World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/sturgeon): Sturgeon — wildlife guide.

## What is the most endangered sturgeon species?
Multiple sturgeon species share Critically Endangered status, but the beluga (Huso huso) and Russian sturgeon (Acipenser gueldenstaedtii) are among the most iconic and deeply threatened. The Chinese paddlefish (Psephurus gladius) was declared extinct following the 2022 IUCN reassessment, and the Yangtze sturgeon (Acipenser dabryanus) is listed as Extinct in the Wild — meaning it persists mainly through captive breeding. In a significant development in June 2025, scientists witnessed the first confirmed natural spawning of Yangtze sturgeon in the wild in decades, offering cautious hope.

## Why is caviar so damaging to sturgeon populations?
Caviar is harvested from female sturgeon eggs, and in wild fisheries this almost always means killing the fish. A large beluga female can produce up to 100 kg of roe worth tens of thousands of dollars, creating enormous financial incentive to poach even at low population densities. Because females take 20–25 years to reach first maturity, removing a single breeding female eliminates decades of future reproductive output from the population.

## Are any sturgeon species safe from extinction?
Of the 26 surviving species in the order Acipenseriformes, none is currently assessed as Least Concern. North American species such as lake sturgeon have shown some stability thanks to decades of commercial fishing bans and hatchery support, but they remain vulnerable given their slow reproduction and ongoing habitat pressures. All sturgeon continue to face existential risk without sustained management.

## How do dams affect sturgeon?
Sturgeons are anadromous, meaning they migrate from saltwater feeding grounds into freshwater rivers to spawn on specific gravel beds. Hydropower dams block these migration corridors completely. The Iron Gate dams on the Danube, for example, confine migratory sturgeons to approximately 860 km of the lower river, eliminating access to historic breeding sites across Hungary, Austria and Germany. On the Volga, dam construction reduced available beluga spawning habitat to just 12% of its former extent. Without fish-passage infrastructure — which few major dams on sturgeon rivers currently provide — entire river sections become reproductively inaccessible.

## What do sturgeons eat?
Sturgeons eat Bottom-dwelling invertebrates, crustaceans, small fish. Sturgeons (family Acipenseridae) are ancient, armoured freshwater and anadromous fish of the Northern Hemisphere; they are the most endangered group of animals on Earth, with 17 of 26 surviving species listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, driven to the brink by poaching for caviar, dams that block migration, and widespread habitat loss.

## Where do sturgeons live?
Sturgeons live in Fast-flowing gravel or cobble riverbeds. Sturgeons (family Acipenseridae) are ancient, armoured freshwater and anadromous fish of the Northern Hemisphere; they are the most endangered group of animals on Earth, with 17 of 26 surviving species listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, driven to the brink by poaching for caviar, dams that block migration, and widespread habitat loss.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/sturgeon): Sturgeon — wildlife guide.

## Are sturgeons dangerous?
Sturgeons are not generally dangerous to people. Sturgeons (family Acipenseridae) are ancient, armoured freshwater and anadromous fish of the Northern Hemisphere; they are the most endangered group of animals on Earth, with 17 of 26 surviving species listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, driven to the brink by poaching for caviar, dams that block migration, and widespread habitat loss. Give wild individuals space and do not corner or handle them.

## How long do sturgeons live?
Sturgeons typically live Over 150 years (lake sturgeon females). Sturgeons (family Acipenseridae) are ancient, armoured freshwater and anadromous fish of the Northern Hemisphere; they are the most endangered group of animals on Earth, with 17 of 26 surviving species listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, driven to the brink by poaching for caviar, dams that block migration, and widespread habitat loss. Wild and captive figures can differ; use the sources listed on the guide for the underlying studies.

## How big is a sturgeon?
A Sturgeon is about Over 150 years (lake sturgeon females). Sturgeons (family Acipenseridae) are ancient, armoured freshwater and anadromous fish of the Northern Hemisphere; they are the most endangered group of animals on Earth, with 17 of 26 surviving species listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, driven to the brink by poaching for caviar, dams that block migration, and widespread habitat loss.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/shoebill): Shoebill — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
The shoebill (Balaeniceps rex) is a Vulnerable African swamp bird famous for its massive shoe-shaped bill and motionless hunting posture; roughly 5,000–8,000 individuals remain in Central and East African wetlands.

## Introduction
The shoebill (Balaeniceps rex) is one of Africa's most unmistakable birds — a tall, grey, stork-like waterbird with an enormous shoe-shaped bill and a patient, almost unnerving stillness. Standing up to 1.4 m tall with a wingspan near 2.5 m, it hunts in papyrus swamps and floating wetlands of Central and East Africa, spearing lungfish, catfish and juvenile crocodiles with a bill that can exceed 19 cm in length. Listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List with an estimated 5,000–8,000 individuals and a decreasing population trend, the shoebill faces habitat drainage, nest disturbance, illegal capture for zoos and drowning in fishing nets. Uganda's Mabamba Swamp and Zambia's Bangweulu Wetlands are among the best-known strongholds — but the species needs intact wetland corridors across South Sudan, DRC and Tanzania to survive long term.

## Takeaway
The shoebill's bill is one of the largest among living birds — adapted to grasp lungfish and other swamp prey.

## Takeaway
Shoebills hunt by standing motionless for long periods, then striking with explosive speed.

## Takeaway
Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List — wetland drainage and nest disturbance are primary threats.

## Takeaway
Central and East African papyrus swamps — Uganda, South Sudan, Zambia, Rwanda — hold most populations.

## Takeaway
Illegal capture for zoos and drowning in fishing nets add mortality beyond habitat loss.

## What is a shoebill?
The shoebill is the sole living species in genus Balaeniceps and family Balaenicipitidae — phylogenetically placed among pelicans and hamerkops despite its stork-like appearance. Adults are mostly grey with a small crest, pale eyes and long black legs. Juveniles are browner. The bill is broad, hooked at the tip and deeply keeled — shaped to grip slippery lungfish (Protopterus) and other swamp vertebrates. Shoebills are largely silent except for bill-clapping displays and rare low murmurs at the nest. They can live 35 years or more in captivity; wild lifespan is less documented but likely decades with sufficient wetland food.

## Where does the shoebill live?
Shoebills inhabit freshwater swamps with papyrus, reeds and floating vegetation — especially where lungfish and catfish abound. Range spans South Sudan, Uganda, western Tanzania, Rwanda, eastern DRC, northern Zambia and patchily Central African Republic. They are absent from coastal mangroves and arid zones. Home ranges are large and tied to ephemeral flood cycles — birds move as water levels rise and fall. Mabamba Bay on Lake Victoria (Uganda) and Bangweulu Wetlands (Zambia) support tourism that funds local guards — when nest disturbance is controlled, breeding success improves.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/shoebill): Shoebill — wildlife guide.

## How does a shoebill hunt?
Shoebills are ambush predators — they stand frozen for minutes or hours, then lunge forward with wings spread for balance, snapping the bill shut on prey. Lungfish are a staple; frogs, snakes, monitor lizards, juvenile crocodiles and small waterbirds are also taken. Prey is decapitated or shaken before swallowing. Shoebills are solitary outside breeding — pairs defend nesting territories on floating platforms or papyrus mats. Two eggs are typical; siblicide often leaves one fledgling — a slow reproductive strategy that magnifies population sensitivity to disturbance.

## Why is the shoebill Vulnerable?
The IUCN lists the shoebill as Vulnerable — population estimated at 5,000–8,000 and decreasing. Wetland conversion for agriculture, rice schemes and oil exploration drains core habitat. Nest trampling by cattle and disturbance from poorly managed tourism reduce breeding output. Illegal live capture for Middle Eastern and Asian zoos removes wild birds — CITES Appendix II regulates international trade but enforcement is weak. Bycatch and entanglement in fishing nets drown birds in shared waterways. Climate-driven shifts in flood timing may desynchronise shoebill breeding from lungfish availability — research ongoing.

## WARN work
WARN does not currently operate field projects in shoebill range countries — Uganda, South Sudan and Zambia lie outside WARN's active partner network in South Asia, Southeast Asia and South America. This guide is offered as free educational content linking African wetland conservation to the broader habitat-protection case WARN makes globally. Healthy wetlands in any continent underpin species from shoebills to freshwater turtles — habitat appeals fund partner-led protection where WARN does operate.

## Donation hook
Wetland habitats that sustain shoebills face the same drainage and fragmentation pressures as freshwater ecosystems worldwide. Supporting WARN habitat protection helps fund partner-led work keeping critical landscapes intact for wildlife and communities.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/shoebill): Shoebill — wildlife guide.

## Why is it called a shoebill?
The bill resembles a wooden shoe or clog — broad, flattened and hooked at the tip — unlike the narrow beaks of herons or storks.

## Is the shoebill a stork or a pelican?
Neither traditionally — molecular studies place shoebills closest to pelicans and hamerkops in order Pelecaniformes, though morphology is unique.

## How many shoebills are left?
IUCN estimates roughly 5,000–8,000 individuals globally — Vulnerable with a decreasing trend.

## Where can you see shoebills in the wild?
Uganda (Mabamba Swamp), Zambia (Bangweulu), South Sudan and Rwanda host guided tourism — choose operators that keep distance from nests.

## Are shoebills dangerous?
They can strike with the bill if cornered — powerful enough to injure a person. Wild birds should never be approached closely.

## What do shoebills eat?
Shoebills eat Lungfish, catfish, frogs, snakes, small crocodiles. The shoebill (Balaeniceps rex) is a Vulnerable African swamp bird famous for its massive shoe-shaped bill and motionless hunting posture; roughly 5,000–8,000 individuals remain in Central and East African wetlands.

## Where do shoebills live?
Shoebills live in Papyrus swamps and floating wetlands. The shoebill (Balaeniceps rex) is a Vulnerable African swamp bird famous for its massive shoe-shaped bill and motionless hunting posture; roughly 5,000–8,000 individuals remain in Central and East African wetlands.

