World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/blue-whale-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Blue Whales (The Largest Animal That Has Ever Lived).

## Summary
Blue whales reach around 30 metres and 190 tonnes, making them the largest animal known to have existed — larger than any dinosaur — and they eat up to four tonnes of krill a day during feeding season.

## Excerpt
A heart the size of a small car, a tongue heavier than an elephant, and calls that cross ocean basins. Twelve facts.

## Takeaway
Blue whales reach ~30 m and ~190 tonnes — larger than any known dinosaur.

## Takeaway
The heart weighs around 180 kg and the tongue about 2.7 tonnes.

## Takeaway
They eat up to four tonnes of krill a day during a short feeding season.

## Takeaway
Industrial whaling killed an estimated 99% of Antarctic blue whales before 1966 protection.

## Takeaway
Iron-rich whale faeces fertilise plankton growth, linking whale recovery to carbon capture.

## Briefing
Twelve blue whale facts, fact-checked The blue whale ( Balaenoptera musculus ) is the largest animal in the history of life on Earth. Full profile in our blue whale guide . 1. Larger than any dinosaur At up to ~30 m and ~190 tonnes, no dinosaur in the fossil record approaches it. 2. The heart is the size of a small car Around 180 kg, with a heartbeat detectable several metres away. 3. The tongue outweighs an elephant Roughly 2.7 tonnes on its own. 4. They eat up to 4 tonnes of krill a day Feeding is concentrated into a short intense season, then they live largely off reserves. 5. Lunge feeding is enormous A blue whale engulfs a volume of water greater than its own body, then strains it through baleen plates. 6. Their calls cross ocean basins Very low frequency calls above 180 decibels travel hundreds of kilometres. 7. Calves gain about 90 kg a day On milk of roughly 35–50% fat, a calf grows faster than any other animal. 8. Whaling nearly ended them Industrial whaling killed an estimated 99% of Antarctic blue whales before protection in 1966. 9. Recovery is slow but real Some populations are increasing. Others remain at a tiny fraction of pre-whaling numbers. 10. Ship strikes are a leading cause of death Feeding areas overlap busy shipping lanes; speed restrictions and rerouting measurably reduce mortality. 11. They are still Endangered Despite protection, the global population remains far below historic levels. 12. Their faeces fertilise the ocean Iron-rich waste stimulates plankton growth, which absorbs carbon — so whale recovery has a measurable climate dimension. Read the full blue whale wildlife guide for IUCN status, population context and sources — or donate to WARN to help fund the partner teams protecting wildlife on the ground.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/blue-whale-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Blue Whales (The Largest Animal That Has Ever Lived).

## What is the largest animal that has ever lived?
The blue whale, at up to around 30 metres and 190 tonnes. No dinosaur known from the fossil record comes close. Its heart alone weighs about 180 kg and its tongue around 2.7 tonnes.

## What do blue whales eat?
Blue whales reach around 30 metres and 190 tonnes, making them the largest animal known to have existed — larger than any dinosaur — and they eat up to four tonnes of krill a day during feeding season. The guide's ecology sections give the prey or forage detail behind that summary.

## Are blue whales endangered?
Yes, the IUCN lists them as Endangered. Industrial whaling killed an estimated 99% of Antarctic blue whales before protection in 1966, and although some populations are now increasing, the global total remains far below historic levels.

## How loud is a blue whale?
Their low-frequency calls exceed 180 decibels and travel hundreds of kilometres through the ocean, making them among the loudest animals on Earth. Much of the sound is below the range of human hearing.

## What threatens blue whales today?
Ship strikes are a leading cause of death, because feeding areas overlap busy shipping lanes. Entanglement in fishing gear, ocean noise interfering with communication, and prey shifts driven by warming also contribute.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/hippopotamus-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Hippos (They Sweat Red and Cannot Swim).

## Summary
Hippos cannot actually swim — they walk and push off along riverbeds — and they secrete a red fluid that works as sunscreen and antiseptic. Their closest living relatives are whales.

## Excerpt
Red antibiotic sweat, a whale as their closest relative, and a bite that makes them Africa's most dangerous large animal.

## Takeaway
Hippos cannot swim — they walk and push off along the riverbed.

## Takeaway
Their closest living relatives are whales, not pigs.

## Takeaway
The red 'blood sweat' is an oily secretion acting as sunscreen and antiseptic.

## Takeaway
They cause more human deaths in Africa than lions or crocodiles.

## Takeaway
Hippo canines are traded as an ivory substitute, and demand rose as elephant ivory controls tightened.

## Briefing
Twelve hippo facts, fact-checked The hippopotamus is a semi-aquatic giant whose nearest relatives are out at sea. Full profile in our hippopotamus guide . 1. They cannot swim Too dense to float, hippos walk and bound along the riverbed, pushing off the bottom to surface. 2. Their closest relatives are whales Hippos and cetaceans share a common ancestor, making a whale a closer relative to a hippo than a pig is. 3. They sweat red A secretion often called blood sweat is neither blood nor sweat. It is an oily fluid that acts as sunscreen and antibacterial agent, turning red then brown on exposure. 4. They surface to breathe while asleep The reflex works without waking them. 5. They are Africa's most dangerous large animal Highly territorial in water and unpredictable on land, hippos are responsible for more human deaths than lions or crocodiles. 6. Their jaws open about 150 degrees A gape used for display as well as combat, backed by canines that can exceed 50 cm. 7. They are grazers Feeding on land at night, taking around 40 kg of grass — modest for their size, since floating conserves energy. 8. Their dung fertilises rivers Nutrient transfer from land to water underpins fish populations in many African river systems. 9. Calves can suckle underwater Closing ears and nostrils to nurse below the surface. 10. They communicate above and below water simultaneously Calls carry through both air and water at once, which is very unusual. 11. They are Vulnerable Habitat loss, water extraction and hunting for meat and ivory canines drive decline. 12. Their teeth are traded as ivory Hippo canines are a legal-grey ivory substitute, and demand rose as elephant ivory controls tightened. Read the full hippopotamus wildlife guide for IUCN status, population context and sources — or donate to WARN to help fund the partner teams protecting wildlife on the ground.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/hippopotamus-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Hippos (They Sweat Red and Cannot Swim).

## Can hippos swim?
No. Hippos are too dense to float and cannot swim in the usual sense. They walk and bound along the riverbed, pushing off the bottom to reach the surface for air.

## Why do hippos sweat red?
The red secretion is neither blood nor sweat. It is an oily fluid that acts as both sunscreen and an antibacterial agent, protecting skin that has no sweat glands, and it turns red then brown as it oxidises.

## What is a hippo's closest relative?
Whales and dolphins. Hippos and cetaceans share a common ancestor, which makes a blue whale a closer relative to a hippo than a pig is.

## Are hippos dangerous?
Yes — they are considered Africa's most dangerous large animal, responsible for more human deaths than lions or crocodiles. They are highly territorial in water and unpredictable when encountered on land at night while grazing.

## Are hippos endangered?
They are listed as Vulnerable. Habitat loss, water extraction reducing river levels, and hunting for meat and for their ivory canines all drive decline, with canine demand rising as elephant ivory controls tightened.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/chimpanzee-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Chimpanzees (Tool Cultures, and 98.7% of Our DNA).

## Summary
Chimpanzees share about 98.7% of their DNA with humans, make and use tools with regional traditions passed between generations, self-medicate with specific plants, and are listed as Endangered.

## Excerpt
Termite fishing, regional tool traditions, medicinal plant use and warfare between communities. Twelve verified facts.

## Takeaway
Chimpanzees share about 98.7% of their DNA with humans.

## Takeaway
They manufacture tools and pass regional tool traditions between generations.

## Takeaway
They self-medicate by swallowing rough leaves whole and chewing antiparasitic pith.

## Takeaway
Coordinated lethal raids between neighbouring communities are documented.

## Takeaway
Capturing one infant for trade typically means killing several defending adults.

## Briefing
Twelve chimpanzee facts, fact-checked Chimpanzees and bonobos are our closest living relatives. Full profile in our chimpanzee guide . 1. About 98.7% shared DNA Along with bonobos, chimps are the closest living relatives of humans. 2. They make tools, not just use them Stripping leaves from a stem to fish termites is manufacture, not opportunism. 3. Tool traditions are regional Different communities use different toolkits and pass them on socially — evidence of culture in a non-human animal. 4. They crack nuts with hammer and anvil Some West African communities select stones and use a root as an anvil. Young chimps take years to master it. 5. They self-medicate Swallowing rough leaves whole to expel parasites, and chewing bitter pith with antiparasitic compounds. 6. Communities wage war Coordinated lethal raids between neighbouring communities are documented over decades of observation. 7. They hunt cooperatively Groups pursue colobus monkeys with apparent role division, then share the meat according to social ties. 8. Fission-fusion society Large communities split into changing subgroups through the day, requiring individuals to track many relationships. 9. They recognise themselves in mirrors One of the few species to pass the mirror self-recognition test. 10. Some have exceptional working memory In numerical recall tasks, young chimps have outperformed adult humans. 11. They are Endangered Habitat loss, bushmeat hunting, disease and the live infant trade drive the decline. 12. Infant trade means dead adults Taking one live infant for the pet or entertainment trade typically means killing several adults defending it. Read the full chimpanzee wildlife guide for IUCN status, population context and sources — or donate to WARN to help fund the partner teams protecting wildlife on the ground.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/chimpanzee-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Chimpanzees (Tool Cultures, and 98.7% of Our DNA).

## How much DNA do chimpanzees share with humans?
Around 98.7%. Chimpanzees and bonobos are humans' closest living relatives, having diverged from our lineage roughly six to seven million years ago.

## Do chimpanzees use tools?
They manufacture them. Chimps strip leaves from stems to fish for termites, select stones as hammers and roots as anvils to crack nuts, and use leaf sponges to collect water. Different communities have different toolkits, passed on socially.

## Do chimpanzees have culture?
By the standard definition used in animal behaviour, yes. Tool techniques, grooming styles and food preferences vary between communities in ways not explained by genetics or environment, and are transmitted socially across generations.

## Are chimpanzees endangered?
Yes, the IUCN lists chimpanzees as Endangered. Habitat loss, bushmeat hunting, infectious disease including Ebola, and capture of infants for the pet and entertainment trade all drive the decline.

