
Aardvark
Orycteropus afer
The aardvark is specialized to eat ants and termites.
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Aardwolf
Proteles cristatus
A solitary and nocturnal member of the hyena family, the aardwolf specializes in feeding on termites.
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African Lion
Panthera leo
Unlike other cats, lions live in social groups called prides that consist of a handful of related females and their young and a coalition of two to three males.
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African Painted Dog
Lycaon pictus
For African painted dogs, also known as wild dogs, cooperation is the name of the game and survival is the aim.
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African penguin
Spheniscus demersus
Penguins can’t fly in the air. Underwater, it’s a different story.
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African Pygmy Falcon
Polihierax semitorquatus
Though it is the smallest raptor in Africa, the African pygmy falcon is a powerful predator.
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Alligator Gar
Lepisosteus spatula
Although few alligator gars approach the record size of 10 feet and 300 pounds, they are still among the largest freshwater fish in North America.
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Alligator Snapping Turtle
Macroclemys temmnicki
The alligator snapping turtle is the largest freshwater turtle in the world
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Alpaca
Like llamas, alpacas are related to camels.
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American alligator
Alligator mississippiensis
Most reptiles pay no attention to their offspring, but alligators are truly tender mothers.
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American burying beetle
Nicrophorus americanus
The American burying beetle makes a living out of eating the dead.
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American crocodile
Crocodylus acutus
The American crocodile population plummeted during the mid-1900s due to unregulated hunting for its hide.
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Andean Condor
Vultur gryphus
Among the largest flying birds in the world, the Andean condor relies on its huge wings—the largest wing area of any bird—and strong winds to stay aloft.
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Angolan Colobus Monkey
Colobus angolensis
Colobus monkeys are adapted for a life in the trees.
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Anthony’s Poison Dart Frog
Epipedobates anthonyi
Protected by other predators' instinctive unwillingness to prey on them, Anthony's poison dart frog boldly hunts small insects during the day without fear.
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Apalachicola Kingsnake
Lampropeltis getula meansi
The Apalachicola kingsnake is a subspecies of the common kingsnake.
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Armadillo Lizard
Ouroborus cataphractus
The armadillo lizard’s back is covered in hard scales.
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Aruba Island Rattlesnake
Crotalus unicolor
The Aruba Island rattlesnake is one of the rarest rattlesnakes in the world.
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Asian elephant
Elephas maximus
From trunk to toe, Asia’s largest land mammal displays some amazing adaptations to life as a forest-dwelling herbivore.
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Atlantic Puffin
Fratercula arctica
The puffin is built for diving and swimming underwater with small, sturdy wings and webbed feet
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Aye Aye
Daubentonia madagascariensis
Like a woodpecker, the aye-aye is a percussion forager.
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Azureus cichlid
Copadichromis azureus
The azureus cichlid is a plankton-feeder from Lake Malawi in Africa.
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Baja Whipspider
Acanthophrynus coronatus
Among the largest whipspiders in the world, little is known of the Baja Whipspider’s natural history.
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Bald Eagle
Haliaeetus leucocephalus
All of the bald eagles at the Cincinnati Zoo were rescued.
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Bali Myna
Leucopsar rothschildi
One of the most beautiful birds in the world, with its striking snow white feathers, lacy head crest, and blue eye patch, the Bali myna is also one of the rarest.
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Barn owl
Tyto alba
The barn owl is a farmer’s best friend. By hunting mice and other small mammals, which it can catch in total darkness, the owl helps control the population of these pint-sized grain thieves.
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Barred Owl
Strix varia
Perched in a tree, the barred owl scans the forest floor for small creatures.
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Bat Cave Cockroach
Eublaberus distanti
Bat caves are home to more than bats.
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Bat-eared Fox
Otocyon megalotis
Emerging at dusk from an underground den, the bat-eared fox prowls for prey.
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Bearcat (Binturong)
Arctitis binturong
Also known as the binturong, the bearcat is agile like a cat in the canopy and less adept on ground, walking flat-footed like a bear.
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Black and White Colobus Monkey
Colobus guereza
The colobus monkey spends most of its time feeding in the canopy and rarely comes down to the ground.
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Black Howler Monkey
Alouatta caraya
Living in extended family groups, howler monkeys spend most of the day feasting on leaves in the treetops.
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Black Rat Snake
Pantherophis alleghaniensis
The black rat snake is the largest snake in Ohio, reaching lengths up to eight feet.
