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

## One-line answer
Cobras are hooded venomous elapid snakes of Africa and Asia — including true cobras (Naja) and the king cobra — neurotoxic predators vital for rodent control but threatened by persecution and habitat loss.

## Introduction
Cobras are venomous snakes famous for spreading neck ribs into a hood when threatened. True cobras belong to genus Naja across Africa and Asia; the king cobra Ophiophagus hannah — the world's longest venomous snake — sits in its own genus. Cobra venom is predominantly neurotoxic, affecting breathing and requiring urgent antivenom in serious envenomings. Cobras control rodent populations but face persecution, snake charmers' trade and habitat loss across India, Pakistan, South-East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.

## Takeaway
The hood is a threat display — ribs and muscles spread loose neck skin.

## Takeaway
King cobras eat other snakes, including venomous species — not true Naja cobras.

## Takeaway
Spitting cobras can eject venom into eyes from metres away.

## Takeaway
Snakebite kills tens of thousands yearly in Asia and Africa — antivenom access saves lives.

## Takeaway
Snake charming often involves defanged or stressed animals — illegal and cruel in many countries.

## Takeaway
Pakistan and India host multiple cobra species — education reduces persecution.

## What makes a cobra a cobra?
Not every hooded snake is a cobra taxonomically. True cobras are elapids in genus Naja — Indian cobra, Egyptian cobra, Mozambique spitting cobra among roughly 30 species. The king cobra is the sole member of Ophiophagus and phylogenetically distinct despite the common name.

Hood spreading accompanies hissing and upright posture — defensive signals preferring escape over bite. Cobras hunt rodents, frogs, birds and other snakes, often at dusk.

Venom delivery through fixed front fangs injects neurotoxins blocking nerve signals. Spitting cobras add propulsion through specialised fang openings.

## King cobra and spitting cobras
The king cobra reaches 5.5 metres, builds nest mounds of leaf litter — rare parental care in snakes — and feeds almost exclusively on snakes. It inhabits forests from India through South-East Asia, listed Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Spitting cobras — Naja nigricollis, N. mossambica and others — aim venom at eyes, causing pain and blindness if untreated. Flushing with water, not milk, is recommended first aid before hospital care.

Indian cobra Naja naja features in mythology and snakebite statistics across the subcontinent, including Pakistan — a WARN partner country where antivenom access and habitat coexistence matter.

## Snakebite, trade and conservation
WHO classifies snakebite envenoming as a neglected tropical disease. Cobras contribute significantly to mortality in South Asia and Africa. Effective response combines community education, rapid transport, appropriate antivenom and hospital protocols — not killing all snakes indiscriminately.

Snake charming, venom extraction without release and export for novelty displays persist despite bans. King cobras enter illegal pet and skin trade under CITES Appendix II.

Habitat conversion removes rodent controllers farmers need. Integrated pest management preserving snake populations benefits agriculture.


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

## Cobras and people
Cobras appear in Hindu iconography, Egyptian regalia and medical symbols — the Rod of Asclepius may derive from snake-healer traditions. Modern coexistence means secure grain storage reducing rodent attraction, boots in fields and torch use at night.

Never attempt to handle wild cobras. Relocation by trained snake rescuers protects both people and snakes. Killing cobras increases rodent crop damage long-term.

WARN readers in Pakistan and India benefit from understanding cobra ecology — fear balanced with respect reduces both bite incidence and biodiversity loss.

## Related WARN guides
Cobras are elapid snakes — read WARN's python guide for constrictors, rattlesnake page for pit vipers, and snake hub for overview.

Komodo dragon and monitor lizard guides cover other reptile predators in overlapping regions.

Antivenom access and habitat protection reduce snakebite mortality without unnecessary killing.

## WARN work
WARN provides free wildlife education in Pakistan and across partner countries where cobras occur — promoting coexistence, antivenom awareness and habitat protection rather than indiscriminate killing.

## 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/cobra): Cobra — wildlife guide.

## Are all hooded snakes cobras?
Taxonomically, true cobras are genus Naja. The king cobra is a separate genus Ophiophagus. Some colubrids mimic hooding without being true cobras.

## How dangerous is a cobra bite?
Cobra venom is neurotoxic and potentially fatal without antivenom. Severity depends on species, venom yield and bite location. All cobra bites need hospital assessment.

## Can cobras spit venom?
Spitting cobras in Africa and Asia can eject venom into eyes from several metres. Immediate water flushing and medical care are essential.

## What is the largest cobra?
The king cobra is the longest venomous snake — up to 5.5 metres — and eats other snakes. It is Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

## Where do cobras live?
Africa, the Middle East, India, Pakistan, South-East Asia and southern China — diverse habitats from desert to rainforest.

## How long do cobras live?
A precise wild lifespan for cobras is not firmly established in the sources cited on this guide. Cobras are hooded venomous elapid snakes of Africa and Asia — including true cobras (Naja) and the king cobra — neurotoxic predators vital for rodent control but threatened by persecution and habitat loss. 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/rattlesnake): Rattlesnake — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
Rattlesnakes are American pit vipers (~36 species) with tail rattles and heat-sensing pits — venomous rodent controllers whose status varies from Least Concern to Endangered.

## Introduction
Rattlesnakes are pit vipers of genera Crotalus and Sistrurus, named for keratin rattle segments appended each time the snake sheds. Roughly 36 species inhabit deserts, grasslands and forests from Canada to Argentina. Heat-sensing pits between eye and nostril detect warm prey; haemotoxic and neurotoxic venom immobilises rodents. Rattlesnakes give birth to live young and are essential rodent controllers, yet face roadkill, roundups and habitat fragmentation across the Americas including Brazil and Colombia — WARN partner countries with diverse pit viper faunas.

## Takeaway
The rattle is a warning device — added segment each shed; silent rattlesnakes still bite.

## Takeaway
Pit organs detect infrared radiation from warm-blooded prey.

## Takeaway
Most US snakebite fatalities involve rattlesnakes, yet deaths remain rare with care.

## Takeaway
Rattlesnake roundups in some US states harvest wild snakes controversially.

## Takeaway
Brazil and Colombia host relatives in the wider pit viper radiation — not true Crotalus.

## Takeaway
Freeze-dried rattles and novelty products drive minor trade; habitat loss is the main threat.

## Pit vipers and the rattle
Rattlesnakes belong to Viperidae subfamily Crotalinae — pit vipers sharing heat-detecting loreal pits with copperheads and bushmasters. The rattle comprises interlocking keratin segments clicking when vibrated — an honest signal reducing surprise encounters.

Triangular heads house venom glands; vertical pupils aid nocturnal hunting. Colour patterns — diamonds, bands, blotches — camouflage against local substrate from desert sand to forest floor.

Juveniles born with pre-button shed into first rattle segment within days. Adults may retain multiple segments or break them in brush.

## Venom, bite and medical care
Rattlesnake venom mixes haemotoxins damaging tissue and blood clotting with neurotoxins in some species — Mojave rattlesnake famously. Bites cause pain, swelling and systemic effects requiring hospital monitoring.

First aid emphasises immobilisation, removal of tight jewellery and urgent medical care — not tourniquets, cutting or suction. Antivenom availability in US and Mexican hospitals keeps mortality low despite thousands of bites yearly.

Dry bites without envenomation occur — snakes meter venom for prey, not always wasting it on defensive strikes.

## Ecology and roundups
Rattlesnakes consume rodents, rabbits and ground birds, reducing hantavirus and crop damage vectors. They are prey for roadrunners, kingsnakes, hogs and raptors.

Spring denning aggregations in northern climates concentrate hundreds overwintering — vulnerable to development and deliberate destruction. Texas and Oklahoma roundups collect thousands annually for meat and entertainment, debated for sustainability and cruelty.

Several species are range-restricted: eastern massasauga Endangered in Canada; Santa Catalina rattlesnake Critically Endangered on one Mexican island.


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

## Rattlesnakes and people
Hikers prevent bites by watching foot placement, avoiding hand holds in crevices and giving space when rattling is heard. Boots and trekking poles reduce risk in snake country.

In Brazil and Colombia, pit vipers such as fer-de-lance cause more medical cases than any true rattlesnake — different genera, similar caution. WARN education promotes regional snake awareness without universal fear.

Never collect wild rattlesnakes as pets. Secure property reduces rodent attraction that draws snakes near homes.

## Related WARN guides
Rattlesnakes are pit vipers — read WARN's cobra guide for elapids, python page for constrictors, and snake hub for overview.

Gecko and monitor lizard pages cover other North American reptiles.

Coexistence beats roundup slaughter — rattlesnakes control rodent populations.

## WARN work
WARN educates readers in Brazil and Colombia — nations with diverse pit vipers — alongside US-focused rattlesnake searchers. Free guides promote coexistence and habitat stewardship across partner countries.

## 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/rattlesnake): Rattlesnake — wildlife guide.

## How many rattlesnake species are there?
About 36 species in genera Crotalus and Sistrurus, found only in the Americas from Canada to Argentina.

## Why do rattlesnakes rattle?
The tail rattle warns predators and people to stay back — an honest signal that reduces defensive bites when heeded.

## Are rattlesnake bites fatal?
Rarely with modern antivenom. Untreated bites can cause serious injury or death. All rattlesnake bites need emergency medical care.

## Do rattlesnakes lay eggs?
No. They are ovoviviparous — females bear live young, sometimes dozens in a litter, fully formed and venomous from birth.

## What do rattlesnakes eat?
Rattlesnakes eat Pit viper — Heat-sensing loreal pits. Rattlesnakes are American pit vipers (~36 species) with tail rattles and heat-sensing pits — venomous rodent controllers whose status varies from Least Concern to Endangered.

## Where do rattlesnakes live?
Rattlesnakes live in Americas — United States, Mexico, Central and South America. Rattlesnakes are American pit vipers (~36 species) with tail rattles and heat-sensing pits — venomous rodent controllers whose status varies from Least Concern to Endangered.

