Fascinating Animal Facts You Need To Know

Animals are all around us, from the large to the small, and this article is here to show you some surprising facts about our animal friends– wild and domestic. 

Dolphins are considered one of the world’s most intelligent animals. However, not many know about their complex language. They are incredibly social animals with an inherent ability to interact with their fellow dolphins.

It has been observed that the color of a reindeer’s eyes changes along with the season. Whenever it’s foggy, snowy, or cloudy, reindeer’s eyes turn blue-gray. But they turn bright yellow when the sun is out and the sky is clear.

Chickens can survive without a head. Yes, you read that right! This fact was discovered when a decapitated chicken lived for 18 months. The chicken, dubbed “Mike,” caught the attention of numerous scientists.

Snails are fascinating creatures. Specifically, their eyes can grow even after being cut off. Or if their eye gets injured, it can easily regenerate.

Oysters can transform their gender. Though numerous oysters start as males, they don’t remain the same gender for the rest of their lives. It has been recorded that when there are not enough females, males will convert to become females to give birth to more oysters.

Though cats are lovable pets, they can also be manipulative. They have developed various sounds to communicate effectively with other animals and their fellow cats. And their “meow” has been created especially for humans.

We all know starfish can have five arms, but did you know they have five eyes? You might believe that since a starfish has no face, it has no eyes. But its eyes are located in a place not many would expect.

Butterflies taste food using their feet due to the presence of sensors. That’s how they know a flower’s taste the second they land on one!

It takes human babies a few months to take their first steps. Horses, however, are much quicker. Only a few hours after being born, a baby horse can already stand up and head out for a run. They’re incredibly strong and resilient animals!

Have you ever considered tickling a rat? If you decide to go ahead with it, you might be surprised to learn that they laugh back at you. Yes, you read that right! Scientists have found that when rats are tickled on their belly and sides, they produce sounds much like laughter.

I know what you’re thinking. Are all dogs allergic to grapes? Yes, they are. Grapes, unfortunately, are toxic to our four-legged friends. When dogs eat grapes, they can become very sick. In severe cases, they can even die.

There are loads of interesting facts about bees. For example, bees see colors differently from us, they have five eyes, and they dance to communicate with others. Those are fairly well-known facts, but one that is a bit rarer is the fact that they have hair on their eyes.

Hippos don’t sweat in the same way humans do because they don’t have the same sweat glands as us. Instead, they have special glands that release a red oily fluid. As it rolls down their skin, it takes on a reddish color that’s often referred to as bloody sweat.

Humans all over the world have been fascinated by cows for a very long time. Many people have wondered how these creatures manage to communicate with one another. The answer lies in the distinctive ways that they “moo.”

Frogs, like humans and plenty of other animals, love to drink water. This miraculous liquid helps keep our bodies functioning and healthy. However, frogs drink it in a far different way. Instead of sucking it up into their mouth, they absorb it through their skin.

Like dolphins and sharks and whales, jellyfish are meant to be in the sea. Their entire bodies are basically made up of water. When they get too close to the sun or when they get stranded on a beach, it leads to disaster. The water inside of them can evaporate, the cells can burst, and they can die.

I bet you didn’t know that the chameleon’s tongue is longer than its whole body. In fact, it can reach up to twice its length! The tongue is attached at the bottom of the mouth and has a sticky tip that’s coated with tiny hairs. This allows them to catch prey.

Although chickens and dinosaurs might not look alike, one came from the other. That’s right – chickens are descendants of dinosaurs. More specifically, theropods (the dinosaur family to which the T. Rex belongs). It seems like all animals are related to one another in the great family tree of life.

Dogs are more than just loyal friends. They can also aid in the early detection of cancer. Of the different types of cancers, dogs have the ability to detect lung, breast, and prostate cancers with up to 97% accuracy.

You may have heard that penguins are loyal to their mate, which is true. However, this might not be what you think it means. Most penguins mate for life with the same partner, making nests together to hatch their eggs. They also take care of their chicks together!