## Do chimpanzees self-medicate?
There is good evidence they do. Chimps swallow rough-surfaced leaves whole, which physically expel intestinal parasites, and chew bitter pith containing antiparasitic compounds when infected — behaviour that has informed pharmaceutical research.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/flamingo-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Flamingos (They Are Born Grey and Eat Upside Down).

## Summary
Flamingos are grey at hatching and turn pink from carotenoid pigments in the algae and crustaceans they eat; they feed with the bill held upside down, and both parents produce a crop milk to feed chicks.

## Excerpt
Pink from diet, a bill that filters upside down, and milk produced by both parents. Twelve verified flamingo facts.

## Takeaway
Flamingos hatch grey and gain pink colour from dietary carotenoids over one to three years.

## Takeaway
They feed with the head inverted, and it is the upper mandible that moves.

## Takeaway
Both parents produce a nutrient-rich crop milk, which can drain their own colour.

## Takeaway
They breed on caustic alkaline lakes that exclude most competitors and predators.

## Takeaway
Reliance on a few specific lakes makes whole populations vulnerable to single-site disturbance.

## Briefing
Twelve flamingo facts, fact-checked Flamingos are wading birds built entirely around filter feeding in water most animals cannot tolerate. Full profile in our flamingo guide . 1. They are born grey Chicks hatch grey or white and take one to three years to reach full colour. 2. Pink comes from diet Carotenoids in algae and brine shrimp are metabolised and deposited in feathers. A flamingo without them fades. 3. They feed upside down The head is inverted so the bill can filter, and the upper mandible — not the lower — moves. 4. Both parents produce crop milk A red, protein- and fat-rich secretion fed to chicks. Producing it can temporarily drain the parents' own colour. 5. They live in extreme water Highly alkaline or saline lakes, caustic enough to burn skin, which excludes competitors and predators. 6. Standing on one leg conserves heat Evidence supports thermoregulation, and the posture requires no muscular effort — a flamingo can hold it while asleep. 7. Colonies number in the hundreds of thousands Breeding is highly synchronised, so chicks hatch together. 8. Chicks form crèches Thousands of chicks gather under a few adults; parents find their own by call. 9. They build mud-mound nests Raised cones that keep the single egg above heat and rising water. 10. Group displays precede breeding Synchronised head-flagging and wing salutes run through the colony, bringing birds into breeding condition together. 11. Six species, varying status Most are Least Concern; the Andean flamingo is Vulnerable. 12. Their lakes are the vulnerability Dependence on a few specific alkaline lakes means water extraction, mining and disturbance at one site can affect a large share of a population. Read the full flamingo wildlife guide for IUCN status, population context and sources — or donate to WARN to help fund the partner teams protecting wildlife on the ground.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/flamingo-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Flamingos (They Are Born Grey and Eat Upside Down).

## Why are flamingos pink?
From their diet. Carotenoid pigments in the algae and brine shrimp they filter from the water are metabolised and deposited in the feathers. Chicks hatch grey and take one to three years to develop full colour, and a flamingo denied those pigments fades.

## Why do flamingos stand on one leg?
The best-supported explanation is heat conservation — tucking one leg into the body reduces heat loss in cold water. The posture also requires essentially no muscular effort, because the joint locks, so a flamingo can hold it while asleep.

## Do flamingos produce milk?
Yes, a form of it. Both parents secrete a red, protein- and fat-rich crop milk to feed chicks. Producing it draws on their carotenoid stores, so breeding adults often lose colour temporarily.

## How do flamingos eat?
Upside down. The head is inverted in the water so the specialised bill can filter algae and small crustaceans, and unusually it is the upper mandible that moves rather than the lower one.

## Are flamingos endangered?
Most of the six species are listed as Least Concern, though the Andean flamingo is Vulnerable. The shared risk is that they depend on a small number of specific alkaline lakes, so disturbance, mining or water extraction at one site can affect a large share of a population.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/meerkat-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Meerkats (They Teach Their Pups, With Live Scorpions).

## Summary
Meerkats take turns as sentries while the group forages, have partial immunity to scorpion venom, and teach pups to handle live scorpions in graded stages — one of the few documented cases of teaching in a non-human animal.

## Excerpt
Rotating sentries, immunity to scorpion venom, and one of the few documented cases of animal teaching. Twelve facts.

## Takeaway
Meerkats teach pups to handle scorpions in graded stages — dead, then disabled, then live.

## Takeaway
They have partial immunity to scorpion venom.

## Takeaway
Sentry duty rotates so no single animal loses all its foraging time.

## Takeaway
Alarm calls encode both predator type and urgency.

## Takeaway
Some adults babysit at the burrow and go without food for the day.

## Briefing
Twelve meerkat facts, fact-checked The meerkat ( Suricata suricatta ) is a small mongoose whose entire survival strategy is cooperation. Full profile in our meerkat guide . 1. They teach their young Adults give pups dead scorpions first, then disabled ones, then live — grading difficulty to the pup's age. This meets the strict definition of teaching, documented in very few animals. 2. They tolerate scorpion venom Partial immunity lets them handle scorpions that would seriously harm a comparable mammal, though a sting still hurts. 3. Sentries rotate One animal watches from a raised point while others forage, taking turns rather than one individual sacrificing feeding time. 4. Alarm calls specify the threat Different calls indicate aerial versus terrestrial predators and urgency, and the group responds differently to each. 5. Standing upright is thermoregulation too A dark belly patch is turned to the sun to warm up after a cold desert night. 6. Groups are called mobs or gangs Typically 10–30 individuals, occasionally up to 50. 7. A dominant pair does most breeding Subordinates help raise pups, and dominant females may suppress subordinate reproduction. 8. Babysitters stay behind Some adults remain at the burrow with pups instead of foraging, going without food that day. 9. Burrow systems are extensive Multi-level networks with many entrances, shared with ground squirrels and yellow mongooses. 10. They eat mostly invertebrates Insects, scorpions and spiders, plus small vertebrates, eggs and roots for moisture. 11. Dark eye patches reduce glare Functioning as built-in sunglasses in bright desert light. 12. They are Least Concern Widespread and not threatened, though the pet trade and habitat change affect them locally — and they are entirely unsuited to being pets. Read the full meerkat wildlife guide for IUCN status, population context and sources — or donate to WARN to help fund the partner teams protecting wildlife on the ground.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/meerkat-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Meerkats (They Teach Their Pups, With Live Scorpions).

## Do meerkats really teach their young?
Yes, and it meets the strict scientific definition of teaching. Adults give pups dead scorpions first, then living ones with the sting removed, then intact live prey, grading the difficulty to the pup's age. Very few non-human animals have been shown to do this.

## Are meerkats immune to scorpion venom?
Partially tolerant rather than immune. They can handle and eat scorpions that would seriously harm a comparable mammal, but a sting still causes pain and a bad one can be dangerous.

## Why do meerkats stand upright?
For two reasons. Standing raises the head for a better view while acting as sentry, and turning a dark belly patch towards the sun warms the animal quickly after a cold desert night.

## Do meerkats take turns keeping watch?
Yes. Sentry duty rotates through the group, so no individual bears the whole cost of lost foraging time. The sentry gives distinct alarm calls that specify whether a threat is aerial or on the ground, and how urgent it is.

## Do meerkats make good pets?
No. They are highly social animals needing a group, they dig compulsively, scent-mark persistently, can be aggressive as adults, and have specialised dietary and veterinary needs. They are wild animals and are frequently surrendered once mature.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/jellyfish-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Jellyfish (No Brain, No Heart, and One Is Immortal).

## Summary
Jellyfish have no brain, heart, bones or blood and are about 95% water; they predate dinosaurs by hundreds of millions of years, and one species, Turritopsis dohrnii, can revert to its juvenile stage rather than dying.

## Excerpt
Older than dinosaurs, 95% water, stinging cells that fire in microseconds, and a species that can reverse its own ageing.

## Takeaway
Jellyfish have no brain, heart, bones or blood, and are about 95% water.

## Takeaway
They predate dinosaurs, appearing in the fossil record over 500 million years ago.

## Takeaway
Turritopsis dohrnii can revert to its polyp stage rather than dying of age.

## Takeaway
Stinging cells fire mechanically in microseconds, and still work after the animal dies.

## Takeaway
Urinating on a sting can worsen it by triggering unfired stinging cells.

## Briefing
Twelve jellyfish facts, fact-checked Jellyfish are among the oldest multi-organ animals on Earth, and among the simplest. Full profile in our jellyfish guide . 1. No brain, heart, bones or blood A nerve net coordinates the body, and oxygen diffuses directly through thin tissue. 2. They are about 95% water Which is why a stranded jellyfish effectively disappears as it dries. 3. They predate dinosaurs Jellyfish-like animals appear in the fossil record over 500 million years ago. 4. One species can reverse its ageing Turritopsis dohrnii can revert from adult medusa back to its polyp stage, potentially indefinitely — though it can still be eaten or diseased. 5. Stinging cells fire mechanically Nematocysts discharge in microseconds when triggered — one of the fastest movements in nature. They fire even after the animal dies. 6. They are not fish Jellyfish are cnidarians, related to corals and sea anemones, not vertebrates. 7. Box jellyfish have real eyes Twenty-four eyes including lensed ones, and they actively navigate rather than drift. 8. Some are extremely dangerous Australian box jellyfish venom is among the most potent known, though most species are harmless to people. 9. The lion's mane can exceed 30 m Tentacle-tip to tentacle-tip, making it one of the longest animals on Earth. 10. They can form vast blooms Blooms clog power station intakes and fishing nets, and are linked to warming, overfishing of predators and nutrient runoff. 11. Some host algae Species such as the upside-down jellyfish farm symbiotic algae and rest bell-down to expose them to sunlight. 12. Urine does not help a sting It can make things worse by triggering unfired nematocysts. Vinegar is recommended for box jellyfish stings; hot water immersion helps with many others. Read the full jellyfish wildlife guide for IUCN status, population context and sources — or donate to WARN to help fund the partner teams protecting wildlife on the ground.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/jellyfish-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Jellyfish (No Brain, No Heart, and One Is Immortal).

## Do jellyfish have brains?
No. They have no brain, heart, bones or blood. A decentralised nerve net coordinates movement and responses, and oxygen diffuses directly through their thin body tissue.