## Are rattlesnakes dangerous?
Heat-sensing pits between eye and nostril detect warm prey; haemotoxic and neurotoxic venom immobilises rodents. Give wild rattlesnakes space; do not corner or handle them.

## How long do rattlesnakes live?
A precise wild lifespan for rattlesnakes is not firmly established in the sources cited on this guide. Rattlesnakes are American pit vipers (~36 species) with tail rattles and heat-sensing pits — venomous rodent controllers whose status varies 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 a rattlesnake?
A Rattlesnake is about 2.4 m (Maximum length (eastern diamondback)). Rattlesnakes are American pit vipers (~36 species) with tail rattles and heat-sensing pits — venomous rodent controllers whose status varies from Least Concern to Endangered.


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

## One-line answer
Geckos are gekkotan lizards with ~1,500 species worldwide — nocturnal climbers often with adhesive toe pads and vocal calls — ecologically valuable insect predators threatened locally by habitat loss and trade.

## Introduction
Geckos are lizards of the infraorder Gekkota, numbering roughly 1,500 species on every continent except Antarctica. They range from house geckos on tropical walls to giant New Caledonian geckos exceeding 35 centimetres. Many possess toe pads using van der Waals forces for climbing smooth surfaces; others have claws alone. Geckos vocalise — unusual among lizards — with chirps and barks. They control insects in homes and ecosystems but face habitat loss, pet trade demand and invasive species competition.

## Takeaway
Gecko toe pads stick via microscopic setae and intermolecular forces — no glue.

## Takeaway
Tokay and leopard geckos dominate the pet trade; verify captive-bred origin.

## Takeaway
House geckos Hemidactylus benefit humans by eating mosquitoes and moths.

## Takeaway
Day geckos Phelsuma are diurnal and brightly coloured — popular but specialist pets.

## Takeaway
Indonesia and Malaysia — WARN partners — harbour exceptional gekkotan diversity.

## Takeaway
Invasive geckos outcompete natives on islands and in new regions.

## Gecko diversity and adhesion
Gekkota splits into families including Gekkonidae, Phyllodactylidae and Diplodactylidae. Eyelids are absent in many species — transparent spectacle scales protect eyes. Nocturnal species have vertical pupils; day geckos have round pupils and bright green or blue colouration.

Adhesive toe pads contain millions of microscopic setae branching into spatulae. Temporary molecular attraction lets geckos run up glass and hang from ceilings. Some species regenerate lost tails; others lack this ability.

Vocal cords enable mating calls and territorial chirps — a gekkotan signature absent from most lizards.

## Ecology and household allies
Wild geckos eat insects, spiders, small invertebrates and nectar in some day geckos. Common house gecko Hemidactylus frenatus follows human habitation globally — sometimes invasive, sometimes welcomed pest control.

In tropical forests, geckos occupy leaf litter, tree bark and cave walls. Giant geckos Rhacodactylus of New Caledonia are fruit-insect omnivores threatened by deforestation and chytrid-like pathogens in captivity.

Population declines affect range-restricted island species from Mauritius to the Caribbean. Habitat fragmentation removes microhabitats geckos need.

## Pet trade and conservation
Leopard gecko Eublepharis macularius from Pakistan and Afghanistan — a WARN partner region — is heavily captive-bred for pets, with eyelids unlike many geckos. Tokay gecko Gekko gecko faces poaching for traditional medicine markets in Asia despite questionable efficacy.

CITES lists several rare species on Appendix I or II. Smuggling of New Caledonian and Madagascan species supplies collectors.

Captive care requires temperature gradients, calcium supplementation and appropriate humidity — species-specific, not one-size-fits-all.


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

## Geckos and people
Southeast Asian folklore treats house geckos as omens; their calls punctuate tropical nights. In Pakistan and India, geckos share walls with humans harmlessly, consuming insects attracted to lights.

Never release pet geckos outdoors — invasive house geckos disrupt native lizard communities in Florida, Hawaii and elsewhere.

Readers can welcome wild geckos as allies, reject medicine products using tokay parts and support forest protection in Indonesia and Malaysia where gekkotan diversity peaks.

## Related WARN guides
Geckos are diverse squamates — read WARN's chameleon guide for other specialised lizards, monitor lizard page for larger varanids, and snake hub for shared reptile trade issues.

Iguana and komodo dragon guides cover other lizard groups.

Never release pet geckos into non-native ranges.

## WARN work
WARN educates readers in Pakistan, Indonesia and Malaysia — centres of gecko diversity and trade routes — about reptile stewardship, habitat protection and rejecting wildlife products without proven benefit.

## 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/gecko): Gecko — wildlife guide.

## How many gecko species are there?
Roughly 1,500 species in infraorder Gekkota, on every continent except Antarctica. The count grows as taxonomists describe new species.

## How do geckos stick to walls?
Microscopic hair-like setae on toe pads create van der Waals forces — molecular attraction without glue or suction cups.

## Do geckos make noise?
Yes. Many geckos chirp, bark or click — especially tokay and house geckos. Vocalisation is unusual among lizards.

## Are geckos good pets?
Leopard and crested geckos are common captive-bred pets with specific heat and diet needs. Wild-caught rare species should never be purchased.

## What do geckos eat?
Wild geckos eat insects, spiders, small invertebrates and nectar in some day geckos. Geckos are gekkotan lizards with ~1,500 species worldwide — nocturnal climbers often with adhesive toe pads and vocal calls — ecologically valuable insect predators threatened locally by habitat loss and trade.

## Where do geckos live?
Geckos live on every continent except Antarctica, mainly in tropical and subtropical regions with some temperate species. They occupy rainforest canopy, desert rocks, cave walls and human buildings. Adhesive toe pads using van der Waals forces let many species climb smooth surfaces; others rely on claws alone. Roughly 1,500 species are recognised. House geckos have spread globally with human transport, sometimes outcompeting native geckos.

## Are geckos dangerous?
Most geckos are harmless to people. The tokay gecko can deliver a painful bite if handled but has no venom fatal to humans. Geckos are lizards, not snakes, and most species are small insect predators. Rare island and forest specialists face Critically Endangered status from habitat loss and trade. Never release pet geckos outdoors — invasive house geckos disrupt native lizard communities in Florida, Hawaii and elsewhere.

## How big is a gecko?
Gecko size spans enormous range across roughly 1,500 species. Common house geckos are a few centimetres long, while the giant New Caledonian gecko exceeds 35 cm — the largest cited in this guide. Toe pads using van der Waals forces let many species climb smooth surfaces. Vocal chirps and barks are unusual among lizards. IUCN status varies by species from Least Concern to Critically Endangered for range-restricted island forms.

## How long do geckos live?
A precise wild lifespan for geckos is not firmly established in the sources cited on this guide. Geckos are gekkotan lizards with ~1,500 species worldwide — nocturnal climbers often with adhesive toe pads and vocal calls — ecologically valuable insect predators threatened locally by habitat loss and trade. 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/monitor-lizard): Monitor Lizard — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
Monitor lizards (genus Varanus) comprise ~80 species including the Komodo dragon — intelligent predatory reptiles of Africa, Asia and Australasia threatened by trade, hunting and habitat loss.

## Introduction
Monitor lizards of genus Varanus are large, active predatory reptiles found across Africa, Asia and Australasia. Roughly 80 species range from the 20-centimetre pygmy monitor to the Komodo dragon — the world's largest lizard at three metres. Monitors possess forked tongues for chemoreception, high metabolism for reptiles and notable intelligence. They control pest populations and scavenge carrion but face skin trade, bushmeat hunting and habitat loss — especially in Indonesia and Malaysia, WARN partner countries hosting Komodo dragons and clouded monitors.

## Takeaway
Komodo dragons are monitors — venomous bite and bacterial saliva both contribute to prey incapacitation.

## Takeaway
Indonesia hosts more monitor species than any country, including the Endangered Komodo dragon.

## Takeaway
Clouded monitor and Bengal monitor skins enter illegal leather trade in South-East Asia.

## Takeaway
Monitors are among the most intelligent reptiles — capable learners in captivity.

## Takeaway
Bengal monitor occurs in Pakistan — a WARN partner — often persecuted despite legal protection.

## Takeaway
Invasive black-throated monitors threaten native wildlife where released outside range.

## Varanid biology and the Komodo dragon
Monitor lizards belong to family Varanidae, the sole living genus Varanus. Long necks, powerful limbs and muscular tails suit active hunting over ambush. Forked tongues sample air and ground, delivering scent to Jacobson's organ.

Komodo dragon Varanus komodoensis inhabits Indonesian islands Komodo, Rinca and Flores — Endangered with roughly 1,380 mature individuals. They hunt deer, pigs and water buffalo, using serrated teeth, venom glands and septic bite components.

Smaller monitors — savannah, ackie, Nile — fill niches from desert to mangrove. High aerobic capacity supports sustained pursuit unusual among reptiles.

## Intelligence, behaviour and ecology
Studies show monitors can count, solve puzzles and recognise keepers — cognitive capacity exceeding most lizards. They forage widely, climbing trees when juvenile and digging burrows for refuge.

Diet includes insects, crabs, eggs, birds, mammals and carrion. Large monitors raid nests and enter human settlements seeking food waste — creating conflict when poultry is taken.

Reproduction is oviparous; Komodo dragons exhibit parthenogenesis in rare cases. Females guard nests in some species.

## Trade, persecution and conservation
Monitor skins supply leather for bags and shoes — clouded monitor and Nile monitor harvested legally and illegally across Asia and Africa. CITES lists Komodo dragon and many species on Appendix I or II.

Bushmeat consumption and traditional medicine demand affect Asian monitors. Bengal monitor Varanus bengalensis is protected in India and Pakistan yet still killed from fear or trade.

