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Black rats (Rattus rattus) are commonly known as house rat, ship rat, or roof rats. Black rats are similar in appearance to a brown rat (Rattus norvegicus), and have gray-brown fur which can turn completely black. Black rats are great climbers, and they are mostly found in palm trees. They forage on the ground for food and feed on fruits, seeds, worms and flies but can eat almost anything. Black rats carry harmful bacteria, which may cause many diseases in human beings....

Have you ever seen a small blue-colored bird with a sweet sound? Well, it is the Eastern bluebird. They are small migratory birds that are usually seen in semi-open habitats. A bluebird is also the state bird of the state of New York. Eastern bluebird song is a low-pitched and warbling song consisting of several phrases. When you see a bluebird, it is generally interpreted as a source of inspiration and hope across several cultures....

In this article, we will get to read and learn about the brown-eared pheasant (Crossoptilon mantchuricum). It was in 1863 that the species was identified by Robert Swinhoe. This bird is indigenous to the region of western China. These omnivorous birds primarily eat plants and forage on the ground. Their diet consists of plant parts like roots, bulbs, seeds, and underground vegetables. The females lay five to eight eggs in one clutch, which are pale stone green in color, oval, and take about 28 days to hatch....

If you are interested in North American birds, then you must have heard of the common gallinule. The common gallinule (Gallinula galeata) is a bird that you can find among marsh vegetation and on open water. You may have already seen this bird near a marsh or aquatic vegetation flaunting their red bill and yellow toes. They are a similar species to the common moorhen. With a red bill and red shield on its forehead and yellow toes, the common gallinule does stand out....

Do you know which animals raise their body temperatures in order to avoid the loss of water content from their bodies through sweating or evaporation? Don’t worry! The answer is an East African oryx. To learn more exciting facts about this species, continue reading this article.An oryx is a common name given to four large antelope species that live in Africa and the Middle East. These species are the East African oryx, scimitar-horned oryx, Arabian oryx, and Gemsbok....

Flower mantis is an insect that belongs to the species of praying mantis which mimic the color of the flowers on which they inhabit. The spiny flower mantis remains motionless on the plant until the prey arrives and devouring them. These insects use the same camouflage to protect them from predators. The flower mantis is pink and white in color and has limbs that are flattened. The devil’s flower mantis insects are very small in size as compared to the other insects....

The golden tench is a native fish that belongs to the carp family. They belong to the genus Tinca. They are widely found in Europe. These fish are kept in ponds. They keep the ponds clean and healthy. They naturally live in waters with abundant plants. They are a breed version of the common tench. Also, a golden tench has similar features to that of a goldfish with the same appearance....

The jambu fruit dove (Ptilinopus jambu), is one of the smallest and most unique species of fruit dove. They are mainly native to Indonesia, Malaysia, and Myanmar. They are bright and colorful and their green feathers make it hard to detect them among the foliage but the soft cooing call of this bird species discloses their existence. They also have a unique orange bill.The jambu fruit dove inhabits mangrove swamps as well as lowland rainforests up to an elevation of 5000 ft (1,500 m)....

The little auk (Alle alle), also known as dovekie, is one of the most rapid-growing sea doves. The little auk is the most widespread bird in the entire Alcidae family. Additionally, it is also the most commonly found auk species that is found in the entire Arctic islands, throughout the Svalbard archipelago and Franz Josef Land.Little auks are the smallest member of the Atlantic Alcid group. This auk species forages in huge colonies where there are around a thousand little auks or more in each colony and they even tend to form breeding colonies where these birds unite in pairs and congregate in flocks....

Are you interested in knowing more about the pre-history of our world? If yes, then should surely take out some time as we are about to discuss the Dinosauria theropoda genus of Magnosaurus. Friedrich Von Huene was the first one to classify the Magnosaurus nethercombensis in 1923 from skeletal remains found in the nineteenth century. The partial remains were given the holotype OUM J12143 and it consisted of jawbones, hip bones, as well as remains of a tibia....

