When Are Pocket Gophers Most Active? (Time Of Day, Seasons, Weather)

At first glance, it might seem like gophers aren’t active animals. We don’t see them often, save for occasional glimpses when they leave their holes. But just because we don’t see them doesn’t mean they aren’t busy doing their own thing.  Pocket gophers spend most of their active time underground, and if one looks at …

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The Sea Otter’s Eyes and Vision (They See Well Underwater!)

When we compare sea otters to other marine mammals, we can immediately see the size difference between them and most sea-dwellers. As the second smallest marine mammals, they come shy compared to their neighbor pinnipeds.  So sea otters must have an excellent vision to protect themselves from threats and dangers. They also need their eyes …

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How Do Pocket Gophers Protect Themselves?

By nature, pocket gophers are not aggressive animals. They are not predators nor particularly large, so they don’t get anything from fighting with other animals. When confronted with a threat, they would rather flee than fight. Some people might think that they are harmless as a result. Timid as they are, that doesn’t mean you …

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The Mountain Lion’s Eyes and Vision (Nightvision, Colorblindness & More)

A mountain lion sloughing on a rock int he sun.

Mountain lions have different names in different regions of the Americas. They are sometimes called puma, cougar, or panther. But, no matter where you are or what name they are called, mountain lions are always known for their large size, adaptability, and agility. And aside from those skills, they are also gifted with an excellent …

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Sea Otter Threats & Dangers (They Need Our Help!)

Here at Floofmania, sea otters are one of our favorite marine mammals – and they could also be yours! After all, who can resist those charming furry faces? But they’re so much more than their fluff and cuteness; they are one of nature’s greatest aquatic environmentalists! As keystone species, sea otters help keep kelp forests …

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Sea Otters and Their Sleeping Behavior (How Do They Remain in Place as They Sleep?)

Sleeping and resting is the second-most important daily activity in a sea otter’s life, next to foraging and followed by grooming. Sea otters specifically spend 40 to 49% of their daily lives snoozing off and building up energy so they can feed and groom themselves effectively afterward.  Biologists routinely observe the resting behavior of sea …

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Elk and Running (How Fast Can They Go?)

Bull elk walking on grass next to the edge of the forest.

The elk or wapiti (Cervus Canadensis) is one of the largest terrestrial mammals in North America and eastern Asia and the most highly evolved Old World deer. In the Cervidae family, this majestic creature stands second only to the moose, reaching a shoulder height of up to 5 feet and a weight of up to …

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Red Wolf Dens (What, Where, How, and Why!)

Red wolves are native to the southeastern United States. They are recognizable by their reddish, tawny, majestic coats and by their black-tipped floofy tails.  When red wolf pups are born, they are blind and utterly helpless. To keep them safe and give them the time to grow bigger and stronger, they are kept in dens …

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Groundhogs VS Prairie Dogs VS Gophers – A Comparison

Groundhogs, Prairie Dogs, and Gophers are often confused with one another because of the similarity in their appearance and digging behavior.  Even though they have highly similar features, distinguishing one from another is definitely possible. Let’s investigate the characteristics that set these animals apart from one another! Are Groundhogs, Prairie Dogs, and Gophers Related?Table of …

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Opossum Poop (What Does It Look And Smell Like?)

There are several species of opossums in the Americas, but the United States and Canada are home only to the Virginia opossum (scientific name Didelphis virginiana), sometimes called the North American Opossum.  Confusingly, they are commonly referred to as “possums,” which also happens to be the name of a completely different animal that lives in …

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20 Animals Similar To Sea Otters (20 Lookalikes)

A sea otter, Enhydra lutris, is one of the most distinctive marine mammals living exclusively in cold coastal waters. These animals can weigh as much as 100 pounds while measuring up to 5 feet in length.  You might mistake them for corks or blobs bobbing along the water surface where kelp forests thrive. You’ll quickly …

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Elk Poop (Some Pungent Questions & Answers) 

Closeup of two elk with big antlers grazing next to one another.

In the animal kingdom, feces (commonly known as poop) serve many purposes aside from being a “stinky” solid bodily waste. Most animals use it as a form of territorial marker, for communication, for setting boundaries, and even as food! Isn’t that interesting? Speaking of poop, in this article, we will talk about the pooping behavior …

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Groundhogs Vs Muskrats – What’s The Difference?

People tend to confuse groundhogs and muskrats with one another because, let’s face it: at first glance, they do look so much alike. For non-experts, it is hard to tell, especially if you are looking at them from a distance, but don’t worry you are not alone. What’s The Difference Between A Groundhog And A …

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Bobcats And Their Drinking Behavior (Explained)

Bobcats, like most cats, are not big fans of water and swimming but they do frequent bodies of water like streams, lakes, ponds, and rivers to hydrate.  Water is part of their daily interaction with nature so it is never far away, bobcats are always around water. Bobcats drink water at least once a day, …

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Are Bobcats Going Extinct? (Past, Present, & Future)

North America is home to an incredibly diverse number of animals and plants that have coexisted with people for thousands of years. Yet, things have been rapidly changing for the past few centuries as more habitats are being destroyed, pushing these once-plentiful animals towards extinction. Thankfully it doesn’t always have to end this way. One …

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Muskrat VS Opossums (A Comparison)

