Shoebill

Shoebill

Moose

Moose

Horseshoe Crab

Horseshoe Crab

European Starling

European Starling

Skink

Skink

Moth

Moth

Scorpion

Scorpion

Manta Ray

Manta Ray

Wasp

Wasp

Hammerhead Shark

Hammerhead Shark

Slow Loris

Slow Loris

Eland

Eland

Fin Whale

Fin Whale

Leech

Leech

Water Buffalo

Water Buffalo

Indus River Dolphin

Indus River Dolphin

Dhole

Dhole

Anglerfish

Anglerfish

Vaquita

Vaquita

Red Snapper

Red Snapper

Animal Information

Shoebill (Whalehead, Balaeniceps rex)

Type:Bird (Pelecaniformes, Balaenicipitidae)
Distribution:Tropical swamps and wetlands of central-eastern Africa

"The shoebill has a massive, shoe-shaped beak, stands motionless, and is known for its peculiar appearance and predation on lungfish."

Moose (Elk (Europe))

Type:Mammal (Artiodactyla, Cervidae)
Distribution:Boreal and mixed forests of northern North America and Eurasia

"Moose are the largest deer species; males have huge, palmate antlers and a dewlap (bell) under their throat."

Horseshoe Crab (King Crab (misnomer), Limulidae (family name))

Type:Arthropod (Merostomata, Xiphosura)
Distribution:Shallow coastal waters of the Atlantic coast of North America and Southeast/East Asia

"Horseshoe crabs are ancient marine arthropods, their form almost unchanged for hundreds of millions of years; their blue blood is used for medical testing."

European Starling (Common Starling)

Type:Bird (Passeriformes, Sturnidae)
Distribution:Native to Eurasia, now introduced to North America, Australia, etc.

"European Starlings can form huge flying flocks called 'murmurations', which are spectacular to watch."

Skink (Scincidae (family name, some colloquially 'Four-legged Snake'))

Type:Reptile (Suborder Lacertilia, Scincidae)
Distribution:Tropical and temperate regions worldwide, numerous species

"Skinks usually have smooth bodies covered in circular scales, limbs may be reduced, are fast-moving, and often found in grass and rock crevices."

Moth (Noctuid Moth, Sphinx Moth (common types))

Type:Insect (Lepidoptera)
Distribution:Various terrestrial environments worldwide, except Antarctica

"Moths are typically nocturnal, many are attracted to light (phototaxis), and they are more diverse in species and form than butterflies."

Scorpion (Scorpiones (order name))

Type:Arachnid (Scorpiones)
Distribution:Deserts, forests, and grasslands worldwide, except Antarctica

"Scorpions are nocturnal predators; the stinger on their tail is used for predation and self-defense; some species glow under UV light."

Manta Ray (Devilfish, Blanket Ray)

Type:Fish (Cartilaginous, Mobulidae)
Distribution:Surface waters of tropical and subtropical oceans worldwide

"Manta rays are the largest rays, feed on plankton, and sometimes leap out of the water."

Wasp (Hornet, Paper Wasp)

Type:Insect (Hymenoptera)
Distribution:Regions worldwide, except polar areas

"Unlike bees, most wasps can sting repeatedly; some species are social, while others are solitary."

Hammerhead Shark (Sphyrna)

Type:Fish (Cartilaginous)
Distribution:Tropical and temperate coastal and continental shelf waters worldwide

"The hammerhead shark's unique hammer-shaped head (cephalofoil) expands its field of vision and olfactory range, aiding in hunting."

Slow Loris (Nycticebus)

Type:Mammal (Primate, Lorisidae)
Distribution:Tropical rainforests of South and Southeast Asia

"Slow lorises move slowly, are nocturnal, and have a toxic secretion from glands on their arms that, when mixed with saliva, is used for defense."

Eland (Common Eland, Giant Eland)

Type:Mammal (Artiodactyla, Bovidae)
Distribution:Grasslands and savannas of eastern and southern Africa

"Elands are among the world's largest antelopes; both males and females have horns (males' are larger), and they have a dewlap on their shoulders."

Fin Whale (Finback Whale, Razorback (same as Blue Whale alternative))

Type:Mammal (Marine Cetacean, Mysticeti)
Distribution:All major oceans, from polar to tropical waters

"Fin whales are the second-largest whale species, after blue whales, fast swimmers, with an asymmetrically colored lower jaw (right side white, left side dark)."

Leech (Hirudinea)

Type:Annelid (Hirudinea)
Distribution:Freshwater, saltwater, and moist terrestrial environments worldwide

"Some leech species feed on blood; their saliva contains anticoagulants and anesthetics."

Water Buffalo (Asian Water Buffalo)

Type:Mammal (Artiodactyla, Bovidae)
Distribution:Native to South and Southeast Asia, now widely distributed as livestock

"Water buffalo enjoy wallowing in water to cool off and avoid insects; they are important draft and dairy animals."

Indus River Dolphin (Blind Dolphin, Side-swimming Dolphin)

Type:Mammal (Freshwater Cetacean, Odontoceti)
Distribution:Indus River system and its tributaries in Pakistan

"Indus River dolphins have very poor vision, almost blind, relying on echolocation to navigate and hunt in murky river waters, often swimming on their sides."

Dhole (Asiatic Wild Dog, Indian Wild Dog)

Type:Mammal (Carnivora, Canidae)
Distribution:Parts of South, Southeast, and Central Asia

"Dholes are social canids, skilled cooperative hunters, with diverse vocalizations, and are important forest predators."

Anglerfish (Monkfish, Lanternfish (some deep-sea species))

Type:Fish (Actinopterygii)
Distribution:Oceans worldwide, from shallow seas to depths of thousands of meters

"Many deep-sea anglerfish females have a bioluminescent lure on their heads to attract prey; males are tiny and parasitic on females."

Vaquita (Gulf of California Porpoise)

Type:Mammal (Marine Cetacean, Odontoceti)
Distribution:Found only in a very small area in the northern Gulf of California, Mexico

"The Vaquita is the world's most endangered marine mammal, small in size, with dark rings around its eyes, and extremely rare to see."

Red Snapper (Red Sea Bream (Japan), Porgy (Northern colloquial name))

Type:Fish (Perciformes)
Distribution:Rocky and sandy bottoms of coastal waters in the Western Pacific and Indian Oceans

"Red Snapper are bright red or pink, a prized marine food fish, often used in celebratory occasions in East Asian culture."