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 …
Beavers are nocturnal (active at night) and crepuscular (active at dusk and dawn). This means they spend most of the day inside their lodge. Although beavers are furbearers, they are open-season animals that are active all year round. They do not hibernate in the winter. What Time of Day Are Beavers The Most Active? Beavers …
Beavers do have a strong smell but in a good way! For a rodent, beavers are pretty clean and do not have a foul odor. They actually smell good! Beavers are semi-aquatic animals that love to swim and stay clean. They groom themselves daily with a substance called castoreum which they naturally produce. Surprisingly, this …
Virginia Opossums are nocturnal marsupials local to the North American region (not to be confused with possums from Australia). These animals are roughly the size of small dogs and carry their children in a fleshy pouch. There are many interesting facts about opossums. For one thing, how do they sleep? Do they really sleep hanging …
American badgers have gained a reputation for being fierce and grumpy despite their persistently small and squat appearance. Their head appears disproportionately small in relation to the rest of the body while retaining a strong image. American badgers are mammals known for their low stature, long claws, and short, muscular limbs that help them easily …
Bobcats are beautiful and dangerous animals. While they are quite scared of humans, they can attack if they feel threatened. Whether you live in a climate where bobcats are present or you are going on a trip where you may see them in the wild, you should know a little more about the sounds that …
Big cats make some of the most notorious sounds in the animal kingdom. From an adorable purr to a terrifying roar, cats communicate in a number of ways. Interestingly, mountain lions have unique noises and communication styles that are unique to this species. For example, did you know that mountain lions are not capable of …
One defining characteristic of all mammals is that they have some form of hair or fur. Because groundhogs are a type of mammal, they are covered in fur, from head to toe to tail. Their fur serves many purposes and helps to keep them warm and safe. Likewise, the Groundhog’s tail serves important functions. It …
Although groundhogs spend the most of their time above ground, they create complex burrows so that they can sleep and hibernate peacefully. In fact, groundhogs have often considered a nuisance creature because of the complex burrows, tunnels, and systems they create under yards and lawns. If you suspect that you have groundhogs in your area, …
Although groundhogs have sharp teeth that can chomp through just about anything, these creatures are pretty docile and super cute to look at. Especially in the springtime when you can see groundhog babies, you could die from the cuteness of these little creatures. Even though groundhogs are not particularly dangerous, it is still illegal to …
Many of us are familiar with the smell of a skunk around our home, but did you know that that smell might be a groundhog instead? Groundhogs have anal glands that emit a musky smell, usually when they feel threatened. Groundhogs also have sweat glands on the corners of their mouth that emit an odor. …
Other members of the marmot family can be found throughout Asia, Europe, and North America, but where exactly can groundhogs be found? Groundhogs, or Marmota monax, can be found throughout North America. This includes both Canada and the United States. Where Do Groundhogs Come From? Groundhogs are a type of marmot which belong to the …
While raccoons and red pandas are both cute, fluffy little omnivores, they aren’t actually the same animal! But they both look so similar: how do they compare? Even though they are visually similar, red pandas and raccoons are only distantly related. They come from two different taxonomic groups. But, they do share many characteristics and …
Elk are very vocal creatures, probably the most talkative of the Cervidae family. But in what situations do elk make sounds to communicate with other members of their herd? These situations include distress, submission, identifying a threat, maternal communication, social chatting, advertising, and mating. Depending on the type of elk and time of year, you …
There are a lot of different wild animal noises that fill the air in North America, and it can be hard to tell exactly who is responsible for what sounds. American badgers make a variety of vocalizations for many reasons, from communicating amongst themselves to warding off potential dangers. From the different sounds you can …
Elk are truly majestic members of the deer family that are commonly found throughout Asia and North America. These large, omnivorous, hooved mammals tend to live in herds for most of the year, but how does this behavior change during mating season? Elk tend to break up into smaller herds based upon who they are …
Groundhogs, sometimes called woodchucks, are a type of large rodent. They are specifically a part of the Marmot or ground squirrel family. They actually are the largest member of the squirrel family. They can be found all over North America, which happens to be the only continent on which they are found. One of the …
