A pangolin is a solitary and nocturnal animal covered by an armor of scales. It hides under its scaly armor when confronted by a predator. It rolls into a ball and uses its sharp scales and tail to attack whenever it is touched. Pangolin's scales are made of keratin.
It has a small head and a long tail. Despite its lack of external ears, the pangolin has excellent hearing. It also has no teeth and grinds food with its gizzard-like intestines. To aid its digestion, it consumes small stones and sand. These unique features make it one of the most trafficked mammals in the world.
Fun Fact: Did you know that the Leucistic Axolotl is often called the "Ghost Axolotl"? This is due to its pale pink or white skin and bright red or pink eyes.
Unlike their Albino siblings, Leucistic Axolotls remain their color, with ebony eyes that stand out more against their light skin. Leucism is a rare genetic disease that reduces the skin pigment cells, which results in a more pale appearance. The Leucistic Axolotl is often mistaken for an albino because of its pink gills and pale skin.
Considered one of the rarer axolotl morphs, prices typically range from $50 to $100 or more.
Fun Fact: Did you know that White Albino Axolotl's almost transparent skin lets you observe what happens inside their bodies? When examined under specialized lighting, you can see the rhythmic pulsations of its heart, the flowing circulation of blood vessels, and even the subtle movements of its digestive system!
The White Albino Axolotl presents a mesmerizing palette of pure1, snowy white that starkly contrasts its vibrant pink or red irises. Like other axolotls, White Albinos keep their youthful looks throughout their lives.
White Albino Axolotls are rarer due to their unique coloration and can cost you $60 to $120 or more.
Fun Fact: Did you know that the Pink Axolotl is one of the most popular Axolotl morphs?
Pink Axolotls are a unique breed with soft, blush hues and dark, enigmatic eyes. They stand out from their light-shaded cousins, the Golden Albinos, with their pale pink bodies, gills, and black eyes. Axolotls are nocturnal and love meat, hunting for tiny fish, worms, and crustaceans. You can feed them brine shrimp, bloodworms, and specialty axolotl pellets in their tank.
Interestingly, despite their preference for a solitary existence, Pink Axolotls are far from anti-social when it's time to mate. Pink axolotls can cost you around $25-$45, depending on their age, size, specific breeder, and other factors.
The Sea Otter inhabits the Pacific Ocean from Alaska to Mexico, having adapted to the cold with their dense fur coat, the thickest of any animal. In the past, northern and southern sea otters lived along the Oregon coast. However, the latter eventually moved to the Central Coast of California.
Unlike other marine mammals that rely on blubber to keep warm, sea otters use their fur to survive in their coastal habitats. They have about 600,000 to 1,000,000 hairs per square inch, giving them the thickest fur of all animals.
In comparison to river otters, sea otters float on their back. They are typically bigger, with males reaching up to 100 pounds and almost 5 feet.
Moreover, they give birth to baby otters in the water, unlike river otters that go ashore to build dens. Lastly, their tails are flat and muscular, serving as efficient rudders in their marine environment.
Sea urchins, when unchecked, can overgraze and destroy kelp forests. Because of their sea urchin-rich diet, they are considered keystone species for maintaining the balance of their ecosystems1. Hence, there is a need to conserve sea otter populations, which, unfortunately, are considered endangered species.
The Giant Otters or Giant River Otters are the largest otter species in the world, standing tall at 5.5 feet, including the tail, and weighing 70 pounds.
These social creatures live in the rivers and streams of South America. These diurnal carnivores mainly eat fish, but they also eat crabs, snakes, and small caimans.
Additionally, the Giant Otter is the most vocal among otter species. A study discovered 22 unique vocalizations among adults and 11 in baby otters3.
The North American River Otter can survive in various habitats ranging from the icy rivers of Alaska to the humid marshlands of Florida.
These mustelids have a streamlined body, weighing 25 pounds and standing up to 3.5 feet. They also have a broad, flattened head and thick fur, insulating them against the cold of their watery habitats.
These otters have a varied diet, with fish being their main staple. In addition to fish, they also eat amphibians, crustaceans, small mammals, and birds.
Interestingly, North American River Otters perform a poop dance and use designated "latrine sites" for their waste deposits.
The Marine Otter is a small species of otter found primarily along the rocky coastlines and kelp forests of Chile and Peru. It stands tall at 3.7 feet, weighing up to 11 pounds. You can differentiate them by their dark brown bodies, yellowish-brown throat, and underside.
Its diet includes crustaceans, mollusks, and fish, occasionally indulging in birds and small mammals.