## Is there really an immortal jellyfish?
Turritopsis dohrnii can revert from its adult medusa form back to its juvenile polyp stage when stressed or injured, and repeat the cycle — so it is biologically immortal in the sense of not dying of age. It can still be eaten or killed by disease.

## Are jellyfish fish?
No. Jellyfish are cnidarians, the group that also contains corals and sea anemones. They have no backbone, no gills and none of the defining features of fish.

## Should you urinate on a jellyfish sting?
No. It can worsen the sting by triggering stinging cells that had not yet fired. Vinegar is the recommended first response for box jellyfish stings, and hot water immersion helps with many other species. Seek medical help for severe stings.

## Why are jellyfish blooms increasing?
Blooms are linked to warming seas, overfishing of jellyfish predators and competitors, and nutrient runoff creating low-oxygen conditions that jellyfish tolerate better than most animals. They clog power station intakes and fishing gear.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/crocodile-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Crocodiles (The Strongest Bite Ever Measured).

## Summary
Saltwater crocodiles have the strongest bite force ever measured in a living animal, at over 16,000 newtons, yet the muscles that open their jaws are so weak that they can be held shut by hand.

## Excerpt
A bite over 16,000 newtons, a heart that reroutes blood, and parental care that surprises everyone. Twelve verified facts.

## Takeaway
Saltwater crocodile bite force exceeds 16,000 newtons — the strongest measured in any living animal.

## Takeaway
Their jaw-opening muscles are weak enough that the jaws can be held shut by hand.

## Takeaway
Crocodilians are archosaurs, more closely related to birds than to lizards.

## Takeaway
Nest temperature determines hatchling sex, making them vulnerable to warming.

## Takeaway
Mothers carry hatchlings in their mouths and guard them for months.

## Briefing
Twelve crocodile facts, fact-checked Crocodiles are archosaurs — closer relatives of birds than of lizards — and have changed remarkably little in a very long time. Full profile in our crocodile guide . 1. The strongest bite ever measured A saltwater crocodile bite exceeds 16,000 newtons, the highest recorded in any living animal. 2. The jaw-opening muscles are weak Closing power is enormous; opening power is not. An adult crocodile's jaws can be held shut by hand, which is why handlers tape them. 3. They are closer to birds than to lizards Crocodilians and birds are the two surviving archosaur lineages. 4. They carry their young in their mouths Mothers gently transport hatchlings from nest to water and guard them for months — parental care few people expect. 5. Nest temperature sets the sex There are no sex chromosomes; incubation temperature determines whether hatchlings are male or female, which makes them vulnerable to warming. 6. Hatchlings call from inside the egg Chirps trigger the mother to excavate the nest at the right moment. 7. Their heart can reroute blood A unique valve lets crocodilians bypass the lungs during long dives, redirecting blood to the stomach to aid digestion. 8. Teeth are replaced throughout life A crocodile may go through thousands of teeth. 9. Jaw pressure receptors are extraordinarily sensitive Dome pressure receptors detect tiny water disturbances, and are more sensitive to touch than human fingertips. 10. They can live over 70 years Some individuals in managed care have passed a century. 11. The death roll is real Spinning to tear pieces from prey too large to swallow whole — crocodiles cannot chew. 12. Conservation has largely worked Several crocodilian species recovered strongly after protection and regulated farming reduced pressure on wild populations — one of the reptile world's clearest successes. Read the full crocodile wildlife guide for IUCN status, population context and sources — or donate to WARN to help fund the partner teams protecting wildlife on the ground.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/crocodile-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Crocodiles (The Strongest Bite Ever Measured).

## How strong is a crocodile's bite?
A saltwater crocodile's bite exceeds 16,000 newtons, the strongest ever measured in a living animal. The muscles that open the jaws, however, are comparatively weak — an adult crocodile's mouth can be held closed by hand, which is why handlers tape them shut.

## Are crocodiles related to dinosaurs?
They share an ancestor. Crocodilians and birds are the two surviving lineages of archosaurs, the group that also contained the dinosaurs. That makes a crocodile more closely related to a sparrow than to a lizard.

## Do crocodiles look after their young?
Yes, more than most reptiles. Hatchlings call from inside the egg to prompt the mother to dig out the nest, she carries them to water in her mouth, and she guards them for months afterwards.

## What is the difference between a crocodile and an alligator?
Snout shape and teeth are the reliable cues: crocodiles have a narrower V-shaped snout with the fourth lower tooth visible when the mouth is closed, while alligators have a broader U-shaped snout that conceals the lower teeth. Crocodiles also tolerate saltwater better.

## How long do crocodiles live?
Commonly over 70 years, and some individuals in managed care have passed a century. Growth continues slowly throughout life, so very large individuals are usually very old ones.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/sperm-whale-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Sperm Whales (The Loudest Animal on Earth).

## Summary
Sperm whales produce clicks up to around 230 decibels, making them the loudest animal on Earth; they have the largest brain of any animal, dive beyond 2,000 metres, and live in clans with distinct vocal dialects.

## Excerpt
Clicks at 230 decibels, the largest brain of any animal, and clans with their own dialects. Twelve verified facts.

## Takeaway
Sperm whale clicks reach around 230 decibels — the loudest animal on Earth.

## Takeaway
They have the largest brain of any animal, at roughly 7–9 kg.

## Takeaway
They dive beyond 2,000 m and hold their breath for over an hour.

## Takeaway
Clans are identified by distinct click patterns called codas, and different clans avoid each other.

## Takeaway
Deep feeding and surface defecation moves nutrients upward, supporting plankton and carbon capture.

## Briefing
Twelve sperm whale facts, fact-checked The sperm whale ( Physeter macrocephalus ) is the largest toothed predator alive and the deepest-diving mammal in routine use of the abyss. Full profile in our sperm whale guide . 1. The loudest animal on Earth Echolocation clicks reach around 230 decibels underwater — powerful enough to be dangerous at close range. 2. The largest brain of any animal Around 7–9 kg, roughly five times a human brain. 3. They dive beyond 2,000 m Routinely hunting at depths sunlight never reaches, holding their breath for over an hour. 4. The head is a sound machine The spermaceti organ focuses and directs clicks, and may also assist buoyancy control during deep dives. 5. Spermaceti drove the whaling industry Mistaken for reproductive fluid — hence the name — the waxy oil lubricated machinery and lit lamps for a century. 6. They hunt giant squid Sucker scars on sperm whale skin were the first hard evidence that giant squid existed. 7. Clans have dialects Distinct patterns of clicks called codas identify clan membership, and clans with different codas avoid associating. 8. They sleep vertically Drifting head-up or head-down in still groups near the surface, in short bouts. 9. Females and calves stay together for life Matrilineal units share calf care, while males leave and roam alone in colder water. 10. Ambergris comes from their gut A rare intestinal secretion, historically prized in perfumery and still valuable — and legally restricted in many countries. 11. Whaling removed most of them Centuries of hunting sharply reduced the population; the species remains Vulnerable. 12. Their faeces fertilise the ocean Deep feeding and surface defecation moves nutrients upward, stimulating plankton growth that captures carbon. Read the full sperm whale wildlife guide for IUCN status, population context and sources — or donate to WARN to help fund the partner teams protecting wildlife on the ground.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/sperm-whale-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Sperm Whales (The Loudest Animal on Earth).

## What is the loudest animal on Earth?
The sperm whale. Its echolocation clicks reach around 230 decibels underwater, louder than any other animal, and are powerful enough to be hazardous at very close range.

## How deep can sperm whales dive?
Beyond 2,000 metres routinely, with breath-holds exceeding an hour, hunting squid at depths sunlight never reaches. Only a few beaked whale species dive deeper.

## Why are they called sperm whales?
From spermaceti, the waxy substance in the head, which early whalers mistook for reproductive fluid. It is used to focus and direct echolocation clicks and may assist buoyancy control on deep dives.

## Do sperm whales really fight giant squid?
They hunt them. Circular sucker scars on sperm whale skin were the first hard evidence that giant squid existed, long before one was filmed alive.

## Are sperm whales endangered?
They are listed as Vulnerable. Centuries of commercial whaling for spermaceti oil sharply reduced the population, and ship strikes, entanglement and ocean noise continue to affect recovery.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/manatee-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Manatees (Elephants Are Their Closest Relatives).

## Summary
Manatees are herbivorous marine mammals whose closest living relatives are elephants; they replace their teeth on a conveyor-belt system throughout life and eat up to 50 kg of aquatic plants a day.

## Excerpt
Conveyor-belt teeth, a diet of 50 kg of plants a day, and the mermaid myth they probably started. Twelve facts.

## Takeaway
Manatees' closest living relatives are elephants — flipper toenails are a visible trace.

## Takeaway
Teeth form at the back and migrate forward on a conveyor-belt system throughout life.

## Takeaway
They eat up to 50 kg of aquatic plants a day and are fully herbivorous.

## Takeaway
Six neck vertebrae mean they cannot turn their heads independently of the body.

## Takeaway
Boat strikes and seagrass die-off are the two dominant modern threats.

## Briefing
Twelve manatee facts, fact-checked Manatees are sirenians — placid aquatic herbivores with a surprising family tree. Full profile in our manatee guide . 1. Elephants are their closest relatives Manatees, dugongs, elephants and hyraxes share a common ancestor. Toenails on the flippers are a visible trace of it. 2. Teeth move forward on a conveyor Abrasive plants wear teeth down, so new molars form at the back and migrate forward — a system otherwise seen mainly in elephants. 3. They eat up to 50 kg of plants daily Around a tenth of body weight in seagrass and freshwater vegetation. 4. They are entirely herbivorous One of very few fully plant-eating marine mammals. 5. They probably started the mermaid myth Columbus recorded sighting mermaids that were almost certainly manatees. 6. They have six neck vertebrae One fewer than almost every other mammal, which means they cannot turn their heads and must rotate the whole body. 7. They surface every few minutes Typically every three to five minutes, up to twenty when resting. 8. Cold kills them Little insulating fat means water below about 20°C causes cold stress. Florida manatees gather at warm springs and power station outflows in winter. 9. Boat strikes are the major threat Slow-moving surface breathers in busy waterways; most adults carry propeller scars, which researchers use to identify individuals. 10. Seagrass loss is the newer crisis Water-quality-driven seagrass die-off has caused mass starvation events in Florida. 11. They can live over 60 years Some individuals in managed care have exceeded that. 12. They are Vulnerable Boat strikes, habitat loss, cold-water events and entanglement all limit recovery. Read the full manatee wildlife guide for IUCN status, population context and sources — or donate to WARN to help fund the partner teams protecting wildlife on the ground.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/manatee-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Manatees (Elephants Are Their Closest Relatives).

