Arabian Horse

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The Arabian or Arab horse is a breed of horse that originated on the Arabian Peninsula. With a distinctive head shape and high tail carriage, the Arabian is one of the most easily recognizable horse breeds in the world. It is one of the oldest horse breeds, with archaeological evidence of horses that resemble modern Arabians dating back 4,500 years. Throughout history, Arabian horses spread around the world by both war and trade, used to improve other breeds by adding speed, refinement, endurance, and strong bone. Today, Arabian bloodlines are found in almost every modern breed of riding horse.

Somewhere in the deserts of the Middle East, centuries ago, a breed of horse came into being. This was the Arabian horse. It belonged to a tribe called the Bedouins who lived along the banks of the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. They are one of the oldest human-developed breeds in the world and well known for their stamina, intelligence excellent endurance and spirit.

The characteristic features of an Arabian horse make it stand above the other breeds. They have a broad forehead, large eyes, a small nose with large nostrils, and beautiful wedge-shaped heads. Its neck is slim and arched, its tail is high-carried with strong bones and it has good feet with beautiful strong hooves.

For the people who followed the Islamic religion, it was considered as a gift given by Allah, to be worshipped. Revered and cherished The Prophet instructed his followers to look after the Arabians and treat them with kindness and pay special attention to the female horses as they would ensure the continuity of the breed.

The color of the Arabians hair coat was usually gray, black, and roan or chestnut .But the skin under their hair coat was always black, as the Black skin protected it from the hot desert sun.
There are many legends and myths about Arabian horses. It is believed that the prophet Mohamed once let loose many horses that were with him near a place where water was seen .As the horses neared the water the Prophet blew the war bugle which indicated the horses to return. Hearing the bugle only five horses returned which proved how loyal they were to their master that despite their own need they chose service. Thus this is how the Arabian breed came into existence.

Others say that the breed began as a result of the gift given by Queen of Sheba to King Solomon. Due to the severe climate the wanderers had to share food and water, and sometimes even their tents with their horses in order to protect them as well as give them shelter. Due to this close relationship with humans this breed became highly intelligent, good-natured, very keen as well as quick learner.

The Prophet Mohammed had a very large say in spreading the influence of the horse throughout the world. They have been used by great personalities such as Napoleon, and George Washington. The Arabian horses were generally used for war, as well as were treated as a medium of transport in the early times. But now due to their ability to adapt themselves thoroughly they compete in many fields and have made the breed among the top ten in the world. Arabian horses are now found worldwide, including Canada, the United States, Australia, Europe, Brazil, as well as well as the Middle East.

Arabian Horse

Rottweilers Most Dangerous Dog Breed

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Rottweilers are known to be very aggressive dogs because of their keen territorial instincts. That's why they make great guard dogs.

Weight: 100-130 lbs.

Origin: Germany

The Rottweiler is a medium to large size breed of domestic dog that originated in Rottweil, Germany. The dogs were known as "Rottweil butchers' dogs" (German: Rottweiler Metzgerhund) because they were used to herd livestock and pull carts laden with butchered meat and other products to market

The Rottweiler has a muscular, massive, powerful body. The head is broad with a rounded forehead. The muzzle is well-developed. The teeth meet in a scissors bite. The wide nose is black. The lips are black and inside the mouth dark. The medium sized eyes are dark and almond-shaped. The ears are triangular, carried forward. The tail is customarily docked. Note: docking tails is illegal in most parts of Europe. Rear dewclaws are often removed. The chest is broad and deep. The coat is short, hard and thick. It is black with rust to mahogany markings on the cheeks and muzzle, paws and legs. A red color with brown markings also exists. There is a deficiency in the hair gene making the coloring a lighter red.

German Rottweiler vs. American Rottweiler - some claim there are variations of Rotties, the German Rottweiler and the American Rottweiler. German Rotties are said to be shorter, stockier and have a bigger blockier head, and American Rotties are said to be taller and leggier without as blocky a head. Others claim a Rottweiler is a Rottweiler and there is no such thing as a German Rottie. Some who have stated this argument have said, "a German Rottweiler is one born in Germany and an American Rottweiler is born in America." In any case, there are breeders breeding for the German Rottweiler look, which goes outside the AKC standard, while others are breeding for the American Rottweiler look, sticking to, or closer to, the AKC standard.
Rottweilers

German Shepherds Most Dangerous Dog Breed

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These dogs are intelligent and very alert. They are highly used by local authorities such as the police K-9 unit. German shepherds are known to be fearless and confident dogs.

Weight
Male 30–40 kilograms (66–88 lb)
Female 22–32 kilograms (49–71 lb)
Height
Male 60–65 centimetres (24–26 in)
Female 53–60 centimetres (21–24 in)

The German Shepherd Dog is a breed of large-sized dog that originated in Germany. The German Shepherd is a relatively new breed of dog, with its origin dating to 1899. As part of the Herding group, the German Shepherd is a working dog developed originally for herding sheep.

The German Shepherd Dog is well proportioned and very strong. The GSD has a sturdy, muscular, slightly elongated body with a light, solid bone structure. The head should be in proportion to its body, and the forehead a little rounded. The nose is most often black however, blue or liver still do sometimes occur, but is considered a fault and can not be shown. The teeth meet in a strong scissors bite. The dark eyes are almond-shaped, and never protruding. The ears are wide at the base, pointed, upright, and turned forward. The ears of puppies under six months may droop slightly. The bushy tail reaches almost to its hocks and hangs down when the dog is at rest. The front legs and shoulders are muscular and the thighs are thick and sturdy. The round feet have very hard soles. There are three varieties of the German Shepherd: rough-coated, long rough-coated, and the long-haired. The coat most often comes in black with tan, sable or all black, but also can come in blue, liver and white, but those colors are considered a fault according to most standards. White is not an acceptable color for the German Shepherd, however they are now being recognized as a separate breed, called the American White Shepherd. A piebald color has also occured in a single GSD bloodline which are now being called Panda Shepherds. A Panda is 35% white, the remainder of color is black and tan, and has no white German Shepherds in its ancestry.

Origin: Germany

German Shepherds Most Dangerous Dog Breed

Huskies Most Dangerous Dog Breed

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Very energetic and intelligent dogs. Not considered a good guard dog because of its personality characteristics and gentle temperament. A 2000 study of dog bites resulting in human fatalities in the U.S. found fifteen such fatalities (6% of the total) were caused by "husky-type" dogs between 1979 and 1997.

Husky is a general term for several breeds of dogs used as sled dogs. Huskies were originally used as sled dogs in northern regions but are now also kept as pets. The word "husky" is a corruption of the derogative term "Eskie", also given to the Esquimaux tribes that came into contact with Europeans who made early expeditions into their lands. The most common huskies are the Siberian Husky and the Alaskan Husky.

The Siberian Husky is a medium-size, dense-coat working dog breed that originated in eastern Siberia. The breed belongs to the Spitz genetic family. It is recognizable by its thickly furred double coat, sickle tail, erect triangular ears, and distinctive markings

Siberian Huskies are strong, compact, working sled dogs. The medium sized head is in proportion to the body, with a muzzle that is equal in length to the skull, with a well defined stop. The color of the nose depends upon the color of the dog's coat. It is black in gray, tan or black dogs, liver in copper dogs and flesh-colored in pure white dogs. The medium sized, oval shaped eyes are moderately spaced and come in blue, brown, amber, or any combination thereof. Eyes can be half blue and half brown, (parti-eyed) or can have one blue eye and one brown eye (bi-eyed). The erect ears are triangular in shape, set high up on the head. The teeth meet in a scissors bite. The tail is carried over the back in a sickle curve, not curved to either side when the dog is excited. The large "snow shoe" feet have hair between the toes to help keep them warm and for gripping on ice. Dewclaws are sometimes removed. The medium length, double coat is thick and can withstand temperatures as low as -58 degrees to -76 degrees F ( -50 degrees to -60 degrees C). Coat colors include all from black to pure white, with or without markings on the head. The face mask and underbody are usually white, and the remaining coat any color. Examples of common colors are black and white, red and white, brown, gray and white, silver, wolf -gray, sable and white, red-orange with black tips, dark gray and white. Pie-bald is a very common coat pattern.

