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

## What is the difference between a llama and an alpaca?
Llamas are larger (130–200 kg), with longer faces and coarser fleece, bred as pack animals. Alpacas are smaller (55–65 kg), with finer fleece, bred for fibre production. Llamas descend from guanacos; alpacas from vicuñas.

## How much weight can a llama carry?
A healthy adult llama carries 25–30% of its body weight — roughly 40–60 kg — for 15–20 km daily at high altitude. Overloading causes injury and is considered poor husbandry.

## Are llamas wild animals?
No. Llamas have been domesticated for over 5,000 years. Their wild ancestor is the guanaco, which survives in Patagonia and the Andes.

## Do llamas spit?
Yes. Llamas spit regurgitated stomach contents at each other during hierarchy disputes. Well-handled llamas rarely spit at people unless frightened or provoked.

## Where do llamas live?
Domestic llamas are kept on high-altitude pastures in Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina and Ecuador. They also appear on farms worldwide, including as guard animals for sheep.

## Are llamas dangerous?
Llamas are domesticated animals and are not dangerous to people in the wild-predator sense. The llama (Lama glama) is a domesticated Andean camelid bred for 5,000+ years as a pack animal and fibre source; descended from the guanaco, roughly seven million llamas support highland communities in Peru and Bolivia. Usual risks are husbandry and handling, not unprovoked attacks.

## How long do llamas live?
Llamas typically live 000 years. The llama (Lama glama) is a domesticated Andean camelid bred for 5,000+ years as a pack animal and fibre source; descended from the guanaco, roughly seven million llamas support highland communities in Peru and Bolivia. Wild and captive figures can differ; use the sources listed on the guide for the underlying studies.

## How big is a llama?
A Llama is about 130–200 kg. The llama (Lama glama) is a domesticated Andean camelid bred for 5,000+ years as a pack animal and fibre source; descended from the guanaco, roughly seven million llamas support highland communities in Peru and Bolivia.

## What do llamas eat?
They graze grasses and hay, using a three-compartment stomach efficient at processing coarse high-altitude forage. The llama (Lama glama) is a domesticated Andean camelid bred for 5,000+ years as a pack animal and fibre source; descended from the guanaco, roughly seven million llamas support highland communities in Peru and Bolivia.


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

## One-line answer
Hawks are birds of prey in the family Accipitridae — roughly 250 species worldwide; they hunt by sight using talons and hooked beaks, with conservation status ranging from abundant to Critically Endangered depending on species.

## Introduction
Hawk is the common name for birds of prey in the family Accipitridae, a diverse group of roughly 250 species found on every continent except Antarctica. In North America, 'hawk' often refers to buteos — broad-winged soaring hunters such as the red-tailed hawk — and accipiters — forest specialists such as the sharp-shinned hawk. In Europe, 'hawk' overlaps with buzzards and kites. Hawks hunt by sight, using powerful talons and hooked beaks to kill birds, mammals, reptiles and insects. Conservation status varies: the red-tailed hawk is abundant, while the Ridgway's hawk of Hispaniola is Critically Endangered with fewer than 300 individuals.

## Takeaway
Hawks belong to Accipitridae — a family of roughly 250 raptor species worldwide.

## Takeaway
Buteos soar on broad wings; accipiters manoeuvre through forest with short wings and long tails.

## Takeaway
Raptors see roughly eight times more sharply than humans.

## Takeaway
Rodenticide poisoning kills hawks that eat contaminated prey — a major modern threat.

## Takeaway
The red-tailed hawk is among the most abundant raptors in North America.

## Takeaway
Habitat loss and persecution remain threats for forest and island hawk species.

## What counts as a hawk?
'Hawk' is a loose common name rather than a strict taxonomic group. In North America it typically covers buteos (genus Buteo — red-tailed, red-shouldered and broad-winged hawks) and accipiters (genus Accipiter — sharp-shinned, Cooper's and goshawks). In Europe, 'hawk' often includes buzzards (Buteo) and sometimes kites and harriers.

All belong to Accipitridae alongside eagles, kites and Old World vultures. Hawks share hooked beaks, powerful talons, keen eyesight and carnivorous diets, but vary enormously in size — from the 100 g sharp-shinned hawk to the 1.4 kg red-tailed hawk.

When people search 'hawk' they may mean a soaring buteo, a woodland accipiter or a European buzzard — WARN's eagle, osprey and falcon guides help distinguish the wider raptor guild.

## Hunting and senses
Hawks hunt primarily by sight, detecting prey from hundreds of metres while soaring or perched. Raptor vision is roughly eight times sharper than human sight, with a higher density of colour-sensitive cones. Buteos soar on thermals, scanning open country for rodents, rabbits and reptiles. Accipiters dash through woodland on short, rounded wings and long tails, ambushing birds. Hawks kill with talons — the red-tailed hawk's grip exceeds 200 psi — and dismember prey with hooked beaks. Many species pair for life and reuse nest sites for decades.


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

## Threats to raptors
Modern threats to hawks include rodenticide poisoning — hawks eat rats and mice that have consumed anticoagulant poisons, leading to internal bleeding and death. Habitat loss removes nesting trees and hunting grounds. Persecution — shooting and trapping — persists in some regions despite legal protection. Wind turbines and power lines cause collision mortality. The Ridgway's hawk (Buteo ridgwayi) of Hispaniola is Critically Endangered with fewer than 300 individuals due to habitat loss and nest parasitism by palmchat birds.

## Conservation and legal protection
Most widespread hawk species — red-tailed hawk, common buzzard, Eurasian sparrowhawk — are Least Concern with stable or increasing populations. Legal protection under the US Migratory Bird Treaty Act, the EU Birds Directive and national laws in range countries has reduced persecution. CITES regulates international trade in many raptor species. Reducing rodenticide use, protecting nest sites and maintaining habitat connectivity benefit hawks alongside other raptors.

## Related WARN raptor guides
This page covers hawks as a group within Accipitridae. For species-level and specialist raptors, read WARN's eagle hub, osprey guide (fish-eating Pandionidae), falcon guide (fastest stoop hunters) and kestrel, buzzard and red kite pages.

Together these guides map the raptor guild for readers who search 'hawk' but need a particular species or hunting strategy.

Reducing rodenticide use and protecting nest sites benefits every raptor in the guild.

## WARN work
WARN publishes this hawk guide as free public education. Rodenticide poisoning and habitat loss threaten raptors worldwide — issues that connect to the broader ecosystem health WARN works to protect.

## Donation hook
If this guide helps you understand wildlife and the pressures it faces, a gift to WARN supports habitat protection and free public education in our partner countries.


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

## What is the difference between a hawk and an eagle?
Eagles are generally larger with broader wings and heavier beaks. Hawks (buteos and accipiters) are typically smaller and more manoeuvrable. Both belong to Accipitridae — the distinction is size and ecology, not taxonomy.

## How well can hawks see?
Raptors see roughly eight times more sharply than humans, with higher cone density for colour vision. A red-tailed hawk can spot a mouse from 30 m while soaring at 300 m altitude.

## Are hawks endangered?
Most common hawks — red-tailed hawk, common buzzard — are Least Concern. Island and forest specialists such as Ridgway's hawk are Critically Endangered. Status varies by species.

## What do hawks eat?
Hawks eat rodents, rabbits, birds, reptiles, amphibians and insects depending on species. Buteos favour mammals; accipiters specialise in catching other birds in flight.

## Do hawks mate for life?
Many hawk species form long-term pair bonds and reuse the same nest site for years. Both parents typically incubate eggs and feed chicks.

## Where do hawks live?
Hawks live in Worldwide except Antarctica. Hawks are birds of prey in the family Accipitridae — roughly 250 species worldwide; they hunt by sight using talons and hooked beaks, with conservation status ranging from abundant to Critically Endangered depending on species.

## Are hawks dangerous?
Hawks are not generally dangerous to people. Hawks are birds of prey in the family Accipitridae — roughly 250 species worldwide; they hunt by sight using talons and hooked beaks, with conservation status ranging from abundant to Critically Endangered depending on species. Give wild individuals space and do not corner or handle them.

## How long do hawks live?
A precise wild lifespan for hawks is not firmly established in the sources cited on this guide. Hawks are birds of prey in the family Accipitridae — roughly 250 species worldwide; they hunt by sight using talons and hooked beaks, with conservation status ranging from abundant to Critically Endangered depending on species. Where longevity figures appear in the literature they vary by region, sex and whether animals are wild or captive.

## How big is a hawk?
A Hawk is about Varies (IUCN status from Least Concern to Critically Endangered). Hawks are birds of prey in the family Accipitridae — roughly 250 species worldwide; they hunt by sight using talons and hooked beaks, with conservation status ranging from abundant to Critically Endangered depending on species. Conservation status: Rodenticide poisoning increasingly significant.


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

## One-line answer
Falcons are birds of prey in the family Falconidae — roughly 65 species including the peregrine, the fastest animal on Earth at over 320 km/h; most species recovered from DDT declines and are now Least Concern.

## Introduction
Falcons are birds of prey in the family Falconidae, distinct from hawks and eagles despite similar appearances. Roughly 65 species in the genus Falco range across every continent except Antarctica. The peregrine falcon is the fastest animal on Earth, reaching over 320 km/h in a hunting stoop. Falcons were nearly wiped out by DDT pesticide in the mid-twentieth century before one of conservation's greatest recoveries. Today most falcon species are Least Concern, though the saker falcon and several island falcons face ongoing threats from habitat loss, trapping for falconry and pesticide use.

## Takeaway
The peregrine falcon is the fastest animal on Earth — over 320 km/h in a stoop.

## Takeaway
Falcons belong to Falconidae, separate from hawks and eagles (Accipitridae).

## Takeaway
DDT pesticide nearly wiped out peregrine falcons before a global recovery programme.

## Takeaway
Falconry — hunting with trained falcons — is an ancient practice still regulated today.

## Takeaway
Saker and peregrine falcons are trapped illegally for the Middle Eastern falconry trade.

## Takeaway
Falcons kill with a notched beak 'tooth' that severs prey vertebrae instantly.

## Falcons versus hawks
Falcons belong to Falconidae; hawks and eagles to Accipitridae — convergent evolution produced similar predatory forms from different ancestors. Falcons have a notched beak (the tomial tooth) for severing prey spines, long pointed wings built for speed, and they kill primarily with the beak rather than talons. Hawks kill with talons. Falcons include the peregrine, kestrels, hobbies, merlins and caracaras. The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) breeds on every continent except Antarctica, nesting on cliffs, city skyscrapers and bridges.

