World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/jaguar-vs-leopard-key-differences): Jaguar vs Leopard: How to Tell These Spotted Cats Apart.

## Summary
The simplest way to tell a jaguar from a leopard is location — jaguars live only in the Americas and leopards in Africa and Asia — but jaguars are also bigger and stockier with larger rosettes that contain inner spots, while leopards are slimmer with smaller, empty rosettes.

## Excerpt
Jaguars and leopards look almost identical at a glance, but their spots, size, range and hunting style give them away. Here's how to tell which is which.

## Takeaway
Jaguars live only in the Americas; leopards live in Africa and Asia, so their ranges never overlap.

## Takeaway
Jaguars are bigger and stockier; leopards are slimmer and more lightly built.

## Takeaway
Jaguar rosettes are larger and often have spots inside them; leopard rosettes are smaller, tighter and empty.

## Takeaway
Jaguars often kill by piercing the skull and hunt near water; leopards often store kills in trees.

## Takeaway
The IUCN lists the jaguar as Near Threatened and the leopard as Vulnerable.

## Briefing
The quick answer The easiest way to tell them apart is geography: jaguars ( Panthera onca ) live only in the Americas, while leopards ( Panthera pardus ) live in Africa and Asia. Their ranges never naturally overlap. Up close, the jaguar is bigger and stockier with larger rosettes that usually have spots inside them, while the leopard is slimmer with smaller, tighter rosettes and no inner spots. For a deeper profile, see our jaguar species guide . Five differences that give them away Where they live: jaguar = the Americas (Mexico to Argentina); leopard = Africa and Asia. Build: the jaguar is heavier and more muscular with a broad head and chest; the leopard is more lightly built. Rosettes: jaguar rosettes are larger and often enclose small spots; leopard rosettes are smaller, tighter and empty. Size: male jaguars typically weigh about 56-96 kg (up to ~158 kg); male leopards range roughly 30-90 kg. Hunting style: jaguars often kill by piercing the skull and hunt in and around water; leopards frequently haul kills up into trees. Are jaguars and leopards related? Yes. Both belong to the genus Panthera , alongside tigers, lions and snow leopards, so they are close cousins that evolved on different continents. That shared ancestry explains why their spotted coats look so similar even though their bodies and behaviour have diverged. Which one is more threatened? The IUCN lists the jaguar as Near Threatened and the leopard as Vulnerable, and both have lost large parts of their historic range. For jaguars, the brightest hope is the Amazon, home to about 89% of the species, while most populations elsewhere are already endangered. Protecting and connecting habitat is the priority - work you can quietly support through our Jaguar Appeal . Read the full Jaguar wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/jaguar-vs-leopard-key-differences): Jaguar vs Leopard: How to Tell These Spotted Cats Apart.

## What is the easiest way to tell a jaguar from a leopard?
Geography is the giveaway: jaguars live only in the Americas, leopards only in Africa and Asia. Up close, check the rosettes — jaguars have larger rosettes with spots inside, leopards have smaller, empty ones.

## Are jaguars bigger than leopards?
Yes. Male jaguars typically weigh about 56-96 kg and can reach around 158 kg, while male leopards usually range from about 30-90 kg. Jaguars are also stockier with a broader head and chest.

## Are jaguars and leopards the same species?
No. They are separate species — Panthera onca (jaguar) and Panthera pardus (leopard) — but both belong to the genus Panthera, making them close relatives that evolved on different continents.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/pink-river-dolphin-11-amazing-facts): 11 Amazing Facts About the Pink River Dolphin (the Amazon's Blushing Boto).

## Summary
The pink river dolphin, or boto (Inia geoffrensis), is the largest freshwater dolphin on Earth — famous for the pink blush adults develop, a neck flexible enough to turn nearly 90 degrees, and one of the widest diets of any toothed whale; the IUCN lists it as Endangered.

## Excerpt
From a head that swivels 90 degrees to a blush built from battle scars, here are 11 true facts about the Amazon's pink river dolphin, the largest freshwater dolphin on Earth.

## Takeaway
The pink river dolphin (boto) is the world's largest river dolphin, reaching about 2.5 m and up to roughly 185 kg.

## Takeaway
Its pink colour comes largely from scar tissue built up through rough play and fighting, deepening with exertion.

## Takeaway
Unfused neck vertebrae let it turn its head almost 90 degrees to hunt among submerged tree roots.

## Takeaway
It has one of the broadest diets of any toothed whale — 50+ fish species, plus turtles, crabs and small caimans.

## Takeaway
It is Endangered (IUCN, 2018), with one long-term study showing numbers halving about every decade.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/pink-river-dolphin-11-amazing-facts): 11 Amazing Facts About the Pink River Dolphin (the Amazon's Blushing Boto).

## Briefing
The pink river dolphin, known across Brazil as the boto , is one of the strangest and most charismatic animals in fresh water anywhere on the planet. It is a true whale relative that never sees the sea, a hunter that twists through drowned forests, and the only dolphin that turns a startling shade of pink. Here are 11 facts that capture why scientists and river communities alike find it unforgettable. For the full profile, see our pink river dolphin species guide . 11 facts about the pink river dolphin 1. It is the largest river dolphin on Earth Males reach about 2.5 m and up to roughly 185 kg, dwarfing every other freshwater dolphin. Females are noticeably smaller. 2. The pink really does come from scars Calves are grey. Adults, especially males, flush pink largely because rough play and fighting build up pale scar tissue over the skin. The colour can deepen with exertion and warmer water. 3. Its neck actually bends Unlike stiff-necked ocean dolphins, the boto has unfused neck vertebrae, letting it turn its head almost 90 degrees to peer around submerged roots. 4. It hunts inside the flooded forest When seasonal floods drown the forest, botos swim among the tree trunks, dispersing through the canopy world to find prey, then retreat to main channels as the water falls. 5. It has one of the widest diets of any toothed whale The menu runs to more than 50 fish species, plus river turtles, freshwater crabs and even small caimans. 6. It "sees" with sound In water where eyesight is almost useless, the boto navigates and finds prey by echolocation, firing clicks and reading the echoes. 7. It has no tall dorsal fin Instead of a fin, it carries a long, low ridge along its back, an adaptation suited to weaving through tight, obstacle-filled water. 8. Babies are big A single calf is born after about 11 months, already around 80 cm long, and stays with its mother for a year or more. 9. It lives only in South America The species is found across the Amazon and Orinoco river systems, spanning six countries — and nowhere else on Earth. 10. It is woven into Amazon folklore In legend the boto can shapeshift into a charming stranger at night. Those stories long gave the dolphin a measure of protection from harm. 11. It is now Endangered The IUCN reclassified the boto as Endangered in 2018. A 22-year study in a protected Brazilian reserve found numbers halving roughly every decade. The pink dolphin's fate is tied to the health of its rivers. WARN channels supporter gifts to local partners in Brazil and Colombia working to keep these waterways safe — you can read more or support that work if it moves you. Read the full Amazon river dolphin wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/pink-river-dolphin-11-amazing-facts): 11 Amazing Facts About the Pink River Dolphin (the Amazon's Blushing Boto).

## Why are pink river dolphins pink?
Adults, especially males, develop a pink tone largely from scar tissue built up through rough social play and fighting. The flush can deepen with physical exertion and in warmer water. Calves are born grey.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/pink-river-dolphin-vs-tucuxi-differences): Pink River Dolphin vs Tucuxi: How to Tell the Two Amazon Dolphins Apart.

## Summary
The pink river dolphin (boto, Inia geoffrensis) is a large, pink, fin-less true river dolphin with a flexible neck, while the tucuxi (Sotalia fluviatilis) is a smaller grey dolphin of oceanic descent with a triangular dorsal fin and a stiffer neck — both share Amazon rivers and both are Endangered.

## Excerpt
Both swim the same Amazon waters, but the pink boto and the grey tucuxi are only distant cousins. Here is how to tell them apart at a glance.

## Takeaway
The pink river dolphin (boto) is a true river dolphin; the tucuxi descends from the oceanic dolphin lineage — they are only distant relatives.

## Takeaway
Size and colour are the giveaway: the boto reaches ~2.5 m and turns pink; the tucuxi reaches ~1.5 m and stays grey.

## Takeaway
The clearest field mark is the back — a triangular dorsal fin (tucuxi) versus a low ridge with no true fin (boto).

## Takeaway
The boto's flexible, unfused neck lets it hunt in flooded forest; the tucuxi has a stiffer neck and favours open water.

## Takeaway
Both are Endangered on the IUCN Red List — the boto since 2018, the tucuxi since 2020 — and declining in the same rivers.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/pink-river-dolphin-vs-tucuxi-differences): Pink River Dolphin vs Tucuxi: How to Tell the Two Amazon Dolphins Apart.