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Black Rhinoceros
Diceros bicornis
Traveling alone, a black rhino brandishes the two horns on its head at an intruder.
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Black-Breasted Leaf Turtle
Geoemyda spengleri
Growing no longer than four inches, the black-breasted leaf turtle is one of the world’s smallest turtles.
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Black-Footed Cat
Felis nigripes
One of the smallest wild cats, the black-footed cat rests during the day among the bushes or in a burrow abandoned by an aardvark or porcupine.
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Blue and Gold Macaw
Ara ararauna
Macaws are brilliantly-colored, neotropical parrots.
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Blue Death Feigning Beetle
Asbolus verrucosus
When threatened, the blue death feigning beetle rolls over on its back and plays dead.
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Blue Tree Monitor
Varanus macraei
Scientists describe newly discovered species of monitors still today.
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Blue-Crowned Laughing Thrush
Garrulax galbanus courtoisi
Pairs or small family groups of laughing thrushes forage along the ground for fruits, berries, and insects.
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Blue-Crowned Motmot
Momotus momota
Motmots are easily distinguished from other birds by their tail feathers.
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Blue-Grey Tanager
Thraupis episcopus
Blue-gray tanagers were named for their two-toned coloration: gray or light blue on their head and chest, deepening to a brighter blue coloration along their wings and tail.
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Blue-Throated Macaw
Ara glaucogularis
The blue-throated macaw was once thought to be extinct.
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Boat-Billed Heron
Cochlearius cochlearius
Roosting in the trees during the day, the boat-billed heron comes down at dusk to hunt.
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Bonobo
Pan paniscus
Also called the pygmy chimp, the bonobo is slightly smaller than the common chimpanzee.
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Brazilian Porcupine
Coendou prehensilis
Spending most of its time in the canopy, the Brazilian porcupine is an expert climber.
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Brazilian Salmon Pink Birdeater
Lasiodora parahybana
With a legspan reaching 10 inches or more, the Brazilian salmon pink birdeater is one of the largest tarantulas.
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Brazilian White-knee tarantula
Acanthoscurria geniculata
This large tarantula is found in the Amazon Basin. It actively hunts out prey, pouncing on it to inflict a venomous bite.
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Brown recluse spider
Loxosceles reclusa
This potentially dangerous spider is in fact quite shy (a real recluse) and normally bites humans only when accidentally trapped against the skin.
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Buff-cheeked gibbon
Hylobales gabriellae
Gibbons are known for a specialized form of swinging locomotion called brachiation.
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Buff-crested bustard
Eudpodotis ruficrista
The buff-crested bustard is named for a crest of feathers along the back of the male’s neck that are erected when displaying.
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Burmese Brown mountain tortoise
Manouria emys emys
Due to its large size—it’s the fourth largest tortoise in the world—and slow nature, the Burmese brown mountain tortoise is a relatively easy target for hunters.
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Burmese Python
Python molurus
One of the largest snakes in the world, the Burmese python can grow up to 25 feet long and get as thick as a telephone pole.
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Cape Barren Goose
Cereopsis novaehollandiae
The Cape Barron goose is primarily terrestrial, spending very little time in the water.
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Cape Porcupine
Hystrix africaeaustralis
Contrary to popular belief, a porcupine cannot shoot its spines and quills.
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Cave whip spider
Damon variegates
This bizarre arachnid is only distantly related to true spiders.
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Cheetah
Acinonyx jubatus
The cheetah plays an important role as a predator on the African savannah.
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chinese alligator
Alligator sinensis
A full-grown Chinese alligator is only about half as big as its cousin, the American alligator.
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Chinese Crocodile Lizard
Shinisaurus crocodilurus
Mainly active during the day, it often enters into a metabolic pause, remaining completely still and unresponsive for hours at a time.
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Chuckwalla
Sauromalus ater
The chuckwalla is a diurnal lizard that emerges from its rocky shelter to bask in the sun and forage for leaves and fruit during the day.
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Clouded leopard
Neofelis nebulosa
A powerful and robust build, short legs, large feet, and a long tail allow the clouded leopard to expertly navigate the forest canopy.
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Common Cooter
Pseudemys concinna floridana
Cooters are sun-loving freshwater turtles that spend much of day basking on logs at the edges of ponds, lakes, and rivers in the Southeastern United States.