## How long do shoebills live?
A precise wild lifespan for shoebills is not firmly established in the sources cited on this guide. The shoebill (Balaeniceps rex) is a Vulnerable African swamp bird famous for its massive shoe-shaped bill and motionless hunting posture; roughly 5,000–8,000 individuals remain in Central and East African wetlands. Where longevity figures appear in the literature they vary by region, sex and whether animals are wild or captive.

## How big is a shoebill?
A Shoebill is about Up to 1.4 m (4 ft 7 in). The shoebill (Balaeniceps rex) is a Vulnerable African swamp bird famous for its massive shoe-shaped bill and motionless hunting posture; roughly 5,000–8,000 individuals remain in Central and East African wetlands. Conservation status: Vulnerable (2018 assessment).


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/bullfrog): American Bullfrog — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
The American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) is North America's largest frog, reaching 9 to 20 cm in body length and weighing up to about 0.5 kg. It lives in and around ponds, lakes, marshes and slow streams, where the male's deep, resonant call carries far across the water.

## Introduction
The American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) is North America's largest frog, reaching 9 to 20 cm in body length and weighing up to about 0.5 kg. It lives in and around ponds, lakes, marshes and slow streams, where the male's deep, resonant call carries far across the water. A voracious carnivore, it will eat almost anything it can swallow, from insects to fish and small vertebrates. In the wild bullfrogs live around seven to nine years.

## Takeaway
The American bullfrog is a heavyweight among frogs, with a body 9 to 20 cm (3.5 to 8 inches) long and a weight of up to about 0.5 kg (1.1 lb).

## Takeaway
Bullfrogs are ambush carnivores with an enormous appetite and famously indiscriminate tastes.

## Takeaway
On land the bullfrog travels in long, powerful hops, launching itself with muscular hind legs that let it clear several times its own body length in a single leap.

## Size and appearance
The American bullfrog is a heavyweight among frogs, with a body 9 to 20 cm (3.5 to 8 inches) long and a weight of up to about 0.5 kg (1.1 lb). Its skin is olive-green to brownish, often mottled, with a pale, sometimes yellow throat in breeding males. A prominent fold of skin curves around each large, exposed eardrum, or tympanum, which in males is noticeably bigger than the eye. Powerful, fully webbed hind feet make it a strong swimmer and an impressive jumper.

## Diet and feeding
Bullfrogs are ambush carnivores with an enormous appetite and famously indiscriminate tastes. They eat insects, fish and small vertebrates, and larger individuals will take anything they can cram into their mouths, including other frogs, small snakes, mice, and even ducklings. The frog sits motionless until prey comes within range, then lunges forward and engulfs it, using its bulging eyes to help push the meal down its throat. This willingness to eat almost anything has helped it thrive across a wide range of wetlands.

## Movement on land and water
On land the bullfrog travels in long, powerful hops, launching itself with muscular hind legs that let it clear several times its own body length in a single leap. In the water it is an accomplished swimmer, its webbed feet driving it forward with strong kicks and its top speed reaching around 16 km/h (10 mph). When startled at the water's edge it will make a rapid dive, kicking down into mud or vegetation to hide. This ability to both hop and swim lets it move easily between land and water to hunt and escape danger.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/bullfrog): American Bullfrog — wildlife guide.

## The bullfrog's call
The bullfrog takes its name from the male's deep, booming call, often written as a resonant jug-o-rum that carries far across a pond on warm nights. He produces the sound by pumping air back and forth over his vocal cords while inflating a large throat sac, and the low pitch travels much further than the calls of smaller frogs. Males call to defend territory and to attract females during the breeding season, and a chorus of many bullfrogs can be heard from a considerable distance. Each male's call also signals his size, since bigger frogs produce deeper notes.

## Life cycle and tadpoles
Bullfrogs breed in late spring and summer, and a single female can lay a film of up to twenty thousand eggs across the water's surface. The tadpoles are exceptionally large and can take one to three years to complete their transformation into froglets, depending on climate. During this long larval stage they graze on algae and plant matter before switching to a carnivorous adult diet. Adult bullfrogs typically live around seven to nine years in the wild.

## WARN work
WARN does not run a dedicated american bullfrog programme — this guide is part of the World Animal Rescue Network's free educational library. The american bullfrog is currently widespread and not globally threatened, and this guide helps readers understand the pressures that can change that. Building public understanding of species like the american bullfrog supports the broader conservation awareness that underpins WARN's partner-led rescue work across its network.

## Donation hook
If clear, science-based wildlife guides like this help you understand and value animals, please consider supporting the World Animal Rescue Network's educational and rescue work so we can keep producing them.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/bullfrog): American Bullfrog — wildlife guide.

## How big do American bullfrogs get?
They are North America's largest frog, with a body 9 to 20 cm (3.5 to 8 inches) long and a weight of up to about 0.5 kg (1.1 lb). Females tend to be slightly larger than males.

## What do bullfrogs eat?
Bullfrogs are carnivores with a huge appetite, eating insects, fish and small vertebrates. Large individuals will swallow almost anything that fits in their mouths, including other frogs, small snakes, mice and even ducklings.

## Why are bullfrogs so loud?
Male bullfrogs make a deep, resonant call by pumping air over their vocal cords and inflating a large throat sac. The low pitch carries far across water, helping them defend territory and attract females.

## How long do bullfrogs live?
In the wild American bullfrogs live around seven to nine years. Their tadpoles alone can take one to three years to transform into froglets before adulthood.

## Can bullfrogs jump far?
Yes. Their powerful hind legs let them leap several times their own body length in a single hop. In water they are also strong swimmers, reaching speeds of around 16 km/h (10 mph).

## Are bullfrogs invasive?
Outside their native eastern North America they can be highly invasive. Their enormous appetite and rapid breeding let them outcompete and eat native amphibians where they have been introduced, making them a problem in parts of the western United States and beyond.

## Where do bullfrogs live?
American bullfrogs inhabit ponds, lakes, marshes and slow streams across eastern North America, where males call from the water's edge. They are strong swimmers and ambush predators that sit motionless until prey comes within lunging range.

## Are bullfrogs dangerous?
Bullfrogs are not dangerous to people, but their voracious appetite makes them ecologically damaging where introduced. Large individuals will swallow almost anything that fits in their mouths, including other frogs, small snakes and ducklings, outcompeting native amphibians.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cane-toad): Cane Toad — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
The cane toad is a large, warty terrestrial toad native to the Americas, reaching up to 1 kg (2.2 lb). It secretes a powerful toxin from glands on its shoulders and is famous as a destructive invasive species in Australia, where it was introduced in 1935.

## Introduction
The cane toad is a large, warty terrestrial toad native to the Americas, reaching up to 1 kg (2.2 lb). It secretes a powerful toxin from glands on its shoulders and is famous as a destructive invasive species in Australia, where it was introduced in 1935. Cane toads commonly live 10 to 15 years.

## Takeaway
Cane toads are mostly active at night and are not shy of human settlements, often gathering under lights to catch insects.

## Takeaway
Unusually for amphibians, cane toads are opportunistic omnivores.

## Takeaway
The cane toad is native to the southern United States, Central America, and northern South America.

## Behavior and toxicity
Cane toads are mostly active at night and are not shy of human settlements, often gathering under lights to catch insects. Their main defense is bufotoxin, a potent poison stored in the large parotoid glands behind the eyes. Predators that bite or swallow a cane toad can be sickened or killed, which is why the species is so damaging where native animals have no resistance.

## Diet and feeding
Unusually for amphibians, cane toads are opportunistic omnivores. They eat beetles, ants, and other insects, but also small reptiles, frogs, rodents, and even pet food or kitchen scraps. This flexible diet helps them thrive in disturbed and human-modified habitats.

## Habitat and range
The cane toad is native to the southern United States, Central America, and northern South America. It was deliberately introduced to many regions, most infamously to Australia in 1935 to control sugarcane beetles. There it spread rapidly and became one of the country's worst invasive species.

## Conservation
In its native range the cane toad is listed as Least Concern and is not threatened. The conservation concern is the opposite: where it has been introduced, it poisons native predators and disrupts ecosystems. Management focuses on limiting its spread and protecting vulnerable native wildlife.

## WARN work
WARN does not run a dedicated cane toad programme — this guide is part of the World Animal Rescue Network's free educational library. The cane toad is currently widespread and not globally threatened, and this guide helps readers understand the pressures that can change that. Building public understanding of species like the cane toad supports the broader conservation awareness that underpins WARN's partner-led rescue work across its network.

## Donation hook
If clear, science-based wildlife guides like this help you understand and value animals, please consider supporting the World Animal Rescue Network's educational and rescue work so we can keep producing them.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cane-toad): Cane Toad — wildlife guide.

## Are cane toads poisonous?
Yes. Cane toads secrete a powerful toxin called bufotoxin from glands behind their eyes. It can sicken or kill predators and pets that bite or swallow the toad.

## Why are cane toads a problem in Australia?
Cane toads were introduced to Australia in 1935 to control crop pests but instead spread widely. Their toxin kills native predators that have no resistance, making them one of Australia's most damaging invasive species.

## What do cane toads eat?
Cane toads are omnivores. They eat insects such as beetles and ants, as well as small reptiles, frogs, rodents, and even pet food or scraps.

## How big do cane toads get?
Cane toads commonly reach 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) and can weigh up to about 1 kg (2.2 lb), making them one of the largest toads in the world.

## How long do cane toads live?
In the wild cane toads typically live 10 to 15 years, and they can live even longer in captivity.

## Where do cane toads live?
Cane toads occupy grassland, woodland, gardens and wetlands across the southern United States, Central America and northern South America. They thrive in disturbed and human-modified habitats, often gathering under lights at night to catch insects.

## Are cane toads dangerous?
Cane toads are dangerous to predators and pets that bite them, because bufotoxin from the shoulder glands can sicken or kill animals with no resistance. This is why their spread through Australia has devastated native predators since the 1935 introduction.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/goliath-frog): Goliath Frog — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
The Goliath frog is the largest living frog, growing up to 32 cm (13 in) long and weighing as much as 3.3 kg (7.3 lb). It lives only in fast-flowing rivers of Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea in West Africa.

