"Monitor lizards are large predatory lizards (Komodo dragon is one type), with forked tongues like snakes and a keen sense of smell."

"Magpies are known for their black and white plumage and habit of collecting shiny objects; they symbolize good fortune in China."

"Termites feed on cellulose from wood, can build complex nests, and some queens can live for decades."

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

"Spider monkeys have long, slender limbs and tails; their prehensile tails act like a fifth limb, allowing agile movement through trees."

"Paddlefish have a very long, paddle-shaped snout (rostrum) covered in sensory receptors for detecting plankton; they are filter feeders."

"The king cobra is the world's longest venomous snake, primarily preys on other snakes, and can raise the front third of its body off the ground."

"Coral reefs are formed by the calcium carbonate skeletons secreted by thousands of tiny coral polyps."

"Hummingbirds are among the smallest birds, can hover and fly backward, feed on nectar, and have extremely high metabolisms."

"Humpback whales are known for their spectacular breaching behavior and complex courtship songs; their pectoral fins are exceptionally long."

"Shrews are among the smallest mammals, have extremely high metabolisms, need to eat constantly, and some species are venomous."

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

"Male golden orioles have golden-yellow plumage and melodious songs but are secretive and not easily observed."

"Flying squirrels have a gliding membrane (patagium) between their front and hind limbs, allowing them to glide from high to low places; they are nocturnal and arboreal."

"Hoatzins are herbivorous birds with a unique digestive system; chicks have claws on their wings to help climb, and they have a peculiar musky odor."

"Puffins have brightly colored beaks during the breeding season, resembling clowns; they are skilled at diving for fish and are often called 'sea parrots' or 'clowns of the sea'."

"Llamas are important pack and wool animals in South America; they are gentle but will spit when agitated."

"Dogs have an extremely keen sense of smell, thousands to millions of times stronger than humans, with great variation among breeds."

"Sponges are among the most primitive multicellular animals, with bodies full of pores, filtering food through water currents."

"Male crickets chirp by rubbing their forewings together to attract females; some species are kept as pets or used for cricket fighting."