Weight: 44-66 lbs.
Origin: Alaska

Huskies

Alaskan Malamutes Most Dangerous Dog Breed

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Alaskan Malamutes

These dogs are very energetic and active. If they are bored, they can become destructive. That's why this dog needs lots of exercise to be happy.

Weight: 75-100 lbs.
Origin: Nordic


Alaskan Malamutes

Doberman Pinschers Most Dangerous Dog Breed

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Dobermans are great guard dogs for their alertness, intelligence and loyalty. They can be agressive dogs when provoked. The typical pet Doberman attacks only if it believes that it, its property, or its family are in danger.

The Doberman Pinscher is a medium sized, squarely built dog with a compact muscular body. The head is long and when viewed from the side looks like a blunt wedge. The top of the skull is flat, and turns into the muzzle with a slight stop. The color of the nose depends on the color of the dog's coat, black on black dogs, dark brown on red dogs, dark gray on blue dogs, dark tan on fawn dogs and pink on white dogs. The teeth meet in a scissors bite. The color of the almond shaped eyes is various shades of brown, depending on the coat color of the dog. The ears are usually cropped to stand erect (cut at the age of about 12 weeks). The pup's ears have to be taped for a couple of months to make them stand up. A lot of breeders are starting to leave the pup's ears natural. If left natural they develop ears somewhat like a hound. The tail is usually docked at the age of 3 days. If the tail is not docked it grows a tail somewhat like a hound. Note: cropping ears and docking tails is illegal in Europe. The chest is broad and the legs are perfectly straight. Dewclaws are sometimes removed. The short, hard, thick coat lies flat. Sometimes there is an invisible gray undercoat on the neck. The coat comes in black, black with tan markings, blue-gray, red, fawn and white. When markings appear they are above each eye, on the muzzle, throat, forechest, legs, feet and on the tail. There is also a solid white color. While white markings are considered a fault in some clubs, in others it is accepted.

Weight Male 35-45 Kg (75 to 100 lbs)
Female 30-40 Kg (60 to 90 lbs)
Height Male 68.5 cm (27.5")
Female 63.5 cm (25.5")

Origin: Germany


Doberman-pinschers

Chow Chow Most Dangerous Dog Breed

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Chow Chow
These dogs can be aggressive if poorly bred. The Chow Chow may appear to be independent and aloof for much of the day but needs constant reinforcement.

The Chow Chow is a large, stocky dog. The two most distinctive features of the Chow Chow are its blue-black tongue and its almost straight hind legs, which makes it walk rather stilted. The head is large and broad with a flat skull. The muzzle is broad and deep. There is a huge ruff behind the head, which gives it a lion like appearance. The black nose is large with well open nostrils. The teeth meet in a scissors bite. The small, erect ears are triangular in shape and round at the tip. The almond-shaped eyes are deep-set and dark in color. The chest is broad and deep. The tail is set high carried very close to the back. Dewclaws are sometimes removed. The profuse, dense, furry coat comes in two varieties, smooth coat and rough coat. The most common colors are solid red, black, blue, cinnamon and cream, but it can also come in tan, gray, or a rare white. The coat sometimes has lighter or darker shades, but is never parti-colored.

Weight
Male 55 to 70 pounds(25 to 32 kilograms)
Female 45 to 60 pounds (20 to 27 kilograms)
Height
Male 19–22 in (48–56 cm)
Female 18–20 in (46–51 cm)

Origin: China


chow-chow

Presa Canario Most Dangerous Dog Breed

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Presa Canario

Originally bred to guard and fight with cattle, an attack by this dog has been described as hopeless for the victim. They are a guardian breed with man-stopping ability, incredible power and a complete lack of fear.

The Presa Canario has a powerful, square head that is nearly as wide as it is long. The muzzle is broad. The chest is deep and broad. The rump is slightly raised. This breed has thick skin, dense bones and powerful muscles and a massive head with a large jaw. The ears are usually cropped. Colors include fawn and various brindles, white markings are sometimes seen.

Weight: 80-115 lbs.

Origin: Canary Islands

presa-canario

Boxer Most Dangerous Dog Breed

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Unlike their name suggest, these dogs are not typically aggressive by nature. They are bright, energetic and playful breed. Boxers have been known to be "headstrong", which makes it a bit difficult to train them but with positive reinforcement techniques, Boxers often respond much better.

Weight
Male 65–99 lb (29–45 kg)
Female 50–60 lb (23–27 kg)
Height
Male 22-25 ins. (56-63 cms.)
Female 21-23.5 ins. (53-60 cms..

Origin: Germany

FCI Official Name Boxer
Country of Origin: Germany
Classification FCI: Group 2 - Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid breeds - Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs and other breeds. Section 2.1 - Molossoid breeds, mastiff type.
Utilization: Companion, Guard and Working Dog.
AKC Classification: Working Group
Personality: Intelligent, playful, fun-loving, even-tempered, affectionate, very devoted to its owner. The Boxer is weary of strangers and makes an excellent protection dog. When threatened, they exhibit fearless courage that would deter most intruders. They are highly adaptive to the home environment and will not claim all your spare time.
Size: Medium
Height: 21-25 inches at shoulders
Weight: 55-60 lbs;
Colors: Fawn or brindle : Fawn comes in various shades from light fawn to dark deer red but the most attractive shades are in the middle range (red fawn). Black mask. The brindle variety : fawn background of varying shades has dark or black stripes running parallel to ribs. Stripes must contrast distinctly to ground color. White markings should not be discarded.
Average Litter Size: 6
Life Span: 10-12 years
Grooming Requirements: A quick brushing will be sufficient.
Shedding: Moderate
Social skills: Gets along with familiar dogs quite well, but can be aggressive toward strange dogs.
Suitability for Children: The well-bred Boxer is gentle, fun loving and patient with children. He may be wary of unfamiliar children.
Exercise Needs: Very high. The Boxer needs plenty of daily exercise (2 hours daily would be ideal for this high energy dog).
Train Ability: Easy to train but can be stubborn

boxer dog

Dalmatians: Most Dangerous Dog Breed

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Dalmatians are very protective dogs and can be aggressive towards humans. They are very active and need lots of exercise. They have very sensitive natures and an excellent memory. This bred is famed for their intelligence, indepedence, and survival instincts.

Weight Male 35–65 pounds (16–29 kg)
Female 35–50 pounds (16–23 kg)
Height Male 20–25 inches (51–63 cm)
Female 19–24 inches (48–61 cm)

Origin: Yugoslavia

Classification of American Pit Bull | Most Dangerous Dog Breed

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Pit bull is a term commonly used to describe several breeds of dog in the molosser family.

Classification:
Kingdom - Animalia
Phylum - Chordata
Class - Mammalia
Order - Carnivora
Family - Canidae
Genus - Canis
Species - lupus

A pit bull is a fearless dog that will take on any opponent. They will lock their jaws onto the prey until it's dead. Pit bulls have a reputation of mauling people to death and they are highly sought for dog fighting.

Weight: 55-65 lbs.
Origin: United States

Dogs most often make wonderful pets, however in certain circumstances, any type of dog can be dangerous. Even friendly dogs, can inflict great harm in the wrong circumstance.

The term can refer to dogs that were known as "bull terriers" prior to the development of the modern Bull terrier in the early 20th century.