Komodo National Park tourism generates revenue supporting dragon protection; proposed development and climate impacts on prey remain concerns. Habitat loss from mining and palm expansion threatens Indonesian monitors broadly.

## Monitor lizards and people
Komodo dragon tourism is strictly guided — attacks on humans are rare but serious when dragons lose fear. Smaller monitors bite when cornered; wounds need antiseptic care.

Never buy monitor leather of unknown origin or keep protected species without permits. Pakistan's Bengal monitor benefits ecosystems by consuming rodents and carrion — persecution reduces this service.

WARN readers in Indonesia and Malaysia encounter monitors in forests and markets; reporting illegal trade supports enforcement alongside habitat appeals.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/monitor-lizard): Monitor Lizard — wildlife guide.

## Related WARN guides
Monitor lizards include the komodo dragon — read WARN's komodo dragon guide for the largest lizard on Earth. Python, gecko and snake pages cover other reptile groups; cobra guide addresses venomous neighbours in Asia.

Trade and persecution threaten varanids from mangrove monitors to savanna species.

Protected areas in Indonesia and Malaysia benefit monitors alongside orangutans and tigers.

## WARN work
WARN supports habitat protection and anti-trafficking education in Indonesia and Malaysia — global centres of monitor diversity including the Komodo dragon. Free guides explain why apex reptiles need forests, not leather supply chains.

## 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/monitor-lizard): Monitor Lizard — wildlife guide.

## How many monitor lizard species are there?
About 80 species in genus Varanus across Africa, Asia and Australasia. New species are still described, especially in Indonesia and New Guinea.

## Is the Komodo dragon a monitor lizard?
Yes. It is the largest living monitor lizard and the world's heaviest lizard, endemic to Indonesian islands.

## Are Komodo dragons endangered?
Yes. The IUCN lists the Komodo dragon as Endangered with roughly 1,380 mature individuals and a decreasing trend.

## Are monitor lizards venomous?
Komodo dragons and several other monitors possess venom glands producing anticoagulant toxins. Bites require medical cleaning and monitoring.

## What do monitor lizards eat?
Monitor Lizards eat Carnivorous — active hunter and scavenger. Monitor lizards (genus Varanus) comprise ~80 species including the Komodo dragon — intelligent predatory reptiles of Africa, Asia and Australasia threatened by trade, hunting and habitat loss.

## Where do monitor lizards live?
Monitor Lizards live in Africa, Asia, Australasia. Monitor lizards (genus Varanus) comprise ~80 species including the Komodo dragon — intelligent predatory reptiles of Africa, Asia and Australasia threatened by trade, hunting and habitat loss.

## Are monitor lizards dangerous?
They control pest populations and scavenge carrion but face skin trade, bushmeat hunting and habitat loss — especially in Indonesia and Malaysia, WARN partner countries hosting Komodo dragons and clouded monitors. Give wild monitor lizards space; do not corner or handle them.

## How long do monitor lizards live?
A precise wild lifespan for monitor lizards is not firmly established in the sources cited on this guide. Monitor lizards (genus Varanus) comprise ~80 species including the Komodo dragon — intelligent predatory reptiles of Africa, Asia and Australasia threatened by trade, hunting and habitat loss. Where longevity figures appear in the literature they vary by region, sex and whether animals are wild or captive.

## How big is a monitor lizard?
A Monitor Lizard is about 3 m (Maximum Komodo dragon length). Monitor lizards (genus Varanus) comprise ~80 species including the Komodo dragon — intelligent predatory reptiles of Africa, Asia and Australasia threatened by trade, hunting and habitat loss. Conservation status: Endangered.


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

## One-line answer
The cougar (Puma concolor) — also known as puma or mountain lion — is a large solitary cat native to the Americas, listed as Least Concern by the IUCN; it is the most widespread wild cat in the Western Hemisphere but faces habitat loss and human conflict in many regions.

## Introduction
The cougar — also called puma, mountain lion, panther and catamount — is a large, solitary felid native to the Americas from the Canadian Yukon to the southern Andes. It is the most widely distributed wild cat in the Western Hemisphere and among the largest predators on the continent. Cougars occupy an extraordinary range of habitats, from coastal rainforest and desert scrub to alpine meadows and suburban woodland edges. Although listed as Least Concern globally, many populations face habitat fragmentation, road mortality and conflict with livestock owners. In parts of North America, cougars are recolonising former range as deer populations recover, bringing them into renewed contact with people.

## Takeaway
Cougar, puma, mountain lion and panther all refer to the same species — Puma concolor.

## Takeaway
It is the most widespread wild cat in the Americas, ranging from Canada to Patagonia.

## Takeaway
Cougars are solitary ambush hunters, feeding mainly on deer and other ungulates.

## Takeaway
They are capable long-distance travellers; radio-tracked individuals have crossed hundreds of kilometres.

## Takeaway
Human conflict and road kills are the main threats in developed parts of their range.

## Takeaway
Cougars rarely attack people; incidents are extremely rare compared with domestic dog bites.

## Names, taxonomy and range
Puma concolor belongs to the genus Puma, separate from the Panthera big cats. Its many common names reflect regional history: 'cougar' from a Tupi word via French, 'puma' from Quechua, 'mountain lion' from early North American settlers, and 'panther' in the south-eastern United States. Eight subspecies are generally recognised, from the North American cougar to the smaller southern Andean forms.

The species once ranged across nearly all of North America but was eradicated from the eastern United States by the early twentieth century. Today, confirmed breeding populations exist again in parts of the Midwest and are occasionally documented east of the Mississippi.

## Ecology and hunting behaviour
Cougars are obligate carnivores and keystone predators. A single adult may require a deer-sized prey item every one to two weeks. They hunt by stealth, using cover to approach within striking distance before a short burst of speed. Kills are often cached under leaf litter or snow and revisited over several days.

Home ranges vary enormously: males may patrol 150–1,000 km² depending on prey density, while females occupy smaller territories, often overlapping with several males. Females raise kittens alone, teaching them to hunt over roughly 18 months before independence.

## Cougars and people
As cougars recolonise areas near towns and suburbs, encounters with people increase — though attacks remain statistically rare. Most incidents involve young, dispersing males or habituated animals near feeding sites. Wildlife agencies recommend securing livestock at night, removing deer-attracting food sources near homes, and never running if a cougar is encountered. Road mortality is a significant source of death in fragmented landscapes; wildlife crossings and reduced speed limits in known corridors reduce fatalities. Trophy hunting is permitted in some western US states and Canadian provinces under regulated quotas.


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

## Conservation status and threats
The IUCN lists the cougar as Least Concern globally because of its vast range and overall stable population. However, the eastern cougar subspecies (P. c. couguar) was declared extinct in 2018, and the Florida panther (P. c. coryi) remains Critically Endangered with fewer than 200 adults. Habitat fragmentation isolates populations, reducing genetic diversity and increasing inbreeding in small remnants such as the Florida panther. CITES lists most cougar populations on Appendix II, allowing regulated trade. Protecting connected habitat and reducing road mortality are the most effective conservation tools for regional populations.

## Related WARN guides
Cougars are American pumas — read WARN's jaguar guide for Neotropical forest cats, ocelot page for smaller spotted felids, and bobcat and lynx guides for North American relatives.

Lion, tiger and leopard hub pages cover other big cats; Florida panther recovery needs wildlife corridors.

Connected habitat and reduced road mortality protect regional cougar populations.

## WARN work
WARN publishes this cougar guide as free public education. Our field work focuses on threatened species in partner countries; cougars illustrate how large predators persist alongside people when habitat remains connected and conflict is managed responsibly.

## 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/cougar): Cougar — wildlife guide.

## What is the difference between a cougar and a mountain lion?
There is no difference — cougar, mountain lion, puma and panther (in much of the Americas) all refer to Puma concolor, the same species. Names vary by region and history.

## Are cougars dangerous to humans?
Cougar attacks on people are extremely rare. In North America, fewer than two dozen fatal attacks have been recorded in over a century. Most encounters end without injury if people stand firm, make themselves look large and back away slowly.

## Where do cougars live?
Cougars live across the Americas from southern Canada and the western United States through Central America to the southern Andes of Chile and Argentina. They occupy forests, mountains, deserts and scrubland wherever prey is available.

## What do cougars eat?
Cougars feed mainly on deer, elk, moose and other ungulates. They also take smaller prey such as rabbits, raccoons and livestock where wild prey is scarce. A single kill may feed an adult for several days.

## How big is a cougar?
Adult males typically weigh 53–100 kg and measure 1.5–2.75 m from nose to tail tip. Females are smaller, usually 29–64 kg. Tail length alone can exceed 90 cm.

## Are cougars endangered?
The species is Least Concern globally, but the Florida panther subspecies is Critically Endangered, and the eastern cougar was declared extinct in 2018. Local populations face habitat loss and road mortality.

## How long do cougars live?
Cougars live up to about 13 years in the wild and longer in captivity. They are solitary except when mothers raise kittens, and their slow replacement rate means road mortality and habitat fragmentation can quickly reduce local populations despite Least Concern status globally.


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

## One-line answer
The bobcat (Lynx rufus) is a medium-sized North American wild cat listed as Least Concern by the IUCN; it is the continent's most widespread and adaptable felid, recognised by its tufted ears, spotted coat and short tail.

## Introduction
The bobcat is a medium-sized wild cat native to North America, named for its short 'bobbed' tail. It is the most common wild cat on the continent, ranging from southern Canada through the contiguous United States to northern Mexico. Bobcats occupy diverse habitats — boreal forest, desert, swampland and suburban edges — wherever rabbits, rodents and small deer are available. Listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, bobcat populations are generally stable or increasing, though they are trapped for fur in some states and occasionally killed when mistaken for threats to poultry or pets.

