If you’re anywhere from Southeastern Canada to the Northeastern United States, you’d probably refer to the golden red, slender-faced wild canine trotting in the woods or sometimes in your neighborhood as a coyote. Yet, these east coast ‘coyotes’ are more massive than their western counterparts. Scientific studies show that they are part wolf and, to …
This article was fact-checked in February 2024 by coyote expert Jonathan Way who runs the website Eastern Coyote Research Coyotes are one of the most adaptable and widespread predators in North America. They are known for their intelligence, resourcefulness, and ability to survive in various environments, ranging from deserts to forests and even urban areas. While …
How Often Do People in the U.S. See Wild Mammals in Their Day-to-Day Lives? This article was proofread in November 2023 by wildlife researcher Jonathan Way who runs the website Eastern Coyote Research Introduction From the majestic bears of Yellowstone National Park to the squirrels in urban parks, Americans share their landscapes with a diverse array …
Gophers are small, furry animals found in North and Central America. They live in the woodlands and grass prairies of coastal and mountainous regions. They are fossorial rodents that are known for their excessive underground digging and tunneling. However, can gophers also perform other locomotor activities such as climbing and jumping? Let’s explore how these …
The pocket gopher is a small and furry animal that digs through the yards of North and Central America. It has close cousins that are found in the West and Southeast. Gophers are known for making their own tunnels where they spend their lives, keep their food, and take care of their young. They are …
Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are furry creatures commonly found in North America. They are known for their alleged ability to predict the arrival of spring, and their burrowing habits and healthy appetite have earned them a reputation for being a nuisance to farmers and gardeners. However, groundhogs are fascinating animals that have adapted to …
Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks, are a common sight in many parts of North America. These burrowing rodents are known for their ability to predict the arrival of spring, but they are also fascinating creatures in their own right. One aspect of groundhog biology that has received relatively little attention is their hearing. While it …
Groundhogs do have tails, but they are not very long. In fact, their tails are quite short, barely exceeding the length of their hind feet. This is in contrast to other rodent species, such as rats, which have much longer tails. While groundhogs’ tails may not be very noticeable, they do serve an important purpose …
Groundhogs, also known as woodchucks or whistle-pigs, are a type of rodent that live in burrows and are found in the eastern and central regions of North America. While most people associate groundhogs with predicting the arrival of spring on Groundhog Day, many are unaware that they are also capable of emitting a high-pitched whistle. …
Groundhogs are fascinating creatures that are widely known for their (alleged) ability to predict the weather. However, there is more to these animals than meets the eye. One interesting aspect of groundhogs is the physical and behavioral differences between males and females. While they may look similar at first glance, there are distinct differences that …
Groundhogs are known for their exceptional digging skills, and it’s no secret that they can dig extensive tunnels and burrows. But have you ever wondered where all the dirt goes when they dig a hole? Groundhogs’ digging habits have always been a topic of interest for many, and it’s fascinating to learn about their role …
Groundhogs are known for their ability to predict the weather, but did you know that they also have some unique vocalizations, some of which are specific for courtship? While they can’t be classified as “groundhog mating calls”, these sounds are an important part of their reproductive behavior, and they play a crucial role in attracting …
Buckle up for a wild ride as we dive into the wonderfully weird world of exotic pets! I’ve used Midjourney, an AI tool, to generate these portraits of the most stereotypical exotic pet owners from simple text prompts, and some of the results are both hilarious and surprisingly accurate! This list is a delightful blend …
Coyotes and dogs are two closely related canine species. They share many physical and behavioral characteristics, but one area where they differ is their teeth. Coyotes have unique teeth that set them apart from most dog breeds. While coyotes and dogs have many similarities in their dental structure, their teeth are not identical. In the …
According to the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS), 47.8 million Americans enjoy feeding birds in their yard. That amounts to about 1/3 of the United States population! The hobby benefits birds too. Primarily, it helps those who have stayed for the winter and are struggling to find food. But it also helps those who …
Snowshoe hares (Lepus americanus) are fascinating creatures who mainly live in forests. They are found in the northern parts of the United States and throughout Canada. These floofy animals are herbivores. Their diet mainly consists of various plants found in their habitat. But what about their water? How do they keep themselves hydrated? Let us …