## Briefing
Travel the main rivers of the Amazon and you can see two very different dolphins in the same stretch of water: the large, pink-tinged boto and the small, grey tucuxi . They look superficially similar to a passing eye, but they belong to separate branches of the dolphin family tree and behave quite differently. Here is how to tell them apart. For the full boto profile, see our pink river dolphin species guide . The quick answer The pink river dolphin ( Inia geoffrensis ) is a true river dolphin — bigger, pinker, with a long beak, a bendable neck and a low ridge instead of a fin. The tucuxi ( Sotalia fluviatilis ) is a small grey dolphin descended from ocean-going stock, with a classic triangular dorsal fin and a stiffer neck. If it is large and pink with no real fin, it is a boto; if it is small, grey and fin-backed, it is a tucuxi. Family: distant cousins, not siblings The boto belongs to the family Iniidae, the true river dolphins. The tucuxi sits in Delphinidae, the same family as familiar ocean dolphins, and only colonised fresh water more recently. They share a river but not a recent ancestor. Size and colour The boto reaches up to about 2.5 m and is the largest of all river dolphins; adults often turn pink. The tucuxi grows to roughly 1.5 m and stays grey above with a paler underside — it never turns pink. Body shape: fin vs ridge The clearest field mark is the back. The tucuxi has a distinct triangular dorsal fin, like a scaled-down ocean dolphin. The boto has only a long, low ridge and no true fin, paired with a longer, more slender beak and a bulging melon forehead. How they move The boto's unfused neck vertebrae let it turn its head nearly 90 degrees and thread through flooded forest after prey. The tucuxi has a stiffer, fused neck and tends to stick to open channels and lakes, often surfacing in a brisker, more conventional dolphin roll. Conservation: both in trouble Both species are now Endangered on the IUCN Red List — the boto assessed in 2018, the tucuxi in 2020 — and a long-term Brazilian study found both declining steeply in the same waters, with boto numbers halving roughly every decade. They face overlapping threats from gillnets and habitat pressure, which is why river-focused protection helps both at once. Feature Pink River Dolphin (boto) Tucuxi Family Iniidae (true river dolphin) Delphinidae (oceanic lineage) Adult length Up to ~2.5 m Up to ~1.5 m Colour Grey turning pink with age Grey, paler below; never pink Back Low ridge, no true fin Triangular dorsal fin Neck Flexible, unfused vertebrae Stiffer, fused neck IUCN status Endangered (2018) Endangered (2020) Because both dolphins share the same threatened rivers, protecting their habitat protects them together. WARN supports local partners in Brazil and Colombia doing exactly that; you can learn about that habitat work if you would like to help. Read the full Amazon river dolphin wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/pink-river-dolphin-vs-tucuxi-differences): Pink River Dolphin vs Tucuxi: How to Tell the Two Amazon Dolphins Apart.

## How do you tell a pink river dolphin from a tucuxi?
Look at size, colour and the back. The boto is larger (up to ~2.5 m), often pink, with a long beak and only a low ridge instead of a dorsal fin. The tucuxi is smaller (up to ~1.5 m), grey, and has a clear triangular dorsal fin.

## Are the pink river dolphin and tucuxi closely related?
No. The boto is a true river dolphin in the family Iniidae, while the tucuxi belongs to Delphinidae, the family of oceanic dolphins that colonised fresh water more recently. They share habitat but not a recent common ancestor.

## Are both Amazon dolphins endangered?
Yes. The IUCN lists the pink river dolphin as Endangered (assessed 2018) and the tucuxi as Endangered (assessed 2020). A long-term Brazilian study recorded steep, sustained declines in both species in the same waters.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/pink-river-dolphin-why-endangered): Why Are Pink River Dolphins Endangered — and What's Being Done?

## Summary
Pink river dolphins are Endangered (IUCN, 2018) mainly because of drowning in gillnets, deliberate killing for catfish bait, mercury pollution from illegal gold mining, dams and extreme heat — and the most effective response is locally led work to clear nets, end bait-hunting and protect their flooded-forest rivers.

## Excerpt
Gillnets, bait-hunting, mercury and record heat are all pushing the Amazon's pink dolphin toward the edge. Here is why the boto is Endangered, and how its rivers can be protected.

## Takeaway
The pink river dolphin was reclassified from Data Deficient to Endangered by the IUCN in 2018 as decline evidence mounted.

## Takeaway
Main threats are gillnet drowning, deliberate killing for catfish bait, mercury from illegal gold mining, dams and extreme heat.

## Takeaway
A 22-year study in a protected Brazilian reserve found boto numbers halving roughly every decade.

## Takeaway
In 2023, a record Amazon drought killed more than 150 dolphins in a single overheating lake, most of them botos.

## Takeaway
The most effective conservation is local and practical: clearing deadly gillnets, ending bait-hunting and protecting flooded forest.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/pink-river-dolphin-why-endangered): Why Are Pink River Dolphins Endangered — and What's Being Done?

## Briefing
The pink river dolphin, or boto, was long thought to be safe — protected by local folklore that warned against harming it. That is no longer true. In 2018 the IUCN moved the species from Data Deficient to Endangered as the evidence of decline became impossible to ignore. So what is driving the loss, and what can actually be done about it? For the full picture, start with our pink river dolphin species guide . Why is the pink river dolphin endangered? The boto's decline is overwhelmingly human-driven, and it stacks up from several directions at once: Gillnet drowning. Dolphins become tangled in nylon gillnets set for fish and drown — the single most pervasive threat across their range. Bait-hunting. Some botos are deliberately harpooned to be cut up as bait for piracatinga, a scavenging catfish. Researchers have documented harpoon and machete scars on captured animals. Mercury pollution. Illegal gold mining releases mercury into rivers, where it accumulates up the food chain into these long-lived top predators. Dams. River dams fragment populations and block the movements the dolphins depend on through the year. Extreme heat and drought. In 2023, during a record Amazon drought, more than 150 dolphins died in a single overheating lake where water approached the temperature of a hot bath — most of them botos. How fast are they declining? Because the dolphins are spread thinly across vast, hard-to-survey river networks, there is no trustworthy global count — numbers are thought to run into the tens of thousands, but the trend is the worrying part. A 22-year monitoring study in Brazil's well-protected Mamiraua Reserve found boto numbers halving roughly every decade. Declines that steep are among the most severe recorded in dolphins. What's being done — and what works Saving the boto is mostly about protecting rivers and working with the people who share them. The most effective measures are practical and local: Removing or modifying the gillnets that drown dolphins. Supporting fishers to step away from the bait-hunting trade. Monitoring mercury levels in water and wildlife. Responding quickly to stranded or entangled animals. Safeguarding key stretches of flooded forest the dolphins rely on. Because botos cross national borders, lasting progress depends on locally led teams who know the waterways and have the trust of riverside communities — not outside groups parachuting in. That is the model WARN backs in Brazil and Colombia, channelling supporter gifts to in-country partners working on river-dolphin safety. If this matters to you, you can support that frontline work ; even a small gift helps keep these rivers safer for the pink dolphins that depend on them. Read the full Amazon river dolphin wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/pink-river-dolphin-why-endangered): Why Are Pink River Dolphins Endangered — and What's Being Done?

## Why are pink river dolphins endangered?
The decline is human-driven: many drown in gillnets, some are deliberately harpooned for use as catfish bait, and mercury from illegal gold mining accumulates in these top predators. Dams and record droughts add further pressure. The IUCN listed the species as Endangered in 2018.

## How many pink river dolphins are left?
There is no reliable rangewide count. Numbers are thought to run into the tens of thousands, but monitoring shows a declining trend — boto numbers halved roughly every decade in one well-studied protected reserve.

## What is being done to protect pink river dolphins?
Practical, locally led work: removing or modifying deadly gillnets, supporting fishers to abandon the bait-hunting trade, monitoring mercury, responding to stranded animals, and protecting key stretches of flooded forest the dolphins depend on.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/humpback-whale-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Humpback Whale, the Ocean's Great Singer.

## Summary
Humpback whales are large baleen whales famous for the longest flippers of any whale, hours-long songs sung only by males, acrobatic breaching, bubble-net feeding, and a dramatic recovery from whaling to roughly 84,000 mature individuals (IUCN, 2018).

## Excerpt
From hours-long songs that only males sing to flippers longer than any other whale, here are 12 genuinely surprising facts about the humpback whale.

## Takeaway
Megaptera means 'big wing' — humpbacks have the longest pectoral fins, in proportion, of any whale.

## Takeaway
Only male humpbacks sing the long, structured songs, and new song versions spread across an entire ocean basin.

## Takeaway
Humpbacks use cooperative bubble-net feeding and can eat well over a tonne of krill and small fish a day.

## Takeaway
After whaling cut numbers by over 90%, the IUCN reassessed the species as Least Concern in 2018 with ~84,000 mature whales and an increasing trend.

## Takeaway
Some subpopulations, such as the Arabian Sea group, remain Endangered, and entanglement and ship strikes are ongoing threats.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/humpback-whale-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Humpback Whale, the Ocean's Great Singer.

## Briefing
12 amazing facts about the humpback whale The humpback whale ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) is one of the ocean's most charismatic giants: an acrobatic, deep-voiced filter feeder that travels thousands of kilometres between cold feeding seas and warm breeding bays. Here are twelve facts that capture why it fascinates scientists and whale-watchers alike. For the full profile, see our humpback whale species guide . 1. Its scientific name means 'big wing' The genus name Megaptera translates as 'big wing', a nod to the humpback's enormous pectoral fins. 2. Those flippers are the longest of any whale A humpback's pectoral fins can reach up to roughly a third of its body length, longer in proportion than any other whale. 3. Only the males sing Male humpbacks produce long, structured songs, mainly on the breeding grounds, that can repeat for hours at a time. 4. Their songs spread like hit tunes A song gradually changes through a season, and new versions can pass from one population to another across an entire ocean basin. 5. They are heavyweight acrobats Adults weigh roughly 25 to 30 tonnes yet still hurl themselves clear of the water in spectacular breaches. 6. They hunt with nets made of bubbles Groups sometimes blow curtains of bubbles to herd krill and small fish into tight balls before lunging through them, a behaviour called bubble-net feeding. 7. They can eat over a tonne of food a day During the feeding season a single humpback can strain well over a tonne of prey through its baleen plates each day. 8. They migrate around 8,000 km one way Many humpbacks make one of the longest migrations of any mammal, around 8,000 km between feeding and breeding grounds. 9. Each tail fluke is a fingerprint The pattern on the underside of a humpback's tail is unique, letting researchers identify individuals over decades. 10. They can live 80 to 90 years Like other large baleen whales, humpbacks are long-lived; age is often estimated from layers in their earwax plugs. 11. They came back from the brink Commercial whaling cut some populations by more than 90 percent, but after the 1985 whaling moratorium the IUCN reassessed the species as Least Concern in 2018, with about 84,000 mature whales and an increasing trend. 12. Not every population is safe yet The global picture is bright, but the IUCN still lists subpopulations such as the Arabian Sea humpbacks as Endangered. Entanglement in fishing gear and ship strikes remain real threats, which is why WARN helps fund partner marine teams along Brazil's Abrolhos breeding coast. If these facts moved you, you can support that work . Read the full Humpback whale wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/humpback-whale-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Humpback Whale, the Ocean's Great Singer.