Ever heard of a fish that flies or a bird that swims? Surprising? Indeed! Nature is marvelous with many sights yet to be unveiled. It may sound weird but such creatures do exist and herons are one of them. The nankeen night heron, Nycticorax caledonicus, is among the group of herons and is native to Australia. It is also referred to as a rufous night heron due to its red-brown plumage....

The only dog breed that any dog lover would not be aware of is a mixed one. This is because there are so many mixed dog breeds available around the globe that it becomes a problem to keep a record of all the breeds. One such breed that many of you might not be aware of is a Schweenie. A Schweenie is a mixed breed bred from a Dachshund and a Shih-Tzu....

Have you ever seen a bird soaring high and suddenly descend to pounce on its prey sharply? That might possibly be a Short-tailed hawk! If it appears to be slightly smaller, about the size of a crow, and has an unusually short tail, it is clearly a Short-tailed hawk! Did you know that these are strong, powerful birds with acute visual capability (eight times more than humans) to see their prey from great heights?...

The Silkie chicken, also known by the names of the Chinese Silkie, bearded Silkie, or the bantam Silkie, is a type of furry chicken breed whose name typically comes from its soft, fluffy, and smooth plumage. The chicken has silk-like feathers that have unusual qualities in its characteristics and appearance. The chicken was first documented by Marco Polo, described as a white Silkie with black-blue earlobes and five toes instead of four....

Skinks are lizards who belong to the family Scincidae. They have the ability to regenerate their tails when they are attacked by a predator. Their skulls are covered with bony scales. A few species like the five-lined skinks have five light-colored stripes that run along their body from their snout to their tails. They are moderately-sized lizards with short legs. They are more distinguishable because of their stripes. Skinks can be found in a wide range of habitats ranging from grasslands, trees, and mountains except for boreal and polar regions....

The spotfin mojarra, Eucinostomus argenteus, is a fish that belongs to the Gerreidae family that is also called the mojarra plateada in Mexico. It is one of 11 species that belong to the Eucinostomus genus that can be seen inhabiting the Pacific and the Atlantic oceans, including Mexican waters. The spotfin mojarra is also commonly called the silver mojarra. This fish is indigenous to America’s Pacific and Atlantic coasts. It can be seen dwelling on the soft bottoms of shallow coastal areas as well as in bays....

Let us learn today about one of Asia’s most reclusive and shy mammals: the spotted linsang. Belonging to the genus Prionodon, the spotted linsang (Prionodon pardicolor) has gained some fame due to its secretive nature. These linsangs have been very rarely spotted in recent times owing to their nocturnal and somewhat arboreal nature. They share a lot of common taxonomic specifications with civets and felines. Ranged across southeast Asia, the linsangs are found in Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, and Myanmar....

The spotted wood kingfisher is one of the most brightly colored, lively birds belonging to the family of Alcedinidae. In this family, there are around 17 genera and 90 subspecies of kingfishers only which are subdivided into three groups. This kingfisher, Actenoides lindsayi, belongs to the group of Halcyoninae that are considered as forest kingfishers.The family of this bird is endemic to the Philippines in Luzon, Negros, and Panay and is found in subtropical or tropical dense forests....

The star-nosed mole, as the name implies, is a small sized-mole found in moist, low areas in its distribution. The mole is known for its weak eyes and it is the only species in the tribe to have Eimer’s organs, which is a touch organ with more than 25000-minute sensory receptors. With these organs, this species feels its way around. The Eimer’s organs are visible and are one of the key differentiating features of the species with its star-shaped face....

Do you find elephants extremely cute? One of the smallest Asian elephants in the world is the Sumatran elephant. These elephants are native to the Sumatran Island of Indonesia. Sumatran elephants like to live in the broadleaf moist tropical forests of the Sumatra Island and feed on berries, young leaves, and fruits. Sumatran elephants look a tad different when compared to other elephant species, as they have brighter skin with little to no pigmentation....