## The peregrine stoop
The peregrine falcon hunts by climbing high and folding its wings into a stoop — a vertical or angled dive exceeding 320 km/h, the fastest recorded speed of any animal. It strikes prey — typically pigeons, ducks and other birds — mid-air with clenched talons, killing on impact. Nictitating membranes protect the eyes during the dive. Peregrines were nearly extirpated in North America and Europe by DDT, which thinned eggshells causing nesting failure. After DDT was banned and captive breeding programmes released thousands of birds, peregrines recovered to Least Concern globally.

## Falconry and illegal trade
Falconry — hunting with trained falcons — dates back at least 4,000 years in Mesopotamia and remains a regulated tradition in the Middle East, Central Asia and Europe. The saker falcon (Falco cherrug) is prized in Arabian falconry and is Endangered, with illegal trapping in Central Asia supplying wealthy buyers. CITES Appendix I protects peregrine and saker falcons. Legal falconry uses captive-bred birds in most countries. Illegal trade remains a significant threat to wild saker and peregrine populations in Central Asia and the Mediterranean.


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

## Conservation successes and ongoing threats
The peregrine falcon recovery from near extinction is among conservation's greatest achievements — from fewer than 400 breeding pairs in the eastern United States in 1975 to over 3,000 today. Most falcon species are now Least Concern. Ongoing threats include habitat loss, rodenticide and pesticide poisoning, wind turbine collisions and illegal trapping for falconry. Protecting nesting cliffs, regulating falconry trade and reducing pesticide use benefit falcons worldwide.

## Related WARN raptor guides
This page covers falcons in family Falconidae — distinct from hawks and eagles. For the wider raptor guild read WARN's eagle hub, hawk guide (Accipitridae buteos and accipiters), osprey guide (fish specialist) and harpy eagle page for Neotropical forest giants.

The peregrine recovery from DDT shows that removing the cause of decline allows species to rebound — a principle that applies across raptor conservation.

Legal falconry uses captive-bred birds in most countries; illegal wild trapping of saker falcons remains a serious threat in Central Asia.

## WARN work
WARN publishes this falcon guide as free public education. The peregrine recovery from DDT extinction shows that species can rebound when the cause of decline is removed — a message relevant to conservation worldwide.

## Donation hook
If this guide helps you understand wildlife and the pressures it faces, a gift to WARN supports habitat protection and free public education in our partner countries.


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

## What is the fastest animal on Earth?
The peregrine falcon, which reaches over 320 km/h in a hunting stoop — a vertical dive onto prey. This is the fastest recorded speed of any animal.

## What is the difference between a falcon and a hawk?
Falcons (Falconidae) have pointed wings, a notched beak tooth and kill with the beak. Hawks (Accipitridae) have broader wings, kill with talons and belong to a separate family.

## Are falcons endangered?
Most falcon species are Least Concern after recovery from DDT declines. The saker falcon is Endangered; the Mauritius kestrel recovered from four individuals through intensive conservation.

## What is falconry?
Falconry is hunting with trained birds of prey — a tradition at least 4,000 years old. Modern falconry is regulated and typically uses captive-bred birds. Illegal wild trapping threatens saker falcons.

## What do falcons eat?
Falcons are carnivorous birds of prey that hunt other birds and small mammals in flight. The peregrine falcon stooping at over 320 km/h — the fastest recorded speed of any animal — strikes prey with clenched talons, then kills using a notched beak tooth that severs the spine. Roughly 65 falcon species worldwide feed mainly on birds from pigeons to shorebirds, though larger falcons also take rabbits and rodents in open country.

## Where do falcons live?
Falcons range across every continent except Antarctica, nesting on cliffs, skyscrapers, bridges and quarries wherever prey is available. Peregrine falcons recovered from DDT-driven near extinction to nest on urban ledges worldwide. Roughly 65 species occupy diverse habitats from Arctic tundra to tropical forest edges. Most are Least Concern today, though the saker falcon is Endangered and faces illegal trapping for falconry in Central Asia. CITES lists peregrine and saker on Appendix I.

## Are falcons dangerous?
Wild falcons rarely harm people but will fiercely defend nests and can deliver sharp talon strikes if approached. They are precision predators, not pets. The peregrine's 320+ km/h stoop is directed at prey, not humans. Historical DDT poisoning caused eggshell thinning that nearly wiped out peregrines before recovery after the ban. Today rodenticides, wind turbines and illegal trapping pose greater threats to falcons than falcons pose to people.

## How big is a falcon?
Falcon size varies by species. The peregrine falcon — the fastest animal on Earth at over 320 km/h in a hunting stoop — is a medium-large falcon with pointed wings adapted for high-speed pursuit. Among roughly 65 falcon species worldwide, the smallest kestrels may weigh only a few hundred grams, while gyrfalcons and sakers are substantially larger. All share a notched beak tooth used to kill prey after a strike.

## How long do falcons live?
A precise wild lifespan for falcons is not firmly established in the sources cited on this guide. Falcons are birds of prey in the family Falconidae — roughly 65 species including the peregrine, the fastest animal on Earth at over 320 km/h; most species recovered from DDT declines and are now Least Concern. Where longevity figures appear in the literature they vary by region, sex and whether animals are wild or captive.


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

## One-line answer
The osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is a Least Concern fish-eating raptor found worldwide, the only member of family Pandionidae; it recovered from DDT declines and hunts by plunging feet-first into water to catch fish.

## Introduction
The osprey is a large fish-eating raptor found on every continent except Antarctica, the only species in the family Pandionidae. Ospreys hunt by hovering over water and plunging feet-first to grab fish with barbed talons and reversible outer toes — specialisations unique among raptors. Like peregrine falcons, ospreys were devastated by DDT pesticide in the mid-twentieth century before recovering after its ban. Listed as Least Concern, ospreys now nest on every continent and have adapted to artificial nesting platforms, pylons and harbour structures. They migrate enormous distances — GPS-tracked birds fly from Scotland to West Africa.

## Takeaway
Ospreys eat fish almost exclusively — roughly 99% of their diet.

## Takeaway
They are the only member of the family Pandionidae — a distinct raptor lineage.

## Takeaway
Ospreys dive feet-first into water, grabbing fish with barbed, reversible talons.

## Takeaway
DDT pesticide nearly wiped out ospreys before recovery after its ban.

## Takeaway
Ospreys nest on every continent except Antarctica, including artificial platforms.

## Takeaway
GPS tracking shows migrations of over 8,000 km between breeding and wintering grounds.

## A raptor built for fish
The osprey occupies its own family, Pandionidae, reflecting its unique specialisations. Dense, oily plumage repels water during dives. Barbed pads on the soles grip slippery fish. The outer toe is reversible — able to point forward or backward — providing a two-by-two talon grip.

Nostrils close on impact with water. Ospreys hunt by hovering 10–40 m above water, then plunging feet-first, sometimes submerging completely. They carry fish head-first for aerodynamic flight. Roughly 99% of the diet is fish, typically 15–30 cm long.

No other raptor hunts this way — ospreys are convergent specialists, sometimes called 'fish hawks' but taxonomically separate from true hawks.

## Global range and migration
Four subspecies range across the world. Pandion haliaetus haliaetus breeds across Eurasia and winters in Africa and South-east Asia. P. h. carolinensis breeds in North America, wintering in Central and South America. P. h. ridgwayi is resident in the Caribbean; P. h. cristatus in Australasia. Ospreys are long-distance migrants — GPS-tracked birds from Scotland fly over 8,000 km to West Africa. They return to the same nest site annually, often mating for life. Nests are large stick structures on cliffs, trees, pylons, buoys and purpose-built platforms.

## DDT recovery and nesting platforms
Ospreys shared the peregrine falcon's fate during the DDT era — eggshell thinning caused nesting failure across North America and Europe. After DDT was banned in the 1970s, populations rebounded. Conservationists accelerated recovery by installing artificial nesting platforms on poles, buoys and harbour structures. Ospreys readily adopted these, expanding into areas where natural nest sites were scarce. Today the global population exceeds 460,000 mature individuals. Ospreys nest near humans more readily than most large raptors, making them ambassadors for wetland and coastal conservation.


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

## Conservation and modern threats
The IUCN lists the osprey as Least Concern with an increasing global population. Modern threats include entanglement in fishing line and nets, rodenticide and pesticide accumulation, wind turbine collisions near coastal migration routes, and habitat loss of wetlands and clean waterways. Clean water supports fish stocks that sustain ospreys — making them indicators of aquatic ecosystem health. CITES Appendix II regulates international trade. Protecting wetlands, reducing fishing gear discard and maintaining nest platforms support osprey populations worldwide.

## Related WARN raptor guides
Ospreys sit alone in Pandionidae — but readers often compare them with hawks, eagles and falcons. Read WARN's hawk guide for Accipitridae buteos and accipiters, falcon guide for stoop hunters, and eagle hub for large apex raptors including harpy eagle.

The osprey recovery from DDT mirrors the peregrine falcon story — both demonstrate that banning persistent pesticides allows raptor populations to rebound when nesting habitat is protected.

Artificial nesting platforms remain one of conservation's simplest, most effective tools for this species.

## WARN work
WARN publishes this osprey guide as free public education. The osprey recovery from DDT extinction demonstrates that removing the cause of decline allows species to rebound — a principle that applies across conservation.

## Donation hook
If this guide helps you understand wildlife and the pressures it faces, a gift to WARN supports habitat protection and free public education in our partner countries.


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

## What do ospreys eat?
Ospreys eat fish almost exclusively — roughly 99% of their diet. They hunt by hovering and plunging feet-first into water, grabbing fish with barbed talons.

## Are ospreys eagles or hawks?
Neither. Ospreys belong to their own family, Pandionidae, separate from Accipitridae (hawks and eagles) and Falconidae (falcons). They are sometimes called 'fish hawks' but are not true hawks.

## Why did ospreys nearly go extinct?
DDT pesticide caused eggshell thinning and nesting failure across North America and Europe in the mid-twentieth century. After DDT was banned, populations recovered strongly.

## How do ospreys catch fish?
Ospreys hover above water, then plunge feet-first, sometimes submerging completely. Barbed talons and reversible outer toes grip slippery fish. They carry catches head-first for aerodynamic flight.