## Introduction
The Goliath frog is the largest living frog, growing up to 32 cm (13 in) long and weighing as much as 3.3 kg (7.3 lb). It lives only in fast-flowing rivers of Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea in West Africa. This powerful frog is endangered and can live around 15 years.

## Takeaway
Despite their size, Goliath frogs are wary and quick to dive into rushing water when disturbed.

## Takeaway
Goliath frogs are carnivores that ambush prey near and in fast water.

## Takeaway
This giant frog has a small range in the rainforests of Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, where it depends on clean, fast-flowing rivers and waterfalls.

## Behavior and strength
Despite their size, Goliath frogs are wary and quick to dive into rushing water when disturbed. They are remarkably strong and have been observed moving rocks weighing several kilograms to build small breeding pools at the river's edge. Lacking a vocal sac, they communicate with whistles and an open-mouthed call rather than a typical croak.

## Diet and feeding
Goliath frogs are carnivores that ambush prey near and in fast water. Adults eat insects, crustaceans, worms, fish, and other amphibians, and large individuals can take small snakes or even baby turtles. Powerful hind legs let them lunge at prey and leap several meters.

## Habitat and range
This giant frog has a small range in the rainforests of Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, where it depends on clean, fast-flowing rivers and waterfalls. It needs well-oxygenated water and rocky riverbanks for breeding. Its narrow habitat makes it especially vulnerable to disturbance.

## Conservation
The Goliath frog is listed as Endangered, with populations falling due to habitat destruction from logging and agriculture, river pollution, and collection for food and the pet trade. Its limited range and slow reproduction make recovery difficult. Protecting intact river forest is essential to its survival.

## WARN work
WARN does not run a dedicated goliath frog programme — this guide is part of the World Animal Rescue Network's free educational library. The goliath frog faces documented conservation pressure in the wild, which is why clear, sourced public information about it matters. Building public understanding of species like the goliath frog supports the broader conservation awareness that underpins WARN's partner-led rescue work across its network.

## Donation hook
If clear, science-based wildlife guides like this help you understand and value animals, please consider supporting the World Animal Rescue Network's educational and rescue work so we can keep producing them.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/goliath-frog): Goliath Frog — wildlife guide.

## How big is the Goliath frog?
The Goliath frog is the largest frog in the world, reaching up to 32 cm (13 in) in body length and weighing as much as 3.3 kg (7.3 lb).

## Where do Goliath frogs live?
They live only in a small area of West Africa, in the fast-flowing rainforest rivers and waterfalls of Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea.

## What do Goliath frogs eat?
Goliath frogs are carnivores that eat insects, crustaceans, worms, fish, and other amphibians. Large individuals can even take small snakes or baby turtles.

## Are Goliath frogs endangered?
Yes. The Goliath frog is listed as Endangered by the IUCN, mainly due to habitat loss, river pollution, and collection for food and the pet trade.

## Can Goliath frogs jump far?
Yes. Their powerful hind legs allow them to leap several meters in a single jump, helping them escape predators and capture prey.

## Are goliath frogs dangerous?
Goliath Frogs are not generally dangerous to people. The Goliath frog is the largest living frog, growing up to 32 cm (13 in) long and weighing as much as 3.3 kg (7.3 lb). It lives only in fast-flowing rivers of Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea in West Africa. Give wild individuals space and do not corner or handle them.

## How long do goliath frogs live?
Goliath Frogs typically live About 15 years. The Goliath frog is the largest living frog, growing up to 32 cm (13 in) long and weighing as much as 3.3 kg (7.3 lb). Wild and captive figures can differ; use the sources listed on the guide for the underlying studies.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/glass-frog): Glass Frog — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
Glass frogs are small tree frogs of Central and South American rainforests, famous for the translucent skin on their bellies that reveals their internal organs and beating heart. They are nocturnal, arboreal, and care for their eggs on leaves above streams.

## Introduction
Glass frogs are small tree frogs of Central and South American rainforests, famous for the translucent skin on their bellies that reveals their internal organs and beating heart. They are nocturnal, arboreal, and care for their eggs on leaves above streams. Most species live around 10 to 14 years.

## Takeaway
Glass frogs are named for the translucent skin on their undersides, through which the heart, liver, and digestive tract can be seen.

## Takeaway
These tiny frogs are insectivores that hunt at night among leaves near streams.

## Takeaway
Glass frogs live in humid montane and lowland rainforests of Central and South America, almost always near clear, flowing streams.

## Behavior and transparency
Glass frogs are named for the translucent skin on their undersides, through which the heart, liver, and digestive tract can be seen. Recent research found that some glass frogs become even more transparent while sleeping by tucking red blood cells into their liver. Their green backs help them blend with leaves by day, while they are active and vocal at night.

## Diet and feeding
These tiny frogs are insectivores that hunt at night among leaves near streams. They eat small insects such as flies, crickets, and ants, as well as spiders, snatching them with a quick tongue. Their small size limits them to equally small prey.

## Habitat and range
Glass frogs live in humid montane and lowland rainforests of Central and South America, almost always near clear, flowing streams. Males often guard clutches of eggs laid on leaves overhanging the water, so that hatching tadpoles drop into the stream below. They depend on clean water and dense streamside plants.

## Conservation
Many glass frog species are listed as Least Concern, but they are highly sensitive to deforestation, water pollution, and the amphibian fungal disease chytridiomycosis. Because they need pristine streams, they are useful indicators of rainforest health. Some narrow-range species are threatened or poorly known.

## WARN work
WARN does not run a dedicated glass frog programme — this guide is part of the World Animal Rescue Network's free educational library. The glass frog is currently widespread and not globally threatened, and this guide helps readers understand the pressures that can change that. Building public understanding of species like the glass frog supports the broader conservation awareness that underpins WARN's partner-led rescue work across its network.

## Donation hook
If clear, science-based wildlife guides like this help you understand and value animals, please consider supporting the World Animal Rescue Network's educational and rescue work so we can keep producing them.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/glass-frog): Glass Frog — wildlife guide.

## Why are glass frogs transparent?
Glass frogs have translucent skin on their bellies that lets you see their internal organs, including the beating heart. The transparency is thought to help them blend in and avoid detection by predators.

## What do glass frogs eat?
Glass frogs are insectivores that eat small insects such as flies, crickets, and ants, along with spiders, hunting at night among streamside leaves.

## Where do glass frogs live?
They live in humid rainforests of Central and South America, almost always near clear, flowing streams where they breed on overhanging leaves.

## How big are glass frogs?
Glass frogs are very small, with most species measuring only about 2 to 3 cm (0.8 to 1.2 in) in body length.

## Do glass frogs care for their eggs?
Yes. In many species the male guards the eggs, which are laid on leaves above a stream, keeping them moist and protected until the tadpoles hatch and drop into the water.

## Are glass frogs dangerous?
Glass Frogs are not generally dangerous to people. Glass frogs are small tree frogs of Central and South American rainforests, famous for the translucent skin on their bellies that reveals their internal organs and beating heart. Give wild individuals space and do not corner or handle them.

## How long do glass frogs live?
Glass Frogs typically live About 10–14 years. Glass frogs are small tree frogs of Central and South American rainforests, famous for the translucent skin on their bellies that reveals their internal organs and beating heart. Wild and captive figures can differ; use the sources listed on the guide for the underlying studies.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/hellbender): Hellbender — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
The hellbender is the largest salamander in North America, reaching up to 74 cm (29 in) long. It is fully aquatic, living its whole life in clean, fast-flowing streams where it breathes mainly through the wrinkled folds of its skin.

## Introduction
The hellbender is the largest salamander in North America, reaching up to 74 cm (29 in) long. It is fully aquatic, living its whole life in clean, fast-flowing streams where it breathes mainly through the wrinkled folds of its skin. Hellbenders are long-lived, often surviving 25 to 30 years.

## Takeaway
Hellbenders are secretive, mostly nocturnal salamanders that hide by day under large flat rocks in the streambed.

## Takeaway
Hellbenders are carnivores whose diet is dominated by crayfish, along with small fish and aquatic insects.

## Takeaway
This giant salamander lives in cool, clear, fast-flowing rivers and streams of the eastern and central United States, particularly in the Appalachian region.

## Behavior and breathing
Hellbenders are secretive, mostly nocturnal salamanders that hide by day under large flat rocks in the streambed. They are fully aquatic and absorb most of their oxygen directly through the heavily wrinkled folds of skin along their bodies, which increase surface area in cool, oxygen-rich water. They rarely leave the stream and rely on clean, flowing water to survive.

## Diet and feeding
Hellbenders are carnivores whose diet is dominated by crayfish, along with small fish and aquatic insects. They hunt at night, using suction and a quick sideways snap of the jaws to capture prey. Healthy crayfish populations are essential to their survival.

## Habitat and range
This giant salamander lives in cool, clear, fast-flowing rivers and streams of the eastern and central United States, particularly in the Appalachian region. It needs rocky stream bottoms with large flat stones for shelter and nesting. Because it breathes through its skin, it is extremely sensitive to silt and pollution.

## Conservation
Hellbenders are listed as Vulnerable and have declined sharply across much of their range. The main threats are water pollution, siltation from erosion, dams, and disease, all of which degrade the clean streams they depend on. Captive breeding and stream restoration programs are working to recover populations.

## WARN work
WARN does not run a dedicated hellbender programme — this guide is part of the World Animal Rescue Network's free educational library. The hellbender faces documented conservation pressure in the wild, which is why clear, sourced public information about it matters. Building public understanding of species like the hellbender supports the broader conservation awareness that underpins WARN's partner-led rescue work across its network.

## Donation hook
If clear, science-based wildlife guides like this help you understand and value animals, please consider supporting the World Animal Rescue Network's educational and rescue work so we can keep producing them.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/hellbender): Hellbender — wildlife guide.

