Wild Animals

The largest bird of prey is a raptor that dominates the air with its massive wingspan, incredible strength and razor-sharp talons. The biggest birds aren't just impressive because of their size; they're also some of the most powerful predators in the avian world, from the highest peaks of South America to the vast forests of Asia.

By Yara Simón

The green anaconda — scientific name Eunectes murinus — is the heaviest snake species on our planet. These colossal serpents slither through the waterways of South America, captivating our imaginations with their immense size and power.

By Yara Simón

When you think of rodents, you might think of tiny mice running through your cellar or the adorable hamster that was your 5th grade class pet.

By Ada Tseng

Octopuses are known their eight legs, squishy bodies and impressive problem-solving skills. But did you know there are over 300 types of octopus species?

By Ada Tseng

Octopuses are cephalopods that have three hearts and eight arms that are covered with suckers. The largest octopus is the giant Pacific octopus. As its name suggests, the Giant Pacific Octopus lives in the North Pacific Ocean.

By Ada Tseng

There are about 200 documented species of jellyfish pulsing their way through the world's waters. Most range from the size of your belly button to the size of a car tire.

By Kimberly Olson

The animal kingdom is home to some truly slow-moving creatures that take life at a leisurely pace. The slowest animal in the world uses sluggish movements that require less energy, which is crucial for animals with limited food resources. Being so slow that they look completely still is a good strategy to hide from vicious predators.

By Ada Tseng

Polar bears are one of the largest mammals on land; only the African elephant can tower over the polar bear in this corner of the animal kingdom. But how do you measure the biggest bear? By height or by weight?

By Ada Tseng

Flightless species of birds (such as ostriches, which are the largest living birds) tend to outsize any of the largest birds in the sky. Bigger sizes, while a liability in the air, can keep flightless birds safer on land.

By Ada Tseng

One of the most unique about whales is that they're the largest animals to ever exist on Earth — even bigger than the largest dinosaurs to have ever roamed the planet. That's right: The biggest whale of today dwarfs the T. rex.

By Ada Tseng

The eland is one of the largest antelopes — and one of the most graceful. Known scientifically as Taurotragus oryx, the eland lives in Africa, mostly in eastern and southern Africa.

By Yara Simón

Sables are luxurious little animals. These fur-bearing mammals, native to the forests of Eurasia, have sandy yellow, light brown, dark brown and black coats, which are valuable commodities in the fur trade. Sable pelts are a symbol of wealth and elegance.

By Yara Simón

Shrimp, in addition to being a tasty addition to many cuisines around the world, is sometimes used as an insult to call a person small or short. But did you know there are over 2,000 species of shrimp, and many shrimp actually grow to be quite large? The world's biggest shrimp is not what you'd typically call shrimpy in size.

By Ada Tseng

Australia's thorny devil, Moloch horridus, looks like something straight out of a sci-fi movie. You might not be surprised that it's also called the "devil lizard" or "mountain devil."

By Ada Tseng

The redback spider (Latrodectus hasselti) is one of Australia's most iconic arachnids. It's a member of the widow spider family, closely related to the black widow spider. They're famous for their distinctive red markings and potent venom.

By Ada Tseng

The regal jumping spider (Phidippus regius) is a fuzzy spider that's named for its incredible jumping ability and vivid colors. They have four forward-facing eyes, giving them better vision than other spiders.

By Ada Tseng

Let's talk about spider eggs, those tiny wonders of nature that hold the next generation of arachnids.

By Ada Tseng

The brown widow spider (Latrodectus geometricus) is a lesser-known relative of the infamous black widow. The first brown widow spider was discovered in Los Angeles in early 2000. A member of the cobweb spiders, it is now found in warm, urban areas worldwide.

By Ada Tseng

The trapdoor spider is one of the sneakiest hunters in the arachnid world. These clever spiders are named for their unique hunting strategy: They build burrows with hinged "doors" made of soil and twigs that they use to ambush and capture prey. These burrows are lined with silk for stability.

By Ada Tseng

The sun spider is known for its great speed and powerful jaw. Oddly enough, sun spiders, which are also called wind scorpions or camel spiders, are neither spiders nor scorpions. They belong to the order Solifugae, a group of fast-moving, highly specialized arachnids.

By Ada Tseng

The savanna (sometimes mistakenly spelled as "Savannah," which is in the state of Georgia) describes an African region with grasslands and minimal tree densities. This wide-open landscape becomes a theatre where each animal's instincts and unique evolutionary skills are tested.

By Mitch Ryan

Let's talk about the woodlouse spider, an arachnid with a unique hunting style and impressive jaws. Known scientifically as Dysdera crocata, this spider has a special knack for preying on woodlice, making it an unusually dominant predator in its ecosystem.

By Mack Hayden

Let's talk about one of the most misunderstood arachnids in your backyard: the garden spider. Known for their intricate webs and striking colors, these arachnids are some of the most beneficial spiders around, keeping insect populations under control.

By Mack Hayden

The sparklemuffin peacock spider (Maratus jactatus) is a tiny spider that lives up to its vivacious name. This dazzling arachnid was given its moniker in 2015 by UC Berkeley PhD student Maddie Girard after they were discovered in Wondul Range National Park in southern Queensland, Australia.

By Ada Tseng

Spiders are some of the most common creatures we share our homes with. While they may seem scary at first, most house spider species are harmless and even helpful, keeping pest insects under control.

By Talon Homer