## Do ospreys migrate?
Most osprey populations are migratory. GPS-tracked birds fly over 8,000 km between breeding grounds in Europe and wintering areas in West Africa.

## Where do ospreys live?
Ospreys live in Worldwide — all continents except Antarctica. The osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is a Least Concern fish-eating raptor found worldwide, the only member of family Pandionidae; it recovered from DDT declines and hunts by plunging feet-first into water to catch fish.

## Are ospreys dangerous?
Listed as Least Concern, ospreys now nest on every continent and have adapted to artificial nesting platforms, pylons and harbour structures. Give wild ospreys space; do not corner or handle them.

## How long do ospreys live?
A precise wild lifespan for ospreys is not firmly established in the sources cited on this guide. The osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is a Least Concern fish-eating raptor found worldwide, the only member of family Pandionidae; it recovered from DDT declines and hunts by plunging feet-first into water to catch fish. Where longevity figures appear in the literature they vary by region, sex and whether animals are wild or captive.

## How big is an osprey?
The osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is a Least Concern fish-eating raptor found worldwide, the only member of family Pandionidae; it recovered from DDT declines and hunts by plunging feet-first into water to catch fish.


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

## One-line answer
Eagles are large birds of prey in the family Accipitridae — roughly 60 species worldwide; they are apex raptors with powerful talons and keen eyesight, with conservation status ranging from recovered (bald eagle) to Critically Endangered (Philippine eagle).

## Introduction
Eagles are large birds of prey in the family Accipitridae, found on every continent except Antarctica. Roughly 60 species share the eagle name, from the golden eagle of the Northern Hemisphere to the bald eagle of North America, the wedge-tailed eagle of Australia and the critically endangered Philippine eagle. Eagles are defined by size, power and hunting ecology rather than a single taxonomic group — they occupy the top of the raptor hierarchy with broad wings, massive talons and exceptional eyesight. Conservation status varies sharply: bald eagles recovered from DDT extinction to over 300,000 individuals, while the Philippine eagle and Spanish imperial eagle remain Critically Endangered. This guide covers eagles as a group; see WARN's harpy eagle guide for that specific species.

## Takeaway
Eagles are large Accipitridae raptors — defined by size and power, not a single genus.

## Takeaway
Roughly 60 eagle species range across every continent except Antarctica.

## Takeaway
The bald eagle recovered from DDT near-extinction to over 300,000 individuals.

## Takeaway
The Philippine eagle and Spanish imperial eagle are Critically Endangered.

## Takeaway
Eagles pair for life and reuse massive nest structures for decades.

## Takeaway
Habitat loss, persecution and pesticide poisoning remain threats for many species.

## What makes an eagle?
'Eagle' is a common name for the largest and most powerful Accipitridae raptors, rather than a strict taxonomic category. Sea eagles (Haliaeetus — bald eagle, white-tailed eagle) fish in coastal and river habitats. Booted eagles (Aquila — golden eagle, wedge-tailed eagle) hunt mammals on open ground and mountains. Forest eagles (Harpia, Pithecophaga, Morphnus) are giant specialists of tropical canopy. Snake eagles (Circaetus) feed on reptiles. Each group occupies a distinct ecological niche.

What unites them is size — most eagles weigh 3–7 kg or more — powerful grasping talons, broad wings for soaring and exceptional long-distance vision. An eagle's eyes fill much of the skull, with two foveae for forward and side focus simultaneously. That optical hardware lets a golden eagle spot a hare from three kilometres while riding a thermal.

Because 'eagle' spans multiple genera, conservation status varies enormously. Always check species-level assessments rather than assuming all eagles share the same trajectory.


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

## Sea eagles, golden eagles and forest giants
The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is North America's national symbol, recovered from fewer than 500 breeding pairs in the lower 48 states to over 300,000 individuals after DDT was banned. The white-tailed eagle rebounded similarly across Europe. Golden eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) range across the Northern Hemisphere, hunting hares, marmots and ground birds on open terrain.

At the other extreme, the Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) — Critically Endangered with fewer than 400 pairs — hunts monkeys and flying lemurs in remnant rainforest. The harpy eagle of Central and South America is covered in a separate WARN guide with full conservation detail for Brazil and Colombia.

Steller's sea eagle of Russia and Japan, the wedge-tailed eagle of Australia and the African fish eagle each fill similar apex roles on different continents — proof that eagle ecology repeats wherever large prey and open air meet.

## Threats and recovery
Eagles face diverse threats. DDT and other pesticides caused eggshell thinning and near-extinction for bald and white-tailed eagles before bans enabled recovery. Habitat loss — deforestation for forest eagles, wetland drainage for sea eagles — removes nesting and hunting grounds. Persecution persists: golden eagles are still poisoned and shot on grouse moors in Scotland; wedge-tailed eagles were persecuted by ranchers in Australia.

Wind turbine collisions kill eagles at coastal and mountain migration routes. Lead ammunition in carrion poisons eagles that scavenge shot game. Illegal trade in feathers and live birds affects crested and forest eagle species.

Recovery stories matter: the bald eagle's rebound shows that removing a chemical cause can restore a population within decades when habitat remains. Forest eagles lack that easy fix — they need intact canopy and anti-poaching patrols.

## Eagles and human culture
Eagles hold extraordinary cultural significance. The bald eagle adorns the Great Seal of the United States; the golden eagle appears on flags and coats of arms across Eurasia; the Philippine eagle is a national symbol of the Philippines. Indigenous peoples across North America, Siberia and Australia revere eagles in ceremony and art.

That cultural weight can aid conservation — public outrage over DDT-driven eagle declines helped catalyse pesticide regulation — or hinder it, when demand for eagle feathers or live birds fuels illegal trade. Ethical ecotourism that values living eagles supports habitat protection in range countries.

For students and searchers, eagles exemplify why apex predators need space: huge territories, stable prey bases and freedom from poisoned carrion.

## Related WARN eagle and raptor guides
This page is the eagle family hub. For the Critically Endangered harpy eagle of Neotropical rainforest — a forest giant of Brazil and Colombia — read WARN's dedicated harpy eagle wildlife guide.

Smaller raptors share the Accipitridae tree: kestrel, red kite and buzzard guides cover common European and North American hawks; osprey, falcon and hawk pages address fish-hunting and open-country specialists. Together they map the raptor guild for readers who search 'eagle' but need a specific species.

Supporting habitat protection appeals helps every raptor in the guild — from marsh-hunting harriers to cliff-nesting peregrines.

## WARN work
WARN publishes this eagle guide as free public education. Our harpy eagle guide covers that Critically Endangered forest giant in detail; this page helps searchers understand the wider eagle family and the threats apex raptors face worldwide.

## Donation hook
If this guide helps you understand wildlife and the pressures it faces, a gift to WARN supports habitat protection and free public education in our partner countries.


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

## How many eagle species are there?
Roughly 60 species worldwide, grouped in genera including Aquila (golden eagles), Haliaeetus (sea eagles), Harpia (harpy eagle), Pithecophaga (Philippine eagle) and others. 'Eagle' describes size and ecology, not a single genus.

## What is the difference between an eagle and a hawk?
Eagles are generally larger and more powerful, with broader wings and heavier beaks. Hawks (buteos and accipiters) are typically smaller and more manoeuvrable. Both belong to Accipitridae — the distinction is size and hunting ecology.

## Are bald eagles endangered?
No. Bald eagles recovered from near extinction — fewer than 500 breeding pairs in the lower 48 US states — to over 300,000 individuals after DDT was banned. They are now Least Concern.

## Which eagle is most endangered?
The Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) is Critically Endangered with fewer than 400 breeding pairs. The Spanish imperial eagle and Steller's sea eagle are also Endangered.

## Do eagles mate for life?
Most eagle species form long-term pair bonds and return to the same nest site annually. Nests — called eyries — are massive stick structures reused and expanded for decades, sometimes reaching several metres across.

## What do eagles eat?
Eagles eat Snake eagles (Circaetus) feed on reptiles. Eagles are large birds of prey in the family Accipitridae — roughly 60 species worldwide; they are apex raptors with powerful talons and keen eyesight, with conservation status ranging from recovered (bald eagle) to Critically Endangered (Philippine eagle).

## Where do eagles live?
Eagles are found on every continent except Antarctica, from coastal estuaries to mountain ridges and tropical rainforest canopy. Roughly 60 recognised species occupy distinct niches: sea eagles along rivers and coasts, golden eagles on open Northern Hemisphere terrain, and Critically Endangered forest giants such as the Philippine eagle in remnant rainforest. Habitat loss, persecution and poisoned carrion remain threats even where species such as the bald eagle have recovered to over 300,000 individuals.

## Are eagles dangerous?
Wild eagles rarely attack people unprovoked, but they are powerful raptors with massive talons and should never be approached, especially near nests called eyries. Golden eagles are still poisoned and shot on grouse moors in Scotland; wind turbines kill eagles at migration routes. Most species weigh 3–7 kg or more with broad wings for soaring. The Philippine eagle, with fewer than 400 breeding pairs, is Critically Endangered but poses no routine threat to humans.

## How big is an eagle?
Most eagles weigh 3–7 kg or more, with broad wings for soaring and exceptionally keen eyesight. Size varies by species and group: the bald eagle has recovered to over 300,000 individuals in North America, while the Critically Endangered Philippine eagle is among the largest and rarest forest raptors, with fewer than 400 breeding pairs. 'Eagle' describes size and hunting ecology across roughly 60 species in family Accipitridae, not a single genus.

## How long do eagles live?
Eagles are long-lived raptors that form pair bonds and return to the same nest site — called an eyrie — annually, reusing and expanding massive stick structures for decades, sometimes reaching several metres across. Lifespan varies by species; the Philippine eagle with fewer than 400 breeding pairs is Critically Endangered, while bald eagles recovered to over 300,000 individuals.


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

## One-line answer
Rhinoceroses are five living species of horned megaherbivores in Africa and Asia; all are threatened by poaching for keratin horn, with three species Critically Endangered including the Sumatran rhino with fewer than 50 individuals.