## Why do humpback whales sing?
Only male humpbacks produce the long, structured songs, mostly on the breeding grounds, and the songs are thought to play a role in breeding behaviour. A song evolves through a season and new versions can spread from one population to another across an ocean.

## How far do humpback whales migrate?
Many humpbacks travel around 8,000 km one way between cold, productive feeding waters and warm breeding and calving grounds, one of the longest migrations of any mammal.

## Are humpback whales endangered?
Globally the IUCN listed the species as Least Concern with an increasing population in its 2018 assessment, but several regional subpopulations, including the Arabian Sea humpbacks, remain Endangered.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/humpback-whale-how-big-how-heavy-how-strong): How Big Is a Humpback Whale? Size, Weight and Strength Explained.

## Summary
An adult humpback whale is about 14 to 16 metres long and weighs roughly 25 to 30 tonnes (up to about 40), with females slightly larger than males and the longest pectoral fins of any whale.

## Excerpt
Humpback whales reach 14 to 16 metres and weigh up to 30 tonnes, with the longest flippers of any whale. Here's how their size, weight and power really compare.

## Takeaway
Adult humpback whales reach about 14–16 m long and weigh roughly 25–30 tonnes, with the largest near 40 tonnes.

## Takeaway
Females grow slightly larger than males, the reverse of most mammals.

## Takeaway
Their pectoral fins are the longest of any whale, up to about one third of body length — hence the name Megaptera, 'big wing'.

## Takeaway
Humpbacks can burst to around 25 km/h (16 mph) and eat well over a tonne of prey a day in the feeding season.

## Takeaway
They are smaller than blue whales, which can reach 24–30 m, but are far more acrobatic at the surface.

## Briefing
How big is a humpback whale? An adult humpback whale ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) typically measures about 14 to 16 metres long and weighs roughly 25 to 30 tonnes, with the largest individuals approaching 40 tonnes. Unusually for mammals, females grow slightly larger than males. For the wider profile, see our humpback whale species guide . Length: as long as a bus, and then some At 14 to 16 metres, a humpback is roughly the length of a large city bus or a couple of cars parked end to end. That makes it a true great whale, though it is well short of the blue whale, which can reach 24 to 30 metres. Weight: heavier than four elephants A 25-to-30-tonne humpback outweighs about four large African elephants combined. Despite that mass, humpbacks are famous for launching their bodies almost completely clear of the water in breaches. The longest flippers of any whale The humpback's most distinctive measurement is its pectoral fins, which can reach up to about a third of the body length, the longest in proportion of any whale. The genus name Megaptera literally means 'big wing' in tribute to them. How strong and fast is a humpback? Humpbacks are powerful rather than fast. They cruise slowly but can reach bursts of around 25 km/h (about 16 mph), and the muscle that drives their tail flukes is strong enough to throw 30 tonnes into the air. Even so, they are gentle filter feeders and are not aggressive toward people. How much does a humpback eat for its size? To fuel that bulk, a humpback can strain well over a tonne of krill and small schooling fish through its baleen each day during the feeding season, often building fat reserves it lives off while breeding. Why size matters for survival A humpback's size is no defence against modern hazards: entanglement in fishing gear and collisions with ships still injure and kill these giants along their migration routes. WARN helps fund partner marine teams working along Brazil's Abrolhos breeding coast, where you can support stranding and disentanglement response . Read the full Humpback whale wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/humpback-whale-how-big-how-heavy-how-strong): How Big Is a Humpback Whale? Size, Weight and Strength Explained.

## How big do humpback whales get?
Adults reach roughly 14 to 16 metres long and weigh about 25 to 30 tonnes, with the largest individuals near 40 tonnes. Females are slightly larger than males, and the pectoral fins can be up to about a third of the body length.

## Is a humpback whale bigger than a blue whale?
No. The humpback is smaller. At 14 to 16 metres it is well short of the blue whale, which can reach 24 to 30 metres and is the largest animal known to have lived. Humpbacks are, however, far more acrobatic at the surface.

## How fast can a humpback whale swim?
Humpbacks usually travel slowly but can reach bursts of around 25 km/h (about 16 mph). They are powerful swimmers rather than fast ones, using strength to migrate long distances and breach clear of the water.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/humpback-whale-vs-blue-whale-differences): Humpback Whale vs Blue Whale: 6 Key Differences and How to Tell Them Apart.

## Summary
The blue whale is much larger (about 24–30 m) and slender with short flippers, while the humpback whale is smaller (about 14–16 m), stockier, has a knobbly head and the longest flippers of any whale, and is far more acrobatic and vocal.

## Excerpt
Both are great whales, but the humpback and the blue whale differ in size, shape, flippers, behaviour and conservation status. Here's how to tell them apart.

## Takeaway
Blue whales are far larger (about 24–30 m) than humpbacks (about 14–16 m); the blue whale is the largest animal known to have lived.

## Takeaway
Humpbacks are stocky with knobbly heads and very long pale flippers; blue whales are long, slender and mottled blue-grey with short flippers.

## Takeaway
Humpbacks breach often and the males sing; blue whales rarely breach and rely on extremely loud low-frequency calls.

## Takeaway
In the IUCN's 2018 assessments the humpback is Least Concern and increasing, while the blue whale remains Endangered.

## Takeaway
The fastest field clue is the flippers: humpbacks have the longest pectoral fins of any whale.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/humpback-whale-vs-blue-whale-differences): Humpback Whale vs Blue Whale: 6 Key Differences and How to Tell Them Apart.

## Briefing
Humpback whale vs blue whale: the quick answer The humpback whale ( Megaptera novaeangliae ) and the blue whale ( Balaenoptera musculus ) are both baleen whales in the rorqual family, but they are easy to tell apart: the blue whale is far longer and more slender, while the humpback is stockier, has knobbly skin on its head, and carries enormous wing-like flippers. For the full profile, see our humpback whale species guide . 1. Size The blue whale is the largest animal known to have lived, reaching about 24 to 30 metres. The humpback is much smaller at roughly 14 to 16 metres. 2. Body shape and colour Blue whales are long and slender with mottled blue-grey skin. Humpbacks are stockier and darker, with a knobbly head and a pale throat and flippers. 3. Flippers This is the giveaway. The humpback's pectoral fins are very long, up to about a third of its body, the longest of any whale. The blue whale's flippers are short relative to its huge body. 4. Behaviour Humpbacks are famous acrobats that breach and slap the surface with fins and flukes, and the males sing long, structured songs. Blue whales rarely breach and instead produce extremely loud, low-frequency calls. 5. Conservation status In the IUCN's 2018 assessments the two diverge sharply: the humpback was listed as Least Concern with an increasing population, while the blue whale remained Endangered as it recovers more slowly from whaling. 6. How to tell them apart at sea If a whale launches clear of the water, slaps long white-edged flippers or shows a knobbly head, it is almost certainly a humpback. A very long, blue-grey whale with a tall, slim blow and short flippers that barely breaches points to a blue whale. Why both still need help Whaling pushed both species to the brink, and entanglement in fishing gear and ship strikes still threaten them today. WARN helps fund partner marine teams along Brazil's Abrolhos humpback breeding coast; you can quietly back that frontline work if you'd like to help. Read the full Humpback whale wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/humpback-whale-vs-blue-whale-differences): Humpback Whale vs Blue Whale: 6 Key Differences and How to Tell Them Apart.

## What is the main difference between a humpback whale and a blue whale?
Size and shape. The blue whale is much longer (about 24–30 m) and slender with short flippers, while the humpback is smaller (about 14–16 m), stockier, has a knobbly head, and carries the longest pectoral fins of any whale.

## Which is bigger, the humpback or the blue whale?
The blue whale is much bigger. At 24 to 30 metres it is the largest animal known to have lived, while humpbacks reach about 14 to 16 metres.

## Are humpback and blue whales related?
Yes. Both are baleen whales in the rorqual family Balaenopteridae, though they sit in different genera — Megaptera for the humpback and Balaenoptera for the blue whale — and look and behave very differently.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/sloth-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Sloths You Probably Didn't Know.

## Summary
Sloths are the slowest mammals on Earth: they move about 3 metres per minute, run a metabolism only 40-45% of the rate expected for their size, can take up to 30 days to digest a single leaf, and host algae and moths in their fur as camouflage.

## Excerpt
From algae gardens growing in their fur to digesting a single leaf for weeks, here are twelve genuinely surprising, science-backed facts about the world's slowest mammal.

## Takeaway
"Sloth" covers six living species in two groups: three-toed (Bradypus) and two-toed (Choloepus).

## Takeaway
Sloths are the slowest mammals on Earth, moving about 3 metres per minute on the ground.

## Takeaway
A leaf can take up to roughly 30 days to digest, and their metabolism runs at only 40-45% of the expected rate for their size.

## Takeaway
Their slow lifestyle lets algae and specialised moths live in their fur, aiding camouflage.

## Takeaway
Four of six species are Least Concern, but the maned sloth is Endangered and the pygmy three-toed sloth is Critically Endangered.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/sloth-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Sloths You Probably Didn't Know.