## How big do hellbenders get?
Hellbenders are the largest salamanders in North America, reaching up to about 74 cm (29 in) in length and weighing as much as 1.5 kg (3.3 lb).

## How do hellbenders breathe?
Hellbenders breathe mainly through their skin. The loose, wrinkled folds along their body greatly increase surface area, letting them absorb oxygen directly from cool, fast-flowing water.

## What do hellbenders eat?
Hellbenders are carnivores that feed mostly on crayfish, along with small fish and aquatic insects, hunting at night on the streambed.

## Are hellbenders endangered?
Hellbenders are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN and have declined across much of their range due to water pollution, siltation, dams, and disease.

## Are hellbenders dangerous to people?
No. Despite their fearsome name and appearance, hellbenders are harmless to humans. They are not venomous and pose no threat; they are simply large, secretive stream salamanders.

## Where do hellbenders live?
Hellbenders live in Clean, fast-flowing rocky streams and rivers. The hellbender is the largest salamander in North America, reaching up to 74 cm (29 in) long. It is fully aquatic, living its whole life in clean, fast-flowing streams where it breathes mainly through the wrinkled folds of its skin.

## How long do hellbenders live?
Hellbenders typically live 25–30 years. The hellbender is the largest salamander in North America, reaching up to 74 cm (29 in) long. Wild and captive figures can differ; use the sources listed on the guide for the underlying studies.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/african-clawed-frog): African Clawed Frog — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
The African clawed frog is a fully aquatic frog from sub-Saharan Africa, named for the small dark claws on its hind feet. It has a flat body, no tongue or visible eardrum, and uses sensitive fingers and a lateral-line system to find food in murky water.

## Introduction
The African clawed frog is a fully aquatic frog from sub-Saharan Africa, named for the small dark claws on its hind feet. It has a flat body, no tongue or visible eardrum, and uses sensitive fingers and a lateral-line system to find food in murky water. Widely used in scientific research and kept as a pet, it can live 15 years or more.

## Takeaway
African clawed frogs spend almost their entire lives underwater, coming to the surface only to breathe.

## Takeaway
These frogs are scavenging carnivores that eat insects, worms, small fish, crustaceans, and bits of carrion.

## Takeaway
The African clawed frog is native to ponds, lakes, and slow-moving waters across sub-Saharan Africa.

## Behavior and adaptations
African clawed frogs spend almost their entire lives underwater, coming to the surface only to breathe. They lack a tongue and teeth, so they shove food into their mouths with their front fingers, and they use a sensitive lateral-line system along their bodies to detect movement in the water. The small black claws on their hind toes give the species its name and help tear apart food.

## Diet and feeding
These frogs are scavenging carnivores that eat insects, worms, small fish, crustaceans, and bits of carrion. They detect prey by smell, touch, and water vibrations rather than by sight. Their hearty appetite and tolerance of a wide range of conditions make them easy to keep.

## Habitat and range
The African clawed frog is native to ponds, lakes, and slow-moving waters across sub-Saharan Africa. It is extremely hardy and can survive in stagnant or polluted water and even travel short distances over land between pools. Released or escaped frogs have established invasive populations on several continents.

## Use in science and conservation
Xenopus laevis is one of the most important laboratory animals, long used in developmental biology, genetics, and, historically, human pregnancy testing. The species is listed as Least Concern and is abundant both in the wild and in captivity. Its main conservation impact is as an invasive species that can spread disease to native amphibians.

## WARN work
WARN does not run a dedicated african clawed frog programme — this guide is part of the World Animal Rescue Network's free educational library. The african clawed frog is currently widespread and not globally threatened, and this guide helps readers understand the pressures that can change that. Building public understanding of species like the african clawed frog supports the broader conservation awareness that underpins WARN's partner-led rescue work across its network.

## Donation hook
If clear, science-based wildlife guides like this help you understand and value animals, please consider supporting the World Animal Rescue Network's educational and rescue work so we can keep producing them.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/african-clawed-frog): African Clawed Frog — wildlife guide.

## Why is it called the African clawed frog?
It is named for the small, dark, claw-like structures on the toes of its hind feet, which it uses to tear apart food. The 'African' part refers to its native range in sub-Saharan Africa.

## What do African clawed frogs eat?
They are carnivores and scavengers that eat insects, worms, small fish, crustaceans, and carrion, pushing food into their mouths with their front fingers since they have no tongue.

## How long do African clawed frogs live?
African clawed frogs are long-lived and commonly reach 15 years or more in captivity with good care, which makes them a long-term commitment as pets.

## Why are African clawed frogs used in research?
They are hardy, breed readily, and produce large, easy-to-study eggs, making them a key model animal in developmental biology and genetics. They were also once used in human pregnancy tests.

## Are African clawed frogs invasive?
Yes, outside their native range. Released and escaped frogs have established wild populations on several continents, where they can outcompete native species and help spread amphibian diseases.

## Do African clawed frogs need land in their tank?
No. They are fully aquatic and spend their whole lives in water, surfacing only to breathe, so a pet setup needs deep water rather than a land area.

## Where do african clawed frogs live?
African Clawed Frogs live in Ponds, lakes, and slow waters. The African clawed frog is a fully aquatic frog from sub-Saharan Africa, named for the small dark claws on its hind feet.

## How big is an african clawed frog?
An African Clawed Frog is about 15+ years. The African clawed frog is a fully aquatic frog from sub-Saharan Africa, named for the small dark claws on its hind feet. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN).


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/fire-bellied-toad): Oriental Fire-bellied Toad — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
The Oriental fire-bellied toad is a small, semi-aquatic amphibian from East Asia, recognized by its green and black back and its vivid red-and-black underside. When threatened, it arches its body to flash the bright belly, warning predators that its skin is toxic.

## Introduction
The Oriental fire-bellied toad is a small, semi-aquatic amphibian from East Asia, recognized by its green and black back and its vivid red-and-black underside. When threatened, it arches its body to flash the bright belly, warning predators that its skin is toxic. These hardy, popular pet toads commonly live 12 to 15 years, sometimes longer.

## Takeaway
Fire-bellied toads are active by day and spend much of their time in or near water.

## Takeaway
These toads are carnivores that eat insects, worms, snails, and other small invertebrates.

## Takeaway
The Oriental fire-bellied toad lives in Korea, northeastern China, and parts of southeastern Russia, in slow streams, ponds, marshes, and rice paddies.

## Behavior and the warning display
Fire-bellied toads are active by day and spend much of their time in or near water. Their most famous behavior is the unken reflex: when alarmed, the toad arches its back and lifts its limbs to display the bright red-and-black belly, a warning of the toxins in its skin. These mild toxins can irritate the eyes and mouth of a predator.

## Diet and feeding
These toads are carnivores that eat insects, worms, snails, and other small invertebrates. They hunt by sight and lunge at moving prey, often near the water's edge. In captivity they readily take crickets, mealworms, and earthworms.

## Habitat and range
The Oriental fire-bellied toad lives in Korea, northeastern China, and parts of southeastern Russia, in slow streams, ponds, marshes, and rice paddies. It favors cool, shallow water with plenty of vegetation and basking spots. It is semi-aquatic, splitting its time between water and damp land.

## Conservation and as a pet
The species is listed as Least Concern and remains common across its range. It is one of the most widely kept pet amphibians because it is hardy, active, and long-lived. Owners should handle it sparingly, as its skin secretions can irritate human skin and eyes.

## WARN work
WARN does not run a dedicated oriental fire-bellied toad programme — this guide is part of the World Animal Rescue Network's free educational library. The oriental fire-bellied toad is currently widespread and not globally threatened, and this guide helps readers understand the pressures that can change that. Building public understanding of species like the oriental fire-bellied toad supports the broader conservation awareness that underpins WARN's partner-led rescue work across its network.

## Donation hook
If clear, science-based wildlife guides like this help you understand and value animals, please consider supporting the World Animal Rescue Network's educational and rescue work so we can keep producing them.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/fire-bellied-toad): Oriental Fire-bellied Toad — wildlife guide.

## Why do fire-bellied toads have red bellies?
The bright red-and-black belly is a warning signal. When threatened, the toad arches its body to flash its underside, telling predators that its skin contains toxins and that it would be an unpleasant meal.

## Are fire-bellied toads poisonous?
Yes, mildly. Their skin secretes toxins that can irritate the eyes and mouth of predators and the skin of people who handle them, so it is best to wash your hands after any contact.

## What do fire-bellied toads eat?
They are carnivores that eat insects, worms, snails, and other small invertebrates, readily taking crickets, mealworms, and earthworms in captivity.

## How long do fire-bellied toads live?
Oriental fire-bellied toads are long-lived for their size, commonly reaching 12 to 15 years and sometimes more with good care.

## Are fire-bellied toads good pets?
Yes. They are popular, hardy, and active pets that do well in a semi-aquatic setup with water and land, though they should be handled sparingly because of their skin secretions.

## Where do fire-bellied toads live?
They live in Korea, northeastern China, and parts of southeastern Russia, in slow streams, ponds, marshes, and rice paddies with shallow water and vegetation.

## Are oriental fire-bellied toads dangerous?
When threatened, it arches its body to flash the bright belly, warning predators that its skin is toxic. Give wild oriental fire-bellied toads space; do not corner them.

## How big is an oriental fire-bellied toad?
An Oriental Fire-bellied Toad is about 12–15 years, sometimes more. The Oriental fire-bellied toad is a small, semi-aquatic amphibian from East Asia, recognized by its green and black back and its vivid red-and-black underside. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN).


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/caecilian): Caecilian — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
Caecilians are a group of limbless, worm-like amphibians that live mostly hidden in damp soil and leaf litter across the tropics of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. They range from a few centimeters to over 1.5 m (5 ft) long, have tiny or skin-covered eyes, and rely on a pair of sensory tentacles to find prey underground.