## Introduction
Rhinoceroses are massive herbivorous mammals of the family Rhinocerotidae, defined by one or two keratin horns on the snout and thick grey skin that looks like armour plating. Five species survive: white and black rhinos in Africa; greater one-horned, Javan and Sumatran rhinos in Asia. All are threatened — three are Critically Endangered. Rhino horn is made of keratin, the same protein as human fingernails, yet illegal trade drives poaching that kills more than a thousand rhinos annually in Africa alone. The Sumatran rhino — the smallest and hairiest — numbers fewer than 50 individuals. This guide covers rhinos as a family; see WARN's Sumatran rhino guide for that species in detail.

## Takeaway
Five rhino species survive — white, black, greater one-horned, Javan and Sumatran.

## Takeaway
Rhino horn is keratin — the same protein as fingernails — with no proven medical value.

## Takeaway
Three species are Critically Endangered: black, Javan and Sumatran rhino.

## Takeaway
The Sumatran rhino is the smallest and rarest, with fewer than 50 individuals.

## Takeaway
Poaching for the illegal horn trade is the primary threat to all five species.

## Takeaway
White rhinos recovered from fewer than 100 to over 17,000 through intensive protection.

## Five species, two continents
African rhinos comprise the white rhino (Ceratotherium simum) — the largest, with a wide square lip for grazing — and the black rhino (Diceros bicornis) — smaller, with a pointed lip for browsing. White rhinos number over 17,000 after recovery from near extinction; the northern white rhino is functionally extinct with two surviving females. Asian rhinos include the greater one-horned rhino (Rhinoceros unicornis) of India and Nepal — recovered to over 4,000; the Javan rhino (Rhinoceros sondaicus) — Critically Endangered with around 50 individuals confined to Ujung Kulon National Park on Java, following a 2019–2023 poaching operation; and the Sumatran rhino (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) — the smallest, hairiest and rarest, with fewer than 50 individuals in Indonesia.

## The horn trade and poaching crisis
Rhino horn consists of keratin — compressed hair — with no scientifically proven medicinal value. Despite this, demand in Vietnam and China for traditional medicine and status symbols drives an illegal trade worth hundreds of millions of dollars annually. Poachers use high-powered rifles, veterinary immobilising drugs and chainsaws to remove horns from living or dead animals. At the 2015 peak, more than 1,300 rhinos were poached in South Africa alone. Anti-poaching units, dehorning programmes, DNA horn tracking and demand-reduction campaigns have reduced poaching rates, but the threat persists wherever rhinos carry horn.


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

## Ecology and behaviour
Rhinos are megaherbivores shaping savanna and forest ecosystems. White rhinos graze grass, maintaining open savanna; black rhinos browse shrubs and trees. Greater one-horned rhinos graze and browse floodplain vegetation. All species use wallows and mud baths to regulate temperature and remove parasites. Rhinos have poor eyesight but acute hearing and smell. They communicate through vocalisations, scent marking and dung piles. Calves stay with mothers for two to four years. Despite their bulk — white rhinos reach 2,300 kg — rhinos can charge at 50 km/h when threatened.

## Conservation successes and priorities
Rhino conservation has notable successes alongside catastrophic losses. White rhinos recovered from fewer than 100 in the 1890s to over 17,000 through translocation and protected-area management. Greater one-horned rhinos rebounded from roughly 200 to over 4,000. The Javan rhino persists in a single population in Ujung Kulon National Park. Sumatran rhino recovery depends on captive breeding and isolated wild populations in Indonesia. CITES Appendix I bans all commercial international horn trade. WARN's rhino appeal supports anti-poaching and habitat work; see the Sumatran rhino guide for detail on the rarest species.

## WARN work
WARN funds anti-poaching and habitat protection for rhinos through our rhino appeal. This guide is free public education about all five rhino species — helping searchers understand the horn trade crisis and why every rhino population matters.

## Donation hook
If this guide helps you understand wildlife and the pressures it faces, a gift to WARN supports habitat protection and free public education in our partner countries.


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

## How many rhino species are there?
Five living species: white and black rhino in Africa; greater one-horned, Javan and Sumatran rhino in Asia. Three are Critically Endangered.

## What is rhino horn made of?
Keratin — the same protein as human fingernails and hair. It has no scientifically proven medicinal value, yet illegal demand drives poaching across Africa and Asia.

## Which rhino is most endangered?
The Sumatran rhino is the rarest, with an estimated 34–47 individuals in Indonesia. The Javan rhino numbers around 50 after a 2019–2023 poaching operation. The northern white rhino is functionally extinct — two females remain.

## Are white rhinos extinct?
Southern white rhinos number over 17,000 — a major recovery success. The northern white rhino is functionally extinct with only two surviving females in Kenya; the last male died in 2018. Scientists have created dozens of embryos from frozen sperm and the two females' eggs, with transfers into surrogate southern white rhinos attempted in 2024–2025.

## What do rhinos eat?
Rhinoceroses are five living species of horned megaherbivores in Africa and Asia; all are threatened by poaching for keratin horn, with three species Critically Endangered including the Sumatran rhino with fewer than 50 individuals. The guide's ecology sections give the prey or forage detail behind that summary.

## Where do rhinos live?
Rhinos live in Africa, India, Nepal. Rhinoceroses are five living species of horned megaherbivores in Africa and Asia; all are threatened by poaching for keratin horn, with three species Critically Endangered including the Sumatran rhino with fewer than 50 individuals.

## Are rhinos dangerous?
Rhinos are not generally dangerous to people. Rhinoceroses are five living species of horned megaherbivores in Africa and Asia; all are threatened by poaching for keratin horn, with three species Critically Endangered including the Sumatran rhino with fewer than 50 individuals. Give wild individuals space and do not corner or handle them.

## How long do rhinos live?
A precise wild lifespan for rhinos is not firmly established in the sources cited on this guide. Rhinoceroses are five living species of horned megaherbivores in Africa and Asia; all are threatened by poaching for keratin horn, with three species Critically Endangered including the Sumatran rhino with fewer than 50 individuals. Where longevity figures appear in the literature they vary by region, sex and whether animals are wild or captive.

## How big is a rhino?
Rhinos range from the Sumatran rhino at about 1.5 m long and 600 kg to the white rhino at up to 4 m and 2,300 kg, making it the largest land mammal after the elephant.


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

## One-line answer
Bears are eight living species in the family Ursidae across North America, South America, Europe and Asia; conservation status ranges from abundant (American black bear) to Vulnerable (polar bear, sun bear) to dependent on intensive protection (giant panda).

## Introduction
Bears are large mammals of the family Ursidae — eight living species across four continents. From the polar bear on Arctic ice to the spectacled bear in Andean cloud forest, bears occupy an extraordinary range of habitats. All are omnivorous generalists with keen smell, non-retractable claws and the ability to enter winter torpor. Conservation status varies: American black bears number over 800,000; polar bears are Vulnerable to climate change; sun bears and Asiatic black bears face bile farming and habitat loss; the giant panda became a global conservation icon. This guide covers bears as a family; see WARN's sun bear guide for Southeast Asian bear welfare and bile farming.

## Takeaway
Eight bear species survive across four continents — the most widespread carnivore family.

## Takeaway
All bears are omnivorous generalists with excellent smell and non-retractable claws.

## Takeaway
Polar bears depend on sea ice; climate change is their primary threat.

## Takeaway
Sun bears and Asiatic black bears suffer in the bile farming industry across Asia.

## Takeaway
American black bears number over 800,000 — a conservation success in North America.

## Takeaway
The giant panda recovery from Endangered to Vulnerable is a flagship conservation achievement.

## Eight bears across four continents
The family Ursidae contains eight species. North America holds the American black bear, grizzly (brown) bear and polar bear. South America has the spectacled (Andean) bear — the only bear on the continent. Europe and Asia share the brown bear and the Asiatic black bear (moon bear). Asia also holds the sloth bear of India, the sun bear of Southeast Asia and the giant panda of China. The brown bear has the widest range of any bear — from the Arctic to Turkey — with the largest populations in Russia, Alaska and Canada. Each species occupies a distinct ecological niche shaped by habitat and diet.

## Ecology, diet and denning
Bears are omnivorous generalists. Polar bears hunt seals on sea ice; brown bears catch salmon, graze berries and dig for roots; black bears raid beehives and scavenge carrion; pandas eat almost exclusively bamboo; sun bears tear open tropical trees for honey and insects. All bears except polar bears (and some tropical species) enter winter torpor — a state of reduced metabolism in dens. Pregnant females give birth during torpor, nursing cubs for months before emerging. Bear intelligence is well documented: tool use, long-term memory of food sources and problem-solving in human-modified landscapes.

## Bile farming and the bear trade
Asiatic black bears and sun bears suffer in the bear bile industry — caged for years and milked for bile used in traditional medicine. Bear bile contains ursodeoxycholic acid, a compound with real pharmaceutical applications, but synthetic alternatives have existed since the 1950s. Bear bile farming is legal only in China; Vietnam banned extraction in 2005. Sun bear cubs are taken from the wild for the pet trade. CITES Appendix I protects most bear species from commercial international trade. WARN's moon bear and sun bear appeals support rescue and sanctuary care for bile farm survivors.


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

## Conservation across species
Bear conservation varies dramatically by species. American black bears recovered to over 800,000 through regulated hunting and forest regrowth. Giant pandas moved from Endangered to Vulnerable after decades of habitat protection and captive breeding. Polar bears face existential threat from Arctic sea ice loss. Spectacled bears are Vulnerable as Andean forest is cleared. Sloth bears are Vulnerable from habitat loss and human conflict. Coexistence strategies — bear-proof bins, electric fencing, compensation schemes — reduce conflict worldwide. This guide introduces the bear family; see WARN's sun bear, Andean bear and species-specific guides for detail.

## WARN work
WARN funds sun bear and moon bear rescue in Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam — countries where bile farming and the pet trade threaten Asian bears. This bear guide is free public education about all eight species and the welfare crisis facing bears in Asia.

## Donation hook
If this guide helps you understand wildlife and the pressures it faces, a gift to WARN supports habitat protection and free public education in our partner countries.


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

## How many bear species are there?
Eight living species: American black bear, brown (grizzly) bear, polar bear, spectacled bear, Asiatic black bear, sloth bear, sun bear and giant panda.

## Which bear is the largest?
The polar bear is the largest — males can exceed 800 kg. Kodiak brown bears of Alaska rival polar bears in size. The sun bear is the smallest at 25–65 kg.

## Are bears endangered?
It depends on the species. American black bears are abundant (800,000+). Polar bears, sun bears and sloth bears are Vulnerable. Giant pandas recovered to Vulnerable from Endangered.