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Common Eider
Somateria mollissima
A large sea duck, the common eider dives up to 60 feet deep to pluck clams, crabs and other animals off the sea floor.
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Coquerel’s Sifaka
Propithecus coquereli
The sifaka is a large lemur built for a specialized type of locomotion called vertical clinging and leaping.
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Corn Snake
Pantherophis guttatus
Although the corn snake is primarily terrestrial, it can climb trees, rocks, and even buildings, with ease.
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Cougar
Puma concolor
Historically, the cougar ranged throughout the Americas.
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Crested Coua
Coua cristata
The crested coua is a type of cuckoo bird.
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Crested Guineafowl
Guttera pucherani
Crested guineafowl stick close together in flocks for safety.
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Derbyana Flower Beetle
Dicronorhina derbyana
While in it's larval stage, the grub spends several months underground consuming broken-down leaf litter and recycling nutrients back into the soil.
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Desert Rainworm
Orthoporus sp.
The desert rainworm, a type of millipede, spends most of its life underground.
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Domino Roach
Therea petiveriana
The white-spotted pattern of the domino roach is thought to be a form of defensive mimicry.
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Dragon-headed katydid
Lesina intermedia
The dragon-headed katydid is a type of bush cricket, so named for its huge mandibles that are used to eat a variety of fruits and other insects.
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Dumeril’s Ground Boa
Acrantopis dumerili
The Dumeril’s boa’s black and brown coloring enables it to hide among the leaf litter on the forest floor.
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Dyeing poison dart frog
Dendrobatus tinctorius
An unwary snake or other predator that tries to eat a poison dart frog will become very sick, paralyzed or even die from the ingestion of an alkaloid-based poison secreted through the frog’s skin.
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Eastern bongo
Tragelaphus eurycerus
One of the largest forest antelopes, the shy and reclusive bongo wears a reddish coat with white stripes for camouflage.
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Eastern Diamondback Rattlesnake
Crotalus adamanteus
The largest rattlesnake in the world and largest venomous snake in North America, the eastern diamondback rattlesnake seeks shelter in mammal and gopher tortoise burrows and uprooted trees.
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Eastern Lubber Grasshopper
Romalea microptera
The Eastern lubber grasshopper is well-known in Florida and nearby states for its size, color, and large gatherings.
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Eastern Screech owl
Megascops asio
In spite of their small size, screech owls are exceptional night hunters using their keen sense of hearing to pinpoint prey in the dark.
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Emerald Beetle
Smaragdestes orzini
Scarab beetles like the emerald beetle play an important role in many natural communities.
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Emerald Tree Boa
Corallus caninus
At rest during the day, the emerald tree boa drapes in coils across a tree branch.
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Emperor Scorpion
Pandinus imperator
A young emperor scorpion kills its prey with venom injected through the sharp sting at the tip of its ‘tail.’
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Eurasian eagle owl
Bubo bubo
With wings that can span up to six feet, the Eurasian eagle owl is one of the largest owls in the world.
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Fennec Fox
Vulpes zerda
The smallest fox, the fennec fox has the largest ears relative to body size of any canid, reaching lengths of up to six inches.
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Fire-bellied newt
Cynops pyrrhogaster
Less than six inches long, this aquatic amphibian feeds on insects and other invertebrates in slow-moving or still waters.
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Fishing Cat
Prionailurus viverrinus
As its name implies, the favored prey of the fishing cat is fish.
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Florida Manatee
Trichechus manatus latirostris
Also called the sea cow, the manatee is the only herbivorous mammal specially designed to live its entire life in the water.
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Florida Pine Snake
Pituophis melanoleucus mugitus
The Florida pine snake is one of the largest eastern snakes in North America
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Freckled Duck
Stictonetta naevosa
Australia’s rarest waterfowl, the Freckled Duck breeds in swamps in inland Australia.
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Galapagos Tortoise
Chelonoidis microphyes
With few natural predators and competitors for food, the Galápagos tortoise grew over time into the largest turtle in the world.
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Garnett’s Galago (Greater Bushbaby)
Otolemur garnetti
Bushbabies spend the day resting in a tree hole or among the vines, hiding from snakes.
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Giant African Millipede
Archispirostreptus
This elongate arthropod moves slowly, thus, cannot make a quick escape.
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Giant Fruit Bat (Indian Flying Fox)
Pteropus giganteus
The giant fruit bat roosts in large colonies, up to 1,000 individuals, during the day.
