Mammals, WAL-WHY
Mammals are distinguished by their ability to produce milk. The class Mammalia boasts tremendous diversity in form and habit, and different types of mammals can be wildly different from one another in physical appearance. Living kinds of mammals range in size from a bat weighing less than a gram to the largest animal that has ever lived, the blue whale, which reaches a length or more than 30 metres (100 feet) and a weight of 180 metric tons (nearly 200 short [U.S.] tons).
Mammals Encyclopedia Articles By Title
wallaroo
wallaroo, either of two species of kangaroo-like mammals native to Australia and belonging to the genus Macropus.......
walrus
walrus, (Odobenus rosmarus), huge, seal-like mammal found in Arctic seas. There are two subspecies: the Atlantic......
warthog
warthog, (Phacochoerus aethiopicus), member of the pig family, Suidae (order Artiodactyla), found in open and lightly......
Was Chicagoâs âRat Holeâ Really Made by a Rat?
The city of Chicago is known for many things: the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, 1930s gangster Al Capone, the Democratic......
Water buffalo
Water buffalo, (Bubalus bubalis), either of two forms, wild and domestic, of Asian mammal similar to the ox. There......
water opossum
water opossum, (Chironectes minimus), a semiaquatic, web-footed marsupial (family Didelphidae, subfamily Didelphinae)......
water rat
water rat, any of 18 species of amphibious carnivorous rodents. They exhibit many adaptations associated with hunting......
water shrew
water shrew, any of 12 species of amphibious shrews that have a broad, fleshy muzzle, large chest, and long hind......
weasel
weasel, any of various small carnivores with very elongated slender bodies. Most live in the Northern Hemisphere......
Weddell seal
Weddell seal, (Leptonychotes weddellii), nonmigratory earless seal (family Phocidae) found around the South Pole,......
Weimaraner
Weimaraner, sporting dog breed developed in the early 19th century by German nobles of the court of Weimar. First......
Welsh Corgi
Welsh Corgi, either of two breeds (Pembroke Welsh Corgi and Cardigan Welsh Corgi) of affectionate dogs developed......
Welsh pony
Welsh pony, breed of small horse popular as a childâs or an adultâs mount. A hardy breed that developed in the......
Welsh terrier
Welsh terrier, breed of terrier native to Wales, where it has been used as a hunter of foxes, otters, and badgers.......
West Highland white terrier
West Highland white terrier, a short-legged dog standing 10 to 11 inches (25 to 28 cm) tall and weighing 13 to......
whale
whale, any of the larger species of aquatic mammals belonging to the order Cetacea. The term whale can be used......
What are baby koalas called?
Baby koalas are called joeys. The term joey is widely used for the young of all marsupials such as kangaroos, opossums,......
What are elephant trunks used for?
Elephants use their trunks as multifunctional appendages for a variety of tasks essential to their survival and......
What Are the Rarest Types of Wolves?
Wolves hold a unique place in nature and in the human psyche. The precursor to âmanâs best friendâ but also evil......
What do cheetahs eat?
Cheetahs are carnivores, which means that their diet consists primarily of meat. They hunt a variety of animals,......
What do giraffes eat?
Giraffes, as browsers, primarily feed on new, tender shoots and leaves of trees, with a particular fondness for......
What do kangaroos eat?
Kangaroos are herbivores, which means they eat only plant-based foods. Their diet mainly includes grass and other......
What do rabbits eat?
Rabbits are herbivores and primarily consume a diet rich in plant material, such as grasses and forbs (herbs other......
What do squirrels eat?
Squirrelsâ diets vary based on their species and habitat. The most commonly recognized squirrel, the bushy-tailed......
What do whales eat?
Whales have a diverse diet that varies significantly between species, primarily depending on whether they are baleen......
What does a narwhal use its horn for?
A variety of theories have been proposed for the specific function of the narwhalâs long, straight tusk, but first......
What Dog Breed Is Closest to a Dingo?
There are several dogs that are closely associated with dingoes, including the rare Carolina Dog and the wild New......
What dog is closest in DNA to a wolf?
All dogs are close relatives of wolvesâafter all, domestic dogs (Canis lupus familiaris) descend from gray wolves......
What Dogs Make an American Bully?
An American Bully is a type of dog created to incorporate the physical traits of the American Pit Bull Terrier......
What is a female elephant called?
A mature female elephant is called a cow. Cows are fundamental to elephant herds. As seen in most mammals, the......
What is a female yak called?
In English, a female yak is called a cow. This designation aligns with the common practice of using cow for mature......
What is a group of cows called?
A group of cows is called a herd. This is the standard term used universally in both common speech and scientific......