Pandas are a kind of bear that spends up to half their day eating. They eat all the time, yet they never seem to get full! These adorable creatures can’t help themselves when it comes to food. They love to snack on ants, termites, and bamboo. Especially bamboo!

Some people may not believe it, but goats and sheep have rectangular pupils. That’s right, the insides of their eyes are not circular like humans, but more like an elongated box. Although it might seem odd at first, it’s true.

When there’s no water around, the only mammal species that can survive for long without it is the camel. For us humans, going without water for a few days will quickly lead to disaster. For camels, however, they can chug along for up to seven months.

Giraffes are beautiful creatures, and many people love them because of their long necks and spotted patterns. We often see them lounging around to pass the time. But what we didn’t know is that these animals rarely fall asleep.

Dolphins are well-known for being intelligent sea creatures. But that’s not all they are known for. Alongside their smarts, dolphins have also proven to be exceptional mothers. For instance, mother dolphins hum to their babies to help them learn their language.

Who would have thought that squirrels are surprisingly empathetic and altruistic? If you’re in need of a heartwarming discovery, we’ve got you covered. In a recent study, researchers discovered that squirrels adopt their orphaned relatives.

The oldest tortoise on earth is 188 years old and still going strong. The Aldabra Giant Tortoise, named Jonathan, lives on the island of Saint Helena in the South Atlantic Ocean. Its long life makes him one of the oldest living creatures in the world!

We’re all familiar with babies sucking on their pacifiers or their thumbs. If you’ve ever wondered if there were animals out there that did the same, then you’re not alone! This information will end your curiosity.

The Australian Koala is one of the most famous animals in the world. They are adorably cute, fuzzy, and love to eat eucalyptus leaves. But what you might not know about this amazing animal is what size they are at birth. They’re small, like, incredibly small.

Contrary to what one might believe, horses don’t lie down when they sleep. They prefer to take naps while standing so they can be ready for any predators that try to sneak in for an attack. If they were lying down, it would be more difficult to get away. 

As the saying goes, “you are what you eat.” A dramatic example of that is the flamingo. The flamingo’s pink color comes from their diet rather than some strange ability to manage their own color. Flamingos eat shrimp, crabs, snails, and other crustaceans that contain a red pigment called carotenoid.

Male lions have been historically perceived as masculine hunters, but it turns out that female lions do almost all of the hunting for their pride. Male lions may occasionally kill an animal, but they can’t bring it back to the group without help from the females.

Prairie dogs, like humans, are very social animals. Whenever they pass by each other, they can’t help but stop for a greeting or two. But unlike some human cultures that go for a handshake or a hug, prairie dogs are more intimate. They go for a kiss.

Bats are known to hang upside a lot, but do they do everything in that position? It seems so. When a female bat is about to give birth, she hangs upside down on a branch or cave ceiling. Shortly after, the baby bat is born, and the mom catches it before it falls to the ground.

Beavers are known for their large front teeth. These teeth help them cut down trees and build up dams with sticks, branches, and mud. This process creates ponds on land where they can store water for the winter months. Genius!

Hummingbirds are amazing flyers that can flap their wings at incredibly fast speeds. Alongside that, they have a unique support joint that allows them to move in any direction – up, down, front, or back. They can also hover in place.

In the wild, porcupines are usually found in wooded areas and near bodies of water. The length of their body ranges 24 to 36 inches and weighs anywhere from 10 to 35 pounds. Their quills, one of their most unique features, helps to protect them from predators. When they’re threatened, the quills release!

The ostrich is the largest and fastest two-legged bird in the world, and its eyes are no exception. Its eyes have a diameter similar to that of the average billiard ball! That makes them nearly impossible to ignore.

New Zealand is well-known for its sheep-loving culture. Therefore, it shouldn’t be too big of a surprise to learn that there are more sheep than people. The country has just over 4 million people. How many sheep are in New Zealand? At least 26 million. Woah!

Although many people are scared of all sharks, not all sharks are made equal – especially when it comes to breathing. Nurse sharks and tiger sharks can stop moving or even bury themselves in the seafloor and still breathe. Other sharks aren’t so lucky.