The Great Horned Owl, Bubo virginianus, is one of the most widely distributed and largest owls, native across the Americas. Also known as the 'hoot owl' or 'tiger owl', these birds are admired for their great size and formidable appearance. They are also known for their … [Read more...]
Leafy Sea Dragon – Masters Of Camouflage And Mimicry
The Leafy Sea Dragon, scientifically known as 'Phycodurus eques', is a fascinating marine creature found only in the coastal waters around the south and south west of Australia. It has one of the most unusual yet charming appearances in the marine world. Their appearance is no … [Read more...]
The Raven – Large, Mysterious and Devilishly Clever
The raven, belongs to the genus 'Corvus', which is widely distributed across the globe. At one time it was considered to be a single species, but it is now accepted that there are 9 seperate species of raven within the genus Corvus.There are 46 extant species within this … [Read more...]
Crows – Life and Lore of these Intelligent Birds
Crows, make up most of the species of bird belonging to the genus 'Corvus'. In many cultures and across history, they have been seen as symbols of intelligence and adaptability.Within the Corvus genus, there are 47 extant species currently recognised, and 36 of these are … [Read more...]
The Common Blackbird – Europe’s Shadowy Songsters
The Common Blackbird, or (Turdus merula) as it’s known scientifically, is a common sight across a massive range in Europe, Asia and Northern Africa. This charming bird is a proud member of the 'Turdus' genus, which is quite large, made up of 65 extant species. Together with 16 … [Read more...]
The Mouse Deer – Exploring the Smallest Hoofed Mammal
The Mouse Deer, also known as Chevrotain, is a really peculiar little ungulate. Captivating and elusive in equal measure. They belong to two genera 'Tragulus' and 'Moschiola', which are members of the 'Tragulidae' family. This is the only family in the infraorder 'Tragulina', … [Read more...]
South American Horned Frog – From Camouflage to Cannibalism
The South American horned frog, is an incredibly attractive type of frog, with some very interesting features and behaviours. Often referred to as the Pacman frog due to its round shape and large mouth, which gives it the familiar look of the iconic video game character, … [Read more...]
Horny Toads – The Desert’s Miniature Lizards
The Horny Toad, is quite a misleading name for an animal that, despite their appearance, is neither a toad, or even an amphibian. They are often mistaken for toads however, due to their flattened, rounded bodies. They are also known as the Horned Lizard, which is more accurate, … [Read more...]
Bandicoots – Small Marsupials With Big Snouts
Ever heard of the Bandicoot? You might have heard of the infamous 'Crash Bandicoot' that was centre stage to a host of PlayStation games. But do you know much about the incredible little marsupials on which that character is very loosely based?These fascinating marsupials, … [Read more...]
Hognose Snakes – Theatrical Flair And A Distinctive Snout
Hognose snakes are snakes that are recognized for their distinct upturned snouts, and exist within two distinct families within the Serpentes suborder. These families are Colubridae and Pseudoxyrhophiidae. Not all snakes within these families are Hognose Snakes. In fact, of the … [Read more...]