## Briefing
Twelve things that make sloths extraordinary Sloths look like the rainforest pressed pause on them, but almost everything about their slowness is a finely tuned survival strategy. "Sloth" is not one animal but six living species split between the three-toed sloths (genus Bradypus ) and the two-toed sloths (genus Choloepus ). Here are twelve facts that show why these gentle tree-dwellers are far stranger than they first appear. For the full overview, see our sloth species guide . Slowness as a superpower They are the slowest mammals on Earth. On the ground a sloth manages only about three metres per minute, a pace that keeps them all but invisible to predators that hunt by spotting movement. Their metabolism runs at roughly 40 to 45% of what their body size predicts. Leaves are a low-energy food, so sloths simply burn less. A single leaf can take weeks to digest. Food can spend up to around 30 days passing through a sloth's multi-chambered, fermenting stomach. They descend to the ground only about once a week, usually just to defecate, which is one of the most dangerous moments in a sloth's life. A living ecosystem in the fur Algae grows in their coat. Sloths move so little that green algae colonise their fur, giving older animals a faint green tinge that improves camouflage. Their fur has its own moths. Specialised sloth moths live in that coat, part of a small ecosystem riding on a single animal. Their hair grows "backwards." The outer fur runs from belly to back so rain sheds off while they hang upside down. Surprising bodies They are excellent swimmers. Sloths can move about three times faster in water than on land, using their long arms in a slow breaststroke. They can hold their breath for a remarkably long time by slowing their heart rate, which helps them cross rivers and flooded forest. "Two-toed" and "three-toed" refers to the front claws only. All sloths have three toes on their hind limbs. They can rotate their heads a long way around, helped by extra neck vertebrae in three-toed species, so they can scan the canopy without moving their bodies. Two are in serious trouble. While four of the six living species are Least Concern, the maned sloth is Endangered and the pygmy three-toed sloth is Critically Endangered. Those last two facts are a reminder that "slow and safe" only goes so far. Habitat loss, the illegal pet trade, road traffic and power-line electrocution all weigh on wild sloths, especially where forest meets growing towns. Our partner-funded shelters in countries such as Brazil and Colombia take in orphaned and injured sloths, and you can help quietly via our donation page . Read the full Sloth wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/sloth-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Sloths You Probably Didn't Know.

## Why does algae grow in a sloth's fur?
Because sloths move so little and their grooved hairs trap moisture, green algae can colonise the coat. The algae give a faint green tinge that improves camouflage in the canopy and may offer a minor nutritional supplement, while specialised sloth moths live in the same fur.

## Are sloths really the slowest mammals?
Yes. On the ground sloths travel only about three metres per minute, the slowest of any mammal, an adaptation to their low-energy leaf diet. Oddly, they move roughly three times faster when swimming than when crawling on land.

## How many types of sloth are there?
There are six living species, split into four three-toed sloths in the genus Bradypus and two two-toed sloths in the genus Choloepus.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/sloth-how-slow-is-a-sloth): How Slow Is a Sloth? The Science Behind the World's Slowest Mammal.

## Summary
A sloth moves only about 3 metres per minute on the ground, making it the slowest mammal on Earth; its metabolism runs at roughly 40-45% of the expected rate for its size, and a single leaf can take up to about 30 days to digest.

## Excerpt
Sloths crawl about 3 metres a minute and can spend a month digesting one leaf. Here's exactly how slow they are, in numbers, and why their slowness keeps them alive.

## Takeaway
Sloths move only about 3 metres per minute on the ground, the slowest of any mammal.

## Takeaway
Their metabolism runs at roughly 40-45% of the rate expected for their body size.

## Takeaway
Digesting one leaf can take up to about 30 days, and they descend to defecate only once a week.

## Takeaway
Slowness is camouflage: predators that hunt by movement struggle to spot a near-motionless sloth.

## Takeaway
In water sloths swim about three times faster than they move on land.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/sloth-how-slow-is-a-sloth): How Slow Is a Sloth? The Science Behind the World's Slowest Mammal.

## Briefing
How slow is a sloth, really? Sloths are the slowest mammals on Earth, and the numbers are striking. On the ground a sloth covers only about three metres per minute, slower than most people can walk in a single second. But slowness in a sloth is not laziness; it is an exquisitely tuned response to a diet of leaves that yield very little energy. Our sloth species guide sets out the full biology, while this explainer focuses on the speed question people search for most. The speed, in numbers Ground speed: roughly 3 metres per minute, the slowest of any mammal. Metabolism: only about 40 to 45% of the rate expected for an animal of their size. Digestion: a single leaf can take up to around 30 days to pass through their multi-chambered, fermenting stomach. Bathroom breaks: sloths climb down to defecate only about once a week. Why being slow keeps sloths alive A sloth's main predators, including harpy eagles and big cats, hunt largely by detecting motion. By barely moving, a sloth becomes extremely hard to notice, an effect reinforced by the green algae that grows in its fur and breaks up its outline against the canopy. Low movement also means low energy use, which matters enormously when your food is hard-to-digest foliage. Sloths reinforce this by running cooler body temperatures and digesting slowly, squeezing every possible calorie from each leaf. The exception: sloths are surprisingly fast swimmers Slowness on land does not mean slowness everywhere. In water a sloth can move about three times faster than it crawls on land, using its long arms in a steady stroke. It can also slow its heart rate to hold its breath for a remarkably long stretch, an ability that helps it cross rivers and flooded forest in its range. So the honest answer to "how fast is a sloth" is: almost stationary on land, but a capable swimmer when it has to be. When slowness becomes a danger A sloth's slow pace is perfect for the treetops but leaves it badly exposed where rainforest has been broken up by roads and power lines. Animals that come down to cross a gap can be hit by vehicles or electrocuted, and slow, trusting sloths are easy to grab for the illegal pet trade. Partner-funded shelters in countries such as Brazil and Colombia rescue and rehabilitate these animals, and you can support that work through our donation page if you'd like to help. Read the full Sloth wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/sloth-how-slow-is-a-sloth): How Slow Is a Sloth? The Science Behind the World's Slowest Mammal.

## How fast can a sloth move?
On the ground a sloth travels only about three metres per minute, the slowest speed of any mammal. It moves a little faster up in the trees and noticeably faster in water, where it can swim around three times quicker than it crawls on land.

## Why are sloths so slow?
Sloths eat mainly leaves, which give very little energy and are slow to digest. Moving as little as possible conserves that energy, and it also makes sloths almost invisible to predators that hunt by detecting movement.

## How long does it take a sloth to digest food?
Very long: a single leaf can take up to around 30 days to pass through a sloth's multi-chambered, fermenting stomach, one of the slowest digestion rates recorded in any mammal.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/sloth-two-toed-vs-three-toed-differences): Two-Toed vs Three-Toed Sloth: What's the Difference?

## Summary
Two-toed sloths (Choloepus) have two front claws, are more omnivorous and mostly nocturnal, while three-toed sloths (Bradypus) have three front claws, eat mainly leaves and are mostly active by day; both groups have three hind toes, and the most threatened sloths are three-toed species.

## Excerpt
They look alike hanging in the trees, but two-toed and three-toed sloths differ in claws, diet, behaviour and conservation status. Here's how to tell them apart.

## Takeaway
All sloths have three hind toes; the difference is front claws, three in Bradypus and two in Choloepus.

## Takeaway
Three-toed sloths are mainly leaf-eating and active by day; two-toed sloths are more omnivorous and largely nocturnal.

## Takeaway
Two-toed sloths are usually a bit larger (about 4-9 kg) and have longer gestation (about 10-12 months) than three-toed sloths.

## Takeaway
Both two-toed species are Least Concern; the most threatened sloths are the three-toed maned (Endangered) and pygmy (Critically Endangered) species.

## Takeaway
Shared threats include habitat loss, the pet trade, roads and power-line electrocution.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/sloth-two-toed-vs-three-toed-differences): Two-Toed vs Three-Toed Sloth: What's the Difference?

## Briefing
Two-toed vs three-toed sloth: the key differences The word "sloth" covers six living species in two quite different groups: the three-toed sloths (genus Bradypus , four species) and the two-toed sloths (genus Choloepus , two species). They share the famous slow lifestyle but differ in their claws, what they eat, when they are active and how threatened they are. Our sloth species guide covers the whole family; this comparison zooms in on the two groups people most often mix up. Count the front claws, not the toes The names are misleading. Every sloth, in both groups, has three toes on its hind feet. The difference is on the forelimbs: three-toed sloths have three claws on each front limb, while two-toed sloths have two. That front-claw count is the single most reliable way to tell the groups apart, since both can look similar at a glance in the canopy. Diet and daily rhythm Three-toed sloths are almost pure leaf-eaters, browsing a narrow range of foliage. Two-toed sloths are more omnivorous, adding fruit and, occasionally, small animals to their leaves. Their daily clocks differ too: three-toed sloths are mainly active by day, whereas two-toed sloths are largely nocturnal, which is one reason the two-toed species are seen less often by visitors. Two-toed sloths also tend to be a little larger and heavier, generally around 4 to 9 kg against roughly 3.5 to 6 kg for three-toed sloths. Reproduction and lifespan Gestation is markedly longer in two-toed sloths, at about 10 to 12 months, compared with roughly 6 months in three-toed sloths; both usually raise a single cub at a time. Two-toed sloths also tend to do better in human care, where some have lived into their 30s and 40s, with one recorded near 50. Conservation: where the real difference lies Most sloths are still widespread. Both two-toed species are currently Least Concern. Among the three-toed sloths the picture is more mixed and includes the family's most threatened members: the maned sloth of Brazil's Atlantic Forest is Endangered, and the pygmy three-toed sloth, found on a single small island off Panama, is Critically Endangered with only a few hundred to a few thousand individuals. Across both groups, habitat loss, the illegal pet trade, road traffic and power-line electrocution are the recurring threats, especially in fragmented forest in countries such as Brazil and Colombia. Partner-funded shelters there rescue sloths of both kinds, and you can help quietly through our donation page . Read the full Sloth wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/sloth-two-toed-vs-three-toed-differences): Two-Toed vs Three-Toed Sloth: What's the Difference?

## What is the main difference between two-toed and three-toed sloths?
The number of claws on their front limbs: two-toed sloths have two front claws and three-toed sloths have three. Both groups actually have three toes on their hind feet, so the names refer only to the forelimbs.

## Which sloth is more endangered, two-toed or three-toed?
Three-toed sloths include the family's most threatened members, the Endangered maned sloth and the Critically Endangered pygmy three-toed sloth. Both two-toed (Choloepus) species are currently assessed as Least Concern.

