Author: Matt Davis

Birds Of The World: Humboldt Penguin

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The Humboldt Penguin(Spheniscus humboldti) is classified in the avian order Sphenisciformes and family Spheniscidae. Humboldti refers to Alexander Van Humboldt who was a German naturalist and explorer.

Physical Characteristics

Adult Humboldt Penguins have a blackish back; the belly is white and the upper chest has a horseshoe shaped band that extends down from side to side. There is a bare pink band around the base of the bill which extends around each eye. There is a pale gray band around the bill near the tip. Most of the face is blackish with a white streak that is near the … Continue

Big Cat Facts: Jaguar

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The Jaguar(Panthera onca) is the largest cat that is found in the Americas. Jaguars weigh up to 158 kilograms(348.3 pounds) and can grow to lengths of  1.9  meters(6 feet 2.8 inches). The total population of Jaguars in the Americas was approximately 64,000 at the time this article was published.

GenusPanthera
SpeciesP. onca
Binomial NamePanthera onca
Length1.1-1.9 m(3’7.3”-6’2.8”)
Tail Length45-75 cm(1’5.7”-2’5.2”)
Weight36-158 kg(79.4-348.3 lbs.)
DIetCarnivore
IUCN StatusNear threatened 

Physical Characteristics 

Jaguars’ bodies are typically brownish yellow and are covered with dark rings. Some individuals are born completely black; these black specimens are known … Continue

Parrots Of The World: Cockatiel

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Male on the left; female on the right.

The Cockatiel(Nymphicus hollandicus) is a bird classified in the parrot order Psittaciformes and family Cacatuidae. Cacatuidae is the cockatoo family. The Cockatiel is the smallest member of the cockatoo family. 

Physical Characteristics

Wild adult Cockatiels’ have a crest on their heads and orange patches on their faces; their bodies are gray with white patches on the wings. The male has a bright yellow forehead, chin, and cheeks; the female’s face is streaked with yellow. The chicks and immature individuals resemble females. 

Captive Cockatiels can produce unique colorations.

GenusNymphicus
SpeciesN.
… Continue

Parrots Of The World: Budgerigar

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Male on the left; female on the right

The Budgerigar(Melopsittacus undulatus) also known as Budgie, Common Parakeet, Warbling Grass Parakeet, Canary Parrot, Zebra Parrot, Scallop Parrot, or Shell Parakeet is a small parrot classified in the order Psittaciformes, and the family Psittaculidae. 

Physical Characteristics

Wild adult Budgerigars’ throats and faces are yellow; there are black spots and iridescent blue-violet cheek patches on each side of their throats. The body is mostly green, but there are black bars on the back of the head and the back.  The tail is blue. An adult male’s cere … Continue

Shark Fact Sheet: Great White Shark

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The Great White Shark(Carcharodon carcharias) also known as the White Shark, Great White, or White Pointer is a large cartilaginous fish that is classified in the Animalian class Chondrichthyes, order Lamniformes, and family Lamnidae.

GenusCarcharodon
SpeciesC. carcharias
Binomial NameCarcharodon carcharias
Length3.1-6.4m(11-21 feet)
Weight522–3,401 kg(1,150.8-7,497.9 lbs.)
DietCarnivore
IUCN StatusVulnerable

Range and Habitat

Great White Sharks can be found in oceans across the world with the exception of arctic regions.

Physical Characteristics

Great White Sharks have a white underside and a gray dorsal area. Sometimes the dorsal area maybe a brown or blue shade. Great … Continue