## Takeaway
Bobcats are named for their short, bobbed tail — typically 9–20 cm long.

## Takeaway
They are the most common wild cat in North America, from Canada to Mexico.

## Takeaway
Tufted ears and spotted fur distinguish them from the larger Canada lynx.

## Takeaway
Bobcats are generalist hunters, taking rabbits, rodents, birds and deer fawns.

## Takeaway
They adapt well to fragmented habitat and are occasionally seen near suburbs.

## Takeaway
Fur trapping and vehicle collisions are the main human-related causes of mortality.

## Identification and relatives
Bobcats resemble the Canada lynx but are smaller, with a more variable coat — grey-brown to reddish, marked with dark spots and bars. The tail is short but always visible, unlike the longer tail of a cougar. Ear tufts are present but shorter than in lynx species.

Bobcats and Canada lynx overlap in the northern United States and southern Canada; bobcats favour more varied habitat including mixed forest and farmland, while Canada lynx depend heavily on snowshoe hare cycles in boreal forest. Hybridisation between the two species has been documented where ranges meet.

## Behaviour and ecology
Bobcats are solitary and territorial. Males patrol ranges of roughly 10–60 km²; females occupy smaller areas and may overlap with several males. They hunt mainly at dawn and dusk, using cover to ambush prey.

Rabbits and hares form the bulk of the diet in many regions, supplemented by rodents, birds, reptiles and occasionally white-tailed deer fawns. Bobcats cache uneaten prey under vegetation or snow. Dens are made in hollow logs, rock crevices or dense thickets; females raise litters of one to six kittens, weaning them at about two months.

## Bobcats near people
Bobcats are increasingly reported in suburban and exurban areas where woods meet gardens. They rarely threaten people and attacks are virtually unknown. They may take free-ranging poultry or small pets left outdoors unattended, which leads to occasional lethal control. Wildlife agencies generally advise securing livestock, keeping cats indoors at night and appreciating bobcats as natural rodent controllers. Road mortality is a significant source of death, particularly where highways fragment forest corridors.

## Conservation and trade
The IUCN lists the bobcat as Least Concern with a stable or increasing population trend across most of its range. Regulated fur trapping occurs in many US states and Canadian provinces; annual harvests are monitored and generally considered sustainable. CITES lists the bobcat on Appendix II, requiring export permits for international trade in skins. Habitat loss and rodenticide exposure through poisoned prey remain local concerns. Overall, the bobcat is a conservation success story among North American carnivores.


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

## Related WARN guides
Bobcats are mid-sized North American felids — read WARN's cougar guide for the larger puma, lynx page for tufted relatives, and ocelot guide for spotted tropical cats.

Fox and wolf pages cover other carnivores sharing suburban edges.

Legal protection and fur-trade bans underpin bobcat recovery.

## WARN work
WARN publishes this bobcat guide to help readers understand North America's most common wild cat. Our mission focuses on threatened wildlife in partner countries; bobcats illustrate how adaptable mesopredators can persist when habitat and prey remain available.

## 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/bobcat): Bobcat — wildlife guide.

## How can you tell a bobcat from a domestic cat?
Bobcats are substantially larger — typically 6–13 kg versus 3–5 kg for most house cats — with longer legs, a short bobbed tail, tufted ears and a spotted or barred coat. They move with a distinctive hunched, stealthy gait.

## Are bobcats dangerous to pets?
Bobcats may prey on small pets left outdoors, especially at dawn and dusk. Keeping cats indoors and supervising small dogs in bobcat country reduces risk. Attacks on people are exceptionally rare.

## What is the difference between a bobcat and a lynx?
Bobcats (Lynx rufus) are smaller and more variable in coat colour, with shorter ear tufts and smaller paws. Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) have longer legs, huge snowshoe-like paws and depend heavily on snowshoe hares in boreal forest.

## Where do bobcats live?
Bobcats range across most of the contiguous United States, southern Canada and northern Mexico. They occupy forests, deserts, swamps and scrubland, including areas near human settlement.

## What do bobcats eat?
Bobcats are carnivorous generalists. Rabbits and hares are primary prey in many areas, along with rodents, birds, reptiles and occasionally deer fawns. Diet shifts with local prey availability.

## Are bobcats protected?
Bobcats are Least Concern globally. In the United States, protection varies by state — some allow regulated hunting and trapping, others restrict take. CITES Appendix II regulates international trade in bobcat parts.

## How long do bobcats live?
Bobcats live up to roughly 12 years in the wild. They mature slowly for a small cat and remain crepuscular hunters throughout life, most active at dawn and dusk when rabbits and rodents are abundant.

## How big is a bobcat?
Bobcats typically weigh 6–13 kg, with males larger than females. They are roughly twice the size of a domestic cat but far heavier and stronger, with a short bobbed tail 9–20 cm long and distinctive tufted ears.


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

## One-line answer
The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) is Europe's largest wild cat, listed as Least Concern by the IUCN; it inhabits boreal and temperate forests across Eurasia and has recovered in several western European countries after decades of persecution.

## Introduction
The Eurasian lynx is the largest of the four living lynx species and the biggest wild cat native to Europe. It ranges across boreal and temperate forests from Scandinavia and the Carpathians through Russia and Central Asia to the Himalayas. Secretive and mainly nocturnal, lynx are rarely seen despite a substantial population in some regions. Listed as Least Concern globally, the species has recolonised parts of western Europe thanks to legal protection and reintroduction programmes. The Iberian lynx and Canada lynx are separate, more threatened species covered by their own conservation programmes.

## Takeaway
The Eurasian lynx is the largest lynx species and Europe's biggest native cat.

## Takeaway
Tufted ears, short tail and large snowshoe-like paws are characteristic lynx features.

## Takeaway
Lynx hunt mainly roe deer, hares and other medium-sized prey by ambush.

## Takeaway
The species has recolonised Switzerland, Slovenia and parts of France and Germany.

## Takeaway
The Iberian lynx is Critically Endangered — a separate, much rarer species.

## Takeaway
Human persecution and road mortality remain threats despite legal protection in the EU.

## The four lynx species
Four lynx species survive today.

The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) is the largest and most widespread, ranging across Europe and Asia. The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is confined to Spain and Portugal and was Critically Endangered before intensive recovery efforts. The Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) depends on snowshoe hare cycles in North American boreal forest. The bobcat (Lynx rufus) is the smallest and most adaptable, ranging across much of North America. All share tufted ear tips, a short tail, a ruff of fur beneath the chin and large paws — adaptations for silent hunting in forest and snow.

## Habitat and hunting
Eurasian lynx favour forested landscapes with sufficient cover and prey. Roe deer are the primary prey in much of Europe; in northern latitudes, lynx also take reindeer calves, hares and grouse.

They hunt by stealth, relying on short bursts of speed rather than long chases. Home ranges vary from roughly 100 km² for females to over 400 km² for males in prey-rich areas. Lynx are solitary except during breeding and when females raise kittens. Dens are often in rocky crevices or dense undergrowth; litters typically contain one to four kittens.

## Recovery in western Europe
Lynx were eradicated from most of western Europe by the nineteenth century through hunting and habitat loss. Legal protection, forest regrowth and reintroduction programmes have reversed the decline in several countries. Switzerland, Slovenia, Croatia and the Carpathians now support breeding populations. France and Germany host small, expanding groups. Conflict with sheep farmers remains a political challenge; compensation schemes and livestock guarding dogs reduce retaliatory killing. Cross-border cooperation is essential because lynx ranges often span national frontiers.


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

## Conservation outlook
The IUCN lists the Eurasian lynx as Least Concern with an estimated 50,000 individuals and a stable or increasing trend in much of its range. Road mortality, habitat fragmentation and illegal killing still suppress populations in some regions. CITES Appendix II regulates international trade. The Iberian lynx recovery — from fewer than 100 individuals in 2002 to over 1,000 by the 2020s — demonstrates what targeted conservation can achieve for lynx. Maintaining connected forest habitat and reducing human conflict remain priorities across the genus.

## Related WARN guides
Lynx are cold-climate cats — read WARN's snow leopard guide for mountain specialists, bobcat and cougar pages for American relatives, and wolf guide for shared boreal habitat.

Deer and ibex guides cover prey species in lynx range.

Reintroduction success in Europe shows lynx can recover with connected forest.

## WARN work
WARN publishes this lynx guide as free public education. Our field work focuses on threatened species in partner countries; the Eurasian lynx illustrates how large carnivores can recover when persecution ends and forests are protected.

## 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/lynx): Lynx — wildlife guide.

## How many lynx species are there?
Four: Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx), Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus), Canada lynx (Lynx canadensis) and bobcat (Lynx rufus). The Eurasian lynx is the largest and most widespread.

## Are lynx dangerous to humans?
Lynx avoid people and attacks are extremely rare. They are secretive forest cats that retreat when encountered. Livestock depredation — mainly sheep — is the main human conflict issue.

## What do lynx eat?
Eurasian lynx feed mainly on roe deer, along with hares, grouse, reindeer calves and other medium-sized prey. They are obligate carnivores and hunt by ambush.

## Where do lynx live in Europe?
Breeding populations exist in Scandinavia, the Baltic states, the Carpathians, the Balkans, the Alps and parts of France and Germany. Lynx were reintroduced to several areas from which they had been extirpated.

## What is the difference between a lynx and a bobcat?
Eurasian lynx are larger (18–30 kg versus 6–13 kg for bobcats), with longer legs, bigger paws and a plainer coat. Bobcats are North American; Eurasian lynx inhabit Europe and Asia.

## Is the Iberian lynx the same species?
No. The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is a separate, much rarer species confined to Spain and Portugal. It was Critically Endangered but has recovered through captive breeding and habitat restoration.

## How long do lynxs live?
Lynxs typically live Up to ~17 years in the wild. The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) is Europe's largest wild cat, listed as Least Concern by the IUCN; it inhabits boreal and temperate forests across Eurasia and has recovered in several western European countries after decades of persecution. Wild and captive figures can differ; use the sources listed on the guide for the underlying studies.