## Introduction
Caecilians are a group of limbless, worm-like amphibians that live mostly hidden in damp soil and leaf litter across the tropics of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. They range from a few centimeters to over 1.5 m (5 ft) long, have tiny or skin-covered eyes, and rely on a pair of sensory tentacles to find prey underground. Long-lived for amphibians, some caecilians survive well over a decade.

## Takeaway
Caecilians are secretive amphibians that spend most of their lives burrowing through moist soil and leaf litter, and a few species are fully aquatic.

## Takeaway
Caecilians are carnivores that eat earthworms, termites, insect larvae, and other small invertebrates found underground.

## Takeaway
As a group, caecilians live across the wet tropics of Africa, Asia, and Central and South America, with none in most temperate regions.

## Behavior and senses
Caecilians are secretive amphibians that spend most of their lives burrowing through moist soil and leaf litter, and a few species are fully aquatic. With no limbs, they move like worms or snakes, pushing through the ground with a strong, muscular body. Their eyes are tiny and often covered by skin or bone, so they navigate using a unique pair of retractable tentacles between the eyes and nostrils that detect chemicals and prey.

## Diet and feeding
Caecilians are carnivores that eat earthworms, termites, insect larvae, and other small invertebrates found underground. They seize prey with strong jaws lined with backward-curving teeth and may spin to subdue it. Their underground lifestyle keeps them close to a steady supply of soil-dwelling animals.

## Habitat and range
As a group, caecilians live across the wet tropics of Africa, Asia, and Central and South America, with none in most temperate regions. They favor warm, damp environments such as rainforest soil, riverbanks, and leaf litter. Because they live hidden underground or in water, they are rarely seen and remain among the least-known amphibians.

## Reproduction and conservation
Caecilians have remarkable reproduction: some lay eggs while others give birth to live young, and in several species the young feed on a special layer of their mother's skin. As a diverse group their conservation status varies by species, with many too poorly known to assess, while some face threats from habitat loss. Their secretive habits mean scientists are still discovering new kinds.

## WARN work
WARN does not run a dedicated caecilian programme — this guide is part of the World Animal Rescue Network's free educational library. The caecilian is currently widespread and not globally threatened, and this guide helps readers understand the pressures that can change that. Building public understanding of species like the caecilian supports the broader conservation awareness that underpins WARN's partner-led rescue work across its network.

## Donation hook
If clear, science-based wildlife guides like this help you understand and value animals, please consider supporting the World Animal Rescue Network's educational and rescue work so we can keep producing them.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/caecilian): Caecilian — wildlife guide.

## What is a caecilian?
A caecilian is a limbless, worm-like amphibian that lives mostly underground in damp tropical soil. Despite looking like worms or snakes, caecilians are amphibians, related to frogs and salamanders.

## Are caecilians worms or snakes?
Neither. Caecilians are amphibians that have evolved a long, limbless body for burrowing, which makes them resemble large earthworms or snakes, but they are not closely related to either.

## What do caecilians eat?
Caecilians are carnivores that eat earthworms, termites, insect larvae, and other small invertebrates they encounter in the soil, gripping prey with strong, toothed jaws.

## Can caecilians see?
Only poorly. Their eyes are tiny and often covered by skin or bone, so instead of relying on sight they use a special pair of tentacles to sense chemicals and locate prey in the dark.

## Where do caecilians live?
They live in the wet tropics of Africa, Asia, and Central and South America, in damp soil, leaf litter, and riverbanks, where they stay hidden most of the time.

## Do caecilians care for their young?
Yes, in some species. The young of certain caecilians feed on a nutrient-rich outer layer of their mother's skin, an unusual form of parental care among amphibians.

## Are caecilians dangerous?
Caecilians are not dangerous to people. They are secretive burrowers with strong toothed jaws used to grip worms and insect larvae underground, and they rarely encounter humans.

## How long do caecilians live?
Caecilians are long-lived for amphibians, often surviving well over a decade. This guide records a typical lifespan of about 12 years, though exact longevity varies by species.

## How big is a caecilian?
Caecilians range from a few centimetres to over 1.5 m (5 ft) long. This guide records a typical length of about 0.4 m and weight of roughly 100 g, though the largest species far exceed that.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/golden-eagle): Golden Eagle — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is one of the largest and fastest birds of prey, found across the mountains, open hills, and tundra of the Northern Hemisphere. It weighs around 4.5 kg with a wingspan of 1.8 to 2.3 m, and in a hunting dive it can exceed 240 km/h (150 mph).

## Introduction
The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is one of the largest and fastest birds of prey, found across the mountains, open hills, and tundra of the Northern Hemisphere. It weighs around 4.5 kg with a wingspan of 1.8 to 2.3 m, and in a hunting dive it can exceed 240 km/h (150 mph). This powerful aerial hunter takes hares, marmots, and birds, lives 20 to 30 years, and is listed as Least Concern.

## Takeaway
The golden eagle is a large, dark-brown raptor named for the golden feathers that gleam on the nape and crown.

## Takeaway
The golden eagle is a superb flier that hunts on the wing, soaring on rising air and then folding its wings into a steep, high-speed stoop.

## Takeaway
Golden eagles range widely across the Northern Hemisphere, breeding in North America, Europe, North Africa, and much of Asia.

## Appearance and identification
The golden eagle is a large, dark-brown raptor named for the golden feathers that gleam on the nape and crown. Adults weigh around 4.5 kg and span 1.8 to 2.3 m (6 to 7.5 ft) from wingtip to wingtip, with females noticeably larger than males. In flight it holds its long, broad wings in a shallow V and soars with only occasional wingbeats. Young birds show white patches at the base of the tail and in the wings that fade as they mature.

## Hunting and flight
The golden eagle is a superb flier that hunts on the wing, soaring on rising air and then folding its wings into a steep, high-speed stoop. In such a dive it can exceed 240 km/h (150 mph), striking prey with long, powerful talons. It is a carnivore that takes hares, rabbits, marmots, ground squirrels, and birds up to the size of a goose, and readily feeds on carrion in winter. Pairs sometimes hunt cooperatively, one flushing prey while the other makes the kill.

## Habitat and range
Golden eagles range widely across the Northern Hemisphere, breeding in North America, Europe, North Africa, and much of Asia. They favour open, rugged country such as mountains, moorland, hills, and tundra where they can spot prey from the air. Large home ranges and cliff or tree nest sites are essential to a breeding pair. In Britain the species survives mainly in the Scottish Highlands and islands.

## Nesting and reproduction
Golden eagles pair for life and build huge stick nests, called eyries, on cliff ledges or in tall trees, reusing and enlarging them over many years. The female usually lays one to three eggs, and the pair defends a large territory throughout the breeding season. Where more than one chick hatches, the older and stronger often outcompetes its sibling. Young birds fledge after around ten weeks but depend on their parents for some time before dispersing.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/golden-eagle): Golden Eagle — wildlife guide.

## Lifespan and behaviour
Golden eagles are long-lived, typically reaching 20 to 30 years in the wild. They are territorial and largely solitary outside the breeding pair, patrolling extensive ranges in search of food. Their eyesight is exceptionally sharp, letting them detect prey from great distances as they soar. Revered in many cultures, the golden eagle has long been a symbol of power and remains an emblem of wild, mountainous country.

## Conservation status
The golden eagle is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN and remains widespread across its huge global range. Even so, it faces regional threats from illegal persecution, poisoning, collisions with power lines and wind turbines, and disturbance at nest sites. In some countries, including Britain, populations are recovering thanks to legal protection and reduced persecution. Safeguarding large tracts of open upland habitat is important for its long-term future.

## WARN work
WARN does not run a dedicated golden eagle programme — this guide is part of the World Animal Rescue Network's free educational library. The golden eagle is currently widespread and not globally threatened, and this guide helps readers understand the pressures that can change that. Building public understanding of species like the golden eagle supports the broader conservation awareness that underpins WARN's partner-led rescue work across its network.

## Donation hook
If clear, science-based wildlife guides like this help you understand and value animals, please consider supporting the World Animal Rescue Network's educational and rescue work so we can keep producing them.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/golden-eagle): Golden Eagle — wildlife guide.

## How fast can a golden eagle fly?
In a hunting dive, or stoop, a golden eagle can exceed 240 km/h (150 mph). In level flight it is much slower, cruising and soaring on rising air to conserve energy.

## What do golden eagles eat?
They are carnivores that hunt hares, rabbits, marmots, ground squirrels, and birds up to the size of a goose. In winter they also feed readily on carrion when live prey is scarce.

## How big is a golden eagle?
Adults weigh around 4.5 kg and have a wingspan of 1.8 to 2.3 m (6 to 7.5 ft). Females are noticeably larger than males, as in most birds of prey.

## Where do golden eagles live?
They range across the Northern Hemisphere in North America, Europe, North Africa, and Asia, favouring mountains, open hills, and tundra. In Britain they survive mainly in the Scottish Highlands and islands.

## How long do golden eagles live?
In the wild golden eagles typically live 20 to 30 years. They pair for life and can raise young over many breeding seasons in the same territory.

## Are golden eagles endangered?
No. The golden eagle is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN and is widespread globally. Regional threats include illegal persecution, poisoning, and collisions with power lines and wind turbines.

## Are golden eagles dangerous?
Golden Eagles are not generally dangerous to people. The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is one of the largest and fastest birds of prey, found across the mountains, open hills, and tundra of the Northern Hemisphere. Give wild individuals space and do not corner or handle them.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/great-horned-owl): Great Horned Owl — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
The great horned owl is a large, powerful owl found throughout the Americas, named for the tufts of feathers on its head that look like horns or ears. A fierce nocturnal predator with crushing talons, it hunts a wide range of prey, even skunks and other raptors.

## Introduction
The great horned owl is a large, powerful owl found throughout the Americas, named for the tufts of feathers on its head that look like horns or ears. A fierce nocturnal predator with crushing talons, it hunts a wide range of prey, even skunks and other raptors. Known for its deep hooting call, it usually lives 10 to 15 years in the wild.

## Takeaway
The great horned owl is one of the most powerful birds of prey in the Americas, with a grip strong enough to crush the spine of its prey.