## Are manatees related to elephants?
Yes. Manatees, dugongs, elephants and hyraxes all descend from a common ancestor. Manatees still have vestigial toenails on their flippers, and share the elephant's conveyor-belt tooth replacement system.

## What do manatees eat?
Manatees are herbivorous marine mammals whose closest living relatives are elephants; they replace their teeth on a conveyor-belt system throughout life and eat up to 50 kg of aquatic plants a day. The guide's ecology sections give the prey or forage detail behind that summary.

## Did manatees inspire the mermaid myth?
Very probably. Columbus recorded sighting mermaids on his voyages, and the descriptions match manatees rather than anything mythical. Their habit of holding a calf while surfacing may have reinforced the impression.

## Why are manatees threatened by cold?
They have little insulating fat, so water below about 20°C causes cold stress that can be fatal. Florida manatees gather at natural warm springs and power station outflows through winter, which makes them dependent on a small number of sites.

## What is the biggest threat to manatees?
Historically boat strikes — most adults carry propeller scars, which researchers use to identify individuals. More recently, water-quality-driven seagrass die-off has caused mass starvation events in Florida.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/hyena-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Hyenas (They Are Not Dogs, and Females Rule).

## Summary
Hyenas are feliform carnivores more closely related to cats, civets and mongooses than to dogs. Spotted hyena clans are led by females, and they hunt most of their own food rather than scavenging it.

## Excerpt
Closer to cats than dogs, female-dominated clans, and hunting far more than they scavenge. Twelve verified facts.

## Takeaway
Hyenas are feliforms — closer to cats, civets and mongooses than to dogs.

## Takeaway
Spotted hyenas hunt most of their own food; lions scavenge from them at least as often as the reverse.

## Takeaway
Clans are matriarchal, with every female outranking every male and rank inherited maternally.

## Takeaway
The 'laugh' signals stress or social conflict and encodes the caller's age and rank.

## Takeaway
In some cooperative problem-solving tests, hyena pairs outperformed chimpanzees.

## Briefing
Twelve hyena facts, fact-checked Few animals are as consistently misrepresented as the hyena. Full profile in our hyena guide . 1. They are not dogs Hyenas belong to Feliformia, the cat branch of Carnivora, alongside civets and mongooses. The resemblance to dogs is convergent. 2. They hunt most of what they eat Spotted hyenas kill the majority of their food. Lions scavenge from hyenas at least as often as the reverse. 3. Females dominate Spotted hyena clans are matriarchal, with every female outranking every male, and rank inherited from the mother. 4. Clans can exceed 80 animals Complex fission-fusion societies requiring individuals to track many relationships. 5. The laugh is not amusement The giggle signals stress, excitement or social conflict, and its pitch and variation encode the caller's age and rank. 6. Their bite crushes bone Powerful jaws and specialised teeth process bone that other carnivores leave, and their digestion extracts nutrition from it. 7. Whoops carry 5 km Long-distance calls used to locate clan members across a territory. 8. Females have unusual anatomy An elongated clitoris through which they urinate, mate and give birth — a first birth is dangerous and often fatal to the cub. 9. There are four species Spotted, striped, brown and the aardwolf — which eats termites, not carrion. 10. They are highly intelligent In cooperative problem-solving tests, hyena pairs have outperformed chimpanzees on some tasks. 11. Cubs are born with teeth and open eyes Unusually developed, and siblings may fight seriously from birth. 12. Persecution is the main threat Killed as livestock predators and pest animals, and used in traditional medicine. The striped hyena is Near Threatened. Read the full hyena wildlife guide for IUCN status, population context and sources — or donate to WARN to help fund the partner teams protecting wildlife on the ground.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/hyena-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Hyenas (They Are Not Dogs, and Females Rule).

## Are hyenas dogs or cats?
Neither, but far closer to cats. Hyenas belong to Feliformia, the cat branch of the order Carnivora, alongside civets, mongooses and true cats. Their dog-like build is convergent evolution, not shared ancestry.

## Do hyenas only scavenge?
No — that reputation is largely wrong. Spotted hyenas kill the majority of what they eat, and lions steal from hyena kills at least as often as hyenas scavenge from lions.

## Why do hyenas laugh?
The giggle is not amusement. It signals stress, excitement or social conflict, typically when an animal is under pressure from clan-mates, and its pitch and variation carry information about the caller's age and social rank.

## Are hyena clans led by females?
In spotted hyenas, yes. Clans are matriarchal and every adult female outranks every adult male. Rank is inherited from the mother rather than won by fighting, so social position is effectively hereditary.

## How intelligent are hyenas?
Highly. Spotted hyenas live in large fission-fusion societies requiring them to track many individual relationships, and in cooperative problem-solving experiments hyena pairs have outperformed chimpanzees on some tasks.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/tasmanian-devil-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Tasmanian Devils (And the Contagious Cancer Threatening Them).

## Summary
Tasmanian devils have the strongest bite relative to body size of any living mammal, and are Endangered largely because of devil facial tumour disease — one of only a handful of known transmissible cancers.

## Excerpt
The strongest bite for its size of any mammal, and a transmissible facial tumour that has reshaped the species.

## Takeaway
Tasmanian devils have the strongest bite relative to body size of any living mammal.

## Takeaway
Devil facial tumour disease is a transmissible cancer spread by biting.

## Takeaway
Populations crashed after the 1990s, but resistance is now appearing within a few generations.

## Takeaway
They consume carcasses entirely, reducing blowfly and disease burden.

## Takeaway
Devils were reintroduced to mainland Australia in 2020 after roughly 3,000 years.

## Briefing
Twelve Tasmanian devil facts, fact-checked The Tasmanian devil ( Sarcophilus harrisii ) is the largest carnivorous marsupial alive, and facing an almost unique threat. Full profile in our Tasmanian devil guide . 1. The strongest bite for its size Relative to body mass, the devil's bite exceeds that of any other living mammal, crushing bone and consuming carcasses entirely. 2. A contagious cancer threatens them Devil facial tumour disease spreads through biting, passing living cancer cells between individuals — one of only a few transmissible cancers known. 3. Populations crashed The disease has removed a large majority of affected populations since the 1990s. 4. Some are evolving resistance Genetic changes associated with survival have been detected within only a few generations — unusually fast observable evolution. 5. They are the largest carnivorous marsupial Following the extinction of the thylacine in the twentieth century. 6. The screech earned the name Early European settlers named them for unearthly night-time screeching at carcasses. 7. Their jaws open 80 degrees A wide gape used in threat display as well as feeding. 8. Joeys are the size of a grain of rice Females have four teats but can bear far more young; only the first to attach survive. 9. They eat everything Bone, fur and all, which makes them important carcass processors reducing blowfly and disease burden. 10. Their fur fluoresces Devil fur glows blue under ultraviolet light. No function is established. 11. Insurance populations exist Disease-free captive populations and island introductions safeguard against extinction in the wild. 12. They returned to mainland Australia Devils were reintroduced to a mainland sanctuary in 2020, roughly 3,000 years after disappearing from it. Read the full Tasmanian devil wildlife guide for IUCN status, population context and sources — or donate to WARN to help fund the partner teams protecting wildlife on the ground.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/tasmanian-devil-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Tasmanian Devils (And the Contagious Cancer Threatening Them).

## What is devil facial tumour disease?
A transmissible cancer — one of only a handful known in any species. Living cancer cells pass directly between devils when they bite each other during feeding and mating, producing facial tumours that prevent feeding. It has removed a large majority of affected populations since the 1990s.

## How strong is a Tasmanian devil's bite?
Relative to body size it exceeds that of any other living mammal. The bite crushes bone, which lets devils consume a carcass entirely — bone, fur and all.

## Are Tasmanian devils endangered?
Yes, the IUCN lists them as Endangered, principally because of devil facial tumour disease. Insurance populations in captivity and on offshore islands guard against extinction in the wild.

## Are Tasmanian devils recovering?
There are encouraging signs. Genetic changes associated with resistance have been detected within only a few generations — unusually rapid observable evolution — and some populations now persist with the disease rather than collapsing.

## Why are they called devils?
Early European settlers named them for their unearthly night-time screeching around carcasses, along with the wide-gaped threat display and black colouring.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/seahorse-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Seahorses (The Males Get Pregnant).

## Summary
Seahorses are fish in which the male becomes pregnant, carrying fertilised eggs in a brood pouch and giving birth to live young; they have no stomach, so they must eat almost constantly.

## Excerpt
Male pregnancy, independently moving eyes, no stomach, and a tail that grips. Twelve verified seahorse facts.

## Takeaway
Male seahorses become pregnant, carrying and nourishing eggs in a brood pouch.

## Takeaway
They are true fish, with gills, fins and a swim bladder.

## Takeaway
Having no stomach, they must eat almost constantly — up to 3,000 brine shrimp a day.

## Takeaway
Their eyes move independently, watching for predators and prey at once.

## Takeaway
All seahorses are CITES Appendix II listed; millions are traded each year.

## Briefing
Twelve seahorse facts, fact-checked Seahorses are fish that abandoned almost every convention of being a fish. Full profile in our seahorse guide . 1. Males get pregnant The female deposits eggs into the male's brood pouch, where he fertilises, nourishes and carries them, then gives birth to live young. 2. They are fish Genus Hippocampus , with gills, a swim bladder and fins, despite the shape. 3. They have no stomach Food passes through so quickly that they must eat almost continuously — up to 3,000 brine shrimp a day. 4. Their eyes move independently One can watch for predators while the other tracks prey. 5. The tail grips Prehensile and square in cross-section, which grips better and resists crushing better than a round tail would. 6. They are among the slowest fish The dwarf seahorse moves about 1.5 metres per hour, propelled by a rapidly beating dorsal fin. 7. They hunt by ambush and suction Holding still, then snapping the head up to draw prey in — one of the fastest feeding strikes measured in fish. 8. Many pair for a season or longer Bonded pairs perform daily greeting displays, sometimes changing colour in the process. 9. Broods can exceed 1,000 Very few survive; fry receive no care after birth. 10. Camouflage is exceptional Colour change and skin filaments let them disappear into seagrass and coral. 11. Millions are traded annually Dried for traditional medicine and curios, plus the aquarium trade. All seahorses are CITES Appendix II listed. 12. Habitat loss compounds it Seagrass, mangrove and coral loss removes the shallow habitat they depend on, and trawling damages it directly. Read the full seahorse wildlife guide for IUCN status, population context and sources — or donate to WARN to help fund the partner teams protecting wildlife on the ground.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/seahorse-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Seahorses (The Males Get Pregnant).