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Giant Spiny Leaf Insect
Heteropteryx dilatata
In this sexually dimorphic species, the female is green or yellow and leaf-shaped, while the male is brown and looks like a dead curled leaf.
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Giant Stick Insect
Phobaeticus serratipes
The giant walking stick is one of the longest walking sticks.
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Giant Water bug
Abedus herberti
This insect breathes at the surface or from an air bubble held under its wings when submerged, somewhat like a tiny SCUBA diver.
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Gila Monster
Heloderma suspectrum
One of only a few venomous lizards in the world, the Gila monster uses its venom more as a defense than for subduing the small prey it eats.
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Golden Silk Spider
Trichonephila clavipes
Up to three inches long, the female Florida orb web spider is five or six times larger than the male.
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Golden-breasted starling
Cosmopsarus regius
Golden-breasted starlings exhibit cooperative breeding, where group members assist with nest-building and feeding the young.
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Greater Flamingo
Phoenicopterus roseus
A greater flamingo wades into shallow water on its long legs.
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Greater Siren
Siren lacertina
The greater siren is a primative salamander that reaches lengths of more than three feet.
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Green and Black Poison Dart Frog
Dendrobatus auratus
The green and black dart frog is one of more than 100 species of poison dart frogs.
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Green Basilisk
Basiliscus plumifrons
A member of the iguana family, the green basilisk lizard spends most of its time in the trees and is never far from water.
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Green tree monitor
Varanus prasinus
Specialized for an arboreal lifestyle, the green tree monitor’s slender body and long claws enable it to lie along slim tree branches without slipping.
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Grey Crowned Crane
Balearica regulorum
The golden crown of feathers atop the Grey crowned crane’s head is not the only thing that distinguishes it from other cranes.
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Guam Rail
Gallirallus owstoni
The brown tree snake hit the jackpot when it found its way onto the island of Guam – flightless, ground-nesting birds with no defenses against a snake.
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Hamerkop
Scopus umbretta
The hamerkop is named for how the shape of its heavy bill and large head crest resembles a hammer.
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Hellbender
Cryptobranchus alleganiensis
The hellbender is the largest fully aquatic salamander in the United States.
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Helmeted Curassow
Pauxi pauxi
The Helmeted Curassow was named for the large casque on its head, which resembles a helmet.
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Henkel’s Leaf-Tailed Gecko
Uroplatus henkeli
Henkel's leaf-tailed gecko is a species of gecko, a lizard in the family Gekkonidae. The species is found in Madagascar.
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Hippopotamus
Hippopotamus amphibius
Hippos can open their mouths about three times wider than people can.
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Hissing Cockroach
Gromphadorhina portentosa
The Madagascar hissing cockroach, also known as the hissing cockroach or simply hisser, is one of the largest species of cockroach
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Horned Puffin
Fratercula corniculata
Puffins are built for diving and swimming underwater with small, sturdy wings and webbed feet.
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Horseheaded Grasshopper
Pseudoproscopia latirostris
Is this insect a walking stick? Take a closer look at the hind legs—they’re modified for jumping. It actually is a stick-like grasshopper!
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Hyacinth Macaw
Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus
The hyacinth macaw’s strong, hooked beak is designed for cracking open nuts, a favorite of which is the oil palm nut.
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Inca Tern
Larosterna inca
Inca Tern is a near threatened species of bird found on the coast and coastal islands of Chile and Peru.
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Indian Star Tortoise
Geochelone elegans
A striking shell pattern of yellow-striped stars helps the Indian star tortoise camouflage within dry grassy patches.
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Indochinese Spitting Cobra
Naja siamensis
Like a water pistol, a spitting cobra defends itself by shooting venom at an enemy’s eyes through a small hole in its bottom fangs.
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Kangaroo
Macropodidae
Kangaroos live in social groups called mobs.
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Kea
Nestor notabilis
The Zoo cares for the largest group of kea – a highly intelligent mountain parrot from New Zealand – in North America and is committed to the conservation of this species.
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King Cobra
Ophiophagus hannah
The king cobra is the largest venomous snake in the world.
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King Penguin
Aptenodytes patagonius
The second largest penguin, the king penguin spends most of its time at sea.
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Komodo Dragon
Varanus komodoensis
The Komodo dragon is the top predator on the Indonesian islands it inhabits.