For a long time, people have believed that what animals ate was pretty cut and dry. If they ate meat, they were carnivores and if they ate plants, they were herbivores with animals eating both plants and meat being omnivores. But while we categorized animals like that, nature is not that simple. Recent research …
National Hedgehog Day is celebrated on February 2nd of every year, the same day as Groundhog Day in the US and Canada. But when did this prickly holiday begin, and how is it celebrated? Read on to learn about the festivities over this tiny, floofy, spiky mammal! What is National Hedgehog Day? As the story …
Bobcats (Lynx rufus) is one of North America’s most resilient (and coolest!) predators. Having lived through landscapes of varying sights, sounds, and odors, these solitary and elusive felines have evolved through the years to better survive in unpredictable environments and their excellent sense of smell is definitely proof of this! A bobcat’s nose is capable …
Look at this picture. Imagine you’re in a forest or the outdoors when you suddenly encounter this animal. Can you easily identify what it is? What’s the first thing that comes to mind when you see it? If you haven’t confused it with another animal and you answered raccoon, then good for you! You might …
How many spiky, furry, brownish, four-legged creatures can you think of? Well, it turns out there are a lot of different animals fitting this description scattered all over the world! You can easily confuse the general appearance of a North American porcupine with a lot of different large and smaller rodents. In fact, many other …
The elk ( Cervus canadensis) is one of the largest terrestrial mammals in North America. These large deer are easy to spot not just because of their size and appearance but also by their scent. Yup, you read it right. Male and female elk do have distinct odors that you cannot miss. What makes these …
One of the biggest things that impact a species’ evolution is its environment, where animals live, eat, and mate. The ecosystem has everything to do withr a species’ diet, behavior, and physical characteristics! Although most environments are interconnected, some ecosystems develop in isolation from the wider world, limiting their available resources, territory, and species. Being …
Eagles are one of the most majestic creatures that navigate the skies. With their distinct features like sharp talons, long wing spans, and feathers, they are easily distinguishable and identified from other birds. There are more than 60 species of eagles in the world, and their features can vary depending on what type of eagle …
Are you crazy about sea otters? Do you think their beautiful vocalizations sound like music? Are you sometimes unable to hear your phone when it’s ringing, or to wake up in the morning when your alarm clock goes off? Well, you need the meeping sea otter ringtone! I made this one for my wife, but …
Bison is one of North America’s largest wild animals. These mighty mammals can easily tower over people and other wildlife, so it is no surprise that they symbolize strength and power. While their size and importance are undisputed in their continent, they face stiff competition from the rest of the world. In Africa, tons of …
The American Badger (Taxidea taxus) is a very active, hardworking, and highly adaptable creature. These furry mustelids are found in the United States and parts of Mexico and Canada, which all experience changes in weather conditions throughout the different seasons each year. How do these furry mammals fare during different seasons and weather? Are they …
Bobcats and wolverines are among the many mammals that live in the North American wild. While they are both predators, these animals have many features that make them unique. Bobcats and wolverines are both predators, but the wolverine is also a scavenger that will eat carcasses. A wolverine is slightly larger and stronger than a …
Many environmental issues threaten our animal friends today. Some of these problems are well-known issues that everyone is aware of, such as overhunting, habitat loss, and global warming. Unfortunately, not all issues are as well-understood. Many environmental problems, such as habitat fragmentation, which is strongly linked to habitat loss, tend to go unnoticed. Not many …
Plains bison are one of the most iconic animals in North America, and they have been part of the ecosystem ever since the ice age. Our furry friends can also take pride in being one of the largest and most powerful animals on the continent. Being so well-known also means that bison are often …
There is something wonderful about owning a pet. Nothing compares to the joy of coming home to a cute creature and enjoying its company. The most common of our pets are, of course, cats and dogs. However, there are some people who prefer something unique or unusual, and opossums are one of the options they …
Animal attacks have always been something that has terrified people. From massive sharks to fearsome wolves, there are a lot of animals that can seriously injure us. Though, there are few animals as frightening as the mighty bear. With most bears standing over seven feet tall and weighing a ton, they are one of the …
Elk are often seen as docile creatures, especially since their relatives like the deer seem like calm animals. They often seem to remain within the same areas, which makes people wonder if elk are territorial. Elk are territorial animals that will gladly fight anyone that tries to challenge them. Elk also have multiple ways of …