The Southern River Otter inhabits the rivers, lakes, and coastal marine habitats in Chile and Argentina. They have an elongated body reaching up to 3.8 feet and 22 pounds.
Their diet is varied, from fish to crustaceans and mollusks. However, they also prey on small birds and mammals when the opportunity arises.
The Neotropical River Otter lives in the freshwater bodies and coastal areas of Central and South America. It has a sleek, elongated body and dense fur ranging from brown to grayish-brown. Moreover, it has a long tail and white or cream-colored underbelly and throat.
It feeds on fish, crustaceans, small mammals, birds, insects, and reptiles. Furthermore, local fishermen confirmed these animals attack their fishing nets on rocky coasts to eat the remaining stuck fish2, which affects their productivity.
Eurasian otters live in various habitats, such as freshwater rivers, serene lakes, bustling marshes, and coastal areas. They are the most widespread among the otter species, living not only in Europe but also in Asia and North Africa.
They have dense brown fur coats, cream bellies, and longer tails than the previous type. On average, male otters are 4.6 feet, including tails, and can weigh up to 26 pounds.
Regarding diet, these nocturnals hunt fish, amphibians, crustaceans, and occasionally small birds or mammals.
The Hairy-Nosed Otter is a semi-aquatic mammal living in peat swamp forests, coastal mangroves, and rice fields across Thailand, Cambodia, and Vietnam. It can grow up to 4.3 feet and weigh up to 18 pounds.
Moreover, its dark brown coat, slightly lighter on the underbelly, shines in its freshwater habitats. It has a unique fur-covered nose that distinguishes it from other otters.
The Spotted-Necked Otter, also called the Speckle-throated Otter, is a unique species inhabiting various parts of Africa. It has a dark brown body and a distinctive pattern of white spots on its neck and chest.
They live in rivers, streams, and lakes, hunting for fish, crabs, frogs, and insects. Meanwhile, they have predators like crocodiles and eagles.
The Smooth-Coated Otter resides in the waterways of South and Southeast Asia. It can grow up to 3.5 feet long, including its tail. Moreover, it sports smooth and short, glossy brown coats that inspired its name. Its upper parts are dark but lighter brown on its underside.
Interestingly, Smooth-Coated Otters can quickly adapt to human-altered landscapes such as rice fields and canals. Some otter populations are even surviving and being protected by authorities in Singapore.
Their hunting tactics involve groups forming a semi-circle in the water to drive fish toward the shore, making them easier to catch. Besides hunting, they also engage in friendly activities such as sliding down muddy banks, wrestling, and chasing their tails.
The Asian Small-Clawed Otter is the world's smallest otter species, reaching only 2 feet and 12 pounds. You can find one in Southeast Asia, from India's mangroves to Indonesia's rice fields, where they feed on crustaceans, mollusks, and small fish.
To distinguish Asian Small-Clawed Otters from the others, their cheeks, chin, throat, and sides of the neck are whitish, transitioning to dark fur at the back and light brown at the underside.
The African Clawless Otter that lives in sub-Saharan Africa is also known as the Cape Clawless Otter or Groot Otter. As the third largest mustelid, it can be 5.3 feet long and 79 pounds heavy. Unlike its relatives, it has claw-less paws except for the three digits on its hind feet.
Moreover, African Clawless Otters can survive in various habitats, from semi-arid regions to dense forests, as long as a body of water is nearby. Their diet primarily consists of crustaceans, especially crabs, but they also eat amphibians, small mammals, and birds.
You’ve heard of computer bugs and viruses, yet there is an insect that loves your electronics enough to crawl inside and ruin them. The crazy ant can ruin your laptop or tablet in no time. When a scout finds a computer, it climbs inside and is killed by the electricity. When it dies it releases an alarm pheromone and soon you have the entire colony trying to kill your electronics.
Bomb? As in Boom? The Bombardier beetle’s backside contains two separate chemicals. If you or a predator gets to close, the Bombardier beetle releases the chemicals and once they mix a boiling party begins. The corrosive material comes out at temperatures hot enough to burn your skin.
If you are backpacking in Southern Europe, you might run into this surprising insect. Vampire moths love drinking the blood of vertebrates, and guess what you are a vertebrate. Equipped with a long needle-like mouth, it can easy penetrate your skin and get its fill.
You read that right. There is a tiny wasp that bears the name, Aha ha. The name was created by entomologist Arnold Menke. In 1977 he received the insect in the mail from a colleague, when the package was opened he exclaimed, “Aha!” The name stuck.