## Are two-toed and three-toed sloths closely related?
They are both sloths in the suborder Folivora but belong to separate genera and families, and they are not as closely related as their similar looks suggest, a result of evolution producing the same slow, tree-hanging lifestyle twice.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/markhor-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Markhor, the Corkscrew-Horned Wild Goat.

## Summary
The markhor (Capra falconeri) is the world's largest wild goat, famous for the males' corkscrew horns of up to around 160 cm; it is Pakistan's national animal and was downlisted by the IUCN from Endangered to Near Threatened in 2015 after community-led conservation reversed its decline.

## Excerpt
From spiral horns longer than a person is tall to one of conservation's rare comeback stories, here are 12 standout facts about the markhor.

## Takeaway
The markhor is the world's largest wild goat and the national animal of Pakistan.

## Takeaway
Males grow corkscrew horns of up to around 160 cm; females have much shorter horns of up to about 25 cm.

## Takeaway
There are three recognised subspecies, ranging from northern Pakistan to Tajikistan.

## Takeaway
The IUCN downlisted the markhor from Endangered to Near Threatened in 2015 after community-led conservation.

## Takeaway
The total population is still only an estimated 5,000–6,000 animals, so protection must continue.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/markhor-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Markhor, the Corkscrew-Horned Wild Goat.

## Briefing
The markhor is one of the most striking animals in the mountains of Central and South Asia — a wild goat with twisting horns, a flowing winter coat and a conservation backstory that rarely gets told. Here are twelve facts that explain why this remarkable mountain goat has become a symbol of hope for wildlife recovery. 1. It is the world's largest wild goat No wild goat is bigger. Males can stand up to roughly 115 cm at the shoulder and weigh around 80–110 kg, dwarfing the smaller females. 2. Its corkscrew horns are the headline act Mature males grow spiralling, screw-shaped horns that can reach about 160 cm — longer than many adults are tall. Females carry far shorter horns of up to around 25 cm. 3. The name hints at a legend "Markhor" is often linked to Persian words meaning "snake-eater," tied to old folklore about the animal killing snakes. In reality the markhor is a strict herbivore. 4. It is Pakistan's national animal The markhor stands as a national symbol of Pakistan's mountain wilderness, appearing in emblems and conservation campaigns. 5. It climbs cliffs that stop predators With cloven, rubbery-soled hooves, markhor cross near-vertical rock faces that most hunters cannot follow, using sheer terrain as a defence. 6. Males and females live apart for much of the year Females and young gather in herds of roughly nine animals, while mature males are largely solitary outside the winter rut. 7. They change their diet with the seasons In spring and summer markhor graze on grasses; in autumn and winter they browse leaves, twigs and shrubs, sometimes rearing onto their hind legs to reach branches. 8. There are three recognised subspecies The Astor (Kashmir), Kabul (straight-horned) and Bukharan markhor differ mainly in horn shape and range, from northern Pakistan to Tajikistan. 9. It feeds the snow leopard As one of the few large prey animals in its range, the markhor helps sustain predators including the endangered snow leopard. 10. It was once classed as Endangered Unregulated hunting, poaching for horns, livestock competition and disturbance pushed several subpopulations toward collapse by the late 20th century. 11. Community conservation turned it around From the 1990s, a tightly regulated, science-quota model channelled most permit revenue back to mountain villages, giving them a stake in protecting the herds. Poaching fell and numbers rose. 12. The IUCN downlisted it in 2015 After numbers stabilised and grew — the Chitral subpopulation now exceeds 1,000 mature animals — the IUCN moved the markhor from Endangered to Near Threatened. The total is still only an estimated 5,000–6,000 animals, so protection remains ongoing. WARN's funded partners in Pakistan support that local work; backing them helps keep it going. Read the full Markhor wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/markhor-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Markhor, the Corkscrew-Horned Wild Goat.

## Why is the markhor called the screw-horn goat?
Because mature males grow long, spiralling horns that twist like a corkscrew or screw, sometimes reaching around 160 cm in length.

## Is the markhor endangered?
It was classified as Endangered, but in 2015 the IUCN downlisted it to Near Threatened after community-based conservation in Pakistan helped numbers recover. It still numbers only an estimated 5,000–6,000 animals.

## What does the markhor eat?
Markhor are herbivores. They graze on grasses in spring and summer and browse on leaves, twigs and shrubs in autumn and winter, sometimes standing on their hind legs to reach branches.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/markhor-how-big-size-horns-weight): How Big Is a Markhor? Size, Weight and Those Giant Corkscrew Horns.

## Summary
A markhor is the world's largest wild goat: head-and-body length is roughly 132–186 cm, shoulder height about 65–115 cm, males weigh around 80–110 kg, and males' corkscrew horns can reach about 160 cm.

## Excerpt
The markhor is the largest wild goat on Earth. Here is exactly how big it gets — height, weight and the record-setting spiral horns.

## Takeaway
The markhor is the world's largest wild goat species.

## Takeaway
Head-and-body length is roughly 132–186 cm, with a shoulder height of about 65–115 cm.

## Takeaway
Males weigh around 80–110 kg; females are much smaller at about 32–50 kg.

## Takeaway
Males' corkscrew horns can reach about 160 cm — longer than many adults are tall.

## Takeaway
Female horns are far shorter, reaching up to around 25 cm.

## Briefing
If you have ever wondered just how big the markhor really is, the short answer is: bigger than any other wild goat on the planet. But the numbers behind that claim — and the horns that go with them — are worth a closer look. Here is the full size picture for this spectacular mountain goat . How tall and long is a markhor? Markhor have a head-and-body length of roughly 132–186 cm and stand about 65–115 cm at the shoulder. That puts a large male at around waist-to-chest height on a person — substantial for a goat, and well suited to the steep terrain it calls home. How much does a markhor weigh? There is a big gap between the sexes. Males typically weigh around 80–110 kg, while the smaller females weigh roughly 32–50 kg. That difference helps males compete during the winter rut, when they clash horns to win mates. How long are a markhor's horns? The horns are the markhor's signature feature. In mature males the spiralling, corkscrew-shaped horns can reach about 160 cm — longer than many adult humans are tall. Females also grow horns, but theirs are far shorter, up to around 25 cm. The horns are used for fighting rivals, not for attacking people. Why is the markhor the largest wild goat? Across the genus Capra, the markhor stands out for its combination of body mass and horn size. Its bulk and powerful build let it survive harsh mountain winters between roughly 600 and 3,600 metres, where it moves up and down the slopes with the seasons. How does its size help it survive? A heavy, muscular body and broad, rubbery-soled hooves let the markhor cross cliffs that deter predators, while its size makes it an important prey animal for the snow leopard. That ecological role is one reason its recovery matters beyond the species itself — and why WARN's local partners in Pakistan focus on keeping mountain wildlife protected. If that work speaks to you, you can support it here . Read the full Markhor wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/markhor-how-big-size-horns-weight): How Big Is a Markhor? Size, Weight and Those Giant Corkscrew Horns.

## How big do markhor get?
Markhor are the largest wild goats. Head-and-body length is roughly 132–186 cm, shoulder height about 65–115 cm, with males weighing around 80–110 kg and females about 32–50 kg.

## How long are a male markhor's horns?
A mature male's spiral, corkscrew-shaped horns can reach about 160 cm in length, while females have much shorter horns of up to around 25 cm.

## Is the markhor bigger than an ibex?
Yes. The markhor is generally regarded as the largest wild goat species, typically heavier and taller than ibex, and it carries distinctive spiralling horns rather than the ibex's backward-curving sweep.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/markhor-vs-ibex-differences): Markhor vs Ibex: How to Tell These Wild Mountain Goats Apart.

## Summary
The key difference is the horns and the size: the markhor (Capra falconeri) is the largest wild goat and grows spiralling, corkscrew-shaped horns up to around 160 cm, while ibex are generally smaller with long, backward-curving, ridged horns that sweep up and back rather than twisting.

## Excerpt
Both are wild mountain goats with impressive horns, but the markhor and the ibex differ in size, horn shape and range. Here's how to tell them apart.

## Takeaway
The clearest difference is horn shape: markhor horns spiral like a corkscrew, while ibex horns curve backward in a ridged arc.

## Takeaway
The markhor is the largest wild goat species; ibex are generally smaller and more compact.

## Takeaway
Male markhor horns can reach about 160 cm; ibex horns are long but sweep back rather than twisting.

## Takeaway
The markhor's stronghold is northern Pakistan, where it is the national animal; ibex range across much of Eurasia and Africa.

## Takeaway
The markhor was downlisted from Endangered to Near Threatened in 2015 but still numbers only an estimated 5,000–6,000 animals.

## Briefing
The markhor and the ibex are often confused — both are wild goats of the genus Capra, both live on steep mountain terrain, and both males carry dramatic horns. But once you know what to look for, the two are easy to tell apart. Here is a clear comparison, with the markhor side drawn from our full markhor species guide . Horn shape: the fastest way to tell them apart This is the giveaway. A male markhor's horns spiral and twist like a corkscrew or screw, which is why it is nicknamed the screw-horn goat. Ibex horns, by contrast, are long and curve backward in a single sweeping arc, marked by prominent ridges along the front. If the horns twist, you are looking at a markhor. Size and build The markhor is the largest wild goat species, with males weighing around 80–110 kg and standing up to roughly 115 cm at the shoulder. Ibex are typically smaller and more compact. The markhor also grows a notably long, shaggy winter coat, and males develop a flowing ruff around the neck and chest. Horn length Markhor horns can reach about 160 cm in males. Ibex horns can also be long, but they grow in that distinctive backward curve rather than the markhor's spiral, so even at a glance the silhouette is different. Range and habitat Markhor are concentrated in the mountains of Central and South Asia, with the species' stronghold in northern Pakistan, where it is the national animal. Ibex species are spread more widely across Eurasia and parts of Africa, occupying many separate mountain ranges. Their ranges overlap in parts of Central Asia, which is part of why people mix them up. Conservation status The markhor was once Endangered and was downlisted by the IUCN to Near Threatened in 2015 after community-led conservation in Pakistan reversed its decline; the total is still only an estimated 5,000–6,000 animals. Ibex conservation status varies by species. WARN's funded partners in Pakistan work to keep markhor and other mountain wildlife protected, and you can support that effort if you'd like to help. Read the full Markhor wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/markhor-vs-ibex-differences): Markhor vs Ibex: How to Tell These Wild Mountain Goats Apart.

