221 Amazing Wild Animals Encyclopedia

Common name : Mally Scientific name : Canis lupus familiaris Family : Canis familiaris Native to : African Sahara Interesting fact : They can survive in temperature seventy degrees below zero. The Alaskan Malamute is bred for its strength and endurance. Referred to as Alaskan sled dogs, they are similar to the Siberian husky and […]

Common name : Great Japanese dog Scientific name : Canis lupus familiaris Family : Canidae Native to : Japan Interesting fact : Helen Keller brought the first Akita to the USA in 1937. The akita comes from the Spitz stock (like the Siberian husky), found in the higher reaches of Japan. They may be American

Common name : Common agouti Scientific name : Dasyprocta Family : Dasyproctidae Native to : Central and South America Interesting fact : Razor-sharp incisors keep growing through their lifetime. The agouti is the name of three species of rodents–common agoutis, acouchis and pacas. The common agoutis are related to the guinea pig, and live in

Scientific name : Loxodonta africana Family : Elephantidae Native to : Eastern, Southern and West Africa Interesting fact : The elephant’s trunk has more than a 1,00,000 muscles. Conservation status : Vulnerable The African elephant is of two types–the bush elephant and the forest elephant, the former being the largest terrestrial animal. The elephant has

Common name : Groot otter, Cape clawless otter Scientific name : Aonyx capensis Family : Mustelidae Native to : Sub-Saharan Africa Interesting fact : Love to play with logs. Conservation status : Least Concern It is the second largest freshwater species of an otter. Their feet are clawless; they are distinct due to white facial

Common name : White antelope, Screwhorn antelope Scientific name : Addax nasomaculatus Family : Bovidae Native to : African Sahara Interesting fact : Rare in natural habitat, but commonly found in captivity, due to breeding. Conservation status : Critically EndangeredThe females are smaller in size than the males; the coats of either sex change colour

Common name : Maanhaar Jackal, Civet Hyena Scientific name : Proteles Cristata Family : Hyaenidae Native to : East and North Africa, Southern Africa Interesting fact : An aardwolf’s diet consists almost exclusively of termites. It can eat up to 3,00,000 termites per night. The aardwolf is the only species of a hyena with five

Common name : Antbear, Earth pig Scientific name : Orycteropus afer Family : Orycteropodidae Native to : South Africa Interesting fact : Possesses the ability to seal its snout while digging dirt; this prevents dust from entering its nostrils. Conservation status : Least Concern The aardvark’s tongue and tubular features are best suited to hunt