Updated Articles and Resources

By Laura Klappenbach, About.com Guide since 2001

Monotremes - Monotremata Created: Saturday, April 28, 2012 Updated: Sunday, April 29, 2012
Monotremes are a group of mammals that include echidnas and the platypus. Monotremes are unique among mammals because they lay eggs instead of giving birth to live young like other mammals.
Pinnipeds - Pinnipedia Created: Saturday, April 28, 2012 Updated: Saturday, April 28, 2012
Pinnipeds are a group of semi-aquatic marine mammals. The group includes sea lions, fur seals, true seals and the walrus. Pinnipeds are well adapted for life in marine and other aquatic habitats.
Conservation - Conservation Organizations That Protect Animals Created: Tuesday, January 06, 2004 Updated: Friday, April 27, 2012
If you are interested in getting involved in wildlife conservation, be sure to take a closer look this list of organizations.
Lobsters - Lobster's Unique Sounds Defy Predators Created: Saturday, October 29, 2011 Updated: Friday, April 27, 2012
Scientists now understand more about the unique way spiny lobsters create sound to ward off predators. Using a method of sound production resembling that of stringed instruments, spiny lobsters sta...
Monarch Butterfly - Profile of the Monarch Butterfly Created: Wednesday, September 14, 2005 Updated: Friday, April 27, 2012
The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) has a black body with white spots and bright orange wings with black borders and veins (some white spots are dappled in the black wing areas too).
Animal Profiles - An A to Z List of Scientific Names Created: Friday, October 28, 2011 Updated: Friday, April 27, 2012
The following is an A to Z list of animal profiles available, sorted alphabetically by scientific name.
Animal Profiles - An A to Z List of Common Names Created: Friday, October 28, 2011 Updated: Friday, April 27, 2012
The following is an A to Z list of animal profiles available, sorted alphabetically by common name.
Newts and Salamanders Facts - What Are Newts and Salamanders Created: Sunday, October 25, 2009 Updated: Friday, March 30, 2012
Newts and salamanders are slender bodied amphibians with a long tail and usually two pairs of limbs. In this article, we'll explore basic facts about newts and salamanders including how they are c..
Caecilian Facts - What Are Caecilians Created: Sunday, November 30, 2008 Updated: Friday, March 30, 2012
Caecilians are a group of slender-bodied, limbless amphibians. In this article, we'll explore basic caecilian facts including how they are classified, what they eat, where they live and the charact..
Amphibian Facts - What Are Amphibians Created: Tuesday, June 26, 2007 Updated: Friday, March 30, 2012
Amphibians include salamanders, newts, caecilians, frogs, and toads. These animals' ancestors were the first to venture out from the water and adapt to life on land. Amphibian larvea are often aqua..
European Badger Created: Thursday, March 29, 2012 Updated: Friday, March 30, 2012
The European badger is a badger that occurs throughout most of Europe. European badgers are omnivores. They are powerfully built mammals that have a short, fat body and short, sturdy legs well suit..
Red Fox Created: Thursday, March 29, 2012 Updated: Friday, March 30, 2012
The red fox is the largest species of true fox and is also among the most widespread mammals. Its range includes most areas throughout the Northern Hemisphere.
Animal Facts - Facts About Animals Created: Monday, April 11, 2011 Updated: Friday, March 30, 2012
Learn interesting facts about animals, a group of living organisms that includes amphibians, birds, fishes, invertebrates, mammals and reptiles. There are millions of species of animals alive today..
Neil Shubin - Who is Neil Shubin Created: Wednesday, January 27, 2010 Updated: Sunday, March 18, 2012
Neil Shubin, PhD (born on December 22, 1960) is a paleontologist, evolutionary biologist, and science writer.
Overview of the Invertebrates Group Video Created: Friday, March 09, 2012 Updated: Friday, March 09, 2012
Invertebrates are a large group of the animal kingdom that have no backbone and share other unique characteristics that set them apart. Watch this educational video from About.com to learn more abo..
Falcons Created: Monday, February 27, 2012 Updated: Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Falcons are birds of prey that include kestrels, falcons, hobbies and merlins.