## Do male seahorses really get pregnant?
Yes. The female deposits her eggs into a brood pouch on the male's abdomen, where he fertilises them, supplies oxygen and nutrients, regulates the pouch environment, and eventually gives birth to live young. It is true pregnancy, not simple egg-carrying.

## Are seahorses fish?
Yes. Seahorses belong to the genus Hippocampus and have gills, fins and a swim bladder like other fish. The upright posture, prehensile tail and bony plates make them unusual, but they are fish.

## Why do seahorses eat constantly?
They have no stomach, so food passes through the digestive tract very quickly and little is extracted from each meal. A seahorse may consume up to 3,000 brine shrimp a day simply to stay alive.

## How fast can a seahorse swim?
Very slowly. The dwarf seahorse is among the slowest fish known, covering roughly 1.5 metres per hour. They rely on camouflage and a gripping tail rather than speed to avoid predators.

## Are seahorses endangered?
Status varies by species, but all seahorses are listed on CITES Appendix II because of trade pressure. Millions are taken annually for traditional medicine, curios and the aquarium trade, and seagrass, mangrove and coral loss removes the habitat they depend on.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/clownfish-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Clownfish (They All Start as Males).

## Summary
All clownfish are born male and the dominant fish in a group changes sex to become female — so if the female dies, her mate becomes the new female rather than raising the young alone.

## Excerpt
Sequential hermaphroditism, immunity to anemone stings, and why the film made life harder for them. Twelve facts.

## Takeaway
All clownfish are born male; the dominant fish changes sex to female, and the change is one-way.

## Takeaway
If the breeding female dies, her male partner becomes the new female.

## Takeaway
A mucus coat stops the host anemone's stinging cells from firing.

## Takeaway
Subordinates deliberately restrain their growth to avoid challenging the rank above.

## Takeaway
Anemone bleaching and quieter, degraded reefs both reduce clownfish breeding success.

## Briefing
Twelve clownfish facts, fact-checked Clownfish, or anemonefish, live inside animals that would kill almost anything else. Full profile in our clownfish guide . 1. They all start male Clownfish are sequential hermaphrodites. Every fish begins male, and the dominant individual in a group becomes female. The change is one-way. 2. The film got the biology backwards If the breeding female dies, the male partner would change sex and become the new female — not raise the young as a single father. 3. They are immune to their anemone A mucus coat prevents the anemone's stinging cells firing, built up gradually as the fish acclimates. 4. The relationship is mutual The anemone gets protection from predators, water circulation and nutrients from fish waste; the fish gets a stinging fortress. 5. Strict hierarchy A breeding female, a breeding male, and non-breeding subordinates ranked by size, each waiting to move up. 6. Subordinates stay small deliberately They restrain growth to remain visibly smaller than the rank above, avoiding eviction — social self-regulation. 7. Around 30 species Only about ten anemone species host them. 8. They rarely leave home Adults stay within metres of their anemone for life, which makes local anemone loss decisive. 9. Larvae find anemones by sound and smell After drifting as plankton, larvae navigate back to reefs using reef noise and chemical cues. 10. Reef noise loss disorients them Degraded reefs are quieter, and quiet reefs attract fewer settling larvae — a feedback loop. 11. Film fame increased collection Demand for wild clownfish rose sharply after the film, though captive breeding now supplies much of the aquarium trade. 12. Bleaching threatens them indirectly Anemones bleach like corals. A bleached anemone supports fewer fish and lower breeding success. Read the full clownfish wildlife guide for IUCN status, population context and sources — or donate to WARN to help fund the partner teams protecting wildlife on the ground.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/clownfish-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Clownfish (They All Start as Males).

## Do clownfish change sex?
Yes. All clownfish are born male, and the dominant individual in a group changes into a female. The change is permanent and one-way, so a group always has one breeding female and a queue of males below her.

## Did Finding Nemo get clownfish biology right?
Not the central premise. In reality, when a breeding female dies her male partner changes sex and becomes the new female, then pairs with the next-ranking male. A widowed father raising the young alone is not what happens.

## Why aren't clownfish stung by anemones?
A layer of mucus on the fish's skin prevents the anemone's stinging cells from firing. Clownfish build this protection up gradually by touching the tentacles in short bursts as they acclimate to a new host.

## What do clownfish and anemones each get from the relationship?
The anemone gains protection from predators such as butterflyfish, better water circulation around its tentacles, and nutrients from fish waste. The clownfish gains a stinging fortress that almost no predator will enter.

## Are clownfish endangered?
Most species are not currently listed as threatened, but they face real pressure. Collection for the aquarium trade rose sharply after the film, and anemone bleaching plus reef degradation reduce both habitat and breeding success. Captive breeding now supplies much of the trade.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/bonobo-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Bonobos (Female-Led, and They Share With Strangers).

## Summary
Bonobos share about 98.7% of their DNA with humans, live in female-led groups that resolve tension through social contact rather than fighting, and are the only great ape that will voluntarily share food with a stranger.

## Excerpt
Our other closest relative: female-dominated, conflict-averse, and willing to share food with animals they have never met.

## Takeaway
Bonobos share about 98.7% of their DNA with humans, equal to chimpanzees.

## Takeaway
Groups are female-led, with female coalitions outranking larger males.

## Takeaway
They resolve conflict through social contact rather than aggression.

## Takeaway
They are the only great ape shown to voluntarily share food with strangers.

## Takeaway
Their entire wild range lies within the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

## Briefing
Twelve bonobo facts, fact-checked Bonobos ( Pan paniscus ) are, with chimpanzees, our closest living relatives — and behave very differently from them. Full profile in our bonobo guide . 1. As closely related to us as chimpanzees Roughly 98.7% shared DNA. Bonobos and chimps split from each other around two million years ago. 2. Females lead Groups are female-dominated, with coalitions of unrelated females outranking individually larger males. 3. They defuse conflict rather than escalate it Tension over food or territory is commonly resolved through social and sexual contact instead of aggression. 4. They share with strangers Experiments show bonobos will voluntarily give food to individuals they have never met — behaviour not seen in chimpanzees. 5. Lethal violence is essentially unrecorded Unlike chimpanzees, coordinated killing between bonobo groups has not been documented. 6. One river decided everything The Congo River separated the two species. Bonobos live only south of it, in habitat with less competition for food, which likely shaped the difference. 7. They walk upright more readily Longer legs and a more upright posture than chimpanzees, and they carry objects bipedally more often. 8. Distinctive appearance Dark faces from birth, pink lips and hair parted centrally — a chimpanzee's face lightens to dark with age. 9. They are Endangered Bushmeat hunting, habitat loss and civil conflict across their single-country range drive decline. 10. They are hard to count Insecurity across much of their range makes survey work difficult, so population estimates are uncertain. 11. Their whole range is one country Found only in the Democratic Republic of the Congo — no other country holds a wild population. 12. They complicate the story we tell about ourselves Arguments that human aggression is inevitable often cite chimpanzees. Bonobos are equally related to us and behave the opposite way. Read the full bonobo wildlife guide for IUCN status, population context and sources — or donate to WARN to help fund the partner teams protecting wildlife on the ground.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/bonobo-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Bonobos (Female-Led, and They Share With Strangers).

## What is the difference between a bonobo and a chimpanzee?
They are separate species that split around two million years ago, divided by the Congo River. Bonobos are female-led, resolve conflict through social contact rather than fighting, and have no documented coordinated lethal violence. Chimpanzees are male-dominated and do conduct lethal raids.

## Are bonobos as closely related to humans as chimpanzees?
Yes, equally. Both share roughly 98.7% of their DNA with humans and both are our closest living relatives. Neither is 'more' related than the other.

## Do bonobos share food with strangers?
Yes, and they are the only great ape shown to do so voluntarily. In controlled experiments bonobos give food to individuals they have never met, which chimpanzees do not.

## Where do bonobos live?
Only in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, south of the Congo River. No other country holds a wild population, which concentrates the species' entire fate in one nation.

## Are bonobos endangered?
Yes, the IUCN lists them as Endangered. Bushmeat hunting, habitat loss and prolonged civil conflict drive the decline, and insecurity across their range makes accurate population surveys difficult.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/walrus-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Walruses (Tusks Used as Ice Picks).

## Summary
Walruses use their tusks as ice picks to haul bodies weighing over a tonne onto sea ice, and locate clams on the dark seabed using around 600 highly sensitive whiskers rather than sight.

## Excerpt
Tusks that haul a tonne of animal onto ice, whiskers that find clams in the dark, and skin that changes colour.