## Takeaway
Few predators have such a varied diet.

## Takeaway
The "horns" are not ears but tufts of feathers that may help with camouflage and communication; the owl's actual ears are hidden at the sides of its head and are set unevenly to pinpoint sound.

## A formidable night hunter
The great horned owl is one of the most powerful birds of prey in the Americas, with a grip strong enough to crush the spine of its prey. It hunts at night using exceptional hearing and large, light-gathering eyes, gliding silently on soft-edged feathers that muffle the sound of its wings so prey never hears it coming.

## Diet and fearless appetite
Few predators have such a varied diet. Great horned owls take rabbits, rodents, and other mammals, as well as birds up to the size of geese and other owls and hawks. They are one of the only animals that regularly hunt skunks, apparently untroubled by the spray, and they will also eat reptiles, amphibians, and large insects.

## The tufts and the hoot
The "horns" are not ears but tufts of feathers that may help with camouflage and communication; the owl's actual ears are hidden at the sides of its head and are set unevenly to pinpoint sound. Its deep, soft "hoo-hoo-hoo" is a classic sound of the night and is often the call people picture when they imagine an owl.

## Habitat and range
Great horned owls are found from the Arctic edge of North America down through Central and South America, living in almost every habitat, including forests, deserts, swamps, farmland, and city parks. This adaptability and their broad diet make them one of the most widespread and successful owls in the New World.

## WARN work
WARN does not run a dedicated great horned owl programme — this guide is part of the World Animal Rescue Network's free educational library. The great horned owl is currently widespread and not globally threatened, and this guide helps readers understand the pressures that can change that. Building public understanding of species like the great horned owl supports the broader conservation awareness that underpins WARN's partner-led rescue work across its network.

## Donation hook
If clear, science-based wildlife guides like this help you understand and value animals, please consider supporting the World Animal Rescue Network's educational and rescue work so we can keep producing them.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/great-horned-owl): Great Horned Owl — wildlife guide.

## What do great horned owls eat?
They are carnivores with a remarkably broad diet, including rabbits, rodents, birds as large as geese, other owls and hawks, reptiles, and even skunks, which few other predators will tackle.

## Do great horned owls really have horns?
No. The "horns" are tufts of feathers on the head, not horns or ears. They may aid camouflage and communication, while the owl's real ears are hidden on the sides of its head.

## How strong is a great horned owl's grip?
Their talons can clamp with great force, strong enough to subdue prey larger than themselves. This crushing grip is one reason they can take animals as formidable as skunks and other raptors.

## How long do great horned owls live?
In the wild great horned owls usually live 10 to 15 years, while protected birds in captivity have lived 20 to 30 years or more.

## Why are great horned owls associated with the classic owl hoot?
Their deep, resonant "hoo-hoo-hoo" carries far through the night and is the sound many people picture when they think of an owl, making them one of the most recognizable owls by voice.

## Are great horned owls dangerous to people?
They rarely bother people but can be very defensive near their nests and have been known to strike intruders who come too close. Away from the nest they avoid humans and pose little risk.

## Where do great horned owls live?
Great Horned Owls live in Forests, deserts, wetlands, and cities. The great horned owl is a large, powerful owl found throughout the Americas, named for the tufts of feathers on its head that look like horns or ears.

## How big is a great horned owl?
A Great Horned Owl is about 10–15 years in the wild. The great horned owl is a large, powerful owl found throughout the Americas, named for the tufts of feathers on its head that look like horns or ears. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN).


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/peregrine-falcon): Peregrine Falcon — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) is a crow-sized bird of prey found on every continent except Antarctica, making it one of the most widespread birds in the world. It hunts other birds in mid-air and is the fastest animal on the planet, reaching over 380 km/h (240 mph) in a hunting dive.

## Introduction
The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) is a crow-sized bird of prey found on every continent except Antarctica, making it one of the most widespread birds in the world. It hunts other birds in mid-air and is the fastest animal on the planet, reaching over 380 km/h (240 mph) in a hunting dive. Adults weigh around 0.9 kg and live up to 15 years in the wild. The species is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.

## Takeaway
No creature moves faster than a peregrine falcon in its hunting dive, known as a stoop.

## Takeaway
Peregrines are specialist bird-hunters, taking pigeons, ducks, starlings, and shorebirds almost exclusively on the wing.

## Takeaway
The peregrine is one of the most widely distributed birds on Earth, breeding on every continent except Antarctica and on many oceanic islands.

## The fastest animal alive
No creature moves faster than a peregrine falcon in its hunting dive, known as a stoop. Folding its wings tight against its body, the bird drops from height and can exceed 380 km/h (240 mph), far outpacing any cheetah or racing car. Special baffles in its nostrils are thought to keep the rushing air from damaging its lungs, and a third eyelid clears debris from its eyes mid-plunge. In level flapping flight it is far slower, so the record speed belongs entirely to the vertical dive.

## Hunting and diet
Peregrines are specialist bird-hunters, taking pigeons, ducks, starlings, and shorebirds almost exclusively on the wing. The falcon climbs high above its quarry, then stoops at tremendous speed and strikes with clenched talons, the impact alone often killing or stunning the target. It then follows the falling bird down to finish the kill or catches it in the air. This aerial ambush is why open country, coastlines, and cliff edges suit the peregrine so well.

## Where peregrines live
The peregrine is one of the most widely distributed birds on Earth, breeding on every continent except Antarctica and on many oceanic islands. Traditional nest sites are ledges on sea cliffs and rocky crags, but the species has adapted remarkably to human landscapes. Tall buildings, bridges, cathedrals, and power stations now serve as artificial cliffs, and city pigeons provide an abundant food supply. This flexibility has helped urban peregrine populations thrive across Britain and beyond.

## Nesting and young
Peregrines do not build a true nest; instead the female scrapes a shallow hollow on a cliff ledge or building and lays three to four reddish-brown eggs. Both parents share incubation over roughly a month, and the chicks, called eyases, hatch covered in white down. The young fledge at around six weeks but depend on their parents for weeks afterwards as they learn to hunt. Peregrines often mate for life and return to the same nesting site year after year.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/peregrine-falcon): Peregrine Falcon — wildlife guide.

## Recovery from near extinction
In the mid-20th century, peregrine populations crashed across Europe and North America as the pesticide DDT thinned their eggshells, causing them to break during incubation. After DDT was banned and captive-bred birds were released into the wild, numbers rebounded strongly. Today the peregrine is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN and is widely regarded as one of conservation's great success stories. Its comeback into city centres has made it one of the most watchable birds of prey.

## WARN work
WARN does not run a dedicated peregrine falcon programme — this guide is part of the World Animal Rescue Network's free educational library. The peregrine falcon is currently widespread and not globally threatened, and this guide helps readers understand the pressures that can change that. Building public understanding of species like the peregrine falcon supports the broader conservation awareness that underpins WARN's partner-led rescue work across its network.

## Donation hook
If clear, science-based wildlife guides like this help you understand and value animals, please consider supporting the World Animal Rescue Network's educational and rescue work so we can keep producing them.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/peregrine-falcon): Peregrine Falcon — wildlife guide.

## How fast can a peregrine falcon fly?
In its hunting dive, or stoop, a peregrine falcon can exceed 380 km/h (240 mph), making it the fastest animal on the planet. In ordinary flapping flight it is much slower; the record speed applies only to the near-vertical plunge onto prey.

## What do peregrine falcons eat?
Peregrines are carnivores that feed almost entirely on other birds, such as pigeons, ducks, starlings, and waders, which they catch in mid-air. They occasionally take bats or small mammals, but birds caught on the wing make up the bulk of their diet.

## Where do peregrine falcons live?
Peregrine falcons are found on every continent except Antarctica, from Arctic tundra to tropical coasts. They nest on sea cliffs and rocky crags, and increasingly on tall buildings, bridges, and cathedrals in towns and cities.

## How long do peregrine falcons live?
Wild peregrine falcons can live up to about 15 years, though many die young in their first year. Birds that survive to adulthood and hold a good territory can breed for a decade or more.

## Are peregrine falcons endangered?
No. The peregrine falcon is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. Populations collapsed in the mid-1900s because of the pesticide DDT, but after it was banned the species recovered strongly and is now widespread again.

## How big is a peregrine falcon?
The peregrine is a crow-sized raptor about 0.5 m long, weighing around 0.9 kg, with a wingspan of roughly 0.9 to 1.1 m (3 to 3.6 ft). As with most birds of prey, females are noticeably larger than males.

## Are peregrine falcons dangerous?
Peregrine Falcons are not generally dangerous to people. The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) is a crow-sized bird of prey found on every continent except Antarctica, making it one of the most widespread birds in the world. Give wild individuals space and do not corner or handle them.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/ibis): Ibis — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
An ibis is a long-legged wading bird with a distinctive long, down-curved bill used to probe mud and shallow water for food. The sacred ibis was revered in ancient Egypt.

## Introduction
An ibis is a long-legged wading bird with a distinctive long, down-curved bill used to probe mud and shallow water for food. The sacred ibis was revered in ancient Egypt. Ibises feed on insects, frogs, and small aquatic animals, nest in colonies, and often live around 20 years.

## Takeaway
An ibis is built for wetlands.

## Takeaway
Ibises are social birds that feed, roost, and nest in groups, often alongside herons, egrets, and storks.

## Takeaway
The sacred ibis was closely linked to the ancient Egyptian god Thoth, and vast numbers were mummified as offerings.

## The probing bill
An ibis is built for wetlands. Its long, slender, down-curved bill works like forceps, probing soft mud, shallow water, and grass for insects, worms, frogs, and small fish that it locates largely by touch. This lets ibises feed in murky water where sight-hunting birds struggle.

## Colonies and flight
Ibises are social birds that feed, roost, and nest in groups, often alongside herons, egrets, and storks. In flight they alternate flapping with gliding and often travel in long lines or V-formations between feeding and roosting sites.