What is a platypusâs closest living relative?
The closest living relatives of the platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus) are the echidnas (family Tachyglossidae),......
What Is a Whale Graveyard?
You might have heard of elephant graveyardsâthat is, the final resting places where, according to legend, old,......
What Is Causing the âHornsâ on Rabbits in Colorado?
Unsettling photographs of wild cottontail rabbits near Fort Collins, Colorado, sporting hornlike or tentacle-like......
What is the difference between a pronghorn and an antelope?
Although pronghorns and antelopes resemble each other in some respectsâboth are hoofed ruminant mammals in the......
What is the difference between a wolf and a coyote?
The most obvious difference between wolves and coyotes is in their size and build. Most wolves, in particular the......
What is the largest animal on Earth?
The largest animal on Earth is the blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus). It is also the largest animal to have ever......
What is the largest antelope?
The eland is the largest antelope. There are two species of eland: the giant, or Derby, eland (Taurotragus derbianus)......
What Is the Largest Bengal Tiger Ever Recorded?
He was called the âBachelor of Powalgarhâ and measured 3.23 meters (10.6 feet) from nose to tail. Between 1920......
What is the loudest animal on Earth?
The sperm whale is the loudest animal on Earth. These majestic creatures can produce sounds that reach an astonishing......
What is the rarest dog breed?
Determining the rarest dog breed in the world is a challenging task because of the difficulty of obtaining and......
What Is the Smartest Dog Breed?
The Border Collie is widely recognized as the smartest dog breed because of its uncanny ability to learn tasks......
What is the Tallest Dog Breed?
Whoâs a tall boy? The Irish Wolfhound is generally recognized as the tallest dog breed. While the tallest individual......
Whatâs the difference between a cheetah and a leopard?
Cheetahs and leopards are both large cats with dark spots and yellowish coats, but they have distinctly different......
Whatâs the Difference Between Asian and African Elephants?
You may have been taught that there are only two species of elephants: the African elephant and the Asian elephant.......
Whatâs the Difference Between Bison and Buffalo?
Itâs easy to understand why people confuse bison and buffalo. Both are large, horned, oxlike animals of the Bovidae......
Whatâs the Difference Between Llamas and Alpacas?
Llamas and alpacas have been used by humans for transportation and fleece production for a few thousand years.......
Whatâs the Difference Between Monkeys and Apes?
Monkeys and apes are both primates, which means theyâre both part of the human family tree. As distinguished relatives,......
Whatâs the Difference Between Rabbits and Hares?
If youâve ever watched Looney Tunes, you may have noticed that the words bunny (which typically refers to young......
Whatâs the difference between river otters and sea otters?
While river otters and sea otters might appear similar at first glance, the two exhibit many striking differences......
Whatâs the Difference Between Seals and Sea Lions?
Are seals and sea lions the same animal? Technically, they are in the same taxonomical suborder of pinnipeds (Pinnipedia),......
Whatâs the Most Popular Dog Breed in the U.S.?
Whoâs Americaâs top dog? According to the American Kennel Club, the answer is the French Bulldog. Since 2022 the......
Which is bigger: A Siberian tiger or a Bengal tiger?
The Siberian tiger is bigger than the Bengal tiger. Siberian tigers can reach lengths of up to 3.7 meters (12.1......
Which is bigger: Sperm whale or colossal squid?
The sperm whale, which preys on the colossal squid, is generally bigger than the colossal squid. A male sperm whale......
whippet
whippet, hound breed developed in mid-19th-century England to chase rabbits for sport in an arena. The breed was......
white tiger
white tiger, colour variant of the Bengal tiger (Pantheria tigris tigris), the Siberian tiger (P. tigris altaica),......
white-tailed deer
white-tailed deer, (Odocoileus virginianus), common American deer of the family Cervidae (order Artiodactyla) that......
white-toothed shrew
white-toothed shrew, (genus Crocidura), any of 164 species of mouse-sized African and Eurasian insectivores making......
Who was the first cat in space?
On October 18, 1963, FĂ©licetteâa black-and-white tuxedo cat who hailed from Franceâwas the first cat to be sent......
Why are Amazon River dolphins pink?
Amazon river dolphins, also known as botos, are often pink due to a combination of factors, including their diet,......
Why are black cats unlucky?
Black cats are considered unlucky in some cultures because of superstitious beliefs that have been passed down......
Why are bloodhounds used as police dogs?
Bloodhounds are often recruited for police work because of their exceptionally keen sense of smell. The dogs possess......
Why are Boxer dogs called Boxers?