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Lady Ross’ Turaco
Musophaga rossae
Turacos rarely come down from the forest canopy.
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Lappet-faced Vulture
Torgos tracheliotos
With a wingspan up to nine feet wide, the lappet-faced vulture is the largest vulture in Africa.
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Large-spotted Genet
Genetta tigrina
Excellent binocular vision enables the genet to accurately judge distances, an important skill for leaping and pouncing.
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Laughing Kookaburra
Dacelo navaeguineae
The kookaburra is nicknamed the Bushman’s clock for its alarming calls at dawn.
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Leaf-cutting Ant
Atta cephalotes
A forager’s jaws vibrate a thousand times a second to shear off pieces of a leaf.
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Lesser Kudu
Tragelaphus imberbis
Adult males, called bulls, generally live a solitary life, whereas females live in small groups.
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Little Blue Penguin
Eudyptula minor
Also called fairy penguins, the little blue penguin’s feathers have a dark blue tinge.
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Llama
Lama glama
A llama’s upper lip is split in half. The two sides press together to hold grass still while the llama cuts it with its teeth.
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Loggerhead Musk Turtle
Sternotherus minor
Growing up to five inches long, this omnivorous turtle is found in muddy-bottomed lakes, ponds, and streams in the southeastern United States.
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Longnose Gar
Lepisosteus osseus
To keep itself from becoming prey, the gar is protected by hard, diamond-shaped scales.
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Madagascar Giant Day Gecko
Phelsuma madagascariensis grandis
The gecko’s toe pads are specially designed for gripping so that it can climb vertical surfaces.
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Magellanic Penguin
Spheniscus magellanicus
Magellanic penguins wear the typical black and white tuxedo pattern, which is an adaptation called counter-shading.
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Magnificent Flower Beetle
Chelorrhina polyphemus
Males are larger than females and bear forked horns used in shoving matches with other males to protect their claim to food or a mate.
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Magpie Goose
Anseranas semipalmata
It is also the only water bird that often forms a mating trio, one male with two females.
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Major Mitchell’s Cockatoo
Cacatua leadbeateri
When the conditions are right and plenty of food is available, they breed.
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Malayan Tiger
Panthera tigris jacksoni
Other than females with their young, tigers are solitary and come together only to mate.
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Marbled Crayfish
Procambarus fallax
Breathing through feater-like gills, it feeds on and hides among aquatic plants to protect itself from fish, birds, and other predators.
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Masai Giraffe
Giraffa camelopardalis tippelskirchi
The giraffe’s six foot long neck contains just seven bones, the same number as other mammals, including you.
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Masked Bobwhite Quail
Colinus virginianus ridgwayi
The Zoo is helping the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reestablish masked bobwhite quail populations in Arizona.
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Masked Lapwing
Vanellus miles
The lapwing aggressively defends its nest during breeding season, dive bombing intruders or acting as if it has a broken wing to lure intruders away.
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Matamata
Chelus fimbriatus
Once a fish is within reach, the turtle thrusts its head forward, opens its mouth as wide as possible and sucks in the fish like a vacuum.
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Meerkat
Suricata suricatta
While the rest of the mob scurries about rustling up grub, they take turns standing tall on a rock, termite mound or tree, looking out for danger.
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Mexican Wolf
Canis lupus baileyei
Unlike the big, bad wolf in stories like Little Red Riding Hood and The Three Little Pigs, wolves are actually shy and avoid people.
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Mini-Juliana Pig
Sus domesticus
Keep an eye out for our three mini-Juliana pigs-Magnolia, Thatcher and Cinder-as they walk around the Zoo with their trainers.
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Mosquitofish
Gambusia affinis
The little mosquitofish has a big job – keeping the mosquito population down by feeding on its aquatic larval and pupal stages.
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Mueller’s Gibbon
Hylobates muelleri
Before sunrise, male Mueller's gibbons sing a solo song lasting up to 40 minutes to advertise their presence.
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Naked Mole-rat
Heterocephalus glaber
Digging tunnels, gnawing roots, and defending against intruders are all functions of the naked mole-rat’s enormous incisors.
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Nicobar pigeon
Caloenas nicobarica
The colorful Nicobar pigeon has such a strong, hooked bill that it can crack open nuts that would require a hammer for a human.
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Nigerian Dwarf Goat
Capra aegagrus hircus
Despite its miniature size, a female goat can produce two quarts of sweet milk a day.