## What is bear bile farming?
Keeping bears in cages and extracting bile from the gallbladder for use in traditional medicine. Bile contains ursodeoxycholic acid, but synthetic alternatives exist. Farming is legal only in China; Vietnam banned extraction in 2005.

## Where do bears live?
Bears inhabit North America, South America, Europe and Asia — from Arctic ice (polar bear) to Andean cloud forest (spectacled bear) to Southeast Asian rainforest (sun bear).

## What do bears eat?
Bears eat Omnivorous — varies by species and season. Bears are eight living species in the family Ursidae across North America, South America, Europe and Asia; conservation status ranges from abundant (American black bear) to Vulnerable (polar bear, sun bear) to dependent on intensive protection (giant panda).

## Are bears dangerous?
Bears are not generally dangerous to people. Bears are eight living species in the family Ursidae across North America, South America, Europe and Asia; conservation status ranges from abundant (American black bear) to Vulnerable (polar bear, sun bear) to dependent on intensive protection (giant panda). Give wild individuals space and do not corner or handle them.

## How long do bears live?
A precise wild lifespan for bears is not firmly established in the sources cited on this guide. Bears are eight living species in the family Ursidae across North America, South America, Europe and Asia; conservation status ranges from abundant (American black bear) to Vulnerable (polar bear, sun bear) to dependent on intensive protection (giant panda). Where longevity figures appear in the literature they vary by region, sex and whether animals are wild or captive.

## How big is a bear?
Bears are eight living species in the family Ursidae across North America, South America, Europe and Asia; conservation status ranges from abundant (American black bear) to Vulnerable (polar bear, sun bear) to dependent on intensive protection (giant panda).


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

## One-line answer
Whales are cetacean mammals (~90 species) including baleen and toothed forms — from the blue whale to sperm whales and orcas; status ranges from recovering humpbacks to Critically Endangered vaquita and North Atlantic right whale.

## Introduction
Whales are fully aquatic mammals of the infraorder Cetacea, divided into baleen whales (Mysticeti) that filter krill and small fish, and toothed whales (Odontoceti) that include sperm whales, orcas and dolphins. Roughly 90 species range from the 30-metre blue whale — the largest animal ever known — to the 2.7-metre vaquita porpoise, Critically Endangered in the Gulf of California. Whales evolved from land mammals roughly 50 million years ago; they breathe air, nurse young with milk and many migrate thousands of kilometres seasonally. This page is the whale family hub — see WARN guides for humpback whale, blue whale, sperm whale and orca.

## Takeaway
Whales include baleen whales (blue, humpback, fin) and toothed whales (sperm, orca, beaked whales).

## Takeaway
The blue whale is the largest animal ever known — up to 30 metres and 200 tonnes.

## Takeaway
Commercial whaling devastated populations; many species are recovering under moratoria.

## Takeaway
Ship strikes, entanglement in fishing gear and ocean noise are major modern threats.

## Takeaway
WARN publishes species guides for humpback, blue, sperm whale and orca.

## Takeaway
All cetaceans are protected in varying degrees — many on CITES Appendix I.

## Baleen whales versus toothed whales
Cetaceans split into mysticetes — baleen whales with keratin filter plates — and odontocetes — toothed whales with echolocation. Baleen whales include blue, fin, humpback, minke and right whales. They gulp or skim plankton and small fish. Toothed whales include sperm whales diving beyond 2,000 metres, orcas hunting in pods, and beaked whales of the deep ocean.

Dolphins and porpoises are odontocetes — WARN's dolphin hub covers oceanic bottlenose and common dolphins separately from this whale overview. Size spans four orders of magnitude: blue whale hearts alone weigh 180 kg.

Understanding the split helps explain diet, diving behaviour and conservation — baleen whales face ship strikes in migration corridors; sperm whales accumulate pollutants in blubber.

## Migration, song and culture
Many baleen whales migrate between high-latitude feeding grounds and tropical breeding lagoons. Humpbacks travel up to 8,000 km annually and produce complex songs that evolve year to year. Sperm whale clans carry distinct click dialects passed culturally between generations.

Orcas form matrilineal pods with specialised hunting traditions — fish-eating residents versus mammal-hunting transients in the Pacific North-west. Such culture makes local population loss irreversible even when the species globally persists.

Whale watching generates billions in ecotourism revenue when conducted at respectful distances — a conservation incentive when migration routes are protected.


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

## Whaling history and modern threats
Twentieth-century industrial whaling killed an estimated three million whales, pushing blue whales from an estimated 350,000 to roughly 10,000–25,000 today. The 1986 International Whaling Commission moratorium halted commercial whaling for most species; humpbacks and fin whales have rebounded in many regions.

Modern threats include entanglement in ghost nets and active fishing gear, ship strikes in busy shipping lanes, ocean noise masking communication, plastic ingestion and climate change shifting prey distribution. The North Atlantic right whale numbers fewer than 350; the vaquita may be functionally extinct with fewer than ten individuals.

Japan, Norway and Iceland conduct limited commercial or research whaling under IWC objections or reservations — a continuing conservation controversy.

## Whales and people
Whales feature in creation stories from the Pacific North-west to Iceland. Today they are flagship species for marine protected areas and shipping speed limits. Reducing single-use plastic, supporting sustainable fisheries and advocating quieter oceans benefit whales and human food security alike.

Readers should explore WARN's humpback whale, blue whale, sperm whale and orca guides for species-level detail, population trends and regional conservation work.

## Related WARN whale and dolphin guides
This hub covers whales as a group. For species-level pages read WARN's humpback whale guide (recovering singer of the oceans), blue whale guide (largest animal ever), sperm whale guide (deep-diving giant of the Odontoceti) and orca guide (apex dolphin with pod cultures).

River dolphins — pink river dolphin and Indus river dolphin — have separate WARN pages distinct from oceanic dolphins. Together these guides map Cetacea for students, policymakers and wildlife enthusiasts.

## WARN work
WARN publishes free marine education for readers worldwide. Healthy oceans underpin fisheries and climate stability in our partner countries — its partner-network countries — all with coastal communities affected by marine ecosystem decline.

## Donation hook
If this guide helps you understand wildlife and the pressures it faces, a gift to WARN supports habitat protection and free public education in our partner countries.


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

## How many whale species are there?
Roughly 90 cetacean species including baleen whales, sperm whales, beaked whales, dolphins and porpoises. 'Whale' usually excludes dolphins in everyday speech but includes them scientifically in Cetacea.

## What is the biggest whale?
The blue whale — up to about 30 metres long and 200 tonnes, the largest animal known to have lived on Earth.

## Are whales endangered?
Many are. Blue, fin and humpback whales are recovering after whaling moratoria. North Atlantic right whale and vaquita are Critically Endangered. Status varies sharply by species.

## Is an orca a whale or a dolphin?
Orcas are toothed whales (Odontoceti) — the largest oceanic dolphins. WARN covers orcas in a dedicated guide linked from this whale hub.

## How long do whales live?
It varies enormously by species. The bowhead whale is the longest-lived mammal known, with age estimates around 200 years based on amino acid racemisation in the eye lens and on recovered 19th-century harpoon points.

## What do whales eat?
Whales eat ~3 h 42 m — Longest recorded cetacean breath-hold. Whales are cetacean mammals (~90 species) including baleen and toothed forms — from the blue whale to sperm whales and orcas; status ranges from recovering humpbacks to Critically Endangered vaquita and North Atlantic right whale.

## Where do whales live?
Whales live in All oceans from Arctic to Antarctic. Whales are cetacean mammals (~90 species) including baleen and toothed forms — from the blue whale to sperm whales and orcas; status ranges from recovering humpbacks to Critically Endangered vaquita and North Atlantic right whale.

## Are whales dangerous?
Whales are not generally dangerous to people. Whales are cetacean mammals (~90 species) including baleen and toothed forms — from the blue whale to sperm whales and orcas; status ranges from recovering humpbacks to Critically Endangered vaquita and North Atlantic right whale. Give wild individuals space and do not corner or handle them.

## How big is a whale?
A Whale is about 30 m (Maximum length of the blue whale). Whales are cetacean mammals (~90 species) including baleen and toothed forms — from the blue whale to sperm whales and orcas; status ranges from recovering humpbacks to Critically Endangered vaquita and North Atlantic right whale. Conservation status: Entanglement, ship strikes, noise, whaling.


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

## One-line answer
The grey wolf (Canis lupus) is a Least Concern pack-hunting canid of the Northern Hemisphere and wild ancestor of dogs — regionally extirpated in much of Europe and North America but recovering where reintroduced.

## Introduction
The wolf (Canis lupus) is the largest wild member of the dog family, native to North America, Europe and Asia. Wolves live in cooperative packs led by a breeding pair, hunting deer, elk, moose and smaller prey. They are the wild ancestor of domestic dogs. Globally the IUCN lists grey wolves as Least Concern, but regional populations were exterminated across much of western Europe and the lower 48 United States before reintroductions — notably Yellowstone — began recovery. WARN also publishes guides for the grey wolf and maned wolf as distinct pages. This hub covers wolves as a species complex.

## Takeaway
Grey wolves are the wild ancestor of all domestic dogs.

## Takeaway
Packs are family groups — usually a breeding pair and offspring.

## Takeaway
Wolves were eradicated from much of western Europe and the US before partial recovery.

## Takeaway
Yellowstone wolf reintroduction restored ecosystem balance via trophic cascade.

## Takeaway
WARN guides cover grey wolf and maned wolf separately.

## Takeaway
Conflict with livestock drives ongoing persecution despite legal protection in many countries.

## What is a wolf — and how is it different from a dog?
Grey wolves (Canis lupus) are wild canids — larger, longer-legged and narrower-chested than most dogs, with straight tails and upright ears. Genetic studies show dogs diverged from wolves roughly 20,000 to 40,000 years ago through domestication. Wolves retain fear of humans and vast territory requirements — hundreds of square kilometres per pack in some regions.

Subspecies and local names abound: timber wolf, tundra wolf, Arabian wolf, Mexican wolf. The maned wolf of South America is a separate species (Chrysocyon brachyurus) covered in WARN's dedicated maned wolf guide — not a true wolf despite the name.

Distinguishing wolf from coyote, jackal or large dog requires expert assessment — misidentification drives unnecessary killing.