## Takeaway
Tusks function as ice picks to haul bodies of over a tonne onto sea ice.

## Takeaway
Around 600 whiskers locate buried clams in complete darkness.

## Takeaway
They suck the flesh from shells, leaving the shell behind.

## Takeaway
Skin changes colour as blood flow shifts with temperature.

## Takeaway
Sea ice loss forces crowded coastal haul-outs where stampedes kill calves.

## Briefing
Twelve walrus facts, fact-checked The walrus ( Odobenus rosmarus ) is built around two tools: tusks and whiskers. Full profile in our walrus guide . 1. Tusks are ice picks The genus name means tooth-walker. Walruses hook their tusks over ice edges to haul themselves out — bodies that can exceed a tonne. 2. Tusks are elongated canines Present in both sexes, growing throughout life and reaching about a metre in large males. 3. They have around 600 whiskers Vibrissae so sensitive they detect clams buried in seabed sediment in total darkness. 4. They suck clams out of shells Powerful suction extracts the flesh, leaving the shell behind. A walrus may eat thousands in one feeding bout. 5. They can weigh over 1,500 kg Among the largest pinnipeds, behind only elephant seals. 6. Their skin changes colour Pale, almost white in cold water as blood is drawn inward; flushing pink or brown when warm as vessels dilate. 7. Air sacs act as flotation Inflatable pouches in the neck let them sleep vertically in water. 8. Herds haul out in thousands Densely packed groups on ice or beaches, where stampedes triggered by disturbance can kill many animals, especially calves. 9. Calves stay with mothers for years Nursing for up to two years and remaining alongside her for longer — unusually prolonged for a pinniped. 10. Sea ice loss forces coastal haul-outs Without ice near feeding grounds, herds crowd onto beaches, increasing stampede deaths and lengthening foraging trips. 11. Ivory drove historic hunting Commercial hunting for tusk ivory, oil and hides severely reduced populations before regulation. 12. They are Vulnerable Assessed as Vulnerable, with sea ice loss the dominant long-term pressure alongside disturbance and subsistence hunting pressure in places. Read the full walrus wildlife guide for IUCN status, population context and sources — or donate to WARN to help fund the partner teams protecting wildlife on the ground.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/walrus-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Walruses (Tusks Used as Ice Picks).

## What do walruses use their tusks for?
Primarily as ice picks — hooking over an ice edge to haul a body of over a tonne out of the water, which is why the genus name means tooth-walker. Tusks are also used in dominance display and defence, but not for digging up food.

## How do walruses find food?
With their whiskers. Around 600 extremely sensitive vibrissae detect clams and other invertebrates buried in seabed sediment in total darkness, and the walrus then sucks the flesh out of the shell.

## How much does a walrus weigh?
Large males can exceed 1,500 kg, making walruses among the largest pinnipeds, behind only elephant seals. Both sexes carry tusks, though males' are longer and thicker.

## Why do walruses change colour?
Blood flow shifts with temperature. In cold water blood is drawn inward and the skin appears pale, almost white; when the animal warms up on land the vessels dilate and the skin flushes pink or brown.

## Are walruses endangered?
They are listed as Vulnerable. Sea ice loss is the dominant long-term threat: without ice near feeding grounds, herds crowd onto beaches where disturbance-triggered stampedes kill animals, particularly calves, and foraging trips become longer.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/ostrich-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Ostriches (They Do Not Bury Their Heads).

## Summary
Ostriches are the largest and fastest birds on land, reaching about 70 km/h on two toes. They do not bury their heads in sand — the myth comes from them lowering their heads flat to the ground to hide.

## Excerpt
70 km/h on two toes, an eye bigger than its brain, and the head-in-sand myth explained. Twelve verified facts.

## Takeaway
Ostriches do not bury their heads — the myth comes from nesting birds lying flat.

## Takeaway
They run at around 70 km/h with strides exceeding 5 m, on only two toes.

## Takeaway
Their eye is about 5 cm across, larger than their brain.

## Takeaway
They lay the largest egg of any living bird, but the smallest relative to body size.

## Takeaway
A forward kick can kill a lion or a person.

## Briefing
Twelve ostrich facts, fact-checked The ostrich ( Struthio camelus ) is the largest living bird, and almost everything about it is a consequence of giving up flight. Full profile in our ostrich guide . 1. They do not bury their heads The myth comes from a nesting bird lowering its head flat to the ground to look like a mound, and from turning eggs in a shallow nest. 2. Fastest bird on land Around 70 km/h sustained, with strides that can exceed 5 m. 3. Only two toes Unique among birds, and an adaptation for running — much as a horse's single hoof is. 4. The eye is bigger than the brain About 5 cm across, the largest eye of any land vertebrate. 5. The largest egg of any living bird Around 1.4 kg, though it is the smallest egg relative to adult body size. 6. Communal nests A dominant female's eggs sit at the centre; other females add theirs around the edge, where predation risk is higher. 7. A kick can kill Forward kicks with a long claw generate enough force to seriously injure or kill a lion or a person. 8. They have no teeth Swallowed stones grind food in the gizzard, and an adult may carry over a kilogram of them. 9. Males boom A deep territorial call sometimes mistaken for a lion at a distance. 10. Wings are for steering and display Used as air brakes and rudders while running at speed, and in courtship display. 11. They tolerate extreme heat Body temperature is allowed to rise during the day and lost at night, saving water. 12. They are Least Concern, with exceptions Widespread and farmed, but the North African subspecies is Critically Endangered and subject to reintroduction efforts. Read the full ostrich wildlife guide for IUCN status, population context and sources — or donate to WARN to help fund the partner teams protecting wildlife on the ground.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/ostrich-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Ostriches (They Do Not Bury Their Heads).

## Do ostriches bury their heads in the sand?
No. The myth comes from two real behaviours: a nesting ostrich lowers its head flat to the ground so its body looks like a mound, and birds turn their eggs in shallow ground nests, which from a distance looks like burying the head.

## How fast can an ostrich run?
Around 70 km/h, sustained, with strides that can exceed five metres. It is the fastest bird on land and among the fastest land animals over distance.

## How big is an ostrich egg?
About 1.4 kg — the largest egg of any living bird. Relative to the adult's body size, however, it is the smallest egg of any bird.

## Are ostriches dangerous?
They can be. An ostrich kicks forward with a long claw and can generate enough force to seriously injure or kill a large predator or a person. They are not aggressive without cause, but a cornered or breeding bird is genuinely dangerous.

## Why do ostriches have only two toes?
It is an adaptation for running, unique among birds. Reducing the number of toes concentrates force and lengthens the stride, in much the same way that a horse's single hoof evolved for speed.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/beaver-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Beavers (Iron in Their Teeth, and They Rebuild Rivers).

## Summary
Beaver teeth are orange because the enamel contains iron, making them harder than steel-cutting tools; their dams reduce downstream flooding, hold water through drought and create wetland habitat used by many other species.

## Excerpt
Orange iron-hardened incisors, transparent eyelids, and a keystone role that reduces flooding and drought. Twelve facts.

## Takeaway
Beaver incisors are orange because the enamel contains iron, making them exceptionally hard.

## Takeaway
Their teeth grow continuously and self-sharpen as the softer rear surface wears.

## Takeaway
Dams reduce downstream flood peaks, hold water through drought and improve water quality.

## Takeaway
Beavers build in response to the sound of running water.

## Takeaway
Eurasian beavers fell to around 1,200 animals before protection and are now being reintroduced deliberately.

## Briefing
Twelve beaver facts, fact-checked Beavers are the second-largest rodents alive, and one of very few animals that reshape a landscape on purpose. Full profile in our beaver guide . 1. Their teeth contain iron Iron in the enamel makes the incisors orange and exceptionally hard, and they self-sharpen because the softer rear surface wears faster. 2. Teeth never stop growing Continuous growth is why beavers must gnaw constantly. 3. They are keystone engineers Dams create ponds and wetlands used by fish, amphibians, invertebrates, birds and mammals that were not there before. 4. Dams reduce flooding and drought Slowing water reduces downstream flood peaks and holds it through dry periods — beaver reintroduction is now used deliberately as flood management. 5. They filter water Ponds trap sediment and excess nutrients, measurably improving downstream water quality. 6. Running water triggers building Beavers respond to the sound of running water — they will build against a loudspeaker playing it. 7. Lodges have underwater entrances Reached only by diving, keeping predators out. Some are built into banks instead. 8. Transparent eyelids A nictitating membrane acts as built-in goggles, and the lips seal behind the incisors so they can gnaw underwater. 9. The tail is a tool Slapped on water as an alarm signal, used as a rudder and prop, and stores fat for winter. 10. They can hold their breath 15 minutes Long dives let them move safely beneath ice. 11. Fur trapping nearly ended them Eurasian beavers fell to around 1,200 animals before protection; North American beavers were also devastated. 12. Reintroduction is spreading They have been returned to rivers across Britain and Europe, deliberately, for flood mitigation and biodiversity. Read the full beaver wildlife guide for IUCN status, population context and sources — or donate to WARN to help fund the partner teams protecting wildlife on the ground.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/beaver-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Beavers (Iron in Their Teeth, and They Rebuild Rivers).

## Why are beaver teeth orange?
The enamel contains iron, which both colours the teeth orange and makes them far harder than ordinary enamel. Because the softer rear surface wears faster than the hard front, the incisors self-sharpen as the animal gnaws.

## Why do beavers build dams?
To create deep water. A pond lets a beaver reach food and its lodge entrance safely underwater, away from land predators. They are triggered by the sound of running water and will build against a speaker playing it.

## Are beavers good for the environment?
Substantially. Beaver dams reduce downstream flood peaks, hold water through drought, trap sediment and nutrients to improve water quality, and create wetland habitat used by fish, amphibians, invertebrates and birds. Reintroduction is now used deliberately for flood management.

## How long can a beaver stay underwater?
Up to about 15 minutes. Transparent nictitating membranes act as goggles and the lips seal behind the incisors, so a beaver can see and gnaw underwater, and move safely beneath ice.

## Were beavers nearly extinct?
Yes. Fur trapping reduced Eurasian beavers to roughly 1,200 animals before protection began, and North American populations were also devastated. Both have recovered substantially, and reintroduction programmes continue across Britain and Europe.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/hedgehog-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Hedgehogs (5,000 Spines, and They Self-Anoint).

## Summary
Hedgehogs carry around 5,000 hollow keratin spines, hibernate through winter, and perform self-anointing — chewing a strong-smelling substance and spreading frothy saliva across their spines for reasons still unexplained.

## Excerpt
Self-anointing with frothed saliva, partial immunity to some venoms, and a British decline nobody planned. Twelve facts.

