The number of penguin species has been and still is a matter of debate. The numbers of penguin species listed in the literature varies between 16 and 19 species. Some sources consider the White-flippered Penguin a separate Eudyptula species, while others treat it as a subspecies of the Little Penguin (e.g. Williams, 1995; Davis &
The polar bear (Ursus maritimus), also known as the white bear, northern bear, or sea bear, is native to the Arctic. It is one of the two largest land carnivore species and the apex predator within its range. It is well-adapted to its habitat: its thick blubber and fur insulate it against the cold and
The Arctic fox is well adapted to live in the cold Arctic. In winter its thick, bushy coat turns white. This makes it very hard to see the fox. The prey is not able to spot the Arctic fox until it is too late. Because of its thick coat, it is able to survive in
Many people see leeches as some sort of horrid creature that sucks blood for a meal, and in fact in some cases that is true. In others however it is well off from the truth. There are literally hundreds of types of leeches, around the world and they live in myriad habitats such as freshwater,
Also Known as the Madagascar CockRoach or the Hissing Cockroach. Cockroaches are omnivores. A single exception is the wood eating cockroach that is found in Russia and China. Cockroaches breathe trough a system of tubes, which are called Tracheae, which is close to the word that describes human breathing. Giant Cockroach Theirs are attached to
The Sunspider or Wind scorpion which is another name for it, ranges in size from nearly half an inch up to almost two inches. In comparison to their bodies they have gigantic pincers which are hinged to let them move up and down. They have a three segmented body, with very distinct sections. Sunspider Their
The Brown recluse is a highly poisonous spider that is native to the United States. There are a few other species elsewhere in the world. The Brown Recluse has a very distinctive pattern of a violin on its abdomen, which is dark in color, with the neck aspect of the violin pointing toward the spiders
Scorpions are not technically insects. They are actually related more closely to spider’s ticks and mite type creepy crawlies. The body of a scorpion is divided into two parts, the abdomen and the cephalothorax. A type of shield called a carapace will cover the cephalothorax. Black Scorpion Usually they have two eyes in the middle
Goliath beetles are members of the insect family, called a scarab beetle. This group of insects is a native species to Africa. They are usually tropical although some are more subtropical. The Goliath beetles are among the largest beetle in the world and they are certainly the heaviest. Goliath Beetle The larvae need more protein
Red-kneed Tarantula is commonly found in Mexico. It is stout and stocky in nature, and has a beautiful tan and black coloration, a darker colored legs and reddish orange patches on every “knee”. The Red Knee Tarantula is very slow to grow, and also very long lived. Red Kneed Tarantula It is not uncommon to
Funnel web spiders can be among the most poisonous in the world. They are found in Australia including Tasmania and in forest regions near the gulf coasts. There are about thirty species of the spiders identified. Funnel web spiders are so named due to the shape of the web they weave. Funnel web spiders live
Termites look a lot like ants. They have been much hated because of the damage they can do to structures such as wooden homes, however they also have a very high ecological value, due to their being able to break down such things as fallen logs and return them to the ecosystems. Termites are about
Famous, or infamous for its neurotoxin injecting bite, the Black Widow is not by definition an aggressive spider. A member of the family known as arachnids, the black widow is most common in areas where the climate remains temperate year round, and are particularly prolific in Arizona and New Mexico. There are three types of
Technically classified as an insect, the cicada is from a order of insects called hemiptera. The name cicada literally means “tree cricket”. They are so named because of their habit of perching and emitting a loud incessant chirping. A cicada has very large eyes which are set a great distance apart on their head. They
The Praying Mantis is one of the most loved of the insect world to humans and one of the most feared to other insects. It is extremely beneficial to gardens and humans because of its penchant for eating the things that bug us. They will eat mites, aphids and most other insects that are within