Research has been conducted into human fatalities related to pit bull type dogs, due to a number of well-publicized incidents. These incidents resulted in breed-specific legislation being enacted in several jurisdictions. This, in turn, has led to an increase in rates of liability insurance, and in some instances has led to airlines placing restrictions on air travel for pit bulls, though in some instances restrictions are in place for the dogs' own well-being.
pit_bull.bmp

Snakes : Encyclopedia

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Snakes : Encyclopedia

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum:Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes

Snakes are elongate, legless, carnivorous reptiles of the suborder Serpentes that can be distinguished from legless lizards by their lack of eyelids and external ears. Like all squamates, snakes are ectothermic, amniote vertebrates covered in overlapping scales. Many species of snakes have skulls with many more joints than their lizard ancestors, enabling them to swallow prey much larger than their heads with their highly mobile jaws. In order to accommodate their narrow bodies, snakes' paired organs (such as kidneys) appear one in front of the other instead of side by side, and most have only one functional lung. Some species retain a pelvic girdle with a pair of vestigial claws on either side of the cloaca.

Living snakes are found on every continent except Antarctica and on most islands. Fifteen families are currently recognized comprising 456 genera and over 2,900 species. They range in size from the tiny, 10 cm long thread snake to pythons and anacondas of up to in length. The recently discovered fossil Titanoboa was long. Snakes are thought to have evolved from either burrowing or aquatic lizards during the Cretaceous period. The diversity of modern snakes appeared during the Paleocene period.

Most species are non-venomous and those that have venom use it primarily to kill and subdue prey rather than for self-defense. Some possess venom potent enough to cause painful injury or death to humans. Non-venomous snakes either swallow prey alive or kill by constriction.

Snake_bite_symptoms

The Wild Boar: Most Dangerous Animal | Sus scrofa

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wild-boar
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Suidae
Genus: Sus
Species: S. scrofa
Binomial name: Sus scrofa

The Wild Boar Lives in all around the world

Wild boar (Sus scrofa) is a species of pig, Wild boar are native across much of Northern and Central Europe, the Mediterranean Region (including North Africa's Atlas Mountains) and much of Asia as far south as Indonesia. Populations have also been artificially introduced in some parts of the world, most notably the Americas and Australasia; principally for hunting. Elsewhere, populations have also become established after escapes of wild boar from captivity

Wild boars live in groups containing around 20 animals. They eat almost anything they come across, including grass, nuts, berries, carrion, roots, tubers, refuse, insects, small reptiles and even young deer and lambs. The animals are pretty big and can weight around 150-200 kg.

If surprised or cornered, a boar can and will defend itself and its young with intense vigor. The male lowers its head, charges and then slashes upward with his tusks. The female, whose tusks are not visible, charges with her head up, mouth wide, and bites. Such attacks are not often fatal to humans, but may result in severe trauma, dismemberment, or blood loss. The roars get very aggressive only when wounded and then they are most likely to kill.

Anaconda The Giant Snake | Eunectes murinus

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anaconda-snakes
Anaconda snakes

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder: Serpentes
Family: Boidae
Subfamily: Boinae
Genus: Eunectes
Species: E. murinus
Binomial name: Eunectes murinus

The name anaconda comes from the language of Sri Lanka, and refers to another snake entirely.
The anaconda is considered to be the largest snake in the world today. They can easily reach lengths of over 25 feet. The females are generally larger than the males. The anaconda may vary in color, from deep green, with black oval patching on its back to brownish color.

ANACONDA, common name for a large South American snake of the boa family. The anaconda or water boa is one of the largest and most powerful snakes in the world, and the largest in the western hemisphere. It kills its prey by constriction, or squeezing. The reptile is found in the rivers of the Guianas and Brazil. The female anaconda gives birth to living young.

The Anaconda is the heaviest snake, but it may or may not be the longest. The Reticulated python rivals the Anaconda for the longest snake. A 20-foot Anaconda will weigh more than a 33-foot python. The Anaconda can weigh 550 pounds or more, but will usually top out at a few hundred pounds. These snakes can measure more than 12 inches in diameter. The female typically outweighs the males.

The Green Anaconda is dark green in color with black oval patches on its back. This drab pattern blends the snake in well with the wet, dense vegetations of its habitat. The sides have similar spots with yellow centers.

The Yellow Anaconda is true to its name and is mostly yellow with similar black spots. The scales of the yellow and black underside of the lower tail on these Anacondas have a particular pattern which is unique to each snake. It’s a form of identification, like a human fingerprint.

Anacondas like to spend most of their time in the water. When they are out of the water for any lengthy period of time they become prey for a multitude of ticks.

All the snake is well known both for it's size and because it is very dangerous and is one of the most dangerous animal that lives in the Amazon Rainforest.
This animals eat all like monkey,cats,largest Fish,largest Crocodile,other snakes and much more animals

One anaconda did not eat for over a year. Anacondas give birth to live young. After mating she will hold her young for about 6 months, and then have a litter of from 25-40 babies. They are about 2 feet long when born; they are also, because of their small size prey for other animals. Within hours after their birth they can swim, hunt and take care of themselves. Anacondas can live to be over 35 years old.

Facts about Animals Heart

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Facts about Animals Heart

The heart of a blue whale is as big as a car.

Scientists have re-created the heart of a rat and it even started beating!

Pythons grow bigger hearts at mealtimes.

A blue whale's heart beats six times a minute (next to a human's 70 times)

A manatee's heart rate slows down by half during a long dive.

A giraffe depends on it's powerful heart that weighs up to 12kg so that it can fight the force of gravity up that long neck to the head.

Frogs and lizards have three chambers whereas birds and mammals have four.

The human heart beats roughly 35 million times a year.

Octopuses have three hearts.

Dogs have a larger heart to body mass ratio than all other mammals.

Canis lupus familiaris | Pomeranian dog

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Common Name: Pomeranian, Dwarf Spitz, Toy German Spitz, Pom, Zwergspitz
Family: Canidae

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Species: C. lupus
Subspecies: C. l. familiaris
Trinomial name: Canis lupus familiaris

Origins: A miniature Pomeranian from 1915. The forerunners of today's Pomeranian breed were large working dogs from the Arctic regions. These dogs are commonly known as the Wolfspitz or Spitz type, which is German for "sharp point" which was the term originally used by Count Eberhard zu Sayn in the 16th Century as a reference to the features of the dog's nose and muzzle. The Pomeranian is considered to be descended from the German Spitz.

Pomeranians are lively, smart, independent, and strong-willed. If properly socialized, they can usually get along well with other pets. They catch on quickly when training, and can learn lots of tricks. When selecting a Pomeranian, pay special attention to the condition of its eyes and teeth. It is also advisable to check bloodlines for hereditary problems.

Breed Type
The Pomeranian is a toy breed, and is intended to be a house pet. The Pomeranian is rather sensitive to heat, so it does best in fairly cool climates.

Background
The Pomeranian's origins go back to sled dogs from Greenland and Lapland. Selective breeding by English breeders reduced the breed's size. The Pomeranian is known for being very popular among royalty. It can be found in a wide variety of colors.

Description
Pomeranians are very small and fluffy. They have a fox-like face, usually dark eyes, and pointed ears. They are most commonly solid colored, but some are parti-colored. Their average height is 7-12 inches, and they usually weigh between 3 and 7 pounds.

Care and Feeding
Pomeranians do best on a diet of dry food due to the likelihood of tooth and gum problems. Foods containing fish, beef, and wheat are recommended. Giving the dog teeth cleaning chews is also a good idea. Pomeranians need frequent brushing. They can be cleaned with dry shampoo as needed. Their eyes and ears need special attention, and should be cleaned each day. It's also important to take good care of their teeth, brushing them at least once a week.

Pomeranians need annual checkups to keep them healthy.
Vaccinations should be given as follows:
6-8 weeks: Distemper, Leptospirosis, Hepatitis, Parainfluenza, Parvo, and Corona virus (DHLPPC)
10-12 weeks: Second DHLPPC
14-16 weeks: Third DHLPPC and rabies
Annually: DHLPPC and rabies booster

Poms shed heavily, so frequent vacuuming is a must. It's also best not to leave blankets and pillows lying around on the furniture, because your Pomeranian can curl up under them for a nap and potentially be sat on.