## Takeaway
Hedgehogs carry around 5,000 hollow keratin spines, which are modified hairs.

## Takeaway
Self-anointing — spreading frothy saliva over the spines — has no settled explanation.

## Takeaway
They are lactose intolerant; bread and milk causes serious harm.

## Takeaway
They roam over a mile a night, so fenced gardens fragment their range.

## Takeaway
A 13 cm gap at the base of a fence is among the most effective simple interventions.

## Briefing
Twelve hedgehog facts, fact-checked Hedgehogs are ancient insectivores and one of Britain's most-loved garden animals, in serious decline. Full profile in our hedgehog guide . 1. About 5,000 spines Modified hairs of keratin, hollow and each on a flexible base. They are not barbed and are not shed defensively. 2. Curling up is muscular A powerful ring of muscle draws the spiny skin into a ball, protecting the soft underside. 3. They self-anoint On meeting a strong smell or taste, a hedgehog chews it into frothy saliva and flicks it across its spines. No explanation is settled — camouflage, deterrence and parasite control have all been proposed. 4. They tolerate some venoms Partial resistance to certain snake venoms, from a blood protein — the same trick seen in mongooses and honey badgers. 5. They are lactose intolerant Bread and milk, long left out for them, causes serious digestive harm. Meat-based pet food and water are appropriate. 6. They travel over a mile a night Roaming widely to forage, which is why fenced gardens fragment their range so badly. 7. Hibernation is not sleep Body temperature and heart rate drop dramatically. Waking is costly, so disturbance in winter can be fatal. 8. Hoglets are born with soft spines Beneath fluid-filled skin, so the mother is not injured. Spines harden within hours. 9. They can swim and climb Which is why steep-sided ponds are a hazard — a hedgehog that cannot find a sloped exit drowns. 10. British numbers have fallen sharply Habitat fragmentation, road deaths, tidy gardens, slug pellets and loss of hedgerow and rough ground have driven a steep decline. 11. Hedgehog highways work A 13 cm gap at the base of a garden fence reconnects fragmented territory — one of the most effective simple interventions available. 12. Check before you strim or light a bonfire Long grass and unlit bonfire piles are classic nesting sites. Checking first prevents a large share of avoidable deaths. Read the full hedgehog wildlife guide for IUCN status, population context and sources — or donate to WARN to help fund the partner teams protecting wildlife on the ground.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/hedgehog-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Hedgehogs (5,000 Spines, and They Self-Anoint).

## How many spines does a hedgehog have?
Around 5,000. They are modified hairs made of keratin, hollow and set on flexible bases. Unlike porcupine quills they are not barbed and are not detached defensively.

## What is hedgehog self-anointing?
On encountering a strong smell or taste, a hedgehog chews the substance into frothy saliva and flicks it over its own spines with its tongue. It is well documented and not well explained — camouflage, predator deterrence and parasite control have all been proposed.

## Should you give hedgehogs bread and milk?
No. Hedgehogs are lactose intolerant and milk causes serious digestive harm, while bread offers almost no nutrition. Meat-based cat or dog food and a shallow dish of water are appropriate.

## Why are hedgehogs declining?
Habitat fragmentation is central — hedgehogs roam over a mile a night, and enclosed gardens, roads and lost hedgerows cut territory into unusable pieces. Road deaths, slug pellets, tidy gardens with no shelter, and strimmer and bonfire deaths add to it.

## How can I help hedgehogs?
Cut a 13 cm gap at the base of your fence to reconnect gardens, leave a wild corner with leaf litter and log piles, avoid slug pellets, check long grass before strimming and bonfire piles before lighting, and make sure ponds have a sloped exit.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/lemur-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Lemurs (Found Nowhere Else, and the Most Endangered Primates).

## Summary
Lemurs live wild only in Madagascar, are the most threatened group of mammals on Earth with the great majority of species at risk of extinction, and are unusual among primates for female dominance.

## Excerpt
Female dominance, a toothcomb for grooming, and the highest extinction risk of any primate group. Twelve facts.

## Takeaway
All wild lemurs live only in Madagascar and nearby islands.

## Takeaway
They are the most threatened group of mammals on Earth.

## Takeaway
Female dominance is common in lemurs and rare among primates generally.

## Takeaway
The aye-aye taps wood and listens for hollows, filling the woodpecker niche.

## Takeaway
The fat-tailed dwarf lemur is the only known hibernating primate.

## Briefing
Twelve lemur facts, fact-checked Lemurs are primates found nowhere else on Earth, and the most endangered group of mammals there is. Full profile in our lemur guide . 1. Madagascar only Every wild lemur lives on Madagascar and nearby islands. Their ancestors likely rafted there on vegetation. 2. Around 100 species From the mouse lemur at roughly 30 g to the indri at over 9 kg, filling niches occupied elsewhere by monkeys, squirrels and woodpeckers. 3. The most threatened mammals on Earth The overwhelming majority of lemur species are threatened, giving them the highest extinction risk of any large group of mammals. 4. Females dominate Female dominance is common across lemur species and rare among primates generally. 5. They have a toothcomb Forward-projecting lower teeth used for grooming, plus a specialised claw on one toe for the same purpose. 6. Ring-tailed lemurs have stink fights Males rub scent from wrist glands onto their tails and waft it at rivals — contests settled by smell. 7. Indri sing in duets Family groups produce wailing songs audible for kilometres, coordinating pairs and marking territory. 8. The aye-aye taps for grubs A thin elongated middle finger taps wood and listens for hollows, then extracts larvae — percussive foraging that fills the woodpecker niche. 9. Some hibernate The fat-tailed dwarf lemur is the only known hibernating primate, spending months dormant. 10. Habitat loss is the core threat Madagascar has lost a large share of its original forest to slash-and-burn agriculture, charcoal production and logging. 11. Superstition kills aye-ayes In some communities the aye-aye is regarded as an omen of misfortune and killed on sight — a conservation problem that requires cultural engagement, not enforcement. 12. Their fate is Madagascar's fate Because they exist nowhere else, lemur conservation is inseparable from Malagasy forest protection and rural livelihoods. Read the full lemur wildlife guide for IUCN status, population context and sources — or donate to WARN to help fund the partner teams protecting wildlife on the ground.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/lemur-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Lemurs (Found Nowhere Else, and the Most Endangered Primates).

## Where do lemurs live?
Only on Madagascar and a few nearby islands. Their ancestors most likely reached the island on rafts of floating vegetation, then diversified into around 100 species in isolation.

## Are lemurs endangered?
Severely. The overwhelming majority of lemur species are listed as threatened, making them the most endangered group of mammals on Earth. Habitat loss from slash-and-burn agriculture, charcoal production and logging is the central driver.

## Why are lemur societies female-dominated?
Female dominance is widespread across lemur species and unusual among primates. It is generally linked to the energetic cost of reproduction in Madagascar's highly seasonal, resource-poor environment, giving priority access to food a strong advantage.

## What is a toothcomb?
A set of forward-projecting lower teeth used for grooming fur, found in lemurs and their relatives. Lemurs also have a specialised grooming claw on one toe of each foot for the same purpose.

## Why is the aye-aye killed in some places?
In some Malagasy communities the aye-aye is regarded as an omen of misfortune and killed on sight. Because the driver is cultural rather than economic, addressing it requires community engagement and education rather than enforcement alone.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/manta-ray-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Manta Rays (The Biggest Brain of Any Fish).

## Summary
Manta rays have the largest brain-to-body ratio of any fish, reach wingspans of about seven metres, have no sting, and are threatened principally by targeted fishing for their gill plates.

## Excerpt
Seven-metre wingspans, self-recognition in mirrors, and gill plates that drive a damaging trade. Twelve verified facts.

## Takeaway
Manta rays have the largest brain-to-body ratio of any fish.

## Takeaway
They showed behaviour consistent with mirror self-recognition — a first for fish.

## Takeaway
They have no sting and are harmless to people.

## Takeaway
Unique belly spot patterns let researchers track individuals for decades.

## Takeaway
Gill plate demand drives targeted fishing and is the main cause of decline.

## Briefing
Twelve manta ray facts, fact-checked Manta rays are filter-feeding giants with cognition unusual for a fish. Full profile in our manta ray guide . 1. The largest brain of any fish Relative to body size, with regions associated with learning and coordination especially developed. 2. They may recognise themselves in mirrors Mantas shown mirrors displayed behaviour consistent with self-recognition — a first for fish, and still debated. 3. Wingspans reach about 7 m The giant oceanic manta is the largest ray alive. 4. They have no sting Unlike stingrays, mantas have no barb. They are entirely harmless to people. 5. They filter plankton Cephalic fins funnel water into the mouth, and specialised gill plates strain out plankton. 6. Individuals are identified by belly spots Unique markings let researchers track individuals over decades using photographs. 7. They visit cleaning stations Returning repeatedly to specific reef sites where cleaner fish remove parasites — spatial memory over long distances. 8. They perform feeding chains and barrel rolls Somersaulting through dense plankton, and forming coordinated feeding lines with other mantas. 9. Reproduction is very slow Typically one pup every two to three years after late maturity, so populations recover extremely slowly. 10. Gill plates drive the trade Demand for gill plates in some traditional remedies drives targeted fishing and is the main cause of decline. 11. Mantas are worth more alive Dive tourism generates far more sustained revenue per animal than a single sale, which has supported protection in several countries. 12. They are protected but still declining Listed on CITES Appendix II, yet targeted and incidental catch continue, and both manta species are threatened. Read the full manta ray wildlife guide for IUCN status, population context and sources — or donate to WARN to help fund the partner teams protecting wildlife on the ground.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/manta-ray-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Manta Rays (The Biggest Brain of Any Fish).

## Are manta rays dangerous?
No. Unlike stingrays, manta rays have no barb or sting. They are filter feeders that eat plankton and are entirely harmless to humans.

## How big do manta rays get?
The giant oceanic manta reaches a wingspan of about seven metres, making it the largest ray alive. The reef manta is smaller, at around five metres.

## How intelligent are manta rays?
They have the largest brain relative to body size of any fish, with well-developed regions linked to learning and coordination. Mantas presented with mirrors have shown behaviour consistent with self-recognition, which would be a first among fish, though the finding remains debated.

## Why are manta rays threatened?
Principally targeted fishing for their gill plates, used in some traditional remedies. Their reproduction is exceptionally slow — typically one pup every two to three years after late maturity — so populations cannot absorb losses.

## Are manta rays protected?
Both species are listed on CITES Appendix II and are protected in a number of countries. Targeted and incidental catch continue nonetheless, and both species remain threatened. Dive tourism, which generates far more revenue per living animal, has helped make protection economically viable in several places.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/sloth-bear-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Sloth Bears (Built as a Living Vacuum Cleaner).

## Summary
Sloth bears eat termites and ants using a gap in their front teeth to suck insects from nests — audible over 100 metres — and are the only bear that routinely carries its cubs on its back.

## Excerpt
A gap in the teeth for suction, cubs carried on the back, and the dancing-bear trade they were stolen for. Twelve facts.