The name Boxer is derived from the dogâs unique behavior during play and combat, which is reminiscent of a human......
Why are Dalmatians firefighter dogs?
Dalmatians are associated with firefighters because their temperament made them friendly companions for the horses......
Why are dogs so loyal?
Dogs are loyal due to their evolutionary history, domestication process, and the strong bonds they form with humans.......
Why Are Elephantsâ Ears So Big?
An elephantâs large ears serve several purposes. Thermoregulationâan organismâs maintenance of its own body temperature......
Why are German shepherds police dogs?
German Shepherds are widely favored for police work because of their intellect, willingness to work, and unique......
Why are hippos dangerous?
Hippos are dangerous primarily because of their territorial nature especially when it comes to their aquatic habitats.......
Why are Holstein cows so popular?
The black-and-white cow on the milk carton, the billboard, and the childrenâs picture books is almost always a......
Why Are Kangaroos Only Found in Australia?
Kangaroos are found only in Australia because their marsupial ancestors migrated to the continent before it became......
Why Are Lilies Toxic to Cats?
Lilies can be described in many waysâfragrant, colorful, strikingâbut deadly is rarely the first word that comes......
Why are mice used in medical research?
Mice are used in medical research primarily because their genetic makeup bears a strong resemblance to that of......
Why are most calico cats female?
Most calico cats are female because the genes that determine their distinctive patches of black and orange fur......
Why are orange cats more likely to be male?
The gene that determines whether a cat will have an orange coat of fur is linked to the X chromosome, one of the......
Why are orcas called killer whales?
Orcas are called killer whales because of their reputation as powerful predators in the marine world. The name......
Why are polar bears white?
Polar bear fur is actually colorless but appears white because of the way it interacts with light. Each hair shaft......
Why Are Sloths So Slow?
âSlothâ is considered one of the seven deadly sins because, according to Catholic tradition, it hinders spiritual......
Why Are the Babies of Mammals Cute?
Although cuteness can be a matter of personal preference, people tend to find young mammals cute and adorable,......
Why do apes live in groups?
All apes, except for orangutans, live in groups. This arrangement gives them advantages when it comes to raising......
Why do bats sleep upside down?
Bats sleep upside down because their anatomy and physiology are adapted for this position. Their legs are slender......
Why do beavers build dams?
Beavers are quite the clever architects when it comes to safeguarding their homes. They build dams to raise the......
Why do cats blink slowly?
Cats blink slowly as a form of nonverbal communication, often interpreted as a sign of trust and affection toward......
Why do cats clean themselves so much?
Cats clean themselves frequently because of a combination of health benefits and social behaviors. Cats are meticulous......
Why Do Cats Hate Water?
An aversion to water is one of the most well-known characteristics of household cats. However, this isnât true......
Why do cats have slit pupils?
Cats have slit pupils primarily to enhance their ability to see in varying light conditions. They are crepuscular......
Why do cats have whiskers?
Cats have whiskers primarily for tactile sensing, which is crucial for their survival and daily activities. Whiskers,......
Why do cats like boxes?
Cats often seek out boxes because the confined space makes them feel protected and sheltered. By nature cats seek......
Why do cats like catnip?
The aromatic leaves of the catnip (Nepeta cataria), a herb of the mint family, are known to be particularly exciting......
Why do cats like scratching posts?
Cats are naturally inclined to use scratching posts because it fulfills several instinctual needs and behaviors.......
Why do cats open their mouths after smelling something?
Cats often open their mouths after smelling something because of a behavior known as the flehmen response. Itâs......
Why do cats purr?
While purring is often associated with a catâs contentment, such as when they are being petted or snuggled up in......
Why do cats rub against your legs?
Cats rub against your legs primarily as a form of communication and marking behavior. Rubbing against you may serve......
Why Do Cats Sleep So Much?
Cat person? How many pictures of your cat sleeping have you got on your phone? A lot, right? They are so cute when......
Why do coyotes scream?
Coyotes make a number of different vocalizations, some of which sound like human screams. These soundsâincluding......
Why do deer freeze in headlights?
Deer freeze in headlights primarily because of their unique vision and instincts. As crepuscular animals, their......
Why do deer shed their antlers?
Deer shed their antlers as part of hormonal changes linked to their survival and mating season. In all but one......
Why Do Dogs Circle Before They Lie Down?
There may be several reasons why dogs turn around several times before they lie down. Since dogs are intelligent......
Why do dogs eat grass?
Dogs eat grass for several reasons, and while the exact motivations can vary, there are a few common theories that......
Why Do Dogs Eat Poop?
Though poop is certainly not a staple food for any human, it may come as no surprise that poop is a common part......