Also commonly referred to as a woodchuck, the groundhog is a rodent found throughout the Eastern USA, across Canada, and even into Alaska. You may have encountered these critters before and are wondering what are their senses like? Groundhogs have an amazing sense of sight, hearing, and smell, all of which can help them in …
If you’ve seen a gopher in person and have perhaps heard noises coming from them, or have observed them being silent, you may be wondering about the sounds that gophers make and what they mean. Gophers are usually silent, but that doesn’t mean that that’s always the case. In fact, these rodents often will produce …
Whether you think of them as adorable little bandits or tricky pests that make a mess of your garbage, raccoons are undeniably one of America’s most iconic wild mammals. There are many things that make them fascinating creatures, but how much do you know about raccoons and their drinking behavior? Whether you’re looking to provide …
One of North America’s most iconic mammals, the North American beaver (a slightly different species than the Eurasian beaver) is famously a semi-aquatic large rodent that spends a significant amount of its time in and around the water. These beautiful animals have a close and fascinating relationship with the waterways that they call home. The …
Raccoons, also affectionately called “trash pandas,” are native to North America. They are famous for their bandit-like markings around their eyes. They also like to creep into campgrounds and areas with dumpsters to try and sneak food refuge from humans. This behavior is how they got their nickname “trash pandas.” Raccoons have also snuck into …
Beavers are mostly associated with the water, and with good reason. Even though beavers are a type of mammal, their bodies are not well suited for the land or running. In fact, seeing a beaver run is quite a funny sight since they more waddle than run. Because of their webbed feet, round bodies, and …
Beavers are rodents and rodents are typically good climbers. Mice and groundhogs are very skilled when it comes to climbing trees, walls, and fences. However, beavers are a completely different story. While beavers a capable of doing a lot, climbing and jumping are not on that list. Do you find yourself wondering if beavers climb …
A lot of people are fascinated by beavers because they are one of only a few animals that are capable of modifying their habitat. If you have ever seen beavers digging, you may have wondered what they were doing. Beavers are actually very good diggers, and there are several reasons why these critters dig. On …
Raccoons have an enduring reputation as bandits that will dig through your trash cans or let themselves into your house to find food, but how they know it’s there in the first place isn’t always fully appreciated. While it’s true that they can visually observe and learn, their noses are much greater tools for sniffing …
Raccoons are often associated with nocturnal activities and sneaky acts, and a large element of this is enabled by their superior hearing. Raccoons’ sense of hearing is formed by their unique niche as predators and prey and works both for and against them in the modern human-settled worlds they inhabit. In the rest of the …
Pet raccoons are only available for purchase in fourteen states. If you want to buy a raccoon, the best option is to find a reliable exotic pet store or breeder in your state. However, many states also allow you to capture raccoons to keep them as pets. It is important in these states that you …
Beavers are naturally communicative animals, using a variety of vocalizations or other noises to communicate with each other, and other animals in their environments. The trick is figuring out what all their noises mean. Beavers can make a variety of whistling, clicking, or crying sounds to communicate. On occasion, they will also make a loud …
Raccoons are peculiar little critters. They look like masked bandits waiting to steal, thieve or rob whatever they can get their hands on. But, the truth of the matter is they’re just inquisitive critters who are smart, adaptable, and quick when they need to be. Believe it or not, raccoons are rather fast for their …
Of all of earth’s amazing creatures, beavers are one of the more curious. They are avid, hard workers that serve a delicate purpose in the ecosystem. Constantly building their dams and diverting water routes to food, one would think they also have excellent eyes and vision. But, contrary to what some may think, beavers have …
With their distinctive burglar mask-like face patterns and their propensity to enter houses and leave with items that don’t belong to them, raccoons have developed a reputation as sneaky bandits, but what exactly is behind their behavior of stealing? In the rest of the article, we’re going to look at the common raccoon practice of …
In spite of the raccoon’s small size, their sharp, utilitarian teeth and strong jaws give them a reputation as having a formidable bite. In the rest of the article, we’re going to look at when raccoons bite, what to do if you get bitten by a raccoon, what the bite force quotient of raccoons is, …
Raccoons have unique markings that make them look like tiny bandits. Those along with their human-like hands make them an interesting creatures. While a lot is known about the raccoon, there is some mystery surrounding their vision, leaving many to wonder just how good it is. Though they use their hands an awful lot, raccoons …