## How big is a lynx?
A Lynx is about 18–30 kg (Eurasian lynx). The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) is Europe's largest wild cat, listed as Least Concern by the IUCN; it inhabits boreal and temperate forests across Eurasia and has recovered in several western European countries after decades of persecution.


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

## One-line answer
The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is a spotted wild cat of the Americas, listed as Least Concern by the IUCN but declining locally due to habitat loss and historical over-trapping; a small population persists in southern Texas.

## Introduction
The ocelot is a medium-sized spotted cat of Central and South America, and the only wild cat with a breeding population in the United States — a remnant group in southern Texas. Its striking rosetted coat made it one of the most heavily traded cats in the twentieth-century fur industry; millions of pelts were exported before international protection. Today the ocelot is Least Concern globally, but populations are declining in many areas due to deforestation, road mortality and illegal trade. Ocelots are solitary, mainly nocturnal forest hunters, feeding on rodents, birds, reptiles and small deer.

## Takeaway
Ocelots are medium-sized spotted cats native to the Neotropics and southern Texas.

## Takeaway
Their coat was once the most traded cat fur in the world — CITES now bans commercial trade.

## Takeaway
Ocelots are mainly nocturnal forest hunters, feeding on small to medium prey.

## Takeaway
Habitat loss from agriculture and roads is the main current threat.

## Takeaway
Texas ocelots number fewer than 100 — among the rarest mammals in the United States.

## Takeaway
Ocelots were once kept as pets by Salvador Dalí — they are poor domestic companions.

## Appearance and identification
Ocelots have a golden to grey coat marked with black rosettes, spots and stripes — each pattern unique, like a fingerprint. They are twice the size of a domestic cat, with a long tail, rounded ears and large front paws.

The margay and oncilla are smaller spotted relatives; jaguars and jaguarundis share their range but differ in size and build. In Texas, ocelots are associated with thornscrub and coastal brush — habitat that has shrunk dramatically. Camera-trap studies show ocelots using dense cover corridors to move between remnant patches.

## Ecology and behaviour
Ocelots are solitary and territorial. Males patrol ranges of roughly 3–30 km² depending on prey density; female ranges are smaller and may overlap. They hunt mainly on the ground but climb well when pursuing monkeys or birds.

Diet includes rodents, rabbits, iguanas, fish, crabs and occasional deer fawns. Ocelots are adaptable — found from sea level to 3,000 m elevation — but depend on dense cover for ambush hunting. Females den in hollow trees or caves, raising one to three kittens.

## History of the fur trade
From the 1960s to the 1980s, ocelot pelts were among the most valuable in the international fur trade. Annual exports from Latin America exceeded 100,000 skins at the peak. CITES listed the ocelot on Appendix I in 1975, banning commercial international trade. Domestic laws in range countries further restricted hunting. Populations partially recovered where forest remained, but the legacy of trapping combined with ongoing habitat loss keeps many regional populations vulnerable. Vintage ocelot coats still appear in illegal trade.


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

## Conservation today
The IUCN lists the ocelot as Least Concern globally, but notes a decreasing trend in parts of its range. The Texas population is Endangered under US law, with fewer than 100 individuals isolated by highways and development. Protected areas and wildlife crossings are critical for its survival. Across Latin America, deforestation for cattle ranching and soy expansion removes the forest cover ocelots require. CITES Appendix I protection remains essential. Connecting forest fragments and enforcing anti-trafficking law are the most effective conservation measures.

## Related WARN guides
Ocelots are Neotropical spotted cats — read WARN's jaguar guide for the apex forest predator, cougar page for American pumas, and clouded leopard guide for Asian forest felids.

WARN works in Brazil and Colombia — core ocelot range countries.

Habitat corridors and anti-fur-trade enforcement protect remaining ocelot populations.

## WARN work
WARN publishes this ocelot guide as free public education. Our work in Brazil and Colombia overlaps ocelot range, where habitat protection and anti-trafficking enforcement benefit spotted cats alongside the flagship species we fund directly.

## 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/ocelot): Ocelot — wildlife guide.

## Where do ocelots live?
Ocelots range from southern Texas and Mexico through Central America to northern Argentina. They inhabit tropical forest, thornscrub, mangroves and savanna woodland wherever dense cover and prey exist.

## Are ocelots endangered?
Globally Least Concern, but declining in many areas. The Texas population is Endangered under US law with fewer than 100 individuals. CITES Appendix I bans commercial international trade.

## Can you keep an ocelot as a pet?
Ocelots are wild animals with specialist needs — large territories, nocturnal hunting behaviour and strong territorial scent marking. Private ownership is restricted in most countries. Salvador Dalí famously kept ocelots, but welfare experts advise against it.

## What is the difference between an ocelot and a leopard?
Ocelots are smaller (11–16 kg), native to the Americas, and belong to the genus Leopardus. Leopards are much larger (30–90 kg), native to Africa and Asia, and belong to Panthera. Both have spotted coats but are unrelated.

## What do ocelots eat?
Ocelots eat rodents, rabbits, birds, reptiles, fish, crabs and occasionally small deer. They hunt mainly at night, using cover to ambush prey on the forest floor.

## Why were ocelots hunted?
Their beautiful spotted coat made ocelot fur highly valued in the mid-twentieth century. Millions of pelts were exported before CITES banned commercial trade in 1975. Populations partially recovered where habitat remained.

## Are ocelots dangerous?
Ocelots are not generally dangerous to people. The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is a spotted wild cat of the Americas, listed as Least Concern by the IUCN but declining locally due to habitat loss and historical over-trapping; a small population persists in southern Texas. Give wild individuals space and do not corner or handle them.

## How long do ocelots live?
Ocelots typically live Up to ~20 years in captivity; ~10–13 in the wild. The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is a spotted wild cat of the Americas, listed as Least Concern by the IUCN but declining locally due to habitat loss and historical over-trapping; a small population persists in southern Texas. Wild and captive figures can differ; use the sources listed on the guide for the underlying studies.

## How big is an ocelot?
An Ocelot is about 11–16 kg. The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is a spotted wild cat of the Americas, listed as Least Concern by the IUCN but declining locally due to habitat loss and historical over-trapping; a small population persists in southern Texas.


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

## One-line answer
The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, with an estimated 22,000–31,000 individuals; climate change and the loss of Arctic sea ice are the primary threats to its survival.

## Introduction
The polar bear is the largest land carnivore on Earth and a marine mammal uniquely adapted to life on Arctic sea ice. It hunts mainly ringed and bearded seals from the ice surface, swimming long distances between floes. Listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, polar bears face an existential threat from climate change: Arctic sea ice is shrinking in extent and duration, shortening the hunting season and forcing bears ashore for longer periods. An estimated 22,000–31,000 polar bears remain across five range states — Canada, Greenland, Norway, Russia and the United States.

## Takeaway
Polar bears are the largest bears and the largest land carnivores alive.

## Takeaway
They depend on sea ice to hunt seals — climate change is their primary threat.

## Takeaway
Polar bears are classified as marine mammals because they live on ocean ice.

## Takeaway
An estimated 22,000–31,000 polar bears remain across the Arctic.

## Takeaway
Longer ice-free seasons force bears ashore, increasing conflict with Arctic communities.

## Takeaway
Canada hosts roughly two-thirds of the world's polar bears.

## Life on the sea ice
Polar bears are superbly adapted to the Arctic. A thick layer of blubber and dense fur provide insulation; large paws act as snowshoes and paddles for swimming. They hunt mainly at breathing holes and ice edges, where ringed seals surface. A successful seal hunt can provide enough energy for several days.

Females den in snow drifts on land, giving birth during the Arctic winter and fasting for months while nursing cubs. As sea ice forms later and melts earlier, the window for hunting shrinks, and bears must either swim farther or spend longer on land with limited food.

## Climate change and sea ice loss
Arctic sea ice has declined by roughly 13% per decade since satellite records began in 1979. For polar bears, this means shorter hunting seasons, longer swims between floes and reduced body condition in some populations. Studies of western Hudson Bay bears show earlier ice break-up correlates with lower survival and reproduction.

Some populations — such as those in the southern Beaufort Sea — have declined markedly. Others, in areas where ice persists longer, remain stable for now. The IUCN projects a greater than 30% population decline over three generations if sea ice loss continues.

## Polar bears and Arctic communities
Indigenous peoples in the Arctic have hunted polar bears for subsistence and cultural purposes for thousands of years. Today, regulated harvest continues in Canada, Greenland and Alaska under quotas agreed by range states. As bears spend more time on land during ice-free periods, encounters with northern communities increase — sometimes with tragic outcomes for both bears and people. Waste management and attractant control in Arctic towns reduce conflict. Tourism to view polar bears in Churchill, Manitoba and Svalbard generates significant revenue but requires strict distance rules to protect bears and visitors.


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

## Conservation and international cooperation
All five polar bear range states — Canada, Greenland (Denmark), Norway, Russia and the United States — are parties to the 1973 Agreement on the Conservation of Polar Bears, which prohibits unregulated hunting and commits signatories to protect bear habitat. The IUCN Polar Bear Specialist Group coordinates population monitoring. CITES lists polar bears on Appendix II. Debate continues over whether international trade in polar bear skins from legal Canadian hunts affects poaching elsewhere. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions to limit Arctic warming is the fundamental conservation action for the species.

## Related WARN guides
Polar bears are marine mammals of the ice — read WARN's grizzly bear and black bear guides for other Ursids, walrus page for shared Arctic habitat, and seal guide for prey species.

Climate change links polar bears to broader habitat protection appeals.

Reducing greenhouse emissions and protecting denning sites underpin polar bear survival.