## Sacred history
The sacred ibis was closely linked to the ancient Egyptian god Thoth, and vast numbers were mummified as offerings. Although it no longer breeds along the Nile, it remains widespread across sub-Saharan Africa and has formed feral populations in parts of Europe.

## Habitat and status
Ibises live around wetlands, floodplains, farmland, and even city parks, adapting well to landscapes shaped by people. Most species are common, and the sacred ibis is listed as Least Concern, though wetland drainage threatens some of their rarer relatives.

## WARN work
WARN does not run a dedicated ibis programme — this guide is part of the World Animal Rescue Network's free educational library. The ibis is currently widespread and not globally threatened, and this guide helps readers understand the pressures that can change that. Building public understanding of species like the ibis supports the broader conservation awareness that underpins WARN's partner-led rescue work across its network.

## Donation hook
If clear, science-based wildlife guides like this help you understand and value animals, please consider supporting the World Animal Rescue Network's educational and rescue work so we can keep producing them.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/ibis): Ibis — wildlife guide.

## What does an ibis eat?
Ibises eat insects, worms, frogs, small fish, and other small animals, using their long curved bills to probe mud and shallow water by touch.

## Why was the ibis sacred in Egypt?
The sacred ibis was associated with Thoth, the ancient Egyptian god of wisdom and writing, and millions were mummified as religious offerings.

## Where do ibises live?
Ibises live around wetlands, marshes, rivers, and floodplains. The sacred ibis is widespread across sub-Saharan Africa, with feral populations in Europe.

## Are ibises endangered?
The sacred ibis is listed as Least Concern and is common, although some other ibis species are threatened by the loss of wetlands.

## How long do ibises live?
Ibises can live around 20 years, with survival depending on the health of the wetlands they rely on for food.

## Are ibis dangerous?
Ibis are not generally dangerous to people. An ibis is a long-legged wading bird with a distinctive long, down-curved bill used to probe mud and shallow water for food. The sacred ibis was revered in ancient Egypt. Give wild individuals space and do not corner or handle them.

## How big is an ibis?
An Ibis is about Up to about 20 years. An ibis is a long-legged wading bird with a distinctive long, down-curved bill used to probe mud and shallow water for food. The sacred ibis was revered in ancient Egypt. Conservation status: Least Concern (IUCN).


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/anglerfish): Anglerfish — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
The anglerfish is a deep-sea fish named for the glowing, fishing-rod-like lure that grows from its head and attracts prey in the darkness. The familiar deep-sea females have huge mouths and needle-like teeth, and their light comes from glowing bacteria living in the lure.

## Introduction
The anglerfish is a deep-sea fish named for the glowing, fishing-rod-like lure that grows from its head and attracts prey in the darkness. The familiar deep-sea females have huge mouths and needle-like teeth, and their light comes from glowing bacteria living in the lure. In some species the tiny male permanently fuses to the female's body, becoming a lifelong source of sperm.

## Takeaway
Deep-sea anglerfish have a modified spine that extends over the mouth and ends in a fleshy, glowing tip.

## Takeaway
Many anglerfish live in the cold, dark, high-pressure waters of the deep sea, where food is scarce.

## Takeaway
In several deep-sea species, males are tiny compared with the much larger females.

## The glowing lure
Deep-sea anglerfish have a modified spine that extends over the mouth and ends in a fleshy, glowing tip. The light is produced by symbiotic bacteria living inside the lure, an example of bioluminescence. By wiggling this lure in the dark, the anglerfish draws curious prey close to its waiting jaws.

## Built for the deep
Many anglerfish live in the cold, dark, high-pressure waters of the deep sea, where food is scarce. They have enormous mouths, expandable stomachs, and long, inward-curving teeth that let them swallow prey nearly as large as themselves. Slow metabolisms help them survive long gaps between meals.

## Extreme reproduction
In several deep-sea species, males are tiny compared with the much larger females. A male finds a female using smell, bites onto her body, and in some species permanently fuses to her, sharing her bloodstream and becoming little more than an attached source of sperm. This ensures a mate is always available in the vast, empty deep.

## Habitat and range
Anglerfish are found in oceans worldwide, with many of the famous lured species living far below the sunlit zone. Some relatives, such as the shallow-water monkfish, live on the seafloor and are caught for food. Because deep-sea species are so remote, most are not considered threatened.

## WARN work
WARN does not run a dedicated anglerfish programme — this guide is part of the World Animal Rescue Network's free educational library. The anglerfish is currently widespread and not globally threatened, and this guide helps readers understand the pressures that can change that. Building public understanding of species like the anglerfish supports the broader conservation awareness that underpins WARN's partner-led rescue work across its network.

## Donation hook
If clear, science-based wildlife guides like this help you understand and value animals, please consider supporting the World Animal Rescue Network's educational and rescue work so we can keep producing them.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/anglerfish): Anglerfish — wildlife guide.

## Why does an anglerfish glow?
An anglerfish glows because of bioluminescent bacteria living in the lure on its head. The light attracts prey in the dark deep sea, drawing it close enough for the anglerfish to snap up.

## What does the anglerfish use its lure for?
The lure is a built-in fishing rod. By dangling and wiggling the glowing tip, the anglerfish entices curious prey toward its mouth, then ambushes it with a quick gulp.

## Do male and female anglerfish fuse together?
In some deep-sea species, yes. The much smaller male bites onto the female and can permanently fuse to her body, sharing her blood supply and serving as a lifelong source of sperm.

## Where do anglerfish live?
Many anglerfish live in the deep ocean, often well below 1,000 m where sunlight cannot reach, although some relatives live on the seafloor in shallower coastal waters.

## What do anglerfish eat?
Anglerfish are carnivores that eat fish and invertebrates. Their large mouths and expandable stomachs let them swallow prey nearly as big as themselves, an advantage where food is scarce.

## Are anglerfish dangerous?
Deep-sea anglerfish are not a threat to divers or swimmers. They are slow ambush predators of the deep ocean, often below 1,000 m, with enormous mouths and inward-curving teeth adapted to swallowing prey nearly as large as themselves where food is scarce.

## How long do anglerfish live?
Lifespan is estimated at 10–30 years according to this guide's quickFacts, with stats citing around 25 years. Because deep-sea species are remote, most are listed Least Concern, though precise longevity data remain limited.

## How big is an anglerfish?
Size varies by species from a few centimetres up to about 1 m. This guide's stats cite a typical length of 0.6 m and weight around 25 kg. Females of familiar deep-sea species are far larger than the tiny males that fuse to them.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/blue-tang): Blue Tang — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
The blue tang (Paracanthurus hepatus) is a vivid royal-blue reef fish with black markings and a bright yellow tail, best known as the character Dory from Finding Nemo. It lives on coral reefs across the Indo-Pacific, where it grazes mainly on algae.

## Introduction
The blue tang (Paracanthurus hepatus) is a vivid royal-blue reef fish with black markings and a bright yellow tail, best known as the character Dory from Finding Nemo. It lives on coral reefs across the Indo-Pacific, where it grazes mainly on algae. Growing to about 30 cm long and weighing up to 0.6 kg, it is a fast, agile swimmer that darts among coral for shelter. Blue tangs can live up to around 20 years.

## Takeaway
The blue tang is one of the most recognisable reef fish, with an oval, flattened body painted in brilliant royal blue, a bold black pattern often described as a painter's palette, and a striking yellow tail.

## Takeaway
Blue tangs are omnivores that feed mainly on algae, which they nibble from coral and rock throughout the day.

## Takeaway
The blue tang belongs to the surgeonfish family, named for the sharp, scalpel-like spines set on either side of the base of the tail.

## Appearance and colour
The blue tang is one of the most recognisable reef fish, with an oval, flattened body painted in brilliant royal blue, a bold black pattern often described as a painter's palette, and a striking yellow tail. Its colour can shift with mood and time of day, deepening or fading depending on the fish's condition and stress level. Juveniles start out bright yellow and gradually gain the blue adult colouring as they grow. This eye-catching pattern has made the species a favourite in aquariums and a star of the cinema screen.

## Diet and feeding
Blue tangs are omnivores that feed mainly on algae, which they nibble from coral and rock throughout the day. By grazing on fast-growing algae they help keep reef surfaces clear, giving corals room to grow. They also take plankton drifting in the water column, and in captivity they will accept a mixed diet of plant and animal foods. Their small mouths and fine teeth are well suited to scraping and picking at the reef.

## The tang's defensive spines
The blue tang belongs to the surgeonfish family, named for the sharp, scalpel-like spines set on either side of the base of the tail. These spines normally lie flat in a groove but can be flicked out to slash at a rival or predator, and in this species they may carry a mild venom that adds sting to the wound. When threatened, a blue tang can also play dead, lying on its side and staying motionless until the danger passes. Together these defences help a fairly small fish survive on a crowded, predator-rich reef.

## Swimming and behaviour
Blue tangs are fast, agile swimmers, cruising the reef at speeds of up to around 10 km/h (6 mph) and darting into coral crevices at the first sign of danger. They propel themselves mainly with their pectoral fins, which gives them precise control for hovering and turning among the branching coral. Young fish and adults often gather in loose groups that move over the reef together, offering safety in numbers. At night they wedge themselves into cracks in the coral to rest, out of reach of hunting predators.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/blue-tang): Blue Tang — wildlife guide.

## Reproduction and life cycle
Blue tangs gather to spawn in groups, releasing eggs and sperm into the water where fertilisation takes place. The tiny eggs float with the plankton, and the larvae drift in open water before settling onto a reef and taking on their juvenile colours. On the reef they can live for up to around 20 years, a long life for a fish of their size. Because they are so difficult to breed in captivity, most blue tangs in the aquarium trade are still caught from the wild.

## WARN work
WARN does not run a dedicated blue tang programme — this guide is part of the World Animal Rescue Network's free educational library. The blue tang is currently widespread and not globally threatened, and this guide helps readers understand the pressures that can change that. Building public understanding of species like the blue tang supports the broader conservation awareness that underpins WARN's partner-led rescue work across its network.