Social Behaviors
Pomeranians can do well with other pets, as long as they are familiar with them. They are independent, yet they make wonderful companions for adults, the elderly, and older children. They tend to get nervous around young children.

Overall health

The average life expectancy of a Pomeranian is 12 to 16 years. A well bred dog on a good diet with appropriate exercise will have few health problems, and if kept trim and fit a Pomeranian is a sturdy little dog.

Handling and Training
When training a Pomeranian, being firm is the key to success. They have minds of their own, and trainers must let them know who is boss. They can learn to do tricks, and they usually respond well to crate training. They also make great show dogs.

Activities
Pomeranians need regular exercise, but not as much of it as larger breeds. Short daily walks and regular play sessions should take care of their activity needs.

Breeding/Reproduction
When considering a mate for a Pomeranian, it is important to research the potential mate's bloodline. Pomeranians are susceptible to a number of hereditary problems. Females sometimes need Cesarean sections when giving birth, especially if they are very small.

Centruroides vittatus | Striped bark scorpion

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StripedBark-Scorpion

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Scorpiones
Family: Buthidae
Genus: Centruroides
Species: C. vittatus
Binomial name : Centruroides vittatus

Background: The striped bark scorpion (Centruroides vittatus) is an extremely common scorpion found throughout the midsection of the United States and northern Mexico; indeed, it is perhaps the most frequently encountered scorpion in the U.S.. The Common Striped Scorpion, Centruroides vittatus, is widely distributed throughout the southwestern United States. It is a member of the Bark Scorpion group (Centruroides spp.) and is the primary scorpion that infests homes in Texas and Oklahoma. Scorpions will sting if disturbed. While the sting is not generally dangerous it is painful and is followed by local swelling and discoloration.

Description: The Striped Scorpion gets its name from two parallel longitudinal dark stripes on the top of its abdomen. This scorpion, about 3 inches long when mature, has four pairs of legs and a five segment posterior terminating at the sting. The scorpion hides during the day under loose bark, rocks, leaves, and tools left in the yard or any place that provides shelter, moisture and potential prey. In areas infested with scorpions, special care must be taken when moving objects on the ground. They are known to infest homes and commercial facilities, living in attics, walls, and crawl spaces. Scorpions are predators only, feeding primarily on insects or other
arachnids, coming out to hunt at night. Scorpions have very poor vision, primarily depending on a sense of feel for movement and hunting. Feeling is accomplished using feathery comb-like organs called pectines, located on the underside of a scorpion’s body between the last pair of legs. These pectines are used to determine what kind of surface the scorpions are on, in detecting low impulse vibrations, and for chemoreception.

Heterometrus Spinifer | Giant Forest Scorpion

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Common names : Giant Forest Scorpion, Giant Blue Scorpion, Asian Forest Scorpion

Classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Order: Scorpiones
Family: Scorpionidae
Genus: Heterometrus
Species: Heterometrus spinifer

Heterometrus spinifer is a large, black scorpion native to Thailand and Malaysia. It is known in the pet trade as the Giant Forest Scorpion or the Asian Forest Scorpion (in addition to other regional names) and is often confused with other species of Heterometrus. As its common names imply, it can be found in moist forest habitat where it hides away by day under logs or rocks. It is often kept as a pet, although it cannot be handled without risk since it tends to be aggressive. Its sting is painful but not deadly to humans. While many deadly scorpions have venoms that selectively target neuronal ion channels - H. spinifer venom does not. H. spinifer is easy to keep in captivity. Temperature should be kept between 75 to 90 degrees F. with a high level of humidity. It feeds mainly on insects but will eat any small animal it can subdue. It should be provided with water in a shallow dish, so it can drink. This species should not be confused with the Emperor Scorpion.

The Malaysian Forest Scorpions or Asian Forest Scorpion is hardy, quiet, and easy to care for. It is also impressive to look at. But unlike the Emperor Scorpion it is not handleable. It is quite defensive and will readily sting when it feels cornered or in danger. At a glance these large, shiny black scorpions are often mistaken for the commonly kept Emperor Scorpion. However, the Asian Forest Scorpion is similar to the Emperor Scorpion only in looks and not in behavior. They are very aggressive and unlike the Emperor Scorpion, this species is not as likely to settle down in captivity. It can be distinguished from the Emperor in that it is slightly more elongated and its pedipalps and claws are larger and more elongated.

Heterometrus Spinifer Female Video:

Hadogenes troglodytes | Flat Rock Scorpion | South African Flat Rock Scorpion

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Flat Rock Scorpion or South African Flat Rock Scorpion

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Scorpiones
Family: Hemiscorpiidae
Genus: Hadogenes
Species: H. troglodytes
Binomial name: Hadogenes troglodytes

Description: Flat rock scorpions are native to South Africa. The majority of the sixteen species of this scorpion live there. These scorpions are large averaging seven inches. They have large strong flat pincers well adapted for grabbing prey in cracks. When you first lay eyes on these scorpions they appear so flat it looks like they have been squashed.

Range Most of southern Africa.
Type Terrestrial.
Diet Babies eat pinhead crickets, and other small insects. Adults feed on crickets, large insects, and an occasional pinkie mouse.
Full Grown Size : 5.5 to 7.5 inches.
Growth Slow speed.
Temperature 75 to 85° F.
Humidity 70 to 75%. Adults may drink from a shallow, wide water dish.
Temperament Semi-aggressive and nervous.
Housing Babies can live in a clear plastic deli-container with air holes. Adults can live in a 5 to 10-gallon tank. Floor space is more important than height.
Substrate 3 to 4 inches of sand, peat moss, or potting soil.
Decor No decorations are really needed, but you can add rocks, or cork bark.
Other Names: South African Flat Rock Scorpion.

Care and Feeding: In the wild, Flat Rock Scorpions feed almost exclusively on mollusks, but in captivity will switch fairly well to crickets and other insects including wax worms and mealworms.

Pandinus imperator | imperial scorpion | emperor scorpion

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The emperor scorpion or imperial scorpion (Pandinus imperator) is a species of scorpion native to Africa. The emperor is one of the largest species of scorpion in the world, with adults averaging about 8 inches (20 cm) in length. However, some species of forest scorpions are its equal and one scorpion, Heterometrus swammerdami, holds the record for being the world's largest scorpion at 9 inches (23 cm) in length. Their life span usually ranges from 5–8 years when held in captivity,
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Order: Scorpiones
Family: Scorpionidae
Genus: Pandinus
Species: P. imperator
Binomial name: Pandinus imperator
Common Name: imperial scorpion

Diseases: The only disease known so far is cancer or ovarian fibroids. It's a genetic problem involving one generation to the most female sex scorpions causing death. It takes place after the fifth molt (from 15 cm. Pelipalpos to the tail). The disease begins with a small bump on the back or tail of the scorpion. The development of this varies between the first 2 months of moulting up to 3 years after the same.

Distribution: Emperor Scorpions are widely distributed through West Africa in Guinea, Liberia, Togo, Ghana, Chad, Benin, Ivory Coast, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, and in the Congo region.
Social Behavior/Activities: Typically scorpions are loners, but the Emperor Scorpion is a bit of an exception. The young will stay with their mothers and even as adults they can be kept in groups of three or more. They can get into occasional scraps, and it is usually over a cricket. So be sure they are given enough food. It also helps to provide more hiding places than you have scorpions.

Hadrurus spadix | black-back scorpion | Desert Hairy Scorpion

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Desert Hairy Scorpion
Hadrurus spadix is a big (around 15 centimeters / 5.51 inches) scorpion native to the southern deserts of North America. It is a burrowing scorpion which spends a lot of time digging in the sand and enlarging its burrow. A similar species is the Giant desert hairy scorpion.