## WARN work
WARN publishes this polar bear guide as free public education. Climate change and Arctic habitat loss are global challenges; this guide helps readers understand why sea ice matters and how polar bears serve as indicators of Arctic ecosystem health.

## 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/polar-bear): Polar Bear — wildlife guide.

## Are polar bears endangered?
Polar bears are classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN — one category below Endangered — with a decreasing population trend. Climate change and sea ice loss are the primary threats.

## How many polar bears are left?
The IUCN estimates 22,000–31,000 polar bears across the Arctic. Canada hosts roughly two-thirds. Population trends vary by region — some declining, others stable.

## What do polar bears eat?
Polar bears feed mainly on ringed seals and bearded seals, hunted from the sea ice. They also scavenge whale carcasses and occasionally take walrus calves, birds and vegetation when on land.

## Do polar bears hibernate?
Polar bears do not hibernate in the traditional sense, though pregnant females enter a denning period in snow drifts, fasting for months while nursing newborn cubs.

## How does climate change affect polar bears?
Rising temperatures shrink Arctic sea ice, shortening the hunting season. Bears must swim longer distances, spend more time fasting on land and show reduced body condition and reproduction in affected populations.

## Where do polar bears live?
Polar Bears live in Arctic sea ice and coastal tundra. The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, with an estimated 22,000–31,000 individuals; climate change and the loss of Arctic sea ice are the primary threats to its survival.

## Are polar bears dangerous?
Polar Bears are not generally dangerous to people. The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, with an estimated 22,000–31,000 individuals; climate change and the loss of Arctic sea ice are the primary threats to its survival. Give wild individuals space and do not corner or handle them.

## How long do polar bears live?
Polar Bears typically live Up to ~25–30 years in the wild. The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, with an estimated 22,000–31,000 individuals; climate change and the loss of Arctic sea ice are the primary threats to its survival. Wild and captive figures can differ; use the sources listed on the guide for the underlying studies.

## How big is a polar bear?
A Polar Bear is about 350–800 kg (large males); females ~150–300 kg. The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, with an estimated 22,000–31,000 individuals; climate change and the loss of Arctic sea ice are the primary threats to its survival.


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

## One-line answer
The grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) is a North American brown bear subspecies; the brown bear is Least Concern globally, but grizzlies in the contiguous United States are protected under the Endangered Species Act with roughly 1,900 individuals south of Canada.

## Introduction
The grizzly bear is a North American subspecies of the brown bear, named for the silver-tipped 'grizzled' appearance of its fur. Grizzlies once ranged across western North America from Alaska to Mexico; today they occupy roughly 2% of their historic range in the contiguous United States, centred on the Northern Rocky Mountains, Greater Yellowstone and parts of Montana, Idaho and Washington. In Alaska and Canada, populations remain robust. Grizzlies are omnivorous generalists — eating berries, roots, fish, rodents and ungulates — and are a keystone species shaping forest and river ecosystems. The brown bear is Least Concern globally; grizzlies in the lower 48 US states are protected under the Endangered Species Act.

## Takeaway
Grizzlies are a subspecies of brown bear — Ursus arctos horribilis.

## Takeaway
The shoulder hump of muscle distinguishes grizzlies from black bears.

## Takeaway
Grizzlies are omnivores, eating plants, fish, rodents and ungulates.

## Takeaway
They once ranged across western North America but now occupy ~2% of historic US range.

## Takeaway
Alaska and Canada hold the largest remaining grizzly populations.

## Takeaway
Human conflict and habitat fragmentation are the main threats in the lower 48 states.

## Grizzly or brown bear?
Taxonomists classify the grizzly as Ursus arctos horribilis — a subspecies of the brown bear (Ursus arctos), which also includes the Eurasian brown bear, Kodiak bear and Alaskan coastal brown bear. Coastal brown bears in Alaska grow larger than interior grizzlies because of abundant salmon. The name 'grizzly' refers to the grey-tipped guard hairs that give the coat a frosted appearance, though fur colour ranges from nearly blonde to dark brown.

The prominent shoulder hump — a mass of muscle for digging — and a dished facial profile distinguish grizzlies from American black bears, which lack the hump and have a straighter nose profile.

## Ecology and diet
Grizzlies are among the most omnivorous of bears. Spring diet includes emerging plants, roots and carrion from winter-killed ungulates. Summer brings berries, ants and grubs.

Where salmon run, coastal grizzlies gather at rivers to catch fish — a caloric bonanza that supports large body size. Grizzlies also prey on moose calves, elk calves and ground squirrels. They disperse seeds through scat and enrich soil by digging for roots. Home ranges vary from roughly 70 km² for females to over 1,000 km² for males in interior habitats. Dens are dug into slopes; pregnant females enter torpor over winter, giving birth in the den.

## Grizzlies and people
Grizzly encounters capture public attention because of the potential for injury, yet attacks are rare and usually involve surprise encounters, food-conditioned bears or mothers defending cubs. Bear spray is more effective than firearms in deterring charges. In Yellowstone and Glacier national parks, millions of visitors coexist with grizzlies through food-storage rules, trail closures and education. Outside parks, livestock depredation and game-hunting competition create conflict with ranchers and hunters. Relocation and aversive conditioning reduce problem behaviour. In Alaska and Canada, regulated hunting is permitted under management plans.


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

## Conservation status
The brown bear is Least Concern globally with an estimated 200,000 individuals, mostly in Russia, Alaska and Canada. Grizzlies in the contiguous United States were listed as threatened under the Endangered Species Act in 1975; the population has recovered from roughly 700–800 to about 1,900, leading to repeated delisting debates. Connectivity between the Yellowstone, Northern Continental Divide and Cabinet-Yaak ecosystems remains a conservation priority. CITES Appendix II regulates international trade. Protecting large connected landscapes and reducing attractants near human settlement are essential for long-term grizzly persistence south of Canada.

## Related WARN guides
Grizzly bears are brown bears — read WARN's polar bear guide for Arctic Ursids, black bear page for American cousins, and wolf guide for shared wilderness habitat.

Cougar and lynx pages cover other large carnivores in bear range.

Conflict reduction and corridor protection keep grizzlies on recovery paths.

## WARN work
WARN publishes this grizzly bear guide as free public education. Large carnivore recovery in North America shows what is possible when hunting is regulated and habitat is protected — lessons relevant to bear 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/grizzly-bear): Grizzly Bear — wildlife guide.

## What is the difference between a grizzly bear and a brown bear?
The grizzly is a subspecies of brown bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) found in interior North America. Coastal Alaskan brown bears are the same species but grow larger due to salmon-rich diets. 'Grizzly' refers to the silver-tipped fur.

## How can you tell a grizzly from a black bear?
Grizzlies have a prominent shoulder hump, a dished facial profile and longer, curved claws. Black bears lack the hump, have a straighter nose profile and shorter claws. Fur colour alone is unreliable — both species vary from blonde to black.

## Are grizzly bears endangered?
Brown bears are Least Concern globally. Grizzlies in the contiguous United States are protected as threatened under the Endangered Species Act, with roughly 1,900 individuals. Alaska and Canada hold much larger populations.

## What do grizzly bears eat?
Grizzlies are omnivores eating berries, roots, grasses, ants, fish (especially salmon), rodents, carrion and ungulate calves. Diet varies seasonally and by region.

## How many grizzly bears are left?
Roughly 1,900 grizzlies survive in the lower 48 United States. Alaska may hold 30,000 or more brown bears, and Canada hosts large populations in British Columbia and the territories.

## Where do grizzly bears live?
Grizzly Bears live in Western Canada, Alaska, North-western United States. The grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) is a North American brown bear subspecies; the brown bear is Least Concern globally, but grizzlies in the contiguous United States are protected under the Endangered Species Act with roughly 1,900 individuals south of Canada.

## Are grizzly bears dangerous?
Grizzly Bears are not generally dangerous to people. The grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) is a North American brown bear subspecies; the brown bear is Least Concern globally, but grizzlies in the contiguous United States are protected under the Endangered Species Act with roughly 1,900 individuals south of Canada. Give wild individuals space and do not corner or handle them.

## How long do grizzly bears live?
Grizzly Bears typically live Up to ~25 years in the wild. The grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) is a North American brown bear subspecies; the brown bear is Least Concern globally, but grizzlies in the contiguous United States are protected under the Endangered Species Act with roughly 1,900 individuals south of Canada. Wild and captive figures can differ; use the sources listed on the guide for the underlying studies.

## How big is a grizzly bear?
A Grizzly Bear is about 180–360 kg (males); females ~90–200 kg. The grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) is a North American brown bear subspecies; the brown bear is Least Concern globally, but grizzlies in the contiguous United States are protected under the Endangered Species Act with roughly 1,900 individuals south of Canada.


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

## One-line answer
The American black bear (Ursus americanus) is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with an estimated 800,000+ individuals across North America — the continent's most common and widespread bear species.

## Introduction
The American black bear is the most widespread and numerous bear species on the continent, ranging from Alaska and Canada through the United States to northern Mexico. Despite the name, coat colour varies from black to cinnamon, blonde and even white (the Kermode or 'spirit bear' of British Columbia). Black bears are smaller and less aggressive than grizzlies, yet they frequently appear in suburban news stories when attracted to rubbish, bird feeders and unsecured food. Listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, the population is estimated at 800,000 or more and increasing in many areas. Human conflict, road mortality and habitat loss remain local concerns.

## Takeaway
Black bears are the most common bear in North America, numbering 800,000 or more.

## Takeaway
Coat colour varies — black, cinnamon, blonde and white (spirit bear) — despite the name.

## Takeaway
Black bears lack the shoulder hump of grizzlies and are generally smaller and less aggressive.

## Takeaway
They are skilled climbers and often escape danger by ascending trees.

## Takeaway
Human food attractants — bins, bird feeders, pet food — are the main cause of conflict.

## Takeaway
Populations are increasing in many eastern US states as forests recover.

## Identification and colour morphs
American black bears are smaller than grizzlies, with no shoulder hump, a straight facial profile, shorter claws and prominent ears. Fur colour is highly variable: most bears in the eastern United States are black, while western populations include cinnamon, blonde and brown morphs. The Kermode bear of coastal British Columbia carries a recessive gene producing white or cream fur — the 'spirit bear' revered by First Nations.