## Pack life and hunting
Wolf packs are typically extended families: a dominant breeding pair and their offspring from several years. Packs hunt cooperatively, testing weak elk or deer through endurance chases. Single wolves can kill moose or bison in deep snow. Howling maintains contact across territory and may reduce conflict between neighbouring packs.

Pups are born in dens in spring; the pack feeds lactating mothers and later regurgitates meat for pups. Dispersing young adults seek new territory and mates — critical for genetic exchange between populations.

Where wolves were removed, deer and elk overbrowsing damaged riparian vegetation until reintroduction restored balance — the classic Yellowstone trophic cascade.

## Persecution, recovery and conflict
Centuries of bounties, poisoning and habitat loss eliminated wolves from Britain, Japan and most of western Europe and the contiguous United States. Legal protection under the US Endangered Species Act and EU Habitats Directive enabled recovery in parts of Spain, Italy, Scandinavia and the Rocky Mountains.

Livestock depredation remains the main conflict. Non-lethal tools — fladry, guard dogs, range riders, compensation schemes — reduce losses more sustainably than indiscriminate culling. Illegal poisoning still kills wolves and scavenging raptors.

Hunting seasons resume in some US states when populations exceed targets — a politically charged management debate.


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

## Wolves and people
Wolves loom large in folklore — from Little Red Riding Hood to the she-wolf of Rome. Today they divide opinion between rewilding advocates and ranchers. Science supports coexistence where governance is fair and non-lethal tools are funded.

Read WARN's grey wolf guide for North American detail and maned wolf guide for South America's fox-like canid. This hub orients searchers who query 'wolf' before choosing a specific page.

## Related WARN canid guides
This page is the wolf hub. WARN's grey wolf guide covers Canis lupus in North America and Eurasia in detail. The maned wolf guide covers South America's long-legged savanna specialist — unrelated to true wolves despite the common name.

Fox, jackal and domestic dog guides address other canids. Together they map the dog family for readers researching wild relatives of household pets.

## WARN work
WARN does not run wolf field programmes but publishes free education on apex predators and ecosystem health — principles that apply to habitat work in Brazil, Colombia and beyond.

## Donation hook
If this guide helps you understand wildlife and the pressures it faces, a gift to WARN supports habitat protection and free public education in our partner countries.


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

## Are wolves endangered?
Globally Least Concern with roughly 300,000 wolves. Regional populations were extirpated and remain Endangered — Mexican wolf, red wolf — or recovering under protection.

## What is the difference between a wolf and a dog?
Wolves are wild Canis lupus — dogs are domestic descendants. Wolves fear humans, need vast territories and cannot be tamed like dogs.

## Do wolves attack people?
Wild wolf attacks on humans are extremely rare. Healthy wolves avoid people. Most incidents involve rabid animals or habituated wolves fed by humans.

## What is a wolf pack?
Usually a family — breeding pair and offspring — not a hierarchy of alphas fighting for dominance. Cooperation defines pack hunting and pup-rearing.

## Is the maned wolf a real wolf?
No. The maned wolf is a separate South American canid. See WARN's maned wolf guide.

## What do wolfs eat?
Wolfs eat Large ungulates, beavers, smaller prey. The grey wolf (Canis lupus) is a Least Concern pack-hunting canid of the Northern Hemisphere and wild ancestor of dogs — regionally extirpated in much of Europe and North America but recovering where reintroduced.

## Where do wolfs live?
Wolfs live in North America, Europe, Asia. The grey wolf (Canis lupus) is a Least Concern pack-hunting canid of the Northern Hemisphere and wild ancestor of dogs — regionally extirpated in much of Europe and North America but recovering where reintroduced.

## How long do wolfs live?
A precise wild lifespan for wolfs is not firmly established in the sources cited on this guide. The grey wolf (Canis lupus) is a Least Concern pack-hunting canid of the Northern Hemisphere and wild ancestor of dogs — regionally extirpated in much of Europe and North America but recovering where reintroduced. Where longevity figures appear in the literature they vary by region, sex and whether animals are wild or captive.

## How big is a wolf?
A Wolf is about 40–175 kg (Weight range across subspecies). The grey wolf (Canis lupus) is a Least Concern pack-hunting canid of the Northern Hemisphere and wild ancestor of dogs — regionally extirpated in much of Europe and North America but recovering where reintroduced.


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

## One-line answer
Turtles (order Testudines) are ~360 species of shelled reptiles — sea turtles, freshwater terrapins and land tortoises — many Vulnerable to Critically Endangered from trade, bycatch and habitat loss.

## Introduction
Turtles are reptiles of the order Testudines, protected by a bony shell fused to the spine and ribs. Roughly 360 species include sea turtles, freshwater terrapins and land tortoises. They appeared over 200 million years ago and survive on every continent except Antarctica. Many species live decades or centuries. Today turtles are among the most threatened vertebrate groups — hunted for meat and shells, killed as bycatch, and losing nesting beaches to development and climate change. WARN's sea turtle guide covers marine species in detail; this hub introduces turtles as a whole.

## Takeaway
Turtles include sea turtles, freshwater terrapins and land tortoises — one order, Testudines.

## Takeaway
The shell is part of the skeleton — not a removable coat.

## Takeaway
Sea turtles migrate thousands of kilometres between feeding and nesting beaches.

## Takeaway
WARN's sea turtle guide covers marine species; this hub covers all turtles.

## Takeaway
Plastic pollution, bycatch and egg poaching threaten sea turtles globally.

## Takeaway
Galápagos giant tortoises can live over 150 years.

## Sea turtles, terrapins and tortoises
All turtles share a shelled body plan but occupy different worlds. Sea turtles — green, loggerhead, leatherback, hawksbill and others — have flipper-like limbs and salt glands. Freshwater terrapins and river turtles inhabit ponds, rivers and wetlands on every continent except Antarctica. Tortoises are land specialists with domed shells and columnar legs — Galápagos giants among the longest-lived vertebrates.

Temperature during egg incubation determines sex in many species — a climate change concern as beaches warm and produce female-biased broods. Nesting females return to the same beaches where they hatched, making beach protection critical.

WARN publishes a dedicated sea turtle wildlife guide; this page orients readers searching 'turtle' before they choose marine or freshwater detail.

## Life history and migration
Sea turtle hatchlings scramble to the sea at night, guided by light horizons — artificial lighting on developed coasts disorients them. Decades later, mature females haul onto beaches to lay eggs in excavated nests. Leatherbacks dive deeper than 1,000 metres; green turtles graze seagrass meadows that store carbon.

Freshwater turtles bask on logs, omnivorously scavenging and controlling aquatic vegetation. Many hibernate in mud through winter. Tortoises graze arid land vegetation, storing water in bladders during drought.

Slow maturity — 20 to 30 years in some sea turtles — means populations recover slowly from mortality spikes.

## Threats and conservation
Roughly half of turtle species are threatened on the IUCN Red List. Sea turtles face bycatch in shrimp trawls and longlines, plastic ingestion mistaking bags for jellyfish, egg poaching on nesting beaches and fibropapillomatosis disease linked to pollution. Freshwater turtles are eaten and traded as pets; tortoises are collected for illegal wildlife markets — radiated tortoise of Madagascar is Critically Endangered.

Marine protected areas, turtle excluder devices on nets, dark-beach lighting ordinances and community nest protection programmes show measurable recovery — green turtle populations increased in some regions after decades of work.

CITES Appendix I covers most sea turtles and many freshwater species.


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

## Turtles and people
Turtles appear in mythology worldwide — carrying the world on their backs, symbolising longevity. Today they need dark nesting beaches, clean oceans and enforced trade bans. Supporting WARN's sea turtle appeal funds nest protection and bycatch reduction where partners operate.

Never buy tortoiseshell products — hawksbill shell trade remains illegal and drives poaching.

## Related WARN turtle guides
This hub introduces all turtles. WARN's sea turtle guide covers green, loggerhead, leatherback, hawksbill and olive ridley species in marine detail — migration, nesting, bycatch and nest protection.

Komodo dragon and snake guides address other reptile groups. For freshwater European species, regional herpetology resources complement this global overview.

## WARN work
WARN funds sea turtle nest protection and bycatch reduction through partner programmes. This turtle hub is free education explaining why shelled reptiles need clean oceans, dark beaches and enforced trade bans.

## Donation hook
If this guide helps you understand wildlife and the pressures it faces, a gift to WARN supports habitat protection and free public education in our partner countries.


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

## How many turtle species are there?
Roughly 360 species in order Testudines — sea turtles, freshwater terrapins and land tortoises combined.

## What is the difference between a turtle and a tortoise?
Tortoises live on land with domed shells and stumpy feet. 'Turtle' often means sea or freshwater species in everyday speech. Scientifically all are testudines.

## Are sea turtles endangered?
Most sea turtle species are Endangered or Vulnerable. Leatherbacks and hawksbills face severe pressure from bycatch and trade. Green turtles recover where beaches are protected.

## How long do turtles live?
Many tortoises live 80–150 years. Sea turtles may live 50–80 years. Slow maturity delays population recovery.

## Why do sea turtles eat plastic?
Floating plastic bags resemble jellyfish — a common prey item. Ingestion causes blockages, starvation and death.

## What do turtles eat?
Turtles eat Half — Rough share of turtle species threatened (IUCN). Turtles (order Testudines) are ~360 species of shelled reptiles — sea turtles, freshwater terrapins and land tortoises — many Vulnerable to Critically Endangered from trade, bycatch and habitat loss.

## Where do turtles live?
Turtles live in Worldwide — oceans, rivers, lakes and land on every continent except Antarctica. Turtles (order Testudines) are ~360 species of shelled reptiles — sea turtles, freshwater terrapins and land tortoises — many Vulnerable to Critically Endangered from trade, bycatch and habitat loss.

## Are turtles dangerous?
Today turtles are among the most threatened vertebrate groups — hunted for meat and shells, killed as bycatch, and losing nesting beaches to development and climate change. Give wild turtles space; do not corner or handle them.

## How big is a turtle?
Turtles (order Testudines) are ~360 species of shelled reptiles — sea turtles, freshwater terrapins and land tortoises — many Vulnerable to Critically Endangered from trade, bycatch and habitat loss.


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

## One-line answer
Otters are 13 species of aquatic mustelids worldwide — from the Endangered giant otter of South America to the recovering sea otter of the Pacific; status ranges from Least Concern to Endangered.

