carnivores on the island of Madagascar, where they feed on a varieties of mammals, including lemurs. They typically hunt and live alone. Like most species on Madagascar, fossas are threatened by habitat loss.

As the name implies, these are the longest of all otter species. Like other otters, they are highly aquatic and very fast and maneuverable swimmers, enabling them to catch fish as well as manipulate sticks and rocks underwater to find treats such as crayfish.

Among sheep breeds, these sheep are particularly robust in hot and humid climates such as the Gulf Coast of North America. Sheep were among one of the very first domesticated animals, and have been part of human life as companions, a wool source and a meat source for millennia. Many thousands of years of selective breeding have produced a large of number of breeds specialized for different purposes and climates. Gulf Coast native sheep are known for having a natural resistance to hoof rot and for being particularly resistant to parasites.

Pigs were among one of the very first domesticated animals, and they have been part of human life as companions and sources of food for millennia. Many thousands of years of selective breeding have produced a large of number of breeds specialized for different purposes and climates. Domestic pigs can quickly become established as feral hogs in almost any habitat. In places such as the eastern U.S., where there are no native pigs, feral hogs create significant habitat damage with their foraging behaviors.

These highly arboreal bears have exceptionally long claws and tongues to help them forage for honey, insects, and other small creatures inside logs. The name “sun bear” comes from the distinctive golden colored patch of fur on their chests, and every individual sun bear has a different patch. Commercial production of palm oil, as well as heavy poaching pressure for traditional medicines, are significant threats to this species.

The appearance and habits of the naked mole rat enthrall scientists and observers alike. Naked mole rats are eusocial mammals, with a social system structured in service of a queen, much like bees.