Archive for the ‘Mammals’ Category

Facts About Walruses

October 29th, 2009 — by Anna P.
walrusWalruses are extraordinary sea creatures that live primarily in the cold, north Arctic region.  What is known about walruses is that they are close to becoming extinct due to the fact that many people hunt them for various reasons.  Fortunately more people are becoming aware of the walrus and are working together to save them from the verge of extinction.  Here are even more facts for those who want to know more about the walrus.

A single walrus tusk can weight up to 3 pounds.

A walrus can have anywhere from 400 to 700 whiskers.

Their blubber skin really is just about five

Puma, Leopard, Jaguar: What Is It?

July 15th, 2009 — by Anna P.
picNext time you're at the zoo and you're inside the big cat habitat, take note of the many distinct types of big cats. Like your pet cats, big cats come in many different shapes, sizes, and colors. And except for lions and tigers, many of us often confuse the types (like jaguars, pumas, and cheetahs). Think of this as a brief crash course on how to differentiate wild felines.

Adult male lions are easiest to recognize, as they are one of the biggest cats out there (only second to tigers). Male lions also grow a lot bigger than the female lion. 

Facts About Zebras

May 5th, 2009 — by Anna P.
picZebras are exotic animals that are related to both horses and donkeys. Unlike horses and donkeys, zebras have never been successfully  domesticated. All three sub-species of zebras (plains zebra, mountain zebra, and Grevy’s zebra) are native to Africa, and the last two are considered endangered.  The plains zebra are the most commonly found and also are the most sociable type of the zebra species. Here are some interesting facts about zebras.


  • They can thrive in a variety of habitats including savannas, grasslands, mountains, and coastal hills.

  • Groups or families of zebras are called harems.

  • Zebras are herbivores who usually graze on grass and

Merritt Island: Earth and Space

April 28th, 2009 — by Jane Wangersky
picMany people don't realize, until they've actually been there, that the space shuttle takes off from the middle of a wildlife preserve. The Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge is officially an “overlay” of the Kennedy Space Center, and has been since 1963. At the Space Center, you see vultures landing outside the exhibit halls and alligators swimming in the pond in front of an office building. One of the tour bus drivers calls the 5000 gators an “unpaid security system” and says they're doing a good job. (They're also the only part of the security system you're

Coyotes — Can’t Live with ‘em, But They Can Live with Us

March 3rd, 2009 — by Jane Wangersky
coyoteinbushI used to think it would be handy to keep some chickens in the backyard – just for the eggs – but two things held me back: the local laws and the coyotes. Well, now the laws have been changed, but the coyotes aren’t going away.

In fact, it looks as if coyotes will never go away. They’re more widespread on this continent now than they were in the 19th century. Once mainly a western animal, they now live from coast to coast, down into Mexico and Guatemala, and up almost – not quite – to the Arctic. Coyotes have expanded