Archive | Animal of the Week

Mudpuppy Type:   Amphibian Diet:   Carnivore Average life span in the wild:   11 years Size:   8 to 13 in (20 to 33 cm) Did you know?    Fishermen who hook mudpuppies will often cut their line rather than touch these extremely slimy amphibians, believing incorrectly that they are poisonous. Size relative to a tea cup: […]

Flying Fish Type:   Fish Diet:   Omnivore Size:   Up to 18 in (45 cm) Group name:   School Did you know?    Flying fish can soar high enough that sailors often find them on the decks of their ships. Size relative to a tea cup: Courtesy of National Geographic

Praying Mantis Type:   Bug Diet:   Carnivore Average life span in the wild:   12 months Size:   0.5 to 6 in (1.2 to 15 cm) long Did you know? The Praying Mantis was the inspiration of a character in ‘A Bugs Life’! Size relative to a tea cup: Courtesy of National Geographic

Snowy Owl Type: Bird Diet:Carnivore Average life span in the wild:   9.5 years Size:   Body, 20 to 28 in (52 to 71 cm); wingspan, 4.2 to 4.8 ft (1.3 to 1.5 m) Weight:   3.5 to 6.5 lbs (1.6 to 3 kg) Group name:   Solitary Did you know? Unlike most owls, which are nocturnal, snowy owls […]

Cheetah Type:   Mammal Diet:   Carnivore Average life span in the wild:   10 to 12 years Size:   3.5 to 4.5 ft (1.1 to 1.4 m); Tail, 25.5 to 31.5 in (65 to 80 cm) Weight:   77 to 143 lbs (35 to 65 kg) Did you Know? The cheetah is the world’s fastest land mammal. With acceleration […]

Porcupine Type:   Mammal Diet:   Herbivore Average life span in the wild:   5 to 7 years Size:   Head and body, 25 to 36 in (60 to 90 cm); Tail, 8 to 10 in (20-25 cm) Weight:   12 to 35 lbs (5 to 16 kg) Group name:   Family Did you Know? Female porcupines have between one and […]

Parrot Type:   Bird Diet:   Omnivore Average life span in the wild:   Up to 80 years Size:   3.5 in (8.7cm) to 40 in (100 cm) Weight:   2.25 oz (65 g) to 3.5 lbs (1.6 kg) Many parrots are kept as pets, especially macaws, Amazon parrots, cockatiels, parakeets, and cockatoos. These birds have been popular companions throughout […]

Meller’s Chameleon  Type:   Reptile Diet:   Carnivore Average life span in the wild:   12 years Size:   21 in (50 cm) Weight:   14.4 oz (408 g) Did you know? Chameleons don’t change colors to match their surroundings. Each species displays distinct color patterns to indicate specific reactions or emotions. Courtesy of National Geographic

Clown Anemonefish Type:     Fish Diet:    Carnivore Size:     4.3 in (11 cm) Group name:      School Average life span in the wild:      6 to 10 years Did you know? Ironically,Finding Nemo, a movie about the anguish of a captured clownfish, caused home-aquarium demand for them to triple.  Courtesy of National Geographic