## What is the main difference between a markhor and an ibex?
The horns. A markhor's horns spiral and twist like a corkscrew, while an ibex's horns are long and curve backward in a single ridged arc. The markhor is also the largest wild goat species.

## Is a markhor a type of ibex?
No. Both are wild goats in the genus Capra, but the markhor (Capra falconeri) is a distinct species with its own spiralling horns and three recognised subspecies, separate from the various ibex species.

## Which is bigger, a markhor or an ibex?
The markhor is generally regarded as the largest wild goat species, typically heavier and taller than ibex, with males weighing around 80–110 kg.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/snow-leopard-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Snow Leopard, the Ghost of the Mountains.

## Summary
The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is an elusive high-altitude big cat of Central and South Asia that cannot roar, has a tail nearly as long as its body, can leap up to roughly 15 metres, and is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.

## Excerpt
From a tail nearly as long as its body to leaps of up to 15 metres, here are 12 verified facts about the elusive snow leopard of Central and South Asia.

## Takeaway
The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) lives above 3,000 m across 12 Central and South Asian nations, including northern Pakistan.

## Takeaway
Its tail (80–100 cm) is almost as long as its body and serves as both balance aid and cold-weather scarf.

## Takeaway
It cannot roar; it chuffs, mews and growls instead.

## Takeaway
It can leap up to about 15 m and kill prey up to three times its own weight.

## Takeaway
The IUCN lists it as Vulnerable, with fewer than about 3,400 mature breeding adults remaining.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/snow-leopard-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Snow Leopard, the Ghost of the Mountains.

## Briefing
Few big cats are harder to find than the snow leopard ( Panthera uncia ). Pale, silent and built for thin mountain air, it has earned the nickname "ghost of the mountains" from the herders who share its valleys. Here are 12 facts about this remarkable predator, drawn from authoritative wildlife sources. 12 facts about the snow leopard 1. It is built for the world's highest mountains Snow leopards live among bare rock and snow, often above 3,000 metres, and have been recorded hunting as high as roughly 5,500 metres. Their range spans 12 mountain nations of Central and South Asia, including the northern peaks of Pakistan. 2. Its tail is almost as long as its body An adult's head-and-body length is around 90–120 cm, with a tail of 80–100 cm. That tail aids balance on cliffs and wraps around the body like a built-in scarf in sub-zero cold. 3. It cannot roar Unlike lions and tigers, the snow leopard's throat anatomy does not allow a true roar. Instead it chuffs, mews, hisses and growls. 4. It is a phenomenal jumper Powerful hind legs let a snow leopard cover up to about 15 metres (roughly 50 feet) in a single leap across mountain terrain, according to wildlife authorities. 5. It can take down prey three times its own size Despite weighing only about 25–55 kg, a snow leopard regularly kills wild sheep and goats far heavier than itself, ambushing them from above on steep ground. 6. Its paws work like snowshoes Wide, fur-covered paws spread the cat's weight across deep snow and protect the pads from cold rock. 7. It breathes warmed air An enlarged nasal cavity warms the freezing, oxygen-poor air before it reaches the lungs. 8. It is a solitary, twilight hunter Snow leopards are mostly crepuscular, hunting at dawn and dusk, and range alone over territories that can span hundreds of square kilometres where prey is sparse. 9. It is not really a leopard Though it shares the name, the snow leopard is its own species and not a high-altitude form of the common leopard ( Panthera pardus ). 10. It is harmless to people There are no reliable records of snow leopards preying on humans. Conflict with people is almost always about livestock, not attacks. 11. Cubs are born in litters of one to three After a gestation of about 90–100 days, a mother raises her cubs through their first winter before they strike out alone. 12. Fewer than 3,400 breeding adults may remain The IUCN lists the snow leopard as Vulnerable, with a decreasing population and an estimated 2,710–3,386 mature adults across its vast, under-surveyed range. Want the full profile, taxonomy and conservation data? Read our snow leopard species guide . In northern Pakistan, helping herding families coexist with these cats is some of the most valuable work being done, and you can support partner-funded mountain conservation if it moves you. Read the full Snow leopard wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/snow-leopard-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Snow Leopard, the Ghost of the Mountains.

## Why is the snow leopard called the ghost of the mountains?
Its pale, rosette-marked coat blends into rock and snow, and it is solitary, silent and active mainly at dawn and dusk, so it is rarely seen even where it lives. Herders nicknamed it the ghost of the mountains for this elusiveness.

## Can snow leopards roar?
No. A snow leopard's throat anatomy does not produce a true roar. It communicates with chuffs, mews, hisses and growls, and marks territory by scent rather than by roaring.

## How far can a snow leopard jump?
Wildlife authorities report leaps of up to about 15 metres (roughly 50 feet) across mountain terrain, powered by the cat's strong hind legs and used to ambush prey on steep slopes.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/snow-leopard-how-big-fast-strong): How Big, Fast and Strong Is a Snow Leopard? The Numbers Behind a Mountain Hunter.

## Summary
A snow leopard weighs about 25–55 kg with a 90–120 cm body and an 80–100 cm tail; it can leap up to roughly 15 metres and kill prey up to three times its own weight, though it is not built for fast open-ground chases.

## Excerpt
A snow leopard weighs only 25–55 kg yet leaps up to 15 metres and kills prey three times its size. Here are the verified size, speed and strength figures.

## Takeaway
Snow leopards weigh about 25–55 kg (55–120 lb) with a head-and-body length of 90–120 cm — smaller than a tiger or lion.

## Takeaway
Their 80–100 cm tail is nearly as long as the body, among the longest relative to body size of any cat.

## Takeaway
They can leap up to about 15 m in a single bound across mountain terrain.

## Takeaway
They can kill prey up to three times their own body weight, mainly wild sheep and goats.

## Takeaway
Despite their strength, they are not dangerous to humans — there are no reliable records of attacks on people.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/snow-leopard-how-big-fast-strong): How Big, Fast and Strong Is a Snow Leopard? The Numbers Behind a Mountain Hunter.

## Briefing
For such a famous predator, the snow leopard ( Panthera uncia ) is surprisingly compact. Its reputation rests not on bulk but on agility, leaping power and the ability to overpower prey far heavier than itself. Here is what the numbers actually say. How big is a snow leopard? Adults weigh roughly 25–55 kg (about 55–120 lb), with a head-and-body length of around 90–120 cm. That makes the snow leopard smaller than a tiger, lion or jaguar, and broadly comparable to a common leopard. Males are typically larger than females. That famous tail Add a tail of 80–100 cm — nearly as long as the body itself — and the snow leopard owns one of the longest tails, relative to body size, of any cat. It is a counterbalance on knife-edge ridges and a wraparound scarf in the cold. How fast and how agile is a snow leopard? Snow leopards are not built for long chases across open ground; their world is broken cliff and scree. Their signature is the leap: powerful hind legs can carry them up to about 15 metres (roughly 50 feet) in a single bound across mountain terrain, according to wildlife authorities. Wide, fur-covered paws act like snowshoes for grip and traction on snow and loose rock. How strong is a snow leopard? This is where the small cat punches well above its weight. A snow leopard can ambush and kill prey up to three times its own body mass — typically wild mountain sheep and goats such as blue sheep, ibex, markhor and argali. A single large kill can sustain one cat for days. Smaller prey like marmots, pikas, hares and game birds fill the gaps. Adapted for thin, freezing air Strength on the mountain is also physiology: dense pale fur, an enlarged nasal cavity that warms freezing air before it reaches the lungs, and compact, muscular build all help the cat hunt where oxygen is scarce and temperatures plunge. How does it compare with people and other cats? A snow leopard is roughly the weight of a large adult human but vastly stronger pound-for-pound on steep ground, and far more agile. Crucially, it poses no danger to people: there are no reliable records of snow leopards hunting humans. For the full size chart, taxonomy and conservation status, see our snow leopard species guide . Keeping wild prey abundant in northern Pakistan is part of how partner-funded teams help these cats thrive, and you can back that work if you'd like to. Read the full Snow leopard wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/snow-leopard-how-big-fast-strong): How Big, Fast and Strong Is a Snow Leopard? The Numbers Behind a Mountain Hunter.

## How big is a snow leopard compared with a tiger?
Much smaller. A snow leopard weighs about 25–55 kg, while a wild tiger can weigh well over 150 kg. The snow leopard is closer in size to a common leopard and relies on agility and leaping power rather than bulk.

## How strong is a snow leopard for its size?
Exceptionally strong. Despite weighing only 25–55 kg, it can ambush and kill prey up to three times its own body mass, such as adult blue sheep and ibex, by attacking from above on steep terrain.

## How far can a snow leopard leap?
Wildlife sources report leaps of up to about 15 metres (roughly 50 feet) across mountain slopes, driven by powerful hind legs and balanced by the cat's very long tail.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/snow-leopard-vs-common-leopard-differences): Snow Leopard vs Common Leopard: 6 Key Differences and How to Tell Them Apart.

## Summary
Snow leopards (Panthera uncia) and common leopards (Panthera pardus) are separate species: snow leopards are pale grey high-mountain cats with very long tails that cannot roar, while common leopards are golden, lowland-to-hill generalists that can roar.

## Excerpt
They share a name but are separate species. Coat, habitat, tail and even the ability to roar set the snow leopard apart from the common leopard.

## Takeaway
Snow leopards and common leopards share a genus (Panthera) but are separate species, not variants of each other.

