Author: Ben

Top 10 Short-lived Creatures

Having already covered the creatures with the longest lifespan we thought it would only be right to do a feature on the creatures with the shortest lifespan. Here we have the Top 10 creatures with the shortest lifespan, counting down from 5 years we kick off this list with a common pet that everyone recognizes,

Alabama Waterdog

The Alabama Waterdog is a rare species of gilded salamander that is found exclusively in the Black Warrior River drainage system, Alabama. Very little is known about the Alabama Waterdog’s as they are very rare and almost completely hidden during the summer months. The Alabama Waterdog’s are currently classed as endangered due to habitat loss

African pygmy squirrel

The African pygmy squirrel is found in western and central Africa and is the smallest species of squirrel known to humans, measuring at around 70mm head to toe this tiny squirrel is roughly the size of a common mouse. Currently listed as ‘Data Deficient’ the African pygmy squirrel’s habitat has been recently facing serious deforestation

Amami rabbit

The Amami rabbit is a Japanese national treasure but even so this elusive rabbit is mostly unknown even to the population of Japan. Reason for the Amami rabbit not being very well known could be down to the fact that it can only be found on two islands in southern Japan, Amami and Tokuno islands.

Monito del monte

The Monito del monte or otherwise known as the ‘mountain monkey’ is actually not a monkey at all but rather a small, mouse sized marsupial. This unique marsupial is widely regarded as a ‘living fossil’ be scientists as it is the last of an evolutionarily extinct family line. Sadly for these unique marsupials their population

Volcano rabbit

The Volcano rabbit is one of the smallest species of rabbit in the world and is believed to be one of the most primitive rabbit species in the world. The Volcano rabbit’s name is derived from its unique environment  as they are only found around four prominent volcanoes in Mexico, the Volcano rabbit is not

Hirola

The Hirola species of antelope is currently classed as critically endangered and has seen a gigantic drop in population over the last 30 years declining from around 14,000 to current figures of just over 600. The reason for the massive decline in population is a combination of habit loss, poaching and even natural drought. Once

Indri

The Indri is native to the eastern forests of Madagascar and is the largest species of Lemur on the whole island. The local natives believe the Indri to be an ancestor of man and as such the species is protected to a certain degree with locals banning hunting and human consumption. Unfortunately even with this

Baird’s tapir

Baird’s tapir makes its home in Central and South America and is actually the largest indigenous mammal in Central America. This unique mammal shares common ancestors with horses and rhinos but resembles the ancestors more than today’s hippos and horses. Baird’s tapir is currently classed as endangered due to threat from hunters and habitat loss,

Northern marsupial mole

The marsupial moles are small marsupials found in western Australia. Despite the name the marsupial moles are actually not moles at all and are much more closely related to other marsupial species that are native to Australia. The term mole refers to the marsupial moles life of which is spends the vast majority underground and

10 Deceptively Dangerous Animals

When you think dangerous animals your probably going to think along the lines of scorpions, snakes, spiders, sharks, lions etc, there is no doubt that these animals can be extremely dangerous but what about swans? The predefined concepts people have about certain animals can end up putting them in great danger! There are animals out