Louisiana’s terrain features five natural regions that are all mostly flat lowlands. The state is 50% forestry with lots of bodies of water, such as the Mississippi River. As such, this state is full of unique wildlife. Louisiana is home to many species of animals, most of which thrive in lowlands, swamps, and forests. Some …
Opossums may not be the cutest animals you’ll encounter. Many people actually regard them as ugly and dirty. However, contrary to how people perceive them, opossums are clean animals that are extremely beneficial to have in the backyard. If you’re interested in further understanding this cute creature and reaping the benefits of having one live …
The two hares that are best known for coping with cold winters, the arctic hare and snowshoe hare are both cute and resilient creatures. However, these two hares often get mistaken for each other. Snowshoe hares and arctic hares are both hares that live in the northern parts of the US and Canada. However, the …
Coyotes need every bit of cunning they have to survive in the wild. Aside from dealing with the forces of nature, several large predators consider the species their primary food source. What are some of the dangers coyotes face regularly, and how do they defend themselves? Is the species on the verge of extinction? Floofmania …
Everyone loves having a pet. A little companion that will keep you company at home can do wonders for you. But while most people are happy with cats and dogs, some are looking for something more exotic, and badgers are one alternative people turn to for a unique pet. Our striped friends are a sight …
The cute, cuddly sea otter (Enhydra lutris) is known for its stuffed toy looks but also infamous for its smell. There are a lot of stories that depict the sea otter as having a disgusting smell. On the other hand, there are people who also say that their odor is similar to fresh flowers. Which …
Sea otters are adorable marine animals that enjoy rolling around in the water, sliding down embankments, covering their eyes, and making cute noises. But what time of the day are these sea creatures most active, and what time do they sleep? What’s the best time or season to go out trying to spot them in …
Sea otters (Enhydra lutris) are a little bit of the oddballs among the otter species and even more among the Mustelidae family. These cuddly little guys are the largest of the entire weasel family and are the only fully aquatic otters, having no obligatory ties to any terrestrial habitats like most of their relatives. Its …
When you look at a sea otter’s large, black-colored nose, don’t you just want to boop it with your finger? I, for one, absolutely want to, but I know that sea otters are wild animals that need their space at all times. Still, their adorable noses that complete their charming look probably have more function …
When it comes to sleeping in the forest, it can be quite a hazard for many animals. With larger animals prowling the woods with them, they can end up being a meal to some predators. Even animals that can defend themselves like porcupines need to be careful. Like all animals, porcupines need to sleep and …
A keystone species is an organism that other organisms depend on to such a high degree that its local environment would significantly change if the keystone species were to disappear. While all organisms are important and have important roles in their local environment, in most cases, the environment would remain relatively unchanged. However, if a …
Opossums, as highly adaptive marsupials, have grown quite fond of living close to residential areas. Because of this, it might be that you have already encountered them at least once in your life. Could it be that, when you saw them, one thing that caught your attention was their tail? If that’s the case, or …
When the weather gets cold and dreary, a lot of us in Floofmania wish that we could just pack our bags and spend the rest of the winter on a tropical island. Birds are amazing in a way that they know what to do when the weather starts getting chilly and the food sources begin …
So you have fallen in love with the cuddly but spiky North American porcupine, and you are wondering how to “get your hands on” one. Well.. We hope you have done at least some basic research about this exotic animal so you know what you are getting into. After all, getting a pet, whether your …
Sea otters are famous for being gregarious, delightful fluffs of fur. Seeing them lined up like a pod and bouncing along the ocean waves might make your heart flutter. Or they might completely enamor you when they hold each other’s paws while they take a quick snooze together. With all these overwhelmingly adorable scenarios, is …
You might ask yourself if an animal living in a water habitat ever gets thirsty. Being surrounded by vast, open waters must make drinking water convenient for marine mammals, right? We must remember, however, that the ocean and seas where mammals like the furry sea otters live are made up of salt water. For humans, …
Raccoons and skunks are both small to medium-sized mammals that love to hunt. While they share a few similarities, it can be confusing to tell the differences between the two. Despite their shared traits, raccoons and skunks have a lot of distinctive features that make them stand out from one another. Join Floofmania in taking …