## Takeaway
A gap in the upper incisors lets sloth bears suck insects straight from nests.

## Takeaway
Feeding is audible over 100 metres away.

## Takeaway
They are the only bear that routinely carries cubs on its back.

## Takeaway
Attacks on people are defensive, driven by poor eyesight and hearing in dense cover.

## Takeaway
The dancing-bear trade took cubs from the wild until sustained work ended it in India.

## Briefing
Twelve sloth bear facts, fact-checked The sloth bear ( Melursus ursinus ) is a bear rebuilt around eating insects. Full profile in our sloth bear guide . 1. They are insectivores, not sloths Named for long claws that reminded early naturalists of sloths. They are true bears. 2. A gap in the teeth for suction Missing upper incisors create a channel for sucking termites and ants straight out of a nest. 3. You can hear them feeding 100 m away The noise of blowing away soil and inhaling insects carries a long distance. 4. Nostrils close voluntarily Keeping dust and insects out while excavating a mound. 5. Cubs ride on the mother's back For six to nine months — no other bear does this routinely. It lets her keep moving through predator country. 6. They are among the most dangerous bears to people Poor eyesight and hearing mean they are startled easily, and encounters in dense cover can end badly. Attacks are defensive, not predatory. 7. Tigers and leopards prey on them Which is why they stand and fight rather than flee. 8. The dancing-bear trade nearly defined them Cubs were taken from the wild, their muzzles pierced and teeth removed, to be made to dance. Sustained work ended the practice in India. 9. They can be active day or night Shifting to nocturnal activity where people are present. 10. Shaggy fur is anti-insect armour Long coarse hair helps protect against bites while raiding a nest. 11. They are Vulnerable Habitat loss, fragmentation and conflict-related killing are the principal pressures. 12. Conflict mitigation is the priority Because most sloth bear deaths follow encounters with people, reducing surprise encounters protects both species. Read the full sloth bear wildlife guide for IUCN status, population context and sources — or donate to WARN to help fund the partner teams protecting wildlife on the ground.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/sloth-bear-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Sloth Bears (Built as a Living Vacuum Cleaner).

## Why are they called sloth bears?
Early naturalists saw their long curved claws and shaggy coat and assumed a relationship to sloths. They are true bears, and the name stuck despite being biologically wrong.

## What do sloth bears eat?
Mainly termites and ants. A gap where the upper incisors would be lets them suck insects directly out of a nest, and they can close their nostrils to keep dust out while digging. They also eat fruit and honey.

## Are sloth bears dangerous?
They are among the more dangerous bears to encounter. Poor eyesight and hearing mean they are startled at close range in dense cover, and they stand and fight rather than flee because tigers and leopards prey on them. Attacks are defensive, not predatory.

## Do sloth bears carry their cubs?
Yes, on their backs for six to nine months — the only bear that does so routinely. It lets the mother keep moving through country where tigers and leopards hunt.

## What happened to dancing bears in India?
Sloth bear cubs were taken from the wild, their muzzles pierced and teeth removed, and made to perform. Sustained legal, enforcement and livelihood work ended the practice in India, with the last bears surrendered to sanctuaries.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/raccoon-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Raccoons (Their Hands See in the Dark).

## Summary
Raccoons have around four times more touch receptors in their forepaws than most mammals, and wetting those paws makes the nerves more responsive — so they are not washing food, they are feeling it more clearly.

## Excerpt
Four times more touch receptors than most mammals, wetting hands to feel better, and problem-solving that outwits latches.

## Takeaway
Wetting the paws heightens nerve responsiveness — raccoons are feeling food, not washing it.

## Takeaway
They have around four times the touch receptors of most mammals, concentrated in the forepaws.

## Takeaway
They solved complex latches in experiments and remembered the solutions for years.

## Takeaway
The facial mask reduces glare and improves night vision.

## Takeaway
Securing food waste works; removing individual animals does not.

## Briefing
Twelve raccoon facts, fact-checked The raccoon ( Procyon lotor ) is a small carnivore whose success comes almost entirely from its hands and its problem-solving. Full profile in our raccoon guide . 1. They are not washing food The species name lotor means washer, but wetting the paws increases the responsiveness of nerves in the skin. They are feeling, not cleaning. 2. Around four times the touch receptors Compared with most mammals, concentrated in the forepaws. Roughly two-thirds of the sensory cortex is devoted to touch. 3. They identify objects without looking Raccoons can recognise items by touch alone, and can do so before touching them by sensing through water. 4. They solve locks In classic experiments raccoons opened complex latches, remembered solutions for years, and solved them again when the mechanism was inverted. 5. The mask cuts glare Black fur around the eyes reduces reflected light, improving night vision — the same principle as an athlete's eye black. 6. They thrive in cities Urban raccoons reach higher densities than rural ones, and urban populations show measurably bolder problem-solving. 7. They can rotate their hind feet 180 degrees, allowing head-first descent from trees. 8. They do not hibernate They enter torpor in extreme cold, living off fat reserves, but wake and move on milder days. 9. They carry raccoon roundworm Baylisascaris procyonis is transmissible to humans and can be serious, which is why latrine sites should not be disturbed without precautions. 10. They are a major rabies vector in North America Managed through large-scale oral vaccine baiting rather than culling — which does not work. 11. They are invasive in Europe and Japan Escaped and released pets established wild populations that now damage native wildlife. 12. Securing bins beats removal Removing raccoons creates a vacancy that others fill. Securing food waste is the intervention that actually works. Read the full raccoon wildlife guide for IUCN status, population context and sources — or donate to WARN to help fund the partner teams protecting wildlife on the ground.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/raccoon-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Raccoons (Their Hands See in the Dark).

## Why do raccoons wash their food?
They are not washing it. Wetting the forepaws makes the nerves in the skin more responsive, so dousing an object lets the raccoon feel its texture and shape far more precisely. The species name lotor means washer, which cemented the misunderstanding.

## How intelligent are raccoons?
Highly, for a small carnivore. In classic experiments they opened complex latches, retained the solutions for years, and re-solved them when the mechanisms were reversed. Urban populations show measurably bolder and more flexible problem-solving than rural ones.

## Why do raccoons have a mask?
The black fur around the eyes reduces glare from reflected light, improving contrast and night vision — the same principle behind the eye black athletes wear.

## Are raccoons dangerous?
They are not aggressive without cause, but they are a significant rabies vector in North America and carry raccoon roundworm, which is transmissible to people and can be serious. Latrine sites should not be disturbed without precautions.

## How do you keep raccoons out of bins?
Secure the food source. Removing individual raccoons simply creates a vacancy that others fill, so locking or weighting bins, cleaning up spillage and removing pet food overnight is the intervention that actually works.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/wombat-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Wombats (Cube-Shaped Droppings and an Armoured Backside).

## Summary
Wombats are the only animals known to produce cube-shaped droppings, formed by varying stiffness in the intestinal wall; they have a backward-facing pouch so digging does not fill it with soil, and use a cartilage-reinforced rump as a defence.

## Excerpt
The only animal producing cubic faeces, a backward-facing pouch, and a rump used as a defensive weapon. Twelve facts.

## Takeaway
Wombats are the only animals known to produce cube-shaped droppings.

## Takeaway
Cubes do not roll off the rocks and logs used as scent-marking points.

## Takeaway
The pouch faces backwards so burrowing does not fill it with soil.

## Takeaway
A cartilage-reinforced rump blocks the burrow and can crush a predator against the roof.

## Takeaway
Wombat burrows shelter other species during bushfires.

## Briefing
Twelve wombat facts, fact-checked Wombats are burrowing marsupials with several genuinely unique adaptations. Full profile in our wombat guide . 1. Cube-shaped droppings The only animal known to produce them. Varying stiffness along the intestinal wall shapes the faeces into cubes. 2. Cubes do not roll away Wombats stack droppings on rocks and logs as scent markers, and a cube stays where it is placed. 3. The pouch faces backwards So digging does not fill it with soil — the same solution the koala uses. 4. The rump is armour Reinforced with cartilage and thick skin. A wombat blocks its burrow entrance with it, and can crush a predator's skull against the roof. 5. Burrows are extensive Systems reaching 30 m with multiple chambers and entrances. 6. Their burrows shelter other species During bushfires, wombat burrows are used by many other animals, making wombats accidental refuge providers. 7. Teeth grow continuously Abrasive grasses wear them down constantly, so growth never stops. 8. Their metabolism is very slow Digestion can take up to 14 days, extracting maximum water and nutrition from poor forage. 9. They can run at 40 km/h In short bursts, despite the stocky build. 10. Three species The common wombat, the southern hairy-nosed wombat, and the Critically Endangered northern hairy-nosed wombat. 11. The northern hairy-nosed wombat nearly vanished Reduced to a very small population in one Queensland location, now subject to intensive protection and translocation. 12. Mange is a serious threat Sarcoptic mange, introduced with European animals, causes severe suffering and local population crashes, and treatment programmes are ongoing. Read the full wombat wildlife guide for IUCN status, population context and sources — or donate to WARN to help fund the partner teams protecting wildlife on the ground.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/wombat-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About Wombats (Cube-Shaped Droppings and an Armoured Backside).

## Why is wombat poop cube-shaped?
Varying stiffness along the wall of the intestine shapes the faeces into cubes as they pass through. Wombats are the only animals known to do this, and the cubes have a practical benefit: they stay put on the rocks and logs used as scent markers instead of rolling away.

## Why does a wombat's pouch face backwards?
So that digging does not fill it with soil. Wombats are powerful burrowers, and a forward-facing pouch would pack with earth. Koalas, which also dig, share the adaptation.

## How do wombats defend themselves?
With their backside. The rump is reinforced with cartilage and thick skin, and a wombat blocks its burrow entrance with it. If a predator pushes in behind, the wombat can crush its skull against the burrow roof.

## Are wombats endangered?
It depends on the species. The common wombat is not threatened, but the northern hairy-nosed wombat is Critically Endangered, reduced to a very small population in Queensland and dependent on intensive protection and translocation.

## What is threatening wombats?
Sarcoptic mange, introduced with European animals, causes severe suffering and local population crashes and is the subject of ongoing treatment programmes. Vehicle strikes, habitat loss and competition with introduced grazers also contribute.