Understanding the etymology (or the study of the origin of words) helps enrich our understanding of things, especially animals. Plus, other languages tend to have a cooler or more smooth-sounding way of naming critters than we do in English. Such is the case for the English word “raccoon” with respect to its name in French, …
Raccoons are wonderfully fascinating animals, both in their unique appearance and their ability to adapt to numerous environments. One of their most useful skills is navigating the world through their paws. A raccoon’s paws are one of their best tools for many reasons. Not only do their paws and claws come together to contribute to …
Raccoons are medium-sized mammals that are found in North America. Typically, they are found in deciduous forests and in colder climates. For this reason, they have specialized fur that is specifically beneficial for their habitat. Raccoons are mostly dark gray with a black and white mask and a striped tail. Their fur is soft, warm, …
You can find beavers all across the United States and Europe, but you may not know a whole lot about their mating (and dating) life. Beavers form monogamous pairs and they mate for life. Their busy beaver babies are born in the spring and stay at home for 2 years, learning and growing. Beavers are …
Coyotes live in every corner of North America; from the entire expanse of the United States and well up into Canada and down south into Mexico as well as other Latin American countries. These animals live nowhere else. However, recent migration records indicate that they are continually moving south every year. In other continents, there …
The American opossum is North America’s only native marsupial, which means they have a special pouch to carry babies. These nocturnal critters are solitary scavengers, and play a vital role in their habitat in pest management. Opossums are usually quiet creatures, but make clicking sounds to communicate with mates and their young. Opossums also make …
One of the unique features of opossums is that they have very strong feet that are shaped somewhat similar to a human’s foot. These feet allow opossums to climb and jump very well. While opossums may be small, this feature allows them to get away quickly if they feel threatened. If you’re interested in learning …
Sea otters are very social creatures, living in same-sex groups on ocean coastlines between California and Alaska. They’re amazing too and have innovative ways to communicate with each other. While not extremely vocal, they do produce sounds to express particular emotions, instructions or to have fun. These sounds can include things like hissing, cooing, grunting, …
Sea otters live in the shallow coastal waters of the oceans, preferring locations with thick kelp forests. Today they are found in three primary locations: near the coast of Alaska, near the coast of California, and off the coast of Russia. This article looks at the lives, habitats, and status of sea otters. Where Can …
Why Do Opossums Dig Holes? Opossums dig shallow holes in the dirt because they are searching for food to eat. They mainly eat insects and grubs but they also may be looking for carrion, which is dead animal flesh that is rotting. Opossums will commonly find these items in the ground and feast on them. …
Opossums really are remarkable creatures. They are the only marsupial outside of Australia, have a voracious appetite for ticks and other pests, and demonstrate one of the most fascinating reproduction cycles in the animal kingdom. Because they are marsupials, their babies are born incredibly early and must spend the first few weeks of their life …
Like most wild animals, the beaver is not considered dangerous as long as it is being left alone. The buck teeth, flat tail, and chubby body of the beaver give off a sweet and cuddly vibe, but it most certainly is not. Beavers can absolutely pose a risk to humans and other animals whom …
Opossums are the only marsupial native to America and have a diet as unique as they are. They are known as scavengers which means they eat pretty much anything they can get their paws on. The Opossumøs diet includes dead and rotting plants, fruits, vegetables, seeds, and nuts. But it doesn’t stop there – they …
Raccoons are fascinating creatures in that they are quite purposeful in their actions, including digging holes. Raccoons also don’t enjoy challenging themselves when it comes to finding areas to rest or searching for food. When raccoons are done fulfilling their needs, they aren’t concerned with any destruction they leave in their wake. They’ve got no …
The red fox is known as a sleek animal, with its sweet face and long nose. That long nose does more than allow the red fox to dig; it also contributes to the fox’s ability to smell its surroundings. Being that the red fox is similar in appearance to a dog, many wonder how similar …
Raccoons in North America are often more submissive than most other wild creatures. Human attacks are uncommon, although they are possible, especially if the animal feels surrounded or frightened. As a last resort, a raccoon will attack physically, and it possesses a variety of self-defense systems that can be read as warning indications of an approaching …