Bernice Go
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 …
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 …
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 …
American badgers are challenging to spot because they are nocturnal animals that spend their days sleeping. They are also tricky to find because they build their homes underground! How can you identify a badger den, and how much time do badgers spend underground? Floofmania inspects the homes and home life of these floofy mustelids. Do …
Opossums originated from Central and South America and made their way to the United States some 800,000 years ago. With their thin coats and hairless ears, tails, and feet, the little marsupials are much more suited to their original hotter environments, not snowy winters! Despite that, the species has been found more and more frequently …
Badgers are such recognized diggers the species is named for their ability: some speculate that the word “badger” comes from the French “becheur,” which means “digger.” But just why are they so good at digging, and what are they all digging for, anyway? Floofmania digs right in! Why Are Badgers So Good At Digging? American …
The bobcat (Lynx rufus) is a wild cat found in North America, from southern Canada to northern Mexico. The species’ “bob” isn’t referring to its haircut – it refers to its short and stubby tail that looks cut or “bobbed” at the end and also to its bobbing gait. Additionally, because of its brown to …
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 …
Before we can compare the two species, we must first figure out what a mountain lion is and what is a panther – a seemingly simple question that is anything but. Mountain lions are large, tan cats that live in North and South America. However, they are also sometimes referred to as cougars or pumas. …
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 …
Hedgehogs, along with moonrats, shrews, and moles, belong to the Erinaceidae family. They are mammals and not rodents. Also, despite their similarities in appearance, hedgehogs are not closely related to porcupines. The species are soft and floofy when relaxed, but they raise their 3,000-5,000 quills into a prickly position once threatened. What countries are they …
The American Badger has the scientific name Taxidea taxus, with species code “TATA.” It is a member of the Mustelidae family, together with weasels, otters, ferrets, minks, and wolverines. What kind of habitats provide the American badger with all of their needs and make them feel comfortable? – and which habitats would they instead say, …
The bison: big, fast, strong, floofy – and often called by the wrong name. Why are bison referred to as “American buffalo,” where did they come from, and who are their cousins? Floofmania gives you the 411 on everything you need to know about the American bison. What Kind Of Animal Is A Bison? Bison …
At first glance, you might think you see double – but you aren’t! One animal in front of you is a bison, and one in front of you is a cow. Why do they look so similar, and how can you tell them apart? There are a wide variety of cows, but only two living …
The snowshoe hare is a floofy member of the Leporidae family named for its large, webbed feet that look like snowshoes. Their sizable feet allow the hares to effortlessly bound over powdery snow, and also to be formidable swimmers. In fact, with their powerful feet, they can reach speeds of 30 mph and jump 12 …
Badgers are short-legged mammals from the Mustelidae family, cousins to otters, weasels, ferrets, martens, minks, and a few more furry friends. They prefer to live in open areas such as meadows, fallow fields, and open forests. Did you know that there are actually 11 different species of badgers? In this article, Floofmania zones in on …
Sea otters are one of the biggest members of the weasel or Mustelidae family, but one of the smallest among marine mammals. They are native to the coasts of the northern and eastern North Pacific Ocean. They are also extremely fluffy with over 1 million hairs per square inch (for your reference, we generally have …
The early bird gets the worm – and so does the early groundhog! Groundhogs (Marmota monax), also known as woodchucks, are the largest member of the squirrel family and are categorized as rodents. The species is most active during the day and briefly emerges again at dusk before retiring into its burrow at night. They’re …
Raccoons are nocturnal animals that sleep in nests or dens during the day. When they aren’t out foraging for food, they can be found dozing all over the Americas, from wild areas to urban places – and sometimes, you’ll even find them in your home! In this article, Floofmania looks at the raccoon’s sleeping habits, …
Coyotes are medium-sized canines found all over the US. While they generally grow between 20-45 pounds, each individual’s size varies widely, depending on gender and social status. But how significant are the differences between the male and female coyotes, and how does social status affect how big they are? Floofmania gets into it! How Big …
Coyotes look like big, cute, fluffy dogs but don’t be fooled! They are fierce hunters who are not picky eaters. This makes them a source of constant annoyance and fear for families with small children and pets living near or near the forest. Thankfully, there are simple ways to repel coyotes. But why do coyotes …
What do hedgehogs, bears, wood frogs, skunks, and bumblebees have in common? They all hibernate! Hedgehogs can be found worldwide, but those that live in colder regions respond to the change in temperature by hibernating. How do you know if a hedgehog is hibernating, how long they hibernate for, and if they wake up to …
Have you ever wondered what it is like for hedgehogs to reproduce? How do they avoid getting pricked in the process? How do they give birth? And what does the whole gestation period look like for a hedgehog? Find answers to all of the questions you never knew you had about hedgehog reproduction below! How …
Have you ever thought about a hedgehog’s teeth? While you may be tempted to assume that a hedgehog’s teeth were spiky like their spines, that’s not the case. How many teeth does a hedgehog have, what shape are they, and how strong is their bite? Grab a bite to eat as Floofmania digs into everything …