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North American River Otter
Lutra canadensis
An otter can hold its breath underwater for eight minutes.
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Northern Copperhead
Agkistrodon contorix mokeson
A ground-dwelling snake, it is difficult to spot amongst a blanket of fallen leaves so step carefully!
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Northern Spider Tortoise
Pyxis arachnoides brygooi
The future of this tiny tortoise is jeopardized by habitat destruction and overcollection for the pet trade.
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Nubian Goat
Capra aegagrus hircus
Also called Anglo-Nubian, these goats are larger than most domestic goats, but they are the most affectionate and calm.
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Okapi
Okapia johnstoni
The foot-long tongue also allows the okapi to lick and clean its own eyelids and ears.
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Orchid Mantid
Hymenopus coronatus
The orchid mantid is a praying mantis named for its resemblance to an orchid flower
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Ornate Horned Frog
Ceratophrys ornata
The ornate horned frog has pointy folds of skin above its eyes rather than actual horns.
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Ostrich
Struthio camelus
It can deliver a powerful kick, if a predator gets too close.
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Pallas’s Cat
Octocolobus manul
Its pale grey coat affords the Pallas's cat cover, blending in with the surrounding rocks.
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Pancake Tortoise
Malacochersus tornieri
At the sign of danger, the pancake tortoise runs for shelter among the rocks rather than withdrawing into its shell like other tortoises.
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Pascagoula Map Turtle
Graptemys gibbonsi
Map turtles are named for the detailed map-like designs on their shells.
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Peppered Roach
Archimandrita tesselata
Central AmericaCockroaches are a very misunderstood group of insects; out of over 4,000 species fewer than 20 are considered human pests.
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Peruvian Firestick
Oreophoetes peruana
When threatened, the firestick secretes a stinky and irritating body fluid.
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Pied Imperial Pigeon
Ducula bicolor
Pied imperial pigeons travel in flocks at dusk and dawn and are migratory birds.
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Pigeon Guillemot
Cepphus columba
Using their wings as paddles and their feet as rudders, they dive more than 150 feet deep to the sea bottom.
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Pink-backed Pelican
Pelecanus rufescens
The large skin pouch that hangs from the pelican’s bill sweeps up more than a gallon of water, along with a fish or two, at a time.
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Plains Zebra
Equus quagga
As distinctive as a fingerprint, every zebra has a unique pattern of stripes.
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Poison Dart Frog
Dendrobates tinctorius
Scientists are studying the frog’s toxins in search of potential medical uses.
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Potto
Perodictus potto
The potto is so quiet and stealthy that it is sometimes referred to as the “softly-softly”.
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Project Passenger Pigeon
Ectopistes migratorius
Now extinct, the Passenger Pigeon was once the most abundant bird in North America, and perhaps the world, more than five billion passenger pigeons were flying free in the early 1800s.
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Pygmy Slow Loris
Nycticebus pygmaeus

Quince Monitor
Varanus melinus
Monitors do not drop and regrow their tails as do some other lizards.
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Radiated Tortoise
Geochelone radiate
Sporting a striking star-shaped pattern of yellow streaks on its high-domed shell, the radiated tortoise is considered one of the world’s most beautiful tortoises.
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Red and Yellow Barbet
Trachyphonus erythrocephalus
All members of a small family group of red and yellow barbets help feed and raise the young.
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Red Panda
Ailurus fulgens
Red pandas spend up to 13 hours a day foraging for bamboo, eating only the youngest, most tender leaves.
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Red River Hog
Potamochoerus porcus
Using their strong snouts and sharp tusks to bulldoze through the leaf litter and soil, they dig up a dinner of roots, bulbs, other plants and small animals.
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Red-capped Cardinal
Paroaria coronata
This bird's large feet allow it to walk on floating vegetation as it feeds in wet areas
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Red-crowned Crane
Grus japonensis
Cranes mate for life, and the pair stay together year round.
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Red-Eyed Assassin Bug
Platymeris laevicollis
Assassin bugs are known as ambush predators.
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Red-kneed Tarantula
Euathlus smithi
This tarantula feeds on insects, small lizards and rodents.
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Red-legged seriema
Cariama cristata
Seriemas are known for their loud calls, which can be heard over a mile away.