What are Birds? Video Created: Tuesday, February 28, 2012 Updated: Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Birds are unique members of the animal kingdom with distinguishing characteristics like feathers and lightweight bones. Watch this educational video from About.com to learn more about birds.
What Is Phylum Chordata? Video Created: Tuesday, February 28, 2012 Updated: Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Phylum chordata is a classification in the animal kingdom that groups together species with common traits. Watch this video from About.com to learn more about how these animals are all related in t..
What are Mammals? Video Created: Tuesday, February 28, 2012 Updated: Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Mammals are a very diverse category in the animal kingdom but they do have common traits. Watch this educational video to learn about the characteristics of mammals.
All About Mammals Created: Sunday, February 26, 2012 Updated: Monday, February 27, 2012
Learn more about mammals, their characteristics, classification and more.
What Do Reptiles Eat - Reptile Eating Habits and Diet Created: Wednesday, April 06, 2011 Updated: Sunday, February 26, 2012
Most reptiles are carnivores that feed on small invertebrates, mammals and other reptiles. A few reptiles are herbivores that feed on plant material as varied as grasses, fruits, shrubs and marine ..
Common Dolphin - Profile of the Common Dolphin Created: Monday, August 15, 2005 Updated: Sunday, February 26, 2012
The common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) grows to lengths of 2.3m-3.6m (7.5ft-8.5ft) and weights of up to 80kg (175lb). Common dolphins are colorful with a characteristic hourglass-shaped pattern on ..
Malacostracans Created: Friday, January 27, 2012 Updated: Sunday, January 29, 2012
Malacostracans are a group of crustaceans that includes crabs, lobsters, shrimp, mantis shrimp, prawns, krill, spider crabs, woodlice and many others. This profile explores basic facts about malaco..
Thorax - Definition of Thorax Created: Saturday, January 07, 2006 Updated: Sunday, January 29, 2012
The term thorax refers to, in mammals, the area of the trunk anterior to the diaphragm (the diaphragm is the partition between the thorax and the abdomen). In insects, the thorax refers to the body..
Harvestmen - Opiliones Created: Monday, January 23, 2012 Updated: Saturday, January 28, 2012
Harvestmen are a group of arachnids that include more than 6,300 species. This profile explores basic facts about harvestmen including their classification, diet, habitat and what makes them differ..
Vipers Created: Friday, January 27, 2012 Updated: Friday, January 27, 2012
Vipers are a group of snakes that include true vipers, bush vipers, rattlesnakes, pit vipers, adders and night adders. This profile explores basic facts about vipers including their classification,..
Australian Garden Orb Weaver Spider - Picture of an Australian Garden Orb Weaver Spider Created: Thursday, January 26, 2012 Updated: Friday, January 27, 2012
Australian Garden Orb Weaver Spider
Gaur - Bos gaurus Created: Thursday, January 26, 2012 Updated: Thursday, January 26, 2012
Gaurs are the largest member of the cattle family. This profile explores basic facts about gaurs including their classification, diet, habitat and what makes them different from other cattle specie..
Arachnids - Arachnida Created: Monday, January 23, 2012 Updated: Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Arachnids are a diverse group of arthropods that include spiders, scorpions, harvestmen, ticks and mites. This profile explores basic facts about arachnids including their classification, diet, hab..
Clouded Leopard - Neofelis nebulosa Created: Wednesday, January 25, 2012 Updated: Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Clouded leopards are medium-sized cats that inhabit the foothills of the Himalaya throughout Southeast Asia. This profile explores basic facts about clouded leopards including their classification,..
Krakatau Island - The Island That Exploded Created: Friday, October 28, 2011 Updated: Monday, January 23, 2012
At 10:02 am on August 27, 1883, the equatorial island of Krakatau was violently and abruptly re-sculpted. Preceded by a series of earthquakes and recurrent volcanic activity, the August 27th erupti..
Crustaceans - Crustacea Created: Saturday, January 14, 2012 Updated: Saturday, January 14, 2012
Crustaceans are a group of arthropods that include 42,000 species. Crustacean groups include lobsters, crabs, crayfishes, barnacles and many other groups. This profile explores basic facts about cr..

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