These animals have a reputation for being slow—but they’ll quickly amaze you. Here are five cool things about sloths.
The three-toed sloth can actually turn its head almost all the way around!
A caracal crouches in the tall grass, eyeing a bird perched on a nearby shrub. Suddenly the wild cat bursts from her hiding spot and bolts toward the fowl. As the bird takes off, so does the caracal. She leaps up six feet and swats her prey with her paw, causing it to fall to the ground. Then the cat scoops up the bird in her mouth. It’s dinnertime. SOLO CAT Caracals live on rocky hills or grasslands in the Middle East, Africa, and south Asia. The animal is one of more than 30 species of small wild cats. Most caracals grow about three feet long and can weigh over 40 pounds. The feline is usually most active after sunset. And this cat likes its me-time—adults spend much of their days alone, hunting for birds, rodents, rabbits, and gazelles. HUNTING AND HUGGING The body of a caracal is built for sneak attacks. Caracals are superfast, and with footpads cushioned by stiff fur they make practically no noise as they sprint toward targets. The animals’ strong hind legs allow them to jump six feet in the air—the height of a tall adult human. Tufts of hair on the tips of a caracal’s ears may enhance their hearing, making it easier for the cat to listen for prey. These hunters have a softer side too. Mom caracals (which usually have three babies in each litter) cuddle with their young. And the babies cuddle each other too. See, even ninjas need to snuggle sometimes. Text by April Capochino Myers
Amazing Animals Watch to discover interesting facts about animals from all over the
You probably know sea stars as starfish, the name sea stars are commonly known by. But sea stars aren’t really fish. Sea stars, like sea urchins and sand dollars, do not have backbones, which makes them part of a group called invertebrates. Fish have backbones, which makes them vertebrates. Got it? Most sea stars sport spiny skin and five arms, although some can grow as many as 50 arms. The arms are covered with pincerlike organs and suckers that allow the animal to slowly creep along the ocean floor. Light-sensitive eyespots on the tips of the arms help the sea star find food. Favorites on the menu include mollusks such as clams, oysters, and snails. The sea star eats by attaching to prey and extending its stomach out through its mouth. Enzymes from the sea star’s stomach digest the prey. The digested material enters the sea star’s stomach. Tiny organisms can be swallowed whole. Sea stars occupy every type of habitat, including tidal pools, rocky shores, sea grass, kelp beds, and coral reefs. Some sea stars even live in sands as deep as 20,530 feet (9,000 meters). Sea stars aren’t social creatures, but they will congregate in large groups during certain times of the year to feed.
Amazing Animals Watch to discover interesting facts about animals from all over the
Though hyenas look like large dogs, they are actually more similar to cats like lions and tigers. Hyenas have very powerful jaws and strong teeth. Spotted hyenas live in large groups called clans, which can include up to 80 hyenas. They hunt in smaller groups and use various techniques to attack different types of animals. They are successful hunters in groups or alone and will even try to catch fish, birds, and bugs in lakes. After catching their prey, spotted hyenas celebrate by making a sound like a laugh. This giggle tells other hyenas that they have food to share, but it can also attract other animals, such as lions, to the feast. This can spark a game of tug-of-war. The most common type is the spotted hyena. Baby spotted hyenas, called cubs, are born with black fur that grows out as lighter hair with spots. Spotted hyena clans, which are led by females, often meet at a large den in the middle of their territory. Hyenas have a complicated system of greeting and interacting with each other. Since they are in charge, females usually get first choice for the best mud baths and other favorite hyena activities.
Amazing Animals Watch to discover interesting facts about animals from all over the
Help keep the Earth healthy by ditching single-use plastic items. Make art beads out of old paper products instead of using plastic beads, which animals might mistake for food.
30 DIY Reusable Sandwich Wrap read this next Craft corner Space Get the scoop on all
National Geographic explorer Joel Sartore wants to document every captive species in the world in a project called Photo Ark. Check out some of his wow-worthy shots of snakes.
That’s why all of our great photo stuff is in one easy-to-find place.
Make your own composting bin at home.
You’ll want everyone on board to make it all run smoothly.
Hungary, a landlocked country in central Europe, is known for its spa towns and hot springs.
(In a communist society, all property is public and people share the wealth that
Get definitions of unfamiliar words you may be hearing during the coronavirus pandemic.
These microorganisms are found all around us—in dirt, water, and in the air.
Learn about the life and achievements of the 16th president of the United States.
Geo Kids books Our Country’s Presidents by Ann Bausum and Weird But True Know-It-All