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Rhinoceros Hornbill
Buceros rhinoceros
The rhinoceros hornbill is named for the rhino horn-shaped casque on its beak, which may be used in fighting, to amplify its calls, for courtship displays, or just to knock down fruit for eating.
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Rhinoceros Katydid
Copiphora rhinoceros
While most katydids are herbivores, the rhinoceros katydid feeds on animals as well as plants with the help of a large, mighty jaw.
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Ring-tailed Lemur
Lemur catta
The lemur’s tail can grow up to two feet long, which is longer than the rest of the body.
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Ringtail
Bassariscus astutus
An expert climber, the ringtail can climb down trees headfirst by rotating its hind feet 180 degrees.
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Ruddy Shelduck
Tadorna ferruginea
A ruddy shelduck pair nests in a tree hollow, among stone piles, or in an abandoned burrow.
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Rüppell’s Griffon Vulture
Gyps rueppellii
Rüppell's griffon vulture is considered to be the highest-flying bird, with confirmed evidence of a flight at an altitude of 11,300 m (37,000 ft) above sea level.
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Saddle-billed Stork
Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis
They quickly strike to grasp or impale fish with its sharp bill
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Saffron Finch
Sicalis flaveola
Unlike many other finches, they are not migratory.
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Sand Cat
Felis margarita
Covered with hair, its footpads are insulated from the hot sand.
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Scarlet Ibis
Eudocimus ruber
To afford greater protection against predators, the scarlet ibis gathers in large breeding colonies and roosts high up in the trees close to water.
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Screaming Hairy Armadillo
Chaetophractus vellerosus
Long hairs that stick out between the sections of its armor distinguish the screaming hairy armadillo from other armadillos.
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Serval
Leptailurus serval
Servals have been known to jump as high as 3.6 m (12 ft) to catch birds in mid air.
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Sheltopusik
Pseudopus apodus
Often mistaken for a snake, the sheltopusik is actually a large, legless lizard.
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Siamang
Hylobates syndactylus
The largest of all gibbons, the siamang is also the loudest as its musical calls can be heard through dense rainforest foliage up to two miles away.
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Smew
Mergellus albellus
Tooth-like serrations on its bill are made for grasping a slippery, struggling fish.
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Snow Leopard
Uncia uncia
Up to three feet long, the snow leopard's tail helps it to maintain balance while navigating steep and rocky slopes.
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Southern Brazilian Ocelot
Leopardus pardalis mitis
Decorated with dark splotches and stripes, its golden coat camouflages with the foliage and hides the hunter from its prey.
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Southern Copperhead
Agkistrodon contortrix contortix
Many snake species, including the Southern copperhead, den up in the winter to avoid the cold temperatures.
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Southern Rockhopper Penguin
Eudyptes chrysocome
Working with scientists in Chile, the Zoo is tracking rockhopper penguins to find out where they travel once they leave their nesting sites.
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Southern Tamandua
Tamandua tetradactlya
A single tamandua can eat up to 9,000 ants in a single day!
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Steller’s Sea Eagle
Haliaeetus pelagicus
The Steller's sea eagle is one of the largest eagles in the world.
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Striped Love Beetle
Eudicella gralli
Male striped love beetles have forked horns they use in shoving matches for food or combat for females.
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Sumatran Orangutan
Pongo pygmaeus abelii
The only truly arboreal ape, the orangutan is also the largest tree-dwelling animal.
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Sunbittern
Eurypyga helias
In flight, the sunbittern has been said to resemble a giant butterfly.
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Sunburst Diving Beetle
Thermonectus marmoratus
This beetle is streamlined, has powerful oar-like hind legs for propulsion, and steers with its short forelegs
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Tawny Frogmouth
Podargus strigoides
Though it resembles an owl, the tawny frogmouth belongs to an order of insect-eating, nocturnal birds that includes nightjars and nighthawks.
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Taxi-cab Beetle
Pachnoda peregrina
This variegated yellow-trimmed beetle often feeds in groups, and perhaps then does look like a fleet of taxicabs jockeying for position
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Texas Bullet Ant
Neoponera villosa
Foraging bullet ants lay down chemical trails to lead nestmates to food.
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Thick-Billed Parrot
Rhynchopsitta pachyrhyncha
The only living parrot that once ranged in the United States, the thick-billed parrot is dependent on highland pine-oak forests for food and nesting
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Thorny Devil
Eurycantha calcarata
This stick insect is heavily armored, sports sharp body spines, and during the day clusters in groups for protection from predators.
