animal facts library

Learn about some of the strange and unusual facts and terms in the animal kingdom.

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Cocoon

Cocoon, a tough bag or case spun by the larva of certain insects for protection during the pupa, or resting, stage.

Cryptozoology

Cryptozoology is the study of creatures that are rumored to exist. But for true believers and alleged eyewitnesses, these "cryptids" are alive and well and lurking among us.

Doe

Doe, the female of most animals of which the male is called buck, such as the antelope, deer, goat, and rabbit.

Dogs at Work

Dogs are often put to work because they are easily trained. Learn about working dogs here.

Echolocation

Echolocation, the process of determining the distance and direction of objects by using sound.

Egg. The reproductive cell of a female organism is called an ovum, or egg. When a sperm, the reproductive cell of a male organism, unites with an ovum (a process called fertilization), a cell is formed that develops into a new organism.

Feather

Feather, a horny outgrowth of the skin that forms the body covering, or plumage, of birds.

Fur

Fur, the hairy covering on the skin of certain mammals. Most fur consists of two layers - underfur, the short, soft, curly hair next to the skin; and guard hair, the longer, stiffer hairs covering the underfur.

Gill

Gill, a respiratory organ in most animals that breathe under water. Not all underwater animals have gills; some lower forms of underwater life, such as the amoeba, breathe through thin body walls.

Gizzard

Gizzard, a digestive organ of birds and certain other animals, such as earthworms, grasshoppers, and crayfish.

Herbivore

Herbivorous Animal, an animal that eats only plant food. Plant-eating mammals include such widely different species as the rabbit and the gorilla.

Hoof

Hoof, the curved, horny covering that protects the toes of ungulates (grazing mammals).

Horn

Horn, a hard, flexible, translucent material that is formed from cells of the outer layer of skin, or epidermis.

Insectivora

Insectivora, an order of small, primitive mammals that includes the moles, shrews, hedgehogs, and several related animals.

Insects

Insect, an invertebrate animal related to spiders, ticks, scorpions, and centipedes.

Invertebrate

Invertebrates, animals that have no backbones, or vertebral columns. They include such widely different kinds of animals as cockroaches, clams, sea anemones, and giant squids.

Zoo

Zoo, a place where living animals are kept to be exhibited and studied. The name is a popular abbreviation of zoological garden, and most zoos are gardens or parks containing buildings and other enclosures.

American Ornithologists` Union

American Ornithologists' Union, a society of ornithologists and amateur students of birds.

Audubon Society

Audubon Society (in full: National Audubon Society), an organization of persons interested in conservation, especially in the preservation of wildlife.

Brachiopod

Brachiopod, a clamlike animal that inhabits the bottoms of oceans. Brachiopods are also called lampshells because they have shells that typically resemble ancient oil lamps.