## Takeaway
Snow leopards are pale grey with large open rosettes; common leopards are golden with smaller, tighter rosettes.

## Takeaway
Snow leopards specialise in high mountains above ~3,000 m; common leopards range across lowland forests, savanna and scrub.

## Takeaway
The snow leopard's tail is nearly as long as its body, and unlike the common leopard it cannot roar.

## Takeaway
Both are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, though the common leopard's status varies by subspecies.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/snow-leopard-vs-common-leopard-differences): Snow Leopard vs Common Leopard: 6 Key Differences and How to Tell Them Apart.

## Briefing
The snow leopard ( Panthera uncia ) and the common leopard ( Panthera pardus ) share a name and a genus, but they are distinct species adapted to very different worlds. Here is how to tell them apart. Are snow leopards and leopards the same animal? No. Despite the shared name, the snow leopard is not a high-altitude variety of the common leopard. Both belong to the genus Panthera , but they are separate species with different ranges, body plans and behaviour. 6 key differences 1. Coat colour and pattern Snow leopards have pale smoke-grey to whitish fur with large, open rosettes that help them vanish against rock and snow. Common leopards wear a golden-buff coat with smaller, tighter rosettes suited to dappled forest and savanna. 2. Habitat and altitude The snow leopard is a specialist of high mountains, typically above 3,000 metres. The common leopard is a generalist found across forests, grassland and scrub from the lowlands upward, ranging across much of Africa and Asia. 3. Tail The snow leopard's tail is exceptionally long and thick — almost as long as its body — for balance on cliffs and warmth in the cold. The common leopard's tail is long but proportionally shorter and slimmer. 4. The roar A common leopard can roar; a snow leopard cannot. The snow leopard's throat anatomy limits it to chuffs, mews and growls. 5. Build and adaptations Snow leopards have wide fur-covered paws like snowshoes and an enlarged nasal cavity for warming thin, cold air. Common leopards are powerful tree-climbers known for hauling kills into branches, an adaptation to competition from other predators. 6. Range overlap In Pakistan, the two barely meet: snow leopards hold the high northern mountains, while common leopards occupy lower hills and forests. Both are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, though the common leopard's status varies by subspecies. Quick reference Snow leopard: pale grey, high mountains, very long tail, cannot roar. Common leopard: golden coat, varied lowland-to-hill habitats, slimmer tail, can roar. For a deeper profile of the high-mountain species, including taxonomy and conservation data, read our snow leopard species guide . In northern Pakistan, partner-funded teams help herding communities live alongside snow leopards — you can support that coexistence work if you'd like to help. Read the full Snow leopard wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/snow-leopard-vs-common-leopard-differences): Snow Leopard vs Common Leopard: 6 Key Differences and How to Tell Them Apart.

## Is a snow leopard just a leopard that lives in the snow?
No. The snow leopard is a distinct species (Panthera uncia), not a cold-climate form of the common leopard (Panthera pardus). They differ in coat, habitat, tail proportions, vocalisations and adaptations, though both belong to the genus Panthera.

## What is the easiest way to tell a snow leopard from a common leopard?
Coat and setting. A snow leopard is pale smoke-grey with large open rosettes and lives among high mountain rock and snow, while a common leopard is golden-buff with smaller, tighter rosettes and lives in forests, savanna and scrub. The snow leopard's tail is also notably longer and thicker.

## Can both snow leopards and common leopards roar?
Only the common leopard can roar. The snow leopard's throat anatomy does not allow a true roar, so it communicates with chuffs, mews, hisses and growls instead.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/komodo-dragon-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Komodo Dragon, the World's Largest Lizard.

## Summary
The Komodo dragon is the world's largest living lizard - a venomous monitor reaching about 3 metres and up to 166 kg, found wild only on a few Indonesian islands and listed as Endangered since 2021.

## Excerpt
Venomous bites, virgin births, tree-dwelling babies and a range of just a few islands - the wildest true facts about the world's largest living lizard.

## Takeaway
The Komodo dragon is the largest living lizard, reaching ~3 m and up to 166 kg.

## Takeaway
Its bite delivers venom from lower-jaw glands that prevents clotting and lowers blood pressure.

## Takeaway
Females can occasionally reproduce without a mate, producing all-male clutches.

## Takeaway
It lives only on a few Indonesian islands and was reclassified as Endangered by the IUCN in 2021.

## Takeaway
Fewer than about 1,400 mature individuals are thought to survive in the wild.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/komodo-dragon-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Komodo Dragon, the World's Largest Lizard.

## Briefing
Meet the planet's heavyweight lizard The Komodo dragon ( Varanus komodoensis ) looks like something that wandered out of the age of dinosaurs, and in conservation terms it is just as fragile. It lives in only one place on Earth, carries a venomous bite, and can occasionally reproduce without a male. Here are twelve genuinely surprising things worth knowing about it - and why its future is far from guaranteed. For the full picture, see our Komodo dragon species guide . 1. It is the largest lizard alive today Adults can reach about 3 metres (roughly 10 feet) long. The heaviest reliably recorded individual tipped the scales at around 166 kilograms, though most wild adults weigh closer to 70-90 kg. 2. Its bite is genuinely venomous For decades the dragon's deadly bite was blamed on "dirty mouth" bacteria. Research published in 2009 instead identified venom glands in the lower jaw that release toxins which stop blood clotting and lower blood pressure, helping fell prey far larger than the dragon itself. 3. Females can have fatherless babies Through a process called facultative parthenogenesis, a female can occasionally produce fertile eggs with no male involved. Because of how the dragon's sex chromosomes work, those fatherless clutches hatch out entirely male. 4. Baby dragons live in trees Hatchlings emerge at roughly 40 cm long and promptly climb into the canopy. Spending their early years aloft keeps them away from hungry adults, which will happily eat smaller dragons. 5. It smells with its tongue That flicking forked tongue collects scent particles, letting a dragon detect carrion from kilometres away. 6. It lives on just a handful of islands The entire wild population is confined to a few Indonesian islands - Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Motang and Nusa Kode - and nowhere else on the planet. 7. It can sprint - briefly In short bursts a Komodo dragon can run around 20 km/h, fast enough to ambush deer and wild boar before they react. 8. It is now Endangered In 2021 the IUCN moved the species from Vulnerable to Endangered, citing a small, fragmented population and climate-driven habitat loss. 9. Fewer than ~1,400 mature adults remain That is the current estimate for breeding-age dragons in the wild, with no single island subpopulation thought to hold more than about 500. 10. They can eat enormous meals A dragon can consume a huge proportion of its body weight in one sitting, then go weeks before needing to hunt again. 11. Clutches are large but slow Females lay around 20 eggs that incubate for roughly seven to eight months before hatching. 12. Climate change is its biggest long-term threat Rising seas and warming are projected to shrink the low-lying coastal savanna the dragon depends on - and because it is marooned on islands, it cannot simply move somewhere new. Why it matters A species found in only one corner of the world has no second home if that corner is lost. Our network helps fund local partners across Indonesia working on habitat stewardship and wildlife care; if you want to help, you can support habitat protection for the islands these dragons call home. Read the full Komodo dragon wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/komodo-dragon-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Komodo Dragon, the World's Largest Lizard.

## Is the Komodo dragon really venomous?
Yes. Research published in 2009 identified venom glands in the dragon's lower jaw that release anticoagulant toxins, causing bitten prey to bleed heavily and go into shock. This replaced the older belief that bacteria alone made its bite deadly.

## How can a Komodo dragon reproduce without a male?
Females can use facultative parthenogenesis, developing fertile eggs without fertilisation. Because of the dragon's sex-chromosome system, every hatchling from such a clutch is male.

## Where do Komodo dragons live in the wild?
Only in eastern Indonesia, across a few islands - Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Motang and Nusa Kode. They exist nowhere else on Earth.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/komodo-dragon-how-big-fast-strong): How Big, Fast and Strong Is a Komodo Dragon?

## Summary
A Komodo dragon grows to about 3 metres and up to 166 kg, can sprint around 20 km/h in short bursts, and kills with a venomous, slicing bite rather than crushing force - making it the largest and most powerful living lizard.

## Excerpt
Up to 3 metres long, 166 kg at its heaviest, capable of 20 km/h sprints and armed with a venomous bite - here is what the world's largest lizard can really do.

## Takeaway
Komodo dragons reach about 3 m long, the largest of any living lizard.

## Takeaway
Typical wild adults weigh 70-90 kg, with a verified maximum near 166 kg.

## Takeaway
They can sprint roughly 20 km/h in short bursts to ambush prey.

## Takeaway
Their kill strategy relies on venom and slicing teeth, not crushing bite force.

## Takeaway
Wild lifespan is around 30 years; some in care have lived into their fifties.

## Briefing
The short answer A Komodo dragon is the largest living lizard on Earth, reaching about 3 metres (10 feet) in length, weighing up to 166 kilograms at the documented extreme, sprinting around 20 km/h in short bursts, and bringing down prey with a venomous bite rather than brute force alone. Below, each of those numbers in context - and you can find the full profile in our Komodo dragon species guide . How big is a Komodo dragon? Wild adults commonly run between 2 and 3 metres long. The largest verified specimen measured roughly 3.13 metres. That makes the Komodo the undisputed heavyweight of the world's lizards - longer and far bulkier than any other living monitor. How much does one weigh? Most wild adults weigh around 70-90 kg. The heaviest reliably recorded individual reached about 166 kg, though figures that high are exceptional and often include a dragon that has just gorged on a large meal. A Komodo can swallow a remarkable share of its own body weight at a single sitting. How fast is a Komodo dragon? Despite their bulk, dragons can briefly run at around 20 km/h (about 13 mph). They are ambush specialists, not endurance runners - the speed is for the sudden lunge that catches a Timor deer or wild boar off guard, not a long chase. How strong is its bite? Here the dragon plays a clever game. Its skull is relatively lightly built, so it does not rely on crushing force the way a crocodile does. Instead, serrated backward-curving teeth open deep, ragged wounds, and venom glands in the lower jaw flood those wounds with toxins that stop blood from clotting and drop the victim's blood pressure. Prey that escapes the initial bite can still weaken and die, allowing the dragon - guided by its scent-tracking tongue - to follow and finish the job. How long do they live? Wild Komodo dragons are thought to live around 30 years, and individuals in managed care have reached their fifties. Power, but not invincibility For all its size and weaponry, the Komodo dragon is one of the most range-restricted large predators alive, confined to a few Indonesian islands and listed as Endangered. Being big has not made it safe. Readers who want to help can support habitat protection across the dragon's island range. Read the full Komodo dragon wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/komodo-dragon-how-big-fast-strong): How Big, Fast and Strong Is a Komodo Dragon?

