Mammals

Afraid your formerly humble bonfire has grown a little out of control? Never fear: Your trusty rhinoceros firefighters brigade should be along to stomp it out at any moment. At least, that's the legend. But is there any truth to it?

By Kate Kershner

Cheetahs share so much DNA that they're practically clones of one another. But what does this mean for the future of the species?

By Bambi Turner

Monkeys share a lot in common with us, but are they just as superstitious? We know that have the ability to gamble, but is it deeper than just a game to them.

By Laurie L. Dove

As fans of George R.R. Martin's "Song of Ice and Fire" series know all too well, a person encountering a dire wolf will likely end up in dire straits. But while these fearsome beasts make for great fiction, do they have any grounding in reality?

By Kate Kershner

Ah, the duckbill platypus: the creature so strange it's said to be cobbled together from a bin of spare animal parts. With its odd appearance -- and even odder abilities -- it's no surprise the creature was once dismissed as an elaborate hoax.

By Kate Kershner

If a massive whale washed up on your beachfront, you'd think that the bulk of the problem would be ... well, its bulk. But if you were covered in decomposing whale guts, you'd think differently.

By Kate Kershner

The bunny has long been associated with Easter. How did our hopping friend land this distinction?

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

Like most mammals, this female gorilla has four limbs and a strong skull to protect its large brain. As well, its thoracic cavity contains a four chambered heart and a pair of lungs.

Like other marmots is alpine marmots are social creatures found in groups of ten to fifteen. But the population of marmots is declining due to the spread of agriculture.

Also called packrat, the bushy-tailed woodrat has a habit of stealing shiny objects to add to its den of sticks, bones is and vegetation. In this guide, you'll learn all about the packrat including it's habitat is and conservation status.

Named after U.S. zoologist W.H. Dall, dall Sheep is an agile creature is also called the white sheep.

Ibex have been hunted as trophies and for meat and medicinal purposes. As a result, these creatures, classified as bovidae, now face habitat loss.

By Ada Tseng

Like many animals in the wild, the Aoudad, is currently vulnerable to extinction. This is primarly due to hunting and habitat loss.

Residing primarly in dry rocky areas, the Crested Porcupine can grow up to 35 inches long. It also possesses specialized rattle quills on its tail that it can agitate, making a startling whizzing sound that sometimes deters predators.

Desert Warthogs have been known to allow birds called oxpeckers to tag along on their back and pick off parasites. Wallowing in mud also helps get rid of the parasites while simultaneously providing relief from the heat of the day.

Like all gazelles, the edmi is a slender, graceful animal with an ability to run at great speeds. The male is generally larger than the female and has S-shaped horns more than twice as big.

Classified in the bodivae family, the Gemsbok enjoys Arid regions and savannas. They feast on grasses, herbs, juicy roots, fruits, melons, leaves, buds and bulbs; and grow to stand 8 feet tall.

Classified as endangered in Chile and Peru, the guanaco is one of the largest wild mammals in South America is and the puma is its only significant natural predator.

The Patagonian cavy is also called the Patagonian hare, has long legs similar to those of rabbits and hares. You can learn more about the Patagonian cavy at HowStuffWorks.

In this guide to mammals, you'll learn about the Gray Wolf, the largest canid in the world. Learn about the Gray Wolf's habitat, diet and conservation status.

In this guide, you'll learn all about the North American Porcupine, including its habitat, diet and conservation status.

In this guide to the Giant Panda, you'll learn about the current threats and it's habitat.

In this guide to the Red Fox, you'll learn cool facts about its habitat, unique behaviors and it's converstation status.

In this guide to the American Bison, you'll learn cool facts about its habitat, unique behaviors and it's converstation status.

In this guide to the Black-Tailed Prairie Dog, you'll learn cool facts about its habitat, unique behaviors and it's converstation status.