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Subphylum: Chelicerata
Class: Arachnida
Order: Scorpiones
Family: Caraboctonidae
Genus: Hadrurus
Species: H. spadix
Binomial name: Hadrurus spadix

Common Name: black-back scorpion, Desert Hairy Scorpion

Behavior:
Commonly known as the black-back scorpion, it can be differentiated from the giant desert hairy scorpion by its completely black prosoma or Cephalothorax. This scorpion is quite nervous and can display aggressiveness towards its keeper. It should not be kept communally, as fights and cannibalism are frequent. The toxicity of its venom is usually deemed to be low, though its sting can be quite painful. This scorpion and its close relative Hadrurus arizonensis make good pets for a beginner, as they are quite large, very active and typically eat a lot.

Hadrurus Spadix Video


Pogona vitticeps | Bearded Dragon | agamid lizard

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Pogona vitticeps, is a species of agamid lizard occurring in a wide range of arid to semi-arid regions of Australia. This species is very popularly kept as a pet and exhibited in zoos.

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Squamata
Suborder:Lacertilia
Family: Agamidae
Genus: Pogona
Species: P. vitticeps
Binomial name : Pogona vitticeps
Common Name: Bearded Dragon

Description : Adults of this species usually grow to be about 2 feet in length, with the tail accounting for over half of the total body length. Females are typically smaller than the males, have smaller heads, thinner legs and tails and wider bodies. Bearded dragons come in a wide variety of colors, including brown, grey, reddish-brown, red, yellow, white and orange. They are capable of undergoing very slight changes in the shade of their color to help regulate temperature.

Ecology and behavior : This dragon is native to the semi-arid woodland, arid woodland, and rocky desert regions of Central Australia. They are skilled climbers, and often spend just as much time perching on tree limbs, fence-posts, and in bushes as they do on the ground. They spend the morning and early evening sunning themselves on an exposed branch or rock, and retreat to shady areas or underground burrows during the hottest parts of the afternoon.

10 Most Intelligent Animals in world | on Earth

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1. Great Apes

The 98% genes of the great apes are same as human, the smartest species is chimpanzee. They can also recognise themselves in the mirror, they can make tool (e.g. stone to cut food), use tool (e.g. painting). Like human, they can kiss, snuggle, tickle, laugh, can count very trainable and have language

2. Monkey

Monkey can imitate humans behaviour without training and if well-trained, they can behave like humans (e.g) drink from bottle and ride bicycle). Like human, they have egoism, vain, pride and strong relationship. If two monkeys were fighting, the relatives of one monkey will threaten the relatives of the other monkey.

3. Dolphin

Dolphin is the smartest aquatic animals, they can recognise themselves in the mirror. Very trainable and can hold and use tool with their teeth for painting. They use whistling sound to communicate with best communication system among animals.

4. Whale

They can find their relatives separated miles away in the sea for unknown reason but they have their own language to communicate, can call each other and have a strong friendships in a group. Whales can “sing” with their sound and can make many different “songs” in a good tone.

5. Elephant

Elephant can recognise themselves in the mirror, very altruistic. Among other animals, elephant has they’re own “death ritual”. They use their trunk to take a bath, drink, get food, play, even use tool (e.g. painting). They can mimic sounds, few human words and can understand the meaning if they’re well-trained.

6. Parrot

Parrot can mimic human words, understand the meanings, can remember many words and make sentences. Well-trained, can count up to 6 and can identify many objects. They can answer simple questions and can use tools with their beak (e.g.painting).

7. Dog

The man’s best friend, very trainable, sociable to humans, can understand commands and obedience. Can identify and remember animal or human faces they’ve met, they can recognise radio, television, etc. Dogs can be sensitive, jealous and they won’t forget someone hurting them in their entire life.

8. Cat

Trainable, can recognize radio, television, they can even check traffic before crossing the street. They’re smart enough to get attention (meow, rub near ankle, follow you, sit on your lap, etc.). Cats can hear and recognise their owner’s footstep or stranger’s footstep.

9. Rat

Once they’ve experienced rat trap, they wont get trap anymore. They have a strong social relationship, maybe stress even die after their partner died. Like dogs, can be trained to sniff out land mines and bombs.

10. Pigeon

They have a great memory that can recognise themselves in the mirror, can remember hundreds of different images/photos and learn routes to their home from long distances.

How Many Animal Species Inhabit Our Planet

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Animals: estimated 3-30 million species
|
|--Invertebrates: 97% of all known species
| `--+--Sponges: 10,000 species
| |--Cnidarians: 8,000-9,000 species
| |--Molluscs: 100,000 species
| |--Platyhelminths: 13,000 species
| |--Nematodes: 20,000+ species
| |--Annelida: 12,000 species
| `--Arthropods
| `--+--Crustaceans: 40,000 species
| |--Insects: 1-30 million+ species
| `--Arachnids: 75,500 species
|
`--Vertebrates: 3% of all known species
`--+--Reptiles: 7,984 species
|--Amphibians: 5,400 species
|--Birds: 9,000-10,000 species
|--Mammals: 4,475-5,000 species
`--Ray-Finned Fishes: 23,500 species

Birds

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Birds (Class Aves) are a diverse group of vertebrates that evolved from reptiles during the Mesazoic Era about 150 million years ago. Today, an estimated 300 billion birds belonging to more than 9000 species inhabit virtually every terrestrial habitat on the planet (Gill 1990). There are even many species of birds that are at home in the water as skilled swimmers and divers. Birds range in size from the massive Ostrich (Struthio camelus) to the minute Bee Hummingbird (Mellisuga helenae). They have diversified into a wide variety of forms:

"From a fundamental anatomy evolved huge, flightless ground birds such as ostriches; small, agile erching birds such as chickadees; nocturnal hunters such as owls; aquatic divers such as penguins; aerial masters such as albatrosses; and shoreline waders such as herons." (Gill 1990, 13)

Birds possess distinct characteristics that make them one of the most distinguishable group of vertebrates. The following characteristics are unique to birds:

* feathers - provide insulation and enable flight; feathers are modifications of a bird's epidermis (outer skin)
* bills - birds do not possess teeth or the heavy jawbones seen in other vertebrates; instead, birds have a pair of toothless mandibles covered with a horny sheath of keratin (also called ramphotheca).
* furcula - also known as the 'wishbone', the furcula is a bone located in the bird's chest that prevents compression of the chest cavity during the downstroke of a wingbeat.

Birds also exhibit the following characteristics:

* Fused bones in pelvis, feet, hands, and head
* Lightweight bones (bones that are either hollow or spongy/strutted)
* No teeth or maxillary bones of the jaw (reduces anterior weight)
* Endothermic
* Possess a four-chambered heart and in general exhibit high metabolic rates
* Produce large, richly provisioned external eggs
* Adept navigational abilities in many species
* Extraordinary communication and song production

Classification:

* Kingdom: Animalia
* Phylum: Chordata
* Class: Aves
The Class Aves contains the following subgroups:
o Order: Anseriformes (ducks, geese, screamers, swans, and waterfowl)
o Order: Apodiformes (hummingbirds and swifts)
o Order: Apterygiformes (kiwis)
o Order: Caprimulgiformes (nightbirds)
o Order: Casuariiformes (emus, cassowaires)
o Order: Charadriiformes (shorebirds and relatives)
o Order: Ciconiiformes (storks, herons, egrets, ibises, spoonbills, and relatives)
o Order: Coliiformes (mousebirds and colies)
o Order: Columbiformes (pigeons and doves)
o Order: Coraciiformes (kingfishers)
o Order: Craciformes (megapodes, curassows)
o Order: Cuculiformes (cuckoos, hoatzin, relatives, and turacoss)
o Order: Falconiformes (birds of prey)
o Order: Galliformes (chickens, fowls)
o Order: Gaviiformes (loons)
o Order: Gruiformes (coots, cranes, and railss)
o Order: Passeriformes (songbirds)
o Order: Pelecaniformes (pelicans and relatives)
o Order: Phoenicopteriformes (flamingos)
o Order: Piciformes (woodpeckers)
o Order: Podicipediformes (grebess)
o Order: Procellariiformes (tube-nosed seabirds)
o Order: Psittaciformes (parrots)
o Order: Rheiformes (rheas)
o Order: Sphenisciformes (penguin)
o Order: Strigiformes (owls)
o Order: Struthioniformes (kiwis, ostriches)
o Order: Tinamiformes (tinamous)
o Order: Trogoniformes (trogons)
o Order: Turniciformes (buttonquail)

Mammals

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Mammals (Class Mammalia) belong to a group of vertebrates that includes approximately 5,400 extant species. Mammals display a remarkable array of adaptations that enable them to inhabit a wide range of habitats. Mammals range in size from the minute Bumblebee Bat which measures a mere three centimeters in length, to the magnificent blue whale, which can measure 33 metres head to tail—at such immense dimension, it is undoubtedly the largest animal alive today.