## Donation hook
If clear, science-based wildlife guides like this help you understand and value animals, please consider supporting the World Animal Rescue Network's educational and rescue work so we can keep producing them.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/blue-tang): Blue Tang — wildlife guide.

## Is the blue tang the fish from Finding Nemo?
Yes. The blue tang is the species behind Dory, the forgetful blue fish in Finding Nemo and Finding Dory. Its royal-blue body and yellow tail make it instantly recognisable.

## What do blue tangs eat?
Blue tangs are omnivores that feed mainly on algae, which they nibble from coral and rock. They also eat plankton from the water, and their grazing helps keep reef surfaces clear for corals.

## How big do blue tangs get?
Blue tangs grow to about 30 cm (12 inches) long and weigh up to around 0.6 kg. They are a medium-sized reef fish with a flattened, oval body.

## Are blue tangs dangerous?
They are not aggressive, but they carry sharp, scalpel-like spines at the base of the tail that can deliver a painful, mildly venomous cut. These spines are used in defence, so the fish should be handled with care.

## How long do blue tangs live?
Blue tangs can live for up to around 20 years, a long lifespan for a reef fish of their size. They are slow to mature and difficult to breed in captivity.

## Where do blue tangs live?
Blue tangs live on coral reefs across the Indo-Pacific, from East Africa to the reefs of the western Pacific. They stay close to branching coral, which offers both food and shelter from predators.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/hammerhead-shark): Hammerhead Shark — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
Hammerhead sharks are a family of coastal and open-ocean sharks (Sphyrnidae) instantly recognised by the flattened, hammer-shaped head, or cephalofoil, that spreads their eyes and sensory organs wide apart. Species range from under a metre to more than 6 m long, with large individuals weighing around 230 kg.

## Introduction
Hammerhead sharks are a family of coastal and open-ocean sharks (Sphyrnidae) instantly recognised by the flattened, hammer-shaped head, or cephalofoil, that spreads their eyes and sensory organs wide apart. Species range from under a metre to more than 6 m long, with large individuals weighing around 230 kg. They swim through warm seas worldwide, hunting fish, squid and rays, and can live 20 to 30 years or more. The great hammerhead is listed as Critically Endangered.

## Takeaway
The wide, flattened head that gives these sharks their name is called a cephalofoil, and it is more than an odd silhouette.

## Takeaway
Hammerheads are carnivores that feed on bony fish, squid, octopus, crustaceans and other sharks, but they are best known for hunting stingrays.

## Takeaway
The family Sphyrnidae contains around nine species, and they vary enormously in size.

## The hammer-shaped head
The wide, flattened head that gives these sharks their name is called a cephalofoil, and it is more than an odd silhouette. Spacing the eyes far apart gives the shark a broader field of vision, while the underside is packed with electroreceptors called ampullae of Lorenzini that detect the faint electrical signals of buried prey. Sweeping the head from side to side lets a hammerhead scan the seabed like a metal detector. The shape also acts as a hydrofoil, helping the shark bank and turn sharply as it swims.

## Hunting and diet
Hammerheads are carnivores that feed on bony fish, squid, octopus, crustaceans and other sharks, but they are best known for hunting stingrays. A hammerhead will pin a ray to the seabed with the edge of its head, then pivot to take bites from the disc. Many individuals seem largely unbothered by the venomous barbs of their prey, and rays recovered from their stomachs are sometimes studded with spines. Larger species hunt alone, cruising close to the bottom where their electrical sense works best.

## Size and species
The family Sphyrnidae contains around nine species, and they vary enormously in size. The small bonnethead reaches under a metre, while the great hammerhead can exceed 6 m and weigh in the region of 230 kg, making it one of the largest predatory sharks. The scalloped and smooth hammerheads fall between these extremes. Despite their formidable appearance, hammerheads pose little danger to people, and unprovoked bites are very rare.

## Where they live
Hammerheads swim through warm temperate and tropical waters around the world, along coastlines, over continental shelves and out into the open ocean. They are found from shallow lagoons and coral reefs to depths of several hundred metres. Some species, notably the scalloped hammerhead, gather in large schools around seamounts and offshore islands, particularly by day. These aggregations can number in the hundreds and are a famous sight for divers.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/hammerhead-shark): Hammerhead Shark — wildlife guide.

## Reproduction
Hammerheads give birth to live young rather than laying eggs, nourishing the developing pups through a placenta-like connection inside the mother. Litters range from around a dozen to more than 40 pups depending on the species. The newborns are miniature versions of the adults, with heads that are more rounded at birth and flatten as they grow. Coastal nursery areas in shallow water shelter the young from larger predators during their vulnerable first months.

## Why the great hammerhead is Critically Endangered
The great hammerhead is listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, and several other hammerhead species are also threatened. Their large fins are highly valued in the shark-fin trade, and the sharks are frequently caught both deliberately and as bycatch in commercial fisheries. Hammerheads are especially vulnerable because they are slow to mature and produce relatively few young. They also suffer very high stress levels when hooked, so many die even when released.

## WARN work
WARN does not run a dedicated hammerhead shark programme — this guide is part of the World Animal Rescue Network's free educational library. The hammerhead shark faces documented conservation pressure in the wild, which is why clear, sourced public information about it matters. Building public understanding of species like the hammerhead shark supports the broader conservation awareness that underpins WARN's partner-led rescue work across its network.

## Donation hook
If clear, science-based wildlife guides like this help you understand and value animals, please consider supporting the World Animal Rescue Network's educational and rescue work so we can keep producing them.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/hammerhead-shark): Hammerhead Shark — wildlife guide.

## Why do hammerhead sharks have such strange heads?
The wide, flattened head, called a cephalofoil, spreads the eyes and electrical sensors far apart. This gives the shark a wider field of vision and a better ability to detect prey hidden in the sand. The shape also helps the shark turn quickly as it swims.

## Are hammerhead sharks dangerous to humans?
Hammerheads look intimidating but rarely pose a threat to people. Unprovoked bites are extremely uncommon, and most encounters involve the shark simply swimming away. Only the largest species could realistically injure a swimmer, and they show little interest in humans.

## How big do hammerhead sharks get?
Size varies greatly by species. The small bonnethead stays under a metre, while the great hammerhead can exceed 6 m and weigh around 230 kg. This makes the great hammerhead one of the largest predatory sharks in the ocean.

## What do hammerhead sharks eat?
Hammerheads are carnivores that eat fish, squid, octopus, crustaceans and other sharks. They are particularly known for hunting stingrays, which they pin to the seabed with their broad heads. They often appear immune to the rays' venomous barbs.

## How long do hammerhead sharks live?
Hammerheads are long-lived sharks, typically reaching 20 to 30 years and sometimes more. Their slow growth and late maturity are part of why overfishing has hit their populations so hard, as they cannot replace their numbers quickly.

## Why are hammerhead sharks endangered?
The great hammerhead is Critically Endangered, mainly because of the shark-fin trade and heavy accidental capture in fisheries. Hammerheads mature slowly and have small litters, so populations recover slowly. They also die easily from the stress of being hooked, even when released.

## Where do hammerhead sharks live?
Hammerhead Sharks live in Warm coastal and open oceans worldwide. Hammerhead sharks are a family of coastal and open-ocean sharks (Sphyrnidae) instantly recognised by the flattened, hammer-shaped head, or cephalofoil, that spreads their eyes and sensory organs wide apart.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/bull-shark): Bull Shark — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
The bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas) is a stocky, aggressive coastal shark famous for swimming far up rivers and into freshwater lakes. It grows up to about 3.5 m (11 ft) long and 130 kg (290 lb), and hunts a wide range of prey in warm seas, rivers, and estuaries.

## Introduction
The bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas) is a stocky, aggressive coastal shark famous for swimming far up rivers and into freshwater lakes. It grows up to about 3.5 m (11 ft) long and 130 kg (290 lb), and hunts a wide range of prey in warm seas, rivers, and estuaries. Fast in short bursts, it can reach around 40 km/h (25 mph) and lives 16 to 25 years. The IUCN lists it as Vulnerable.

## Takeaway
Bull sharks are heavy-bodied and muscular, typically 2 to 3.5 m (7 to 11 ft) long and weighing up to about 130 kg (290 lb), with females larger than males.

## Takeaway
The bull shark is one of the very few sharks that can thrive in freshwater as well as the sea.

## Takeaway
Bull sharks are opportunistic carnivores with one of the broadest diets of any shark.

## Size and appearance
Bull sharks are heavy-bodied and muscular, typically 2 to 3.5 m (7 to 11 ft) long and weighing up to about 130 kg (290 lb), with females larger than males. They are grey above and pale below, with a short, broad, rounded snout that gives them their name and their pugnacious look. Their small eyes suggest they often rely on other senses in the murky water they favour. Powerful jaws and stout teeth let them tackle unusually large and varied prey for their size.

## Life in freshwater
The bull shark is one of the very few sharks that can thrive in freshwater as well as the sea. Special adaptations in its kidneys, gills, and other organs let it control the salt balance in its body, so it can swim far up rivers and into lakes. Bull sharks have been recorded thousands of kilometres up the Amazon and Mississippi and living in Lake Nicaragua. This ability lets them hunt and give birth in places most sharks can never reach.

## Hunting and diet
Bull sharks are opportunistic carnivores with one of the broadest diets of any shark. They eat bony fish, other sharks and rays, turtles, crustaceans, seabirds, and even dolphins, taking almost anything they can overpower. They often hunt in shallow, cloudy coastal water and river mouths, using surprise and sudden bursts of speed of up to about 40 km/h (25 mph). This adaptable appetite is part of why they succeed in so many habitats.

## Reproduction and young
Female bull sharks give birth to live young, usually producing litters of around one to a dozen pups after a gestation of roughly a year. They favour shallow, brackish estuaries and river mouths as nurseries, where the young are relatively safe from larger ocean predators. Newborn pups are about 70 cm long and are independent from birth. Bull sharks live for around 16 to 25 years in the wild.