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...]
Animals in North America
The North American continent is one of the world's seven continents. It is located in the Northern Hemisphere and is made up of three countries: Canada, the United States, and Mexico. The continent has a total area of 24,709,000 square kilometers (9,500,000 sq mi) and a population of over 538 million people.
This continent is bounded by the Arctic Ocean to the north, the Atlantic Ocean to the east, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico to the south. The climate of North America varies from region to region. In general, the further north you go the colder it becomes, and the further south you go the warmer it becomes.
The geography of North America is very diverse, with mountains, forests, deserts, and rivers. The Rocky Mountains are a major mountain range that runs through the western United States and Canada.
Other notable mountain ranges include the Appalachian Mountains in the east and the Sierra Nevada in the west.
North America also has many large forests, including the boreal forest in Canada and the temperate rainforests of the Pacific Northwest.
Many animals are native to North America. Some of these animals include the grizzly bear, the black bear, the elk, the moose, the white-tailed deer, and the American bison.
Many different types of birds can be found in North America, such as the bald eagle, the golden eagle, the Canadian goose, and the American robin.
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...]
Pufferfish – Why They Inflate And Other Facts
The Pufferfish, are a large family of fish scientifically known as Tetraodontidae. Within this family are 28 different genera, and around 193 unique species. Across the range, they are some of the ocean's and freshwater's most intriguing creatures.With the ability to inflate … [Read more...]
Sturgeon – Ancient Freshwater Fish
Sturgeons are a group of paddlefish belonging to the family Acipenseridae, that have been around for a very long time. Often referred to as 'living fossils,' these remarkable fish have been around for approximately 200 million years! They have been around long enough to witness … [Read more...]
Prairie Dogs – A Keystone Species of the American Plains
Prairie dogs, are an adorable sight in the grasslands of North America. With their curious eyes and bustling communities, they are full of character and charm. Contrary to their name, they aren't related to canids but are herbivorous burrowing rodents. They belong to the genus … [Read more...]
The Fisher Cat – Master Hunters In Canada’s Forests
The Fisher is a fantastic, yet often anonymous hunter in the North American boreal forests. Its scientific name, until 2008 was Martes pennanti, as it was considered to be a relative of the martens that are also in the genus Martes. But after reclassification to the genus … [Read more...]
Garter Snakes – From Gardens to Wetlands to Household Pets
Garter Snakes, are small snakes that make up the genus 'Thamnophis', in the subfamily Natricinae. Within the genus, there are around 37 species and over 50 subspecies. The most numerous is the common garter snake (Thamnophis sirtalis) which has 13 subspecies across their … [Read more...]
Coati – The Lesser-Known Ring-Tailed Wanderers
The Coati, is a fascinating member of the animal kingdom, that often goes unnoticed amidst the vast biodiversity of the Americas. Scientifically classified under the genera Nasua and Nasuella, these animals are not just another raccoon, even though they share a family - … [Read more...]
The Tarantula Hawk – Powerful Stingers In The Sky
Tarantula Hawks, are scientifically recognized as members of the genera Pepsis and Hemipepsis, and they are not just any other insect. They are beautiful, formidable and scary in equal measure. There are over 350 species of these little insects across their two genera, which form … [Read more...]
Alligator Gar – A Keystone Species in America’s Freshwaters
The Alligator Gar (Atractosteus spatula) is not just any fish; it's a living testament to the wonders of evolution. This freshwater giant, with its lineage tracing back to the time of the dinosaurs, is a marvel of nature. It is one of three species of Gar in genus Atractosteus, … [Read more...]