Hair is a defining characteristic of mammals: no other organisms possess true hair and all mammals have hair covering at least part of their body at some time during their life. Hair grows from skin cells known as follicles. The hair shaft is made of a protein called keratin. Hair serves numerous functions.

When present as a thick covering over the animal's body (known as pelage), it provides insulation. The pelage of most mammals is a mosaic of different kinds of individual hairs (such as guard hairs, barbs, bristles, awns, underfur, wool, fur, and velli; each of these has a different structure and serves a slightly different purpose).

The adaptive benefits of mammalian hair are numerous. Hair provides insulation from extreme cold, enabling mammals to inhabit some of the harshest habitats on Earth. It also provides mammals with protection for their skin from abrasions and damaging UV rays. Many mammals have pelage that displays cryptic coloration, which helps to conceal them from predators (or in some cases prey).

Another characteristic unique to mammals is the presence of mammary glands. Mammary glands, like hair, are a uniquely mammalian trait. Though present in both males and females, mammary glands only fully develop in females. Mammary glands consist of ducts and glandular tissues that secrete milk through nipples. Young mammals obtain milk from their mother by feeding from her nipples. The milk provides the young with much needed protein, sugars, fat, vitamins, and salts.

A third characteristic unique to mammals is the presence of the presence of three middle ear bones. These ear bones (the malleus, incus, and stapes) transform sound vibrations into neural impulses.

Mammals are also characterized by having a diaphram, a four-chambered heart, and a large cereberal cortex. Additionally, some mammals hibernate during time periods when resources are scarce, such as during the winter season.
Classification:

* Kindom: Animalia
* Phylum: Chordata
* Class: Mammalia
The Class Mammalia includes the following subgroups:
o Order: Artiodactyla (even-toed ungulates)
o Order: Carnivora (carnivores)
o Order: Cetacea (cetaceans)
o Order: Chiroptera (bats)
o Order: Dermoptera (flying lemurs)
o Order: Hyracoidea (hyraxes)
o Order: Insectivora (insectivores)
o Order: Lagomorpha (rabbits, hares, and pikas)
o Order: Macroscelidea (elephant shrews)
o Order: Marsupialia (marsupials)
o Order: Montremata (monotremes)
o Order: Perissodactyla (odd-toed ungulates)
o Order: Pholidota (pangolins)
o Order: Pinnipedia (seals and sea lions)
o Order: Primates (primates)
o Order: Proboscidae (elephants)
o Order: Rodentia (rodents)
o Order: Scandentia (tree shrews)
o Order: Sirenia (dugong and manatees)
o Order: Tubulidentata (aardvark)
o Order: Xenarthra (anteaters and relatives)

Reptiles

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Reptiles (Class Reptilia) are cold-blooded vertebrates that diverged from ancestral amphibians about 340 million years ago. There are two characteristics that distinguished early reptiles from amphibians and enabled them to colonize terrestrial habitats more extensively than their ancestors, scales and the ability to lay hard-shelled amniotic eggs. Scales protect reptiles from abrasion and loss of body moisture. Hard-shelled eggs provide a protective environment in which the embryo can develop.

Reptiles includes snakes, amphisbaenians, lizards, alligators, caimans, crocodiles, tortoises, turtles, and tuataras. There are over 7900 species of reptiles. Since reptiles do not produce their own body heat (they are cold-blooded, also known as ectothermic), they modify their activity and behavior to best adapt to changing environmental temperatures.

When air temperatures are low (night, early morning, evening) a reptile, for example a lizard, often seeks shelter. As the temperature increases in the morning, the lizard might bask in the sunlight to increase its body temperature. It may then be active for several hours, seeking shelter if afternoon heat is too extreme (Source: Burnie and Wilson 364).
Classification:

* Kingdom: Animalia
* Phylum: Chordata
* Class: Reptilia
The Class Reptilia contains the following subgroups:
o Order: Testudines (tortoises and turtles)
o Order: Squamata (amphisbaenians, snakes, and lizards)
o Order: Crocodilia (crocodiles, alligators, and caimans)

Where to See:
Reptiles have worldwide distribution and inhabit a wide range of environments including marine, terrestrial, and freshwater aquatic habitats.

Amphibians

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Amphibians are a group of tetrapod vertebrates that include modern-day frogs and toads, caecilians, and newts and salamanders. The first amphibians evolved from lobe-finned fishes approximately 370 million years ago during the Devonian Period. The world of those early amphibians was quite different than it is today.
There were no birds, no mammals, and no reptiles on land (or in the water for that matter). There were only invertebrates and an assortment of prehistoric plants. It was a silent place, void of birdsong and lacking the growl of predators. The land lay wide open to amphibians and those with the evolutionary tenacity to set forth from the shallow shores began a new and important stage in the history of life on our planet. Several types of fishes had developed lungs. Among those lung-bearing fishes were the lobe-finned fish and the lungfishes.
The Crossopterygians, a group of primative lobe-finned fish are believed to be the ancestors of amphibians. They evolved several key features that enabled them to colonize land:

* a more rigid skeleton that would support the animal's body weight on land
* nostrils
* leg bones

Early amphibians included creatures such as Diplocaulus, Ophiderpeton, Adelospondylus, Diplocaulus, and Pelodosotis.
Most lineages of amphibians never fully severed their ties with aquatic habitats. A majority of amphibian species return to the water to breed and some species remain entirely aquatic throughout their entire life cycle. Most amphibians go through a complex metamorphosis process as they grow to adulthood.
The life cycles of amphibians reflects their evolutionary history of bridging land and water. Most amphibians lay their eggs in freshwater. A few species tolerate brackish water and some species lay their eggs on land. Extraordinarily, some species even carry their eggs inside their body. Although life cycles of amphibians vary from species to species, they all share the following three basic stages of development: egg, larva, adult.
Amphibian eggs do not have a hardened shells which means amphibians are not amniotes like reptiles, birds, and mammals. Instead, amphibian eggs consist of a gelatinous envelope that must remain moist to survive. Eggs hatch to release tiny larvae which later undergo a metamorphosis into the adult form.
Many amphibians can absorb oxygen directly into their bloodstream through their skin and are also able to expell carbon dioxide waste back into the air. The skin of amphibians lacks scales and hair. It is smooth and sometimes moist, making it quite permeable to gases and water. This permeability is thought to make amphibians particularly vulnerable to toxins in air and water such as herbicides, pesticides, and pollutants. Amphibians have been sharp decline throughout many areas worldwide. This is thought to be an early warning sign of a troubled environment.
Classification:

* Kingdom: Animalia
* Phylum Chordata
* Class Amphibia
* Subclass Lissamphibia
The Subclass Lissamphibia contains the following subgroups:
o Order: Caudata (newts and salamanders)
o Order: Gymnophiona (caecilians)
o Order: Anura (frogs and toads)

Invertebrates are animals that lack a backbone

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Definition: Invertebrates are animals that lack a backbone. Invertebrates account for more than 97% of all species alive today. They include animal groups such as sponges, cnidarians, flatworms, molluscs, arthropods, insects, segmented worms, and echinoderms as well as many other lesser-known groups of animals.