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Timber Rattlesnake
Crotalus horridus
Like all rattlesnakes, the timber rattlesnake kills its prey by striking and injecting it with venom through a pair of fangs.
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Timor Zebra Finch
Taeniopygia guttata guttata
Zebra finches learn their complex, signature song from their parents in the first 80 days after hatching.
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Titicaca Water Frog
Telmatobius culeus
Rather than breathing air like humans do, the Titicaca water frog absorbs oxygen from the water through its baggy skin.
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Trumpeter Swan
Cygnus buccinator
A male and female, known as the cob and pen respectively, mate for life and share in raising the young.
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Two-toed Amphiuma
Amphiuma means
With its strong jaws and two rows of razor-sharp teeth, the amphiuma catches and eats other salamanders, frogs, crayfish and other small, aquatic creatures.
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Two-toed Sloth
Choloepus didactylus
With such a slow metabolism, it can take up to a month for a sloth to digest a meal.
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Vampire Bat
Desmodus rotundus
Vampire bats rarely attack humans, preferring to feed on livestock and wild mammals such as tapirs and deer.
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Verreaux’s Eagle Owl
Bubo lacteus
Verreaux’s eagle owl, also known as a milky eagle owl is the largest owl in Africa.
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Victoria Crowned Pigeon
Goura victoria
Nearly the size of a turkey, the Victoria crowned pigeon is the largest of all living pigeons.
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Visayan Warty Pig
Sus cebifrons
During the breeding season, the tuft of hair on the boar’s head grows into an impressive head-to-tail mane.
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Water Scorpion
Laccotrephes sp.
Using a long tube, or siphon, as a snorkel to access air, the water scorpion sits on the bottom of a pond and waits for prey to come by.
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Water Strider
Aquarius remigis
Its long mid and hind legs spread body weight over a large area and are coated with tiny air-trapping hairs providing pontoon-like floatation.
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Western Lowland Gorilla
Gorilla gorilla gorilla
Gorillas walk on the knuckles of their hands and the soles of their feet.
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White Ibis
Eudocimus albus
White Ibises stand out in the crowd with their reddish-pink legs and bills. Unlike larger herons who stalk their prey.
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White-breasted cormorant
Phalacrocorax carbo lucidus
As bird feathers go, those of the cormorant are unusual in that they allow moisture to penetrate.
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White-eared Bulbul
Pycnonotus leucotis
Usually seen in pairs or small flocks, white-cheeked bulbuls are medium-sized songbirds named for their prominent white cheek patches.
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White-eyed Assassin Bug
Platymeris biguttata
The white-eyed assassin bug is an ambush predator of small insects.
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White-Faced Saki
Pithecia pithecia
The males are all black except for the white fur around their faces while the females are overall brown.
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White-Handed Gibbon
Hylobates lar
Gibbons have leather-like soles on their feet and an opposable big toe that help it grasp and walk upright on branches.
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White-Headed Buffalo Weaver
Dinemellia dinemelli
White-headed buffalo weavers were named for their elaborate nests, which often have multiple compartments and tunnels, that they “weave” together using thorny branches.
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White-naped Pheasant Pigeon
Otidiphaps nobilis aruensis
Its long moaning coo, also uncharacteristic of a pigeon, carries a long distance through the forest.
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Wood Duck
Aix sponsa
Strong claws on the tips of its webbed feet help it grip tree bark.
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Yellow Banded Poison Dart Frog
Dendrobatus leucomelas
Researchers are studying poison dart frog toxins as a possible source of human medicine.
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Yellow Rat Snake
Pantherophis alleghaniensis
The yellow rat snake is non-venomous.
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Yellow-bellied Beetle
Pachnoda flaviventris
This brightly patterned beetle really does have a yellow underside. It is a strong flyer, widespread and commonly observed in nature, much like our native June beetle in the United States.
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Yellow-billed duck
Anas undulata
African yellow-billed ducks are typically nocturnal foragers, feeding at dusk and after dark.
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Yellow-rumped cacique
Cacicus cela
The symphony of sounds emanated from a colony is truly remarkable, complete with fluting notes, cackles, clucks and wheezes.
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Zebra Bug
Eurycotis dicipiens
Its colorful pattern warns potential predators, such as birds and small mammals, that it can quickly release a noxious, eye and nose-burning chemical deterrent.
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