Iguana Facts, Prehistoric Sunbather of the New World Tropics
Iguana Facts Feature Details Common Name Iguana Scientific Name Genus Iguana (2 species); broader family Iguanidae includes many relatives Family Iguanidae Order Squamata First Described…
Hamster Facts, The Pint-Sized Powerhouse of the Rodent World
Hamster Facts Feature Details Common Name Hamster Scientific Name Subfamily Cricetinae (19 species across 7 genera) Family Cricetidae Order Rodentia First Described 1839 (Syrian Hamster,…
Sea Turtle Facts, Chelonia mydas (Green Sea Turtles)
Sea Turtle Facts Feature Details Common Name Sea Turtle (Green Sea Turtle — focus species) Scientific Name Chelonia mydas (Green Sea Turtle) Family Cheloniidae (hard-shelled…
Giraffe Facts, Tallest Animal, What is a Giraffe?
Giraffe Facts Feature Details Common Name Giraffe Scientific Name Giraffa camelopardalis (and 3–4 recognized species per modern genetic taxonomy) Family Giraffidae Order Artiodactyla First Described…
Flamingo Facts, Pink Bird, What is a Flamingo?
Flamingo Facts Feature Details Common Name Flamingo Scientific Name Family Phoenicopteridae, genus Phoenicopterus (and Phoeniconaias, Phoenicoparrus) Family Phoenicopteridae Order Phoenicopteriformes First Described 1758 (Greater Flamingo,…
Elk Facts, Cervus canadensis, What is an Elk?
Elk Facts Feature Details Common Name Elk (North America); Wapiti (original Shawnee name; used in Europe and Asia) Scientific Name Cervus canadensis Family Cervidae Order…
Dugong Facts, Sea Cow, What is a Dugong?
Dugong Facts Feature Details Common Name Dugong / Sea Cow Scientific Name Dugong dugon Family Dugongidae Order Sirenia First Described 1776 (by P.L.S. Müller) Native…
Cassowary Facts, Casuarius Bird, What are Cassowaries?
Cassowary Facts Feature Details Common Name Cassowary (Southern Cassowary — focus species) Scientific Name Casuarius casuarius (Southern Cassowary) Family Casuariidae Order Casuariiformes First Described 1758…
Beaver Facts, Physical Description, What are Beavers?
Beaver Facts Feature Details Common Name Beaver (North American Beaver — focus species) Scientific Name Castor canadensis (North American Beaver) Family Castoridae Order Rodentia First…
Asian Elephant Facts, Wildlife, What Are Asian Elephants?
Asian Elephant Facts Feature Details Common Name Asian Elephant (Indian Elephant — most widespread subspecies) Scientific Name Elephas maximus Family Elephantidae Order Proboscidea First Described…