Animals that have backbones, and are therefore not invertebrates, are called vertebrates. Vertebrates include amphibians, birds, mammals, fishes, and reptiles.

The first animals to have evolved were invertebrates. Fossil evidence of invertebrates dates back to the late Precambrian, 600 million years ago. Invertebrates evolved from single-celled microorganisms.

Since invertebrates do not have bones, a bony skeleton, or a backbone, they must instead gain structural support for their bodies in different ways. For example, sea anemones have a hydrostatic skeleton that produces support via sheets of muscles and an internal cavity filled with fluid. Other invertebrates such as insects and crustaceans have a hard outer shell or exoskeleton.

Some species of invertebrates form large colonies. Colonies are groups of animals of the same species that remain together throughout most of their life cycle. Members of a colony are often closely related and benefit from living together by dividing up the work of obtaining food, protecting themselves, and reproducing. Invertebrate colonies are most common in marine habitats where the members of the colony are often physically joined. Marine invertebrate colonies include corals, hydrozoans, Portuguese man-of-war, and sea squirts. Invertebrate colonies that occur on land have individuals that are separated. The best known terrestrial colonial invertebrates are the social insects—bees, ants, termites, and wasps.

10 Facts About Animals | Amphibians, Birds, Insects, Fishes, Mammals and Reptiles

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10 Facts About Animals

Animals are one of the basic groups of life on Earth. All animals share a set of fundamental characteristics—they move, they feed on other organisms, they're multicellular and they reproduce sexually. Animals belong to the Kingdom Animalia, a group also known as the Metazoa. Animals include organisms such as amphibians, birds, fishes, invertebrates, mammals, and reptiles. The first animals evolved about 600 million years ago during the late Precambrian.

1. Animals are divided into six basic groups which include amphibians, birds, fishes, invertebrates, mammals and reptiles.

Invertebrates were the first animals to evolve. Fossil evidence of invertebrates dates back to the late Precambrian, 600 million years ago.

Fishes were among the first vertebrates to evolve. The earliest known fishes were the ostracoderms, a now-extinct group of jawless fish that appeared in the Cambrian Period. Fish later evolved jaws and diversified into a number of lineages including cartilaginous fish, ray-finned fish and lobe-finned fish.

Amphibians (Class Amphibia) were the first vertebrates to make the move from life in water to life on land. Despite their early colonization of terrestrial habitats, most lineages of amphibians have never fully severed their ties with aquatic habitats. Amphibians include newts and salamanders, frogs and toads, and caecilians.

Reptiles (Class Reptilia) are cold-blooded vertebrates that diverged from ancestral amphibians about 340 million years ago during the Carboniferous Period. Reptiles include turtles, squamates, crocodiles, and tuataras. There are about 8,000 species of reptiles alive today.

Mammals (Class Mammalia) are vertebrates that evolved from therapsid reptiles during the Jurassic Period about 200 million years ago. There are approximately 5,400 species of mammals alive today. Some of the better-known mammal groups include carnivores, rodents, elephants, marsupials, rabbits, bats, primates, seals, anteaters, cetaceans, odd-toed ungulates, and even-toed ungulates.

Birds (Class Aves) evolved from reptiles during the Mesozoic Era about 150 million years ago. Birds have a number of characteristics that sets them apart from other vertebrates such as feathers, bills, and a furcula.

2. There are between 3 and 30 million species of animals.

Scientists estimate that there are in the ballpark of 3 and 30 million species of animals alive today. Of those species, about 97% are invertebrates and 3% are vertebrates. The insects are the most numerous of all animal groups, with 1 to 29 million species. In addition to insects, invertebrate animals include about 100,000 species of molluscs, 75,000 species of arachnids, 10,000 species of sponges, and more than 20,000 nematotes. Vertebrate animals include 8,000 reptiles, 10,000 birds, 23,000 fish, and 5,000 mammal species.

3. The first animals appeared approximately 600 million years ago during the late Precambrian.

The oldest evidence of life, fossilized stromatolites unearthed from Bolivia, is about 3.8 billion years old. It wasn't until the late Precambrian that the first animals appear in the fossil record. Among the earliest animals are those known as the Ediacara biota, an assortment of tubular and frond-shaped creatures that lived between 635 and 543 million years ago. The Ediacara fossils appear to have vanished by the end of the Precambrian.

4. Early animals diversified during the Cambrian Explosion.

The Cambrian Explosion (570 to 530 million years ago) refers to an unprecedented and unsurpassed period of evolutionary innovation in the history of our planet. During the Cambrian Explosion, early organisms evolved into many different, more complex forms. During this time period, nearly all of the basic metazoan body plans that persist today were established.

5. Animals are multicellular eukaryotes.

All animals have bodies that consist of multiple cells—they are multicellular. In addition to being multicellular, animals are also eukaryotes—their bodies are composed of eukaryotic cells. Eukaryotic cells are complex cells that have membrane-bound nuclei and organelles. The DNA in a eukaryotic cell is linear and organized into chromosomes. With the exception of the sponges, animal cells are organized into tissues that perform different functions. Animal tissues include connective tissue, muscle tissue, epithelial tissue, and nervous tissue.

6. Most animals are capable of movement.

Unlike plants, which are fixed to the substrate in which they grow, most animals are motile (capable of movement). One exception is the sponges, which are considered to be sedentary for most of their life cycle, although it has been shown that some species can move at a very slow rate (a few millimeters per day).

7. Animals rely on other organisms for food.

All animals are heterotrophs which means they cannot produce their own food. Instead, they must ingest plants and other organisms as a way to get the carbon and energy they need to live.

8. Animals undergo sexual reproduction at some point in their life cycle.

Most animals undergo sexual reproduction at some point during their life cycle. Sexual reproduction is a process that combines the genetic material of parent organisms to form the genetic material of offspring. Sexual reproduction augments genetic diversity within a population.

9. Animal cells are held together by a matrix that contains collagen.

Animal cells are embedded in an extracellular matrix that consists of collagen and glycoproteins. Collagen is a protein found exclusively in animals. It is the primary protein of which connective tissue is constructed.

10. The largest animal alive today is the blue whale.

The blue whale is the largest animal alive today and is perhaps the largest animal ever to have lived. It weighs in the range of 110 to 160 tonnes and grows to lengths of between 20 and 30 meters. But blue whales break more than just size records. They produce vocalizations at volumes in excess of 180 decibels, earning them the title of the loudest animal on the planet.

BLACKNAPED HARE | Lepus nigricollic F. Cuvier

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BLACKNAPED HARE
Only one species of hare is found in Kerala. The Induan hare or blacknaped hare is seen in natural forests and plantations. Pellets of spherical shape are the best indirect evidence left by these animals. Generally found in grasslands and rocky patches in forest areas. Difficult to sight at day time . Stony patches are preferred by the species and nibbling can be seen on young shoots of plants.

Scientific name : Lepus nigricollic F. Cuvier

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Lagomorpha
Family: Leporidae
Genus: Lepus
Species: L. nigricollis

Local names : Muyal, Cheviyan.

Habitat : All habitats except wet evergreen.

Distribution : Distributed all over Kerala.

Indirect evidences : Pellets and feeding sings.

Faecal matters : Pellets are round and spherical in shape and greenish in colour.

Size : 2 to 2.5 cm.
Where to look : Active at night and frequents open lands with grass for feeding.

ELEPHANT | Elephas maximus

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ELEPHANT
Scientific name : Elephas maximus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Proboscidea
Family: Elephantidae
Genus: Elephas
Species: E. maximus
Local name : Aana.

Habitat : All habitats namely evergreen, semi evergreen, moist deciduous, dry deciduous forests, grass lands and plantations.

Distribution : All over Kerala in the forest areas.
Indirect evidences : Dung, foot prints, calls, feeding signs, smell, tracks and rubbing marks n the tree trunks.

Dung : Boli are seen in heaps which can be identified easily. Rain or sunshine may change the appearance of the dung.