Colour alone does not distinguish black bears from grizzlies; body shape, hump presence and claw length are more reliable. Black bears are adept climbers, particularly juveniles, which retreat up trees when threatened.

## Ecology and behaviour
Black bears are omnivorous generalists. Spring diet includes emerging vegetation and carrion; summer brings berries, nuts and insects; autumn is dominated by calorie-rich foods such as acorns and beechnuts to build fat reserves for winter. They enter dens — hollow trees, rock cavities or excavated burrows — and enter a state of torpor, though not true hibernation.

Females give birth in the den to one to four cubs. Home ranges vary from roughly 5 km² for females in rich habitat to over 500 km² for males in sparse country. Black bears are mainly crepuscular and avoid open areas during daylight where hunting pressure is high.

## Living alongside black bears
As black bear populations recover in the eastern United States, encounters with suburban and exurban residents increase. Bears are attracted to rubbish bins, bird feeders, barbecue grease and pet food left outdoors. Once habituated, they lose fear of people and may damage property. Wildlife agencies recommend bear-proof bins, removing feeders in spring, and never feeding bears intentionally. Relocation rarely works for food-conditioned animals. Regulated hunting in many states helps manage population density and fund conservation. Education programmes — such as 'BearWise' — reduce conflict by teaching communities coexistence practices.


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

## Conservation status
The IUCN lists the American black bear as Least Concern with an increasing population trend in much of its range. Louisiana black bear (Ursus americanus luteolus) was delisted from the US Endangered Species Act in 2016 after recovery. CITES lists most populations on Appendix II. Habitat fragmentation and road mortality suppress local populations, but overall numbers are robust. The species serves as a model for how large carnivores can recover when hunting is regulated and forest habitat returns. Continued public education on attractant management remains essential as bears and people share more landscape.

## Related WARN guides
Black bears are widespread American Ursids — read WARN's grizzly bear and polar bear guides for larger relatives, wolf and cougar pages for shared forest carnivores.

Deer and squirrel guides cover common neighbours in suburban-edge habitat.

Securing rubbish and never feeding bears prevents habituation and culling.

## WARN work
WARN publishes this black bear guide as free public education. Coexistence with black bears in North America offers lessons for bear conservation worldwide, including the sun bears and moon bears our partners protect 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/black-bear): Black Bear — wildlife guide.

## How can you tell a black bear from a grizzly?
Black bears lack the shoulder hump, have a straighter nose profile, shorter claws and more prominent ears. Grizzlies have a dished face and prominent hump. Fur colour is unreliable — both species vary.

## Are black bears dangerous?
Black bear attacks are rare. Most bears flee when encountered. Problems arise when bears become food-conditioned and lose fear of people. Securing rubbish and removing bird feeders prevents most conflict.

## What is a spirit bear?
The Kermode or spirit bear is a white colour morph of the American black bear found in coastal British Columbia. A recessive gene produces cream-coloured fur. Roughly 10% of bears on some islands are white.

## How many black bears are in North America?
The IUCN estimates more than 800,000 American black bears across Canada, the United States and Mexico, with populations increasing in many eastern US states.

## Do black bears hibernate?
Black bears enter dens and enter torpor over winter, slowing metabolism but remaining capable of waking. Pregnant females give birth in the den. Duration varies by latitude — shorter in the south, longer in the north.

## What do black bears eat?
Black bears are omnivores eating berries, nuts, insects, carrion, fish and occasionally deer fawns. Diet shifts seasonally; autumn feeding builds fat reserves for winter denning.

## Where do black bears live?
American black bears range from Alaska and Canada through the United States to northern Mexico — the most widespread bear on the continent. The IUCN estimates more than 800,000 individuals, with populations increasing in many eastern US states.

## How long do black bears live?
Black bears can live up to about 25 years in the wild. Pregnant females enter dens over winter and give birth during torpor, nursing cubs inside the den until spring.

## How big is a black bear?
Adult American black bears typically weigh 57–250 kg, varying widely by region and sex. Despite the name, coat colour ranges from black to cinnamon, blonde and even white — the Kermode or spirit bear of British Columbia.


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

## One-line answer
Gibbons are tailless lesser apes of South-east Asian rainforest, brachiating through the canopy in monogamous family groups; most species are Endangered or Critically Endangered due to habitat loss and the illegal pet trade.

## Introduction
Gibbons are small apes of the family Hylobatidae, native to the tropical and subtropical forests of South-east Asia. Unlike monkeys, gibbons are tailless apes — placing them closer to orangutans, gorillas and chimpanzees than to tailed primates. They are celebrated for brachiation: swinging hand-over-hand through the canopy at speeds exceeding 50 km/h. Roughly 20 gibbon species are recognised, grouped into four genera. Most are Endangered or Critically Endangered due to deforestation, the illegal pet trade and hunting. Gibbons live in monogamous family groups and defend territories with spectacular dawn duets that carry for kilometres through the forest.

## Takeaway
Gibbons are lesser apes — tailless, like orangutans and chimpanzees, unlike monkeys.

## Takeaway
They brachiate hand-over-hand through the canopy, covering up to 10 m per swing.

## Takeaway
Monogamous pairs defend territories with loud dawn duets that identify the species.

## Takeaway
Most gibbon species are Endangered or Critically Endangered due to deforestation.

## Takeaway
Infants are taken from the wild for the illegal pet trade after mothers are killed.

## Takeaway
Gibbons need intact primary forest — they cannot survive in oil palm or logged woodland.

## Lesser apes of the canopy
Gibbons belong to the superfamily Hominoidea alongside great apes and humans, but form their own family, Hylobatidae. They are the smallest apes — typically 5–10 kg — with extraordinarily long arms, hook-shaped hands and reduced thumbs adapted for swinging. Unlike great apes, gibbons do not build nests; they sleep sitting upright in trees.

Four genera are recognised: Hylobates (white-handed and agile gibbons), Hoolock (western and eastern hoolock gibbons of India and Myanmar), Nomascus (crested gibbons of Vietnam, Laos and China) and Symphalangus (siamang, the largest gibbon). Each species has a distinctive song, allowing identification by ear alone.

## Social life and song
Gibbons live in monogamous family groups of two to six individuals — an adult pair and their offspring. Pairs defend territories of roughly 20–50 hectares through loud vocal duets performed at dawn. The male and female sing coordinated phrases that can carry over two kilometres. These songs advertise pair bonds, deter rivals and help biologists census wild populations.

Young gibbons remain with their parents for six to ten years, learning territory boundaries and song structure. This slow life history makes populations vulnerable to hunting and habitat loss — removing one breeding pair can eliminate a territory for a generation.

## Threats and the pet trade
Deforestation is the primary threat. South-east Asia has lost vast areas of lowland rainforest to oil palm, rubber, logging and dam construction. Gibbons cannot cross open ground between forest fragments; isolated groups face inbreeding and local extinction. Hunting for food and traditional medicine persists in some areas. The illegal pet trade is particularly cruel: adult gibbons are shot to capture dependent infants, which are sold as pets or for tourist photo props. Gibbons are poor pets — they need vast enclosures, lifelong pair bonds and specialist diets. Most confiscated gibbons cannot be released and require lifetime sanctuary care.


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

## Conservation and recovery
CITES lists all gibbon species on Appendix I, banning commercial international trade. Protected areas and wildlife corridors are essential for connecting fragmented populations. Captive breeding programmes at zoos and sanctuaries support reintroduction efforts for species such as the Hainan gibbon — the world's rarest ape, with fewer than 40 individuals. Community-based forest patrols and ecotourism that values living gibbons over dead ones have helped stabilise some populations. WARN's orangutan work in Indonesia and Malaysia overlaps gibbon range, where shared habitat protection benefits all arboreal apes.

## Related WARN guides
Gibbons are lesser apes — read WARN's gorilla, chimpanzee and orangutan guides for great ape context, monkey species library for wider primates, and tarsier page for other South-east Asian primates.

Song and pair-bonding make gibbons unique; pet trade and deforestation threaten every species.

WARN's orangutan work in Indonesia and Malaysia overlaps gibbon rainforest habitat.

## WARN work
WARN funds orangutan habitat protection and anti-trafficking work in Indonesia and Malaysia — range countries where gibbons share the same threatened rainforest. This gibbon guide is free public education connecting readers to the wider primate crisis in South-east 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/gibbon): Gibbon — wildlife guide.

## Are gibbons monkeys or apes?
Gibbons are apes — specifically lesser apes. They are tailless, like orangutans and chimpanzees, and belong to the superfamily Hominoidea. Monkeys have tails and belong to separate evolutionary branches.

## How many gibbon species are there?
Roughly 20 species are recognised across four genera: Hylobates, Hoolock, Nomascus and Symphalangus (siamang). Taxonomy continues to be refined as genetic studies reveal new species.

## Why do gibbons sing?
Gibbon pairs perform loud dawn duets to defend their territory, strengthen pair bonds and advertise their presence to neighbours. Each species has a distinctive song, allowing identification without visual contact.

## Are gibbons endangered?
Most gibbon species are Endangered or Critically Endangered. The Hainan gibbon is the rarest ape on Earth, with fewer than 40 individuals. Habitat loss and the pet trade are the main threats.