## What is the biggest Komodo dragon ever recorded?
The largest reliably verified individual measured about 3.13 metres and weighed around 166 kg, though most wild adults are smaller, around 2-3 metres and 70-90 kg.

## Can a human outrun a Komodo dragon?
Over distance, yes - dragons can sprint near 20 km/h only briefly. Their danger comes from ambush, so the safest approach is keeping well back and following trained guides, which is required throughout their range.

## Is a Komodo dragon stronger than a crocodile?
A crocodile has a far more powerful crushing bite. The Komodo instead relies on slicing teeth and venom that causes bleeding and shock, so its lethality comes from chemistry and persistence rather than raw jaw strength.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/komodo-dragon-vs-monitor-lizard-crocodile): Komodo Dragon vs Monitor Lizard vs Crocodile: Key Differences.

## Summary
A Komodo dragon is the world's largest monitor lizard, far heavier than relatives like the Asian water monitor and unrelated to crocodiles, which are a separate reptile lineage that kills by crushing rather than by the dragon's venomous, slicing bite.

## Excerpt
A Komodo dragon is a giant monitor lizard - not a crocodile. Here is how to tell these confusable reptiles apart by size, family, range and how they hunt.

## Takeaway
A Komodo dragon is the largest monitor lizard, not a crocodile - crocodilians are a separate lineage closer to birds.

## Takeaway
Komodos dwarf other monitors in weight: ~70-90 kg versus around 20 kg for an Asian water monitor of similar length.

## Takeaway
Venom glands occur across the monitor genus, so the Komodo's bulk and island isolation set it apart, not venom alone.

## Takeaway
Crocodiles kill with a crushing bite; Komodos use slicing teeth and venom that causes bleeding and shock.

## Takeaway
Only the Komodo is Endangered and confined to a few Indonesian islands; the Asian water monitor is Least Concern and widespread.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/komodo-dragon-vs-monitor-lizard-crocodile): Komodo Dragon vs Monitor Lizard vs Crocodile: Key Differences.

## Briefing
Same continent of confusion, very different animals Big, scaly, low to the ground and toothy, the Komodo dragon is often muddled with crocodiles and with its own close cousins, the other monitor lizards. In fact a Komodo is a monitor - the biggest one - and it is not a crocodile at all. Here is how to keep them straight. Our Komodo dragon species guide has the full profile. Komodo dragon vs other monitor lizards The Komodo dragon belongs to the genus Varanus , the monitor lizards, alongside relatives such as the Asian water monitor ( Varanus salvator ) and the crocodile monitor ( Varanus salvadorii ). The headline difference is sheer mass. A Komodo reaches about 3 metres and 70-90 kg, while a water monitor of similar length tops out around 20 kg, and the crocodile monitor - despite its very long tail - is similarly lightweight. Venom glands, it turns out, are found across the monitor genus, so that is not what makes the Komodo special; its bulk and island isolation are. Range also separates them sharply: water monitors are widespread across South and Southeast Asia and listed as Least Concern, the crocodile monitor lives in New Guinea, while the Komodo clings to just a few Indonesian islands and is Endangered. Komodo dragon vs crocodile This is the bigger misconception. Crocodiles are not lizards at all - they belong to a completely separate reptile lineage (the crocodilians) and are more closely related to birds than to monitors. Practical tell-tales: a crocodile is semi-aquatic with a long flattened snout and eyes and nostrils set high for lurking in water, and it kills with one of the most powerful crushing bites in the animal kingdom. A Komodo dragon is a land animal with a more lizard-like head, walks on splayed limbs, flicks a long forked tongue to smell, and kills with slicing teeth plus venom rather than bite force. If it is in the water with a snout like a log, it is a crocodile; if it is striding across dry savanna tasting the air, it is a dragon. Quick comparison Family: Komodo and water monitor are lizards (Varanidae); crocodiles are crocodilians - not lizards. Size: Komodo ~3 m / up to 166 kg; water monitor ~2-3 m but only ~20 kg; large crocodiles can far exceed both in weight. Range: Komodo - a few Indonesian islands; water monitor - across South & Southeast Asia; crocodiles - across many tropical regions worldwide. Killing style: Komodo - slicing bite plus venom; crocodile - crushing bite and death roll. Status: Komodo dragon is Endangered; the Asian water monitor is Least Concern. Why the distinction matters Lumping the Komodo in with common crocodiles or widespread water monitors hides just how rare it is. Only one of these reptiles lives in a single small corner of the world with fewer than ~1,400 breeding adults - the dragon. You can help protect its islands by choosing to support habitat protection . Read the full Komodo dragon wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/komodo-dragon-vs-monitor-lizard-crocodile): Komodo Dragon vs Monitor Lizard vs Crocodile: Key Differences.

## Is a Komodo dragon a type of crocodile?
No. Komodo dragons are lizards in the monitor family (Varanidae), while crocodiles belong to a separate reptile group, the crocodilians, which are actually more closely related to birds. They only look superficially similar.

## What is the difference between a Komodo dragon and a water monitor?
Both are monitor lizards, but the Komodo is far heavier - about 70-90 kg versus roughly 20 kg for an Asian water monitor of comparable length. The water monitor is widespread and Least Concern, while the Komodo is restricted to a few Indonesian islands and Endangered.

## Which is more dangerous, a Komodo dragon or a crocodile?
Large crocodiles have a far more powerful bite and cause more human fatalities globally. Komodo dragon attacks on people are rare. Both warrant caution, and visitors in the dragon's range are always accompanied by trained guides.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/orangutan-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Orangutan, the Red Ape of the Asian Rainforest.

## Summary
Orangutans are the only great apes native to Asia and the largest tree-dwelling mammals on Earth, with three Critically Endangered species, a new sleeping nest built every night, and a birth roughly once every eight years.

## Excerpt
From nightly tree-top nests to a birth every eight years, here are 12 surprising, science-backed facts about the only great ape native to Asia.

## Takeaway
There are three orangutan species — Bornean, Sumatran and Tapanuli — and all are Critically Endangered.

## Takeaway
The Tapanuli orangutan, described only in 2017, is the rarest great ape on Earth, with fewer than 800 individuals.

## Takeaway
Orangutans are the largest tree-dwelling mammals and build a fresh sleeping nest in the canopy every night.

## Takeaway
Females breed roughly once every eight years, the longest interbirth interval of any primate.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/orangutan-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Orangutan, the Red Ape of the Asian Rainforest.

## Briefing
The red ape that rarely touches the ground Orangutans are the unmistakable rust-coloured great apes of the Southeast Asian rainforest, sharing about 96.4% of their DNA with us. They are also the only great apes that live in Asia, and the only ones that spend nearly their whole lives high in the trees. Here are twelve facts that show just how unusual they are. For the full reference profile, see our orangutan species guide . 12 amazing orangutan facts There are three species, not one. The Bornean ( Pongo pygmaeus ), Sumatran ( Pongo abelii ) and Tapanuli ( Pongo tapanuliensis ) orangutans are all distinct species. One was discovered in 2017. The Tapanuli orangutan was formally described that year, making it the most recently recognised great ape on the planet. The Tapanuli is the rarest great ape alive. Fewer than 800 survive, all confined to the Batang Toru forest of North Sumatra. They are the largest tree-dwelling animals on Earth. An adult male can weigh around 90 kg yet still travels through the canopy. Their arm span is longer than they are tall. A male's reach can stretch to roughly 2 metres from fingertip to fingertip. They build a new bed every night. Each evening an orangutan bends and weaves branches into a fresh sleeping nest, sometimes adding a leafy roof, and rarely reuses an old one. They are mostly fruit-eaters. Fruit fills roughly 60% of their foraging time, topped up with leaves, bark, flowers, honey and insects. They plant the forest. By swallowing and scattering large seeds, orangutans act as keystone seed dispersers, earning the nickname "gardeners of the forest." They have the slowest breeding of any primate. Females give birth only once every 7.6 to 8 years on average. Mothers are devoted teachers. A young orangutan stays with its mother for seven to eight years, learning hundreds of foods and skills. They are the loners of the ape world. Orangutans are semi-solitary, never forming the tight troops seen in chimpanzees or gorillas. All three species are Critically Endangered. The IUCN lists every Pongo species at the highest risk category, each with a decreasing trend. Why their slow lives matter Because a female raises only four or five young in her entire lifetime, orangutan populations recover painfully slowly once forest is lost. Our rehabilitation partners in Indonesia and Malaysia give orphaned infants the years of forest-school training they need before release. If their story moves you, you can support orangutan rescue work . Read the full Orangutan wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/orangutan-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Orangutan, the Red Ape of the Asian Rainforest.

## How many species of orangutan are there?
Three: the Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus), the Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) and the Tapanuli orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis), which was only described as a separate species in 2017. All three are listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

## Why do orangutans build a new nest every night?
Orangutans construct a fresh nest from bent branches and leaves each evening for safe, comfortable sleep high in the canopy, sometimes adding a leafy roof or pillow. Building anew rather than reusing old nests helps them stay away from parasites and predators.

## What makes orangutans different from other great apes?
They are the only great apes native to Asia, the most arboreal and the most solitary. They also breed more slowly than any other primate, which makes their populations especially vulnerable to habitat loss.