Arguably two of the most underrated creatures roaming around North America, muskrats and opossums are often mistaken for one another. So what’s the difference? Quite a bit, as it turns out. Though they may look somewhat similar, muskrats and opossums have very different characteristics that set them apart. In this post, we’ll take a closer …

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Bobcats and Their Sleeping Behavior (Lazy, But Quick To Awaken)

Bobcat sleeping

Bobcats are solitary and territorial animals that normally sleep alone in their dens, separate from others of their species. As resilient and adaptable creatures, they are able to align their sleeping patterns with their hunting strategies and the changing seasons, maximizing their survivability in harsh conditions.  But, like most cat species, bobcats highly value their …

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Hedgehogs and Their Sleeping Behavior (In The Wild and Captivity)

Hedgehogs are small mammals with cone-shaped faces, porcupine-like quills, and short legs. These spiny animals are known for their elusive behavior in the wild. Because they are solitary animals and usually avoid people, seeing one resting in the wild is quite rare. Let’s learn more about their sleeping behavior and how these cute creatures rest …

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The Sea Otter’s Foraging Behavior (They’re Picky, and They Use Tools!)

Sea otters are the only fully aquatic otter species and the only living members of the Enhydra genus. They are arguably the cutest shallow coastal water dwellers in the animal world – scientifically speaking, of course, ahem. These adorable marine mammals are diurnal. They forage for their food before sunrise and go for another round …

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Dangers and Threats to Bobcats (Questions & Answers)

Bobcats are solitary mottle-furred animals that heavily guard their territories. They choose far-ranging wildlands as their home and require a ton of personal space far from their own kind and even predators. The behavior and nature of these cats make them seem immune to imminent danger. Yet as any member of the animal kingdom, these …

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How Big Are Elk? (Size, Weight, & Other Facts)

Bull elk walking on green grass next to the forest's edge.

The Cervus Canadensis, or simply elk, are generally regarded as large and majestic animals. Originally known to the Shawnee and Cree as wapiti, the elk is one of the biggest deer species on earth.  In some Native American cultures, elk are revered as creatures of spiritual significance and held in high esteem. They are truly …

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Bison VS Moose (A Comparison)

In North America, you can find many fascinating creatures in the wilderness, but few of them are as iconic as the bison and moose. Bison are some of the unique animals here, and the moose is one of the continent’s largest and most prominent creatures. But while they might seem different, both animals also have …

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Beavers And Their Sleeping Behavior

Beavers are the construction workers of the animal world. They spend most waking hours building dams and lodges in ponds and rivers. But unlike humans, they don’t use tools to make their tasks easier. That sounds like hard work, right?  And this is why you might wonder: As hard workers, how much do beavers actually …

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The Gopher’s Senses (Vision, Hearing, and Smell)

Gophers are furry rodents most frequently found in North and Central America. Even though considered pests, they are a crucial part of the ecosystem as they incorporate plant and fecal materials into the soil, improving its fertility. These tiny rodents are known for their digging behavior. They spend most of their time underground and hardly …

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The Bobcat’s Fur, Whiskers, and Tail

A closeup of a bobcat's face looking curiously towards the camera.

One of the most distinct characteristics of a bobcat is its physical appearance. Their appearance makes them easily distinguishable as a member of the Felidae family.  Aside from that, the bobcat’s fluffy coat makes it feel warm in cold seasons and protected during the scorching summer heat. Meanwhile, its whiskers guide the bobcat through the …

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What Do North American Porcupines Eat? (Needs, Preferences, & More)

Amongst the 12 porcupine species, the North American porcupine is the most common in the New World porcupine family. This had led people to wonder about what they eat. North American porcupines eat vegetation, such as vegetables, roots, bark, grass, fruits, and more. While some have been spotted gnawing on animal bones, they are mostly …

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Elk and Their Sleeping Behavior (When, Where, How Much?)

Elks are some of nature’s most beautiful animals. They are tall, graceful, and very strong, but also intriguing. Many people don’t realize it, but they share quite a few similarities with us. Like us, elk are great at adapting to their environment. While they can’t change their physical characteristics, elks can adjust their behavior to …

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Raccoons VS Cats (A Comparison Of Two Animals)

Raccoons VS Cats

Raccoons are known as scavengers, and you will most likely see them scavenging trashcans across Europe and America – especially around the latter since they are native there. With this, they often cross paths with cats who are also searching for scraps.  Even though raccoons do not see cats as prey and vice-versa, they still …

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The Elk’s Feet and Hooves (All The Answers)

The North American elk, or wapiti, has hooves that have distinct characteristics and make them unique compared to other mammal species. Having said that, let’s focus on the elk’s feet and hooves. For sure there are questions you have in mind that need to be answered.  What makes the elk’s hooves different from the hooves …

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Mountain Lions And Their Sense Of Smell

The mountain lion goes by many names like the cougar, catamount, or panther, but whatever name we choose to call this amazing animal, it remains a unique feline because of its special physical features and skill set. Just like the other species of small cats, the mountain lion is built to be an exceptional hunter.  …

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Elk And Swimming (Are Elk Good Swimmers?)

One of the most remarkable animals coming from the deer family is the elk. These animals are found only in select parts of the world, such as North American regions and certain parts of Asia. Elk and other species in the deer family often live in extreme habitats, and this has forced them to develop …

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