## Where do gibbons live?
Gibbons live in tropical and subtropical rainforest across South-east Asia, including Borneo, Sumatra, China and north-east India. Roughly 20 species need intact primary forest — they cannot survive in oil palm plantations or logged woodland. Monogamous family groups defend territories of roughly 20–50 hectares through dawn duets that carry over two kilometres. Most species are Endangered or Critically Endangered; the Hainan gibbon numbers fewer than 40 individuals.

## Are gibbons dangerous?
Gibbons are not dangerous to people in the wild. These tailless lesser apes live high in the rainforest canopy, brachiating hand-over-hand at speeds exceeding 50 km/h. They avoid ground contact and cannot cross open farmland between forest fragments. The main risk from gibbons is to the animals themselves: adult gibbons are shot so infants can be taken for the illegal pet trade. CITES Appendix I bans commercial international trade in all gibbon species.

## How big is a gibbon?
Gibbons are the smallest apes, typically weighing 5–10 kg with extraordinarily long arms and hook-shaped hands adapted for brachiating through the canopy. The siamang (Symphalangus) is the largest gibbon genus. Roughly 20 recognised species swing hand-over-hand at speeds exceeding 50 km/h, covering up to 10 m per swing. Unlike great apes, gibbons do not build nests and sleep sitting upright in trees.


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

## One-line answer
Tarsiers are tiny nocturnal primates of South-east Asian islands, with the largest eyes relative to body size of any mammal; most species are Vulnerable to Endangered due to habitat loss and the pet trade.

## Introduction
Tarsiers are tiny nocturnal primates found only on islands of South-east Asia — the Philippines, Sulawesi and surrounding Indonesian islands, and parts of Borneo. They are among the smallest primates on Earth, weighing as little as 57 grams, yet their eyes are the largest relative to body size of any mammal. Tarsiers are the sole living members of the infraorder Tarsiiformes, an ancient primate lineage. All species are forest-dependent and threatened by habitat loss, the pet trade and disturbance from tourism. Unlike slow lorises, tarsiers are not venomous, but they share the same vulnerability to capture for the illegal wildlife trade.

## Takeaway
Tarsiers have the largest eyes relative to body size of any mammal.

## Takeaway
They are the only fully carnivorous primates, eating insects, lizards and small birds.

## Takeaway
Tarsiers cannot survive in captivity on improper diets — many die within months.

## Takeaway
All species are island endemics, making them especially vulnerable to habitat loss.

## Takeaway
The pet trade and tourist handling cause severe stress and mortality.

## Takeaway
Philippine and Sulawesi species face different threats but share forest dependence.

## An ancient primate lineage
Tarsiers belong to the infraorder Tarsiiformes, a branch of primates that diverged from other groups more than 50 million years ago. Once widespread across Asia, Europe and North America, tarsiers now survive only on South-east Asian islands. Roughly 11 species are recognised, grouped into three genera: Carlito and Tarsius (Philippines and Sulawesi region) and Cephalopachus (Bornean and Sumatran islands).

Each island population is often genetically distinct, making local extinctions irreversible. Tarsiers cannot rotate their eyes in their sockets; instead, they rotate their head almost 180 degrees, like an owl.

## Nocturnal hunters
Tarsiers are strictly nocturnal and carnivorous — unique among primates. They hunt insects, spiders, lizards, small birds and bats, leaping up to two metres to catch prey. Enormous eyes gather light for night vision; large ears detect the faintest rustle.

Long hind limbs and a elongated ankle bone (the tarsus, which gives the animal its name) power explosive vertical leaps. Tarsiers cling vertically to branches, never moving on all fours. They are solitary or live in monogamous pairs with offspring, communicating through ultrasonic calls beyond human hearing.

## Tarsiers and the pet trade
Tarsiers are frequently captured for the illegal pet trade and tourist attractions in the Philippines and Indonesia. Unlike slow lorises, they are not venomous, but they are equally unsuited to captivity. Tarsiers have extremely high metabolic rates and need live insect prey; many die within weeks of capture from stress and improper feeding. Tourist facilities that allow handling of tarsiers for photographs cause chronic stress, leading to self-mutilation and early death. Ethical sanctuaries keep tarsiers in dark, quiet enclosures with no public contact. CITES lists tarsiers on Appendix II, requiring permits for international trade.


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

## Conservation across islands
Habitat loss from logging, agriculture and mining threatens every tarsier species. Philippine tarsiers have lost lowland forest across Bohol, Samar and Mindanao. Sulawesi species face similar pressures as plantations expand. Because tarsiers are island endemics with small ranges, even modest habitat loss can eliminate a population. Protected areas, ecotourism that prohibits handling, and enforcement against the pet trade are the main conservation tools. WARN's slow loris and orangutan work in Indonesia and Malaysia overlaps tarsier range, where shared anti-trafficking and habitat protection efforts benefit all nocturnal primates.

## Related WARN guides
Tarsiers are ancient primates — read WARN's slow loris guide for other nocturnal strepsirrhines, gibbon page for South-east Asian apes, and monkey species library for wider context.

Never handle tarsiers for tourism photos — stress kills them within days.

Forest protection in the Philippines, Sulawesi and Borneo benefits every tarsier species.

## WARN work
WARN funds slow loris rescue and anti-trafficking work in Indonesia and Malaysia — countries where tarsiers face the same pet trade and habitat pressures. This tarsier guide is free public education about one of South-east Asia's most fragile primates.

## 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/tarsier): Tarsier — wildlife guide.

## How big is a tarsier?
Tarsiers are among the smallest primates, weighing 57–150 grams depending on species — roughly the size of a tennis ball. Their bodies are 8–15 cm long, with tails of similar length.

## Why do tarsiers have such big eyes?
Tarsiers are nocturnal hunters and their enormous eyes gather maximum light. Each eye is larger than their brain. They cannot move their eyes in their sockets, so they rotate their head up to 180 degrees instead.

## Are tarsiers related to lemurs?
Tarsiers are more closely related to monkeys and apes (simians) than to lemurs, though they look superficially lemur-like. They belong to their own ancient infraorder, Tarsiiformes.

## Can you keep a tarsier as a pet?
No. Tarsiers are fully carnivorous, need live insect prey and suffer extreme stress in captivity. Most captured tarsiers die within weeks. The pet trade is a major threat to wild populations.

## Where do tarsiers live?
Tarsiers live only on islands of South-east Asia — the Philippines, Sulawesi and surrounding Indonesian islands, and parts of Borneo. Each island often hosts distinct species.

## Are tarsiers endangered?
Most tarsier species are Vulnerable to Endangered due to habitat loss and the pet trade. Island endemism makes local extinctions particularly irreversible.

## What do tarsiers eat?
Tarsiers eat Fully carnivorous — insects, lizards, small birds. Tarsiers are tiny nocturnal primates of South-east Asian islands, with the largest eyes relative to body size of any mammal; most species are Vulnerable to Endangered due to habitat loss and the pet trade.

## Are tarsiers dangerous?
Unlike slow lorises, tarsiers are not venomous, but they share the same vulnerability to capture for the illegal wildlife trade. They are strictly nocturnal. Give wild tarsiers space; do not corner or handle them.

## How long do tarsiers live?
A precise wild lifespan for tarsiers is not firmly established in the sources cited on this guide. Tarsiers are tiny nocturnal primates of South-east Asian islands, with the largest eyes relative to body size of any mammal; most species are Vulnerable to Endangered due to habitat loss and the pet trade. 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/baboon): Baboon — wildlife guide.

## One-line answer
Baboons are large Old World monkeys of the genus Papio, living in complex social troops across African savanna and desert; most species are Least Concern but face habitat loss and conflict with agriculture.

## Introduction
Baboons are large Old World monkeys of the genus Papio, found across sub-Saharan Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Six species are recognised, ranging from the hamadryas baboon of the Horn of Africa and Arabia to the chacma baboon of southern Africa. Baboons are among the largest monkeys — males of some species exceed 40 kg — with dog-like muzzles, powerful jaws and complex social hierarchies. They live in large troops of up to 200 individuals, foraging on the ground by day and roosting in cliffs or trees at night. Most species are Least Concern, but habitat loss and conflict with farmers who shoot baboons raiding crops remain persistent threats.

## Takeaway
Baboons are the largest monkeys in Africa, with dog-like muzzles and powerful jaws.

## Takeaway
Six species range from Guinea baboons in West Africa to chacma baboons in the south.

## Takeaway
Troops can contain up to 200 individuals with complex dominance hierarchies.

## Takeaway
Baboons are omnivorous, eating fruit, roots, insects, small mammals and occasionally crops.

## Takeaway
Conflict with farmers — crop raiding and retaliatory killing — is a major human-wildlife issue.

## Takeaway
Most species are Least Concern, but local populations are declining where habitat is lost.

## Six species across Africa
The genus Papio contains six species. The hamadryas baboon (P. hamadryas) ranges from the Horn of Africa across the Arabian Peninsula, living in one-male units that merge into larger bands. The olive baboon (P. anubis) is the most widespread, spanning equatorial Africa. The yellow baboon (P. cynocephalus) inhabits eastern and central Africa; the chacma baboon (P. ursinus) dominates southern Africa. The Guinea baboon (P. papio) is restricted to West Africa and is Near Threatened. The Kinda baboon (P. kindae) of central Africa was recognised as a separate species in 2013. All share the characteristic baboon silhouette: large body, long muzzle, short tail and calloused buttocks (ischial callosities) for sitting on rough surfaces.

## Social structure and intelligence
Baboon troops are among the most complex societies in the animal kingdom. Females stay in their natal troop and inherit rank from their mothers, forming matrilines that dominate troop politics. Males leave at maturity and transfer between troops, competing fiercely for access to females. Alliances, grooming and political manoeuvring determine rank. Baboons communicate through facial expressions, vocalisations and gestures — researchers have documented over 30 distinct signals. They use tools in some populations, swim when necessary, and adapt behaviour to urban edges in South Africa and Kenya. This intelligence makes them fascinating to study but also formidable crop raiders.