Size :Diameter may vary from 4 cm to 18 cm.

Foot prints : Foot prints can be used even to estimate the height of elephants. Double the circumference of the front foot will be the shoulder height of an elephant. Number of foot prints also indicate whether the animals are solitary or in herd.

Calls and sounds : Presence of elephants can be detected from a distance fro the feeding sounds and the noise of ear flapping.

Where to look for elephants : All over the forest especially areas with water and reed breaks or bamboo.

THE INDIAN PORCUPINE | Hystrix indica

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THE INDIAN PORCUPINE
This nocturnal rodent is distributed throughout Kerala. Presence of this animal can be easily detected from the quills or faecal pellets.

Scientific name : Hystrix indica

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Hystricidae
Genus: Hystrix
Subgenus: Hystrix
Species: H. indica

Local name : Mullan panni.

Habitats : All habitats.

Distribution : Present in most of the wildlife sanctuaries. Common in Parabikulam, Chinnar, Chimmony, Peppara and in Silent Valley National Park and Periyar Tiger Reserve.

Indirect evidences : Droppings, quills, diggings, remains of gnawed bone portions by the animal near the entrance of the caves and tracks. Dragging marks produced by the quills can be seen on the ground.

Faecal matters : Blackish in colour, normally on rocks and open ground. Diameter of each pellet varies from 11 mm to 12 mm.

Quills : Fallen quills can be seen on the areas where the porcupines frequent.

Habits : Active only at night.

Where to look for the indirect evidences : Found in all the forest areas and gnawing can be seen on the bark of trees.

THE GAUR | INDIAN BISON | Bos gaurus H. Smith

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THE GAUR OR INDIAN BISON
Occur in forest areas where grasslands and water are available in plenty. They are frequently sighted in, open marshy areas. Dung and foot prints are the best indirect signs which will help in the identification of these animals

Scientific name :Bos gaurus

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Subfamily: Bovinae
Genus: Bos
Species: B. gaurus
Binomial name: Bos gaurus

Local names : Kattu poth, Katti,Kattu madu.
Habitat : All habitats.

Distribution : All over Kerala. Frequently seen in Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary and Periyar Tiger Reserve.

Indirect evidences : Dung, feeding signs and hoof marks.

Faecal matters : Dung is similar to cattle but occupy larger areas due to the large quantity and have Tiger liquid.

Hoof marks : Hoof marks are found near the water holes and marshy areas. Tracks created by frequent walking of herds also can be taken as an indication of the species.

Where to look for gaur : Open areas with grass and water; Plantatipns, with grass as the under growth.

THE SAMBAR | Cervus unicolor

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THE SAMBAR
Largest deer found in India, abundant in wildlife sanctuaries and also in the Reserve Forests of Kerala. Seen in herds of four or five animals. But lager herds of up to 50 have been reported from Periyar and Parambikulam. Only the makes have the antlers and are shed annually. If the area is disturbed by human pressure, we will have to depend on indirect signs for recording the presence of sambar.Pellets and hoof marks are the best indirect signs.

Scientific name : Cervus unicolor

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Suborder: Ruminantia
Family: Cervidae
Subfamily: Cervinae
Genus: Rusa
Species: R. unicolor
Binomial name: Rusa unicolor

Local names : Mlavu, Kadaman, Kalaman.

Habitat : All habitats in hill areas, evergreen, semi evergreen, moist deciduous and dry deciduous forests.
Distribution : Widely distributed. Seen in all forest areas in Kerala. Frequent in Parambikulam, Chinnar wildlife sanctuaries and Periyar Tiger Reserve.
Indirect evidences : Pellets, hoof marks, feeding signs, shed antlers, rubbing on trees, alarm calls and remains of kills. The alarm calla of the animal when chased is typical and echo’s the whole forest.
Faecal matters : Pellets are found in groups. Sambar has the biggest sized pellets compared to other deer species in Kerala. Pellets are elongated in shape with colour varying from back to green. Texture of the pellet is rough. Mean pellet length is 10.5 mm and mean diameter 10.6 mm. Hoof marks are seen near water holes and on the river banks.

THE NILGIRI TAHR | Hemitragus hylocrius

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THE NILGIRI TAHR
Among the two tahr species occurring in india, the Nilgiri tahr is endemic to Western Ghats and is seen in the hill ranges at an elevation from 600 m to 2,000 m. This highly endangered animal is found in isolated hillocks all over the Western Ghats. The largest population of tahr is found in Eravikulam National park where it can be easily seen. Best indirect signs are the pellets.

Scientific name : Hemitragus hylocrius

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Subfamily: Caprinae
Genus: Nilgiritragus
Ropiquet & Hassanin, 2005
Species: N. hylocrius
Binomial name: Nilgiritragus hylocrius

Local names : Varayadu, Kattadu

Habitat : High elevation areas with grassland shoal forests.

Distribution : Found in Eravikulam National Park and Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary and in many isolated hillocks all over Kerala.

Indirect evidences : Pellets and hoof marks.

Faecal matters : Mean pellet length is 11.19 mm, mean diameter 7.49 mm and mean weight is 29.9 gm. Similar to that of deer but slightly spherical. Colour varying from grayish to green. Texture of the pellets is smooth compared to deer species.

Size : Length of the pellets is one to one and half times more than the width.

Where to look for the animal : Cliffs with grass.

THE CHITAL | Axis axis Erxleben | SPOTTED DEER

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THE CHITAL OR SPOTTED DEER
Occur in open areas mostly in dry zones of the state. It is not found in the southern part of the State strating from Periyar Tiger Reserve. Common in Parambikulam, Wayanad, Chinnar and in Peechi – Vazhani wildlife sanctuaries. Seen in groups of up to 50 animals.

Scientific name : Axis axis Erxeleben
Domain: Eukaryota
Regnum: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Classis: Mammalia
Subclassis: Theria
Infraclassis: Eutheria
Ordo: Artiodactyla
Subordo: Ruminantia
Familia: Cervidae
Subfamilia: Cervinae
Genus: Axis
Species: Axis axis

Local names : Pulliman, Maan.

Habitat : Dry open area with grasslands and moist and dry deciduous forests.

Distribution : All the forest areas of Kerala north of Periyar Tiger Reserve.
Indirect evidences : Pellets, hoof prints, shed antlers, feeding signs, antler rubbing marks on tree, alarm calls and remains of body parts fed by carnivores.

Faecal matters : Spotted deer pellets are smaller in size than that of sambar and rough in texture. Colour varies from black to green. Mean length of the pellets is 13.43 mm and mean diameter 8.86 mm.

Hoof marks : Similar to sambar but small in size.

Where to look for the indirect evidences : Open areas with grass.

THE MUNTJAK OR BARKING DEER | Muntiacus muntjak

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THE MUNTJAK OR BARKING DEER
Difficult to sight because of its cryptic and silent behavior and is usually solitary. Calls are very distinct and similar to the barking of domestic dogs and hence the name.

Scientific name : Muntiacus muntjak

Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Suborder: Ruminantia
Family: Cervidae
Subfamily: Muntiacinae
Genus: Muntiacus

Local names : Kezhaman, Kezhayad.

Habitat : All habitats. Common in moist and dry deciduous forests.

Distribution : All over Kerala. Reported from most of the sanctuaries. Present in Periyar Tiger Reserve, Wayanad, Parambikulam, Chimmony, Peppara and Chinnar wildlife sanctuaries.

Indirect evidences : Pellets, hoof marks, calls, remains of kill.

Faecal matters : Pellets are small in size compared to sambar and spotted deer. Colour varies from black to green.

Size : Mean pellet length is 8.2 mm and mean diameter is 5.88 mm.
Hoof marks : Length of the hoof marks is around 3.5 cm and breadth 2.5 cm. Hoof prints are smaller in size than that of sambar and spotted deer.

Calls and sound : Calls are very distinct and similar to barking of dogs
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