## Introduction
Otters are semi-aquatic carnivorans of the weasel family (Mustelidae), subfamily Lutrinae. Thirteen species range from the giant otter of Amazonian rivers — the longest mustelid at up to 1.8 metres — to the sea otter of North Pacific kelp forests, a keystone predator that uses tools to crack shellfish. Otters have dense waterproof fur, webbed feet and sensitive whiskers for detecting prey underwater. Conservation status varies sharply: North American river otters are Least Concern after recovery, while the giant otter is Endangered and the hairy-nosed otter of South-east Asia is Endangered. This page is the otter family hub — see WARN guides for giant otter and sea otter.

## Takeaway
Otters belong to the weasel family — not seals or beavers despite shared aquatic habits.

## Takeaway
Sea otters are keystone predators in kelp forests — their loss allows sea urchin overgrazing.

## Takeaway
The giant otter is the longest mustelid and Endangered across Amazonian river systems.

## Takeaway
Pollution, fishing nets and habitat loss threaten river otters globally.

## Takeaway
WARN publishes guides for giant otter and sea otter.

## Takeaway
Otter fur trade historically devastated populations; legal protection enabled partial recovery.

## River otters, sea otters and giant otters
Otters divide into freshwater and marine specialists. River otters — Eurasian, North American, smooth-coated and spotted-necked otters — hunt fish, crayfish and amphibians in lakes, rivers and wetlands. They are playful, social in some species and occupy territories marked with spraint (scented droppings) on prominent rocks.

Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) live almost entirely at sea in North Pacific kelp forests, wrapping in kelp to sleep and using stones as anvils to break open sea urchins, clams and abalone. They lack the insulating blubber of seals, relying instead on the densest fur of any mammal — up to one million hairs per square inch.

The giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) of Amazonian and Pantanal rivers is a separate lineage — up to 1.8 metres long, living in family groups that hunt cooperatively. It is Endangered from gold mining pollution, overfishing and habitat loss. WARN's giant otter and sea otter guides cover these flagship species in detail.

## Adaptations for aquatic life
Otter bodies are streamlined for swimming: short limbs, webbed feet, muscular tails and nostrils and ears that close underwater. Whiskers detect prey movement in murky water. River otters can hold breath for several minutes; sea otters dive for food but surface frequently because their fur traps air for insulation.

Pup rearing differs by species. Sea otter mothers float with pups on their chests, grooming constantly to maintain buoyancy and warmth. Giant otter families share pup care within the group. River otter pups are born in holts — burrows or cavities — along riverbanks.

These adaptations make otters sensitive barometers of water quality. Pesticide runoff, mercury from gold mining and entanglement in fishing gear kill otters directly and remove prey.


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

## Threats and conservation
Historically, otter fur drove commercial hunting that eliminated sea otters from much of their range and reduced river otter populations across Europe and North America. Legal protection and reintroduction programmes recovered North American river otters and parts of the sea otter population, though the southern sea otter remains below historical numbers.

Today, giant otters face mercury from artisanal gold mining in the Amazon, conflict with fishermen and habitat fragmentation. Asian otters — smooth-coated, hairy-nosed and small-clawed — are trapped for the illegal pet trade and fur. Entanglement in fishing nets kills otters on every continent.

Wetland protection, clean-water regulation and anti-poaching patrols in protected areas are the most effective measures. Brazil and Colombia — WARN partner countries — hold giant otter populations needing intact river systems.

## Otters and people
Otters appear in folklore from Native American trickster tales to Japanese river spirits. Today they are popular in media — but wild otters are not pets. Social-media demand for Asian small-clawed otters as exotic pets drives illegal trapping with high mortality in transit.

Responsible engagement means supporting clean rivers, avoiding otter cafés and pet purchases, and learning about species-level conservation needs. Ecotourism that respects distance can fund habitat protection where giant otters persist in Brazil's Pantanal.

## Related WARN otter guides
This hub covers otters as a group. WARN's giant otter guide covers Pteronura brasiliensis — the Endangered river specialist of the Amazon and Pantanal — in detail including cooperative hunting, family structure and gold-mining threats.

WARN's sea otter guide covers Enhydra lutris — the kelp-forest keystone of the North Pacific — including tool use, fur density and urchin-barren ecology. Together these pages map Lutrinae for students, policymakers and wildlife enthusiasts searching 'otter' before choosing a specific species.

## WARN work
WARN publishes free education on aquatic mammals and habitat health. Giant otters share Amazonian rivers with partners in Brazil and Colombia — where clean water and anti-poaching work benefit entire freshwater ecosystems.

## Donation hook
If this guide helps you understand wildlife and the pressures it faces, a gift to WARN supports habitat protection and free public education in our partner countries.


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

## How many otter species are there?
Thirteen recognised species in subfamily Lutrinae, found on every continent except Australia and Antarctica.

## What is the biggest otter?
The giant otter of South America — up to about 1.8 metres long, Endangered across much of its Amazonian and Pantanal range.

## Are sea otters endangered?
Sea otters are Endangered in parts of their range. The southern sea otter population remains below historical levels despite protection; northern populations have recovered more strongly.

## Why do sea otters hold hands?
Sea otters sometimes raft together in kelp, occasionally holding paws so they do not drift apart while sleeping — a behaviour popularised in media but genuinely observed in wild groups.

## What do otters eat?
Otters eat Fish, crustaceans, molluscs. Otters are 13 species of aquatic mustelids worldwide — from the Endangered giant otter of South America to the recovering sea otter of the Pacific; status ranges from Least Concern to Endangered.

## Where do otters live?
Otters live in Every continent except Australia and Antarctica. Otters are 13 species of aquatic mustelids worldwide — from the Endangered giant otter of South America to the recovering sea otter of the Pacific; status ranges from Least Concern to Endangered.

## Are otters dangerous?
Otters are not generally dangerous to people. Otters are 13 species of aquatic mustelids worldwide — from the Endangered giant otter of South America to the recovering sea otter of the Pacific; status ranges from Least Concern to Endangered. Give wild individuals space and do not corner or handle them.

## How long do otters live?
A precise wild lifespan for otters is not firmly established in the sources cited on this guide. Otters are 13 species of aquatic mustelids worldwide — from the Endangered giant otter of South America to the recovering sea otter of the Pacific; status ranges from Least Concern to Endangered. Where longevity figures appear in the literature they vary by region, sex and whether animals are wild or captive.

## How big is an otter?
Otters range from the Asian small-clawed otter at about 60 cm and 3 kg - the smallest otter - to the giant otter at up to 1.8 m, and the sea otter, the heaviest, at up to 45 kg.


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

## One-line answer
Leopards are spotted Panthera cats of Africa and Asia — Vulnerable (Panthera pardus) — plus clouded leopards and snow leopards as distinct species covered in separate WARN guides.

## Introduction
Leopards are large spotted cats of the genus Panthera, found across Africa and much of Asia. The African and Indian leopard (Panthera pardus) is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, declining from habitat loss, prey depletion and conflict with livestock owners. Clouded leopards and snow leopards belong to separate lineages but share the leopard name in common English. Leopards are extraordinarily adaptable — surviving in rainforest, desert margins and suburban edges where prey persists. They are powerful climbers, often storing kills in trees beyond the reach of lions and hyenas. This page is the leopard family hub — see WARN guides for clouded leopard and snow leopard.

## Takeaway
The African and Indian leopard (Panthera pardus) is Vulnerable and declining.

## Takeaway
Clouded leopards and snow leopards are separate species — not subspecies of Panthera pardus.

## Takeaway
Leopards are the most widespread big cat — found from Senegal to Sri Lanka.

## Takeaway
They are exceptional climbers, often caching kills in trees.

## Takeaway
WARN guides cover clouded leopard and snow leopard in detail.

## Takeaway
Skin trade, prey loss and retaliatory killing are major threats.

## Panthera pardus and the leopard complex
The leopard most people picture — golden coat with black rosettes — is Panthera pardus, ranging across sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, India, South-east Asia and historically into parts of Europe. Nine subspecies are recognised, though taxonomy shifts with genetic studies. Melanistic 'black panthers' are leopards (in Africa and Asia) or jaguars (in the Americas) with increased dark pigment — not a separate species.

Clouded leopards (genus Neofelis) occupy South-east Asian rainforest with cloud-like spot patterns and the longest canine teeth relative to body size among cats. The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) inhabits Central Asian mountains — thick fur, long tail for balance and Endangered/Vulnerable status depending on assessment. WARN treats clouded leopard and snow leopard as dedicated species guides linked from this hub.

Understanding the split prevents confusion: 'leopard' in everyday speech may mean Panthera pardus, clouded leopard, snow leopard or even the colloquial 'panther' for melanistic individuals.

## Ecology and behaviour
Leopards are solitary, territorial carnivores hunting deer, antelope, wild pig, baboons and smaller prey. Night vision, stealth and explosive acceleration make them effective ambush hunters. In trees they rest safely and hoist kills — a 50 kg impala carried up a trunk demonstrates extraordinary strength.

Home ranges vary from 30 km² for females in prey-rich forest to over 400 km² for males in arid landscapes. Scent marking and scrape piles communicate occupancy. Females raise cubs alone in dense cover for roughly 18 months.

Where lions and tigers exist, leopards shift toward nocturnal activity and tree use — niche partitioning that lets multiple big cats coexist. In India and Pakistan — WARN partner regions — leopards enter human-dominated landscapes when natural prey declines, raising conflict.


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

## Threats and trade
Leopard populations are declining across much of range. Habitat fragmentation removes cover and prey. Snares set for bushmeat kill leopards incidentally. Retaliatory shooting and poisoning follow livestock losses — especially where governance is weak.

Illegal trade in leopard skins persists for ceremonial dress, decoration and traditional medicine in some regions. CITES Appendix I prohibits commercial international trade in all leopard species. Enforcement varies; a single skin can fetch thousands on black markets.

Clouded leopards face additional pressure from deforestation for palm oil and logging across Malaysia and Indonesia — WARN partner countries. Snow leopards lose prey to overgrazing and are killed in retaliation for livestock predation across Central Asia.

## Leopards and people
Leopards have lived alongside humans for millennia — feared, revered and depicted in art from ancient Egypt to Mughal miniatures. Today coexistence requires livestock protection (predator-proof pens, guard dogs), fair compensation schemes and protected corridors linking forest fragments.

Melanistic leopards — 'black panthers' — capture public imagination but face the same threats as spotted individuals. Ecotourism that values living leopards supports anti-poaching in reserves from Sri Lanka to South Africa.

Readers searching 'leopard' should explore WARN's clouded leopard and snow leopard guides for species-level detail on South-east Asian forest cats and Himalayan specialists.

## Related WARN leopard guides
This hub covers leopards as a group. WARN's clouded leopard guide covers Neofelis species of South-east Asian rainforest — Vulnerable to Endangered, threatened by deforestation in Malaysia and Indonesia.

WARN's snow leopard guide covers Panthera uncia of Central Asian mountains — Vulnerable, threatened by prey loss, climate change and retaliatory killing. The panther hub links cougar and jaguar — American cats sometimes called panthers in colloquial English.

Together these pages map spotted and mountain cats for students, searchers and conservation advocates.

## WARN work
WARN publishes free education on big cats and habitat protection. Clouded leopards share threatened forest with partners in Malaysia and Indonesia; leopard conflict reduction principles apply wherever wild cats overlap human communities.

## Donation hook
If this guide helps you understand wildlife and the pressures it faces, a gift to WARN supports habitat protection and free public education in our partner countries.


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

## Are leopards endangered?
Panthera pardus is Vulnerable globally with declining populations. Clouded leopards are Vulnerable to Endangered; snow leopards are Vulnerable. Status varies by region and species.

## What is a black panther?
A melanistic leopard in Africa and Asia, or a melanistic jaguar in the Americas. Increased dark pigment produces a black coat; rosettes may still be visible in certain light.

## How is a clouded leopard different from a leopard?
Clouded leopards belong to genus Neofelis — separate from Panthera pardus. They inhabit South-east Asian forest with cloud-like spots and exceptionally long canines.

## Where do snow leopards live?
Central Asian mountains from the Himalayas to the Altai — high-altitude specialists covered in WARN's snow leopard guide.

## Why do leopards climb trees?
For safety from lions and hyenas, to rest and to cache kills beyond scavengers' reach. Leopards are among the strongest tree-climbing big cats.

## Are leopards dangerous?
Leopards are domesticated animals and are not dangerous to people in the wild-predator sense. Leopards are spotted Panthera cats of Africa and Asia — Vulnerable (Panthera pardus) — plus clouded leopards and snow leopards as distinct species covered in separate WARN guides. Usual risks are husbandry and handling, not unprovoked attacks.

## How long do leopards live?
A precise wild lifespan for leopards is not firmly established in the sources cited on this guide. Leopards are spotted Panthera cats of Africa and Asia — Vulnerable (Panthera pardus) — plus clouded leopards and snow leopards as distinct species covered in separate WARN guides. Where longevity figures appear in the literature they vary by region, sex and whether animals are wild or captive.

## How big is a leopard?
A Leopard is about CITES I (All leopard species — commercial trade banned). Leopards are spotted Panthera cats of Africa and Asia — Vulnerable (Panthera pardus) — plus clouded leopards and snow leopards as distinct species covered in separate WARN guides. Conservation status: Habitat loss, prey depletion, skin trade.

## What do leopards eat?
Leopards are solitary, territorial carnivores hunting deer, antelope, wild pig, baboons and smaller prey. Leopards are spotted Panthera cats of Africa and Asia — Vulnerable (Panthera pardus) — plus clouded leopards and snow leopards as distinct species covered in separate WARN guides.


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

## One-line answer
Crocodilians are ~26 species of large aquatic reptiles — crocodiles, alligators, caimans and gharials — with status from Least Concern to Critically Endangered; WARN covers saltwater crocodile and alligator in detail.

## Introduction
Crocodilians are large aquatic reptiles of the order Crocodilia, including true crocodiles, alligators, caimans and gharials. They appeared over 80 million years ago and survive today as apex predators in tropical and subtropical wetlands. Roughly 26 species range from the 7-metre saltwater crocodile — the largest living reptile — to the Critically Endangered Cuban crocodile with fewer than 4,000 individuals. Crocodilians regulate body temperature by basking and cooling in water; mothers guard nests and carry hatchlings to water in some species. This page is the crocodile family hub — see WARN guides for saltwater crocodile and alligator.

## Takeaway
Crocodilians include crocodiles, alligators, caimans and gharials — one order, Crocodilia.

## Takeaway
Alligators have broad U-shaped snouts; crocodiles have narrower V-shaped snouts.

## Takeaway
Saltwater crocodiles are the largest living reptiles — up to 7 metres.

## Takeaway
Habitat loss and hunting devastated populations before legal protection.

## Takeaway
WARN guides cover saltwater crocodile and alligator.

## Takeaway
Crocodilians are keystone wetland species — their loss disrupts entire ecosystems.

## Crocodiles, alligators and their relatives
True crocodiles (family Crocodylidae) include the saltwater crocodile of Australasia, Nile crocodile of Africa and American crocodile of the Neotropics. Alligators and caimans (family Alligatoridae) have broader snouts and slightly different jaw anatomy — the American alligator of the south-eastern United States and the Chinese alligator (Critically Endangered) are best known. Caimans inhabit Central and South America; the black caiman rivals saltwater crocodiles in size.

Gharials (Gavialis gangeticus) — fish-eating specialists with long thin snouts — are Critically Endangered in Indian and Nepalese rivers. Pakistan's Indus river system historically held gharials; WARN's gharial guide covers that species separately.

Distinguishing crocodile from alligator: when jaws close, a crocodile's fourth lower tooth remains visible outside the upper jaw; alligator snouts are wider and more U-shaped. This hub orients searchers before they choose WARN's saltwater crocodile or alligator guides.

## Ecology and parental care
Crocodilians are ectothermic — basking to warm, retreating to water to cool. They are ambush predators, exploding from water to seize prey at the edge. Diet shifts with size: hatchlings eat insects and fish; adults take mammals, birds and other reptiles.

Nest guarding is sophisticated for reptiles. Females build mound or hole nests, guard eggs against predators and in some species assist hatchlings to water. Temperature during incubation determines sex in many species — a climate change concern.

As apex predators, crocodilians regulate prey populations and create habitat heterogeneity through wallowing and nest mound construction. Wetland drainage, pollution and entanglement in fishing gear threaten populations even where hunting is controlled.


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

## Conservation and recovery
Commercial hunting for skins devastated crocodilian populations through the twentieth century. Legal protection, ranching programmes and CITES regulation enabled recovery for American alligators, Nile crocodiles in some regions and saltwater crocodiles in Australia.

Critically Endangered species persist on life support: Cuban crocodile, Philippine crocodile, Chinese alligator and gharial number in the low thousands. Habitat loss — dam construction, rice farming, mangrove clearance — removes nesting beaches and basking sites.

Human-crocodile conflict occurs where people fish and collect water at river edges. Non-lethal management — warning signage, exclusion fencing, community education — reduces retaliatory killing while respecting crocodilians' ecological role.

## Crocodilians and people
Crocodilians appear in mythology from ancient Egypt to Aboriginal Australia — symbols of power and creation. Today sustainable ranching supplies legal leather for luxury markets while funding habitat protection in some countries.

Illegal trade in live animals and skins persists. Tourist attractions that mishandle crocodiles for photos create welfare problems and dangerous habituation.

Readers should explore WARN's saltwater crocodile guide for Indo-Pacific estuary detail and alligator guide for American wetland ecology.

## Related WARN crocodilian guides
This hub covers crocodilians as a group. WARN's saltwater crocodile guide covers Crocodylus porosus — the largest living reptile, ranging from northern Australia through South-east Asia to the Indian subcontinent.

WARN's alligator guide covers Alligator mississippiensis — recovered American wetland predator — and notes the Critically Endangered Chinese alligator. Gharial has a separate WARN page for Indian subcontinent river systems.

Together these guides map Crocodilia for students, searchers and conservation advocates.

## WARN work
WARN publishes free education on wetland apex predators. Gharials and mugger crocodiles share river systems with partners in Pakistan and India — where habitat protection benefits entire freshwater communities.

## Donation hook
If this guide helps you understand wildlife and the pressures it faces, a gift to WARN supports habitat protection and free public education in our partner countries.


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

## How many crocodilian species are there?
Roughly 26 living species — crocodiles, alligators, caimans and gharials combined in order Crocodilia.

## What is the difference between a crocodile and an alligator?
Alligators have broader U-shaped snouts; crocodiles have narrower V-shaped snouts. When jaws close, a crocodile's lower fourth tooth remains visible.

## What is the largest crocodile?
The saltwater crocodile — verified specimens exceed 6 metres; unverified reports approach 7 metres. It is the largest living reptile.

## Are alligators endangered?
The American alligator recovered to Least Concern after protection. The Chinese alligator is Critically Endangered with fewer than 150 wild individuals.

## What do crocodiles eat?
Crocodilians are apex predators that eat fish, mammals, birds and other reptiles according to species and size. The saltwater crocodile — the largest living reptile at up to about 7 m — takes large prey including ungulates. Roughly 26 crocodilian species across crocodiles, alligators, caimans and gharials regulate wetland food webs.

## Where do crocodiles live?
Crocodilians inhabit tropical and subtropical wetlands worldwide. Roughly 26 species range from the 7-metre saltwater crocodile to the Critically Endangered Cuban crocodile with fewer than 4,000 individuals. They regulate body temperature by basking and cooling in water across rivers, estuaries and coastal mangroves.

## Are crocodiles dangerous?
Large crocodilians can be dangerous to people. The saltwater crocodile — verified specimens exceed 6 metres — is a powerful apex predator. Mothers guard nests and carry hatchlings to water in some species. Habitat loss, hunting and conflict remain main threats across the order Crocodilia despite legal protection for many species.

## How big is a crocodile?
Size varies across roughly 26 crocodilian species. The saltwater crocodile is the largest living reptile, with verified specimens exceeding 6 metres and unverified reports approaching 7 metres. At the other extreme, the Critically Endangered Cuban crocodile numbers fewer than 4,000 individuals.

## How long do crocodiles live?
A precise wild lifespan for crocodiles is not firmly established in the sources cited on this guide. Crocodilians are ~26 species of large aquatic reptiles — crocodiles, alligators, caimans and gharials — with status from Least Concern to Critically Endangered; WARN covers saltwater crocodile and alligator in detail. Where longevity figures appear in the literature they vary by region, sex and whether animals are wild or captive.