Weird And Wonderful Underwater Creatures Of The Sea

These underwater beauties are truly to behold. Meet them here!

Sea Cucumbers

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The internal skeleton of Sea cucumbers (Holothuroidea) has been diminished to the point that it consists only of minute bits of crystalline matter in the skin. Most species lie on their sides on the ocean bottom, thus developing a definite upper and lower surface of the body. Some that have tentacles can burrow as well as travel by contracting their muscles. Species with tube feet can walk slowly by means of the tube feet’s tiny suckers.



The tentacles are modified tube feet that surround the animal’s mouth. They are used to trap small particles of food and thrust them into the mouth. Certain species eject a white fluid that rapidly congeals into a sticky mass and serves to entangle a would-be predator. Others can cast away their internal organs, perhaps to temporarily satisfy a predator while the sea cucumber makes its escape. The organs are regrown later.

Sea Urchins

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Although lacking arms, Sea urchins (Echinoidea) have five double rows of tube feet and long spines that move on ball-and-socket joints. Their bodies can be spherical, heart-shaped or flattened, with a crystalline, chalky skeleton of flattened plates fitted together like a mosaic and lying just under the skin. The tube feet and spines allow the urchin to creep over rocky surfaces or through the sand. Spines of some species contain poison glands.



The needle-like and brittle spines are a hazard for swimmers and skin divers. They pierce the skin and break off, discharging a mild venom that can be painful. Sea urchins may be plant-or meat-eaters, but will scavenge for almost anything where food is hard to find. In some, the mouth, which is on the underside of the body, has teeth that project to scrape algae and other food off rocks and even dig hiding places in rock or coral. In some countries parts of the sea urchin are considered a real delicacy.

Comb Jellies

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Comb jellies (Ctenophora) are important elements of plankton. They resemble delicate, transparent jellyfish, and most of them drift freely in the water. The name comb jelly comes from eight rows of tiny, comblike structures on their bodies that are actually rows of cilia matted together. These combs beat in the water to propel the animals forward. Some species have two long tentacles that can be withdrawn into the body. Comb jellies feed on other plankton that they catch with special sticky cells, either in their tentacles or on the body surface itself in species without tentacles. Many comb jellies are luminescent, and some emit brilliant flashes of color at night.



Swimming with undulating movements, the graceful comb jelly Venus’s girdle (Cestum veneris) looks like a transparent belt.The comb jelly (Eurhamphaea vexilligera) displays the eight rows of combs that give its name.

Seemingly floating in space, a comb jelly moves through the water and displays its luminescence.

Moss Animals

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Moss animals (Bryozoa) are small, colonial bottom dwellers which fix themselves to a variety of surfaces in the water: other animals, or rocks, seaweeds, twigs or pilings. Some are microscopic, but some others grow to be three feet (0.9m) long. Some colonies look like flat sheets of moss; others grow into shapes like fans or twigs. Each individual in a colony has a tough, horny or chalky outer covering and a mouth surrounded by tentacles. Cilia on the tentacles make water currents to direct bits of food to the mouth. When upset the animal retracts its tentacles.

Lamp Shells

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A fleshy stalk protrudes from the beak and anchors the animal. The stalks of a few lamp shells can move and help the animals burrow in mud or sand. Some lamp shells have limy shells with long stalks; others have horny shells with fleshy, footlike projections. Lamp shells feed by opening their shells and drawing water in by beating their cilia, which are attached to a body part that filters food from the water.

Sea Squirts

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Sea squirts (Tunicata) attach themselves to the sea bottom or rocks, seashells, the backs of certain crabs, pilings and ships’ hulls. They are found in shallows as well as in fairly deep water. Sea squirts are shaped like hollow jars and get their name from the fact that they contract and squirt water through their siphons when touched. Though sea squirts resemble sponges, their appearance is deceptive, for they are related to, and in fact may be distant ancestors of , the higher animals with backbones, including humas. In the larval stage the sea squirt swims freely and looks like a tadpole. Along the underside of the larva’s nerve cord is a notochord, a gelatinous rod that is a kind of primitive backbone. This rod is also found in fish, animals that do have backbones.

In the transition from larva to adult, the notochord disappears, being absorbed into the body after the larva has attached itself to something of a sucker on the front of its head. The sea squirt’s body is attached to the sea bottom or some other object by a stalk. At the other end are two siphons: one developed from the tadpole larva’s mouth to draw water into the body, the other to expel it. As water passes through its mouth the sea squirt removes the food and oxygen from it before it is passed out of its body. The inlet and outlet siphons of the sea squirts (Clavellina picta) in this tiny colony show up quite plainly at the top.

The Lancelet

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The lancelet (Branchiostoma) as an eel-like animal that stands between two dominant groups that makes up the animal kingdom: vertebrates and invertebrates. It has no distinct head, but it has the beginnings of eyes, a mouth, a fin extending along most of its body and a notochord that is well developed and is widely regarded as the evolutionary beginning of the backbones, which is found in the vertebrates.

The lancelet (Branchiostoma) as an eel-like animal that stands between two dominant groups that makes up the animal kingdom: vertebrates and invertebrates. It has no distinct head, but it has the beginnings of eyes, a mouth, a fin extending along most of its body and a notochord that is well developed and is widely regarded as the evolutionary beginning of the backbones, which is found in the vertebrates. It is believed that the lancelet is related to ancestors of the vertebrates and bridges the gap between the sea squirts and the most primitive fishlike vertebrate. The lancelet usually lies buried in the sand of coastal waters by day with only its mouth exposed. Food particles are filtered from the water by tentacles that cover the mouth. At night the animal emerges to swim with fishlike movements of its long body.

10 Least Popular Animals Whose Names Start with The Letter P

They may not be as popular as their cousins, but these animals whose names start with the letter P are simply awesome in their own right.

Aside from Pig, penguin, panda, pigeon, pelican, puma, panther, pug…. the animal Kingdom offers as with other awesome animals whose names start with the letter P. Here is a list of what I consider, least-known letter P animals.

Puffin

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Puffins are stocky penguin-like seabirds inhabiting the open sea, steep cliffs and islands of the North Atlantic Ocean and North Pacific Ocean. All three extant species (Horned Puffin, Tufted Puffin, and Atlantic Puffin) have large beaks, short-wings and short-tails, wide webbed feet, and generally sporting black and white plumage. These pelagic seabirds average 30 cm long and weighs 345 – 488 g. Generally, males are bigger than females. Puffins are excellent divers, feeding mostly on sand eels, fish larvae and other aquatic invertebrates.



Pademelon

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A pademelon is a small marsupial found inhabiting dense forests of Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania and parts of New Guinea. The majority of the seven known species has dark-brown upperparts and red-brown underparts. It has a relatively short tail and legs. Adult males, which are bigger than females average around 1 – 1.2 m long, including the tail and can weigh up to 12 kg. This solitary and nocturnal animal, feeds on green grasses, green shoots and herbs.



Ptarmigan

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Found mostly in tundra areas, the Ptarmigan is a small chicken-like bird that lives year round in the Arctic. It has a stocky body, rounded white wings, feathered feet, and short tails. This odd bird changes its plumage color thrice in a year. It sports a brownish with dark stripes plumage in summer, grayish color in fall and white during winter. Its diet includes: leaves, berries and sometimes other small insects.



Proboscis Monkey

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The proboscis monkey or long-nosed monkey, is a reddish-brown monkey that is widespread on the island of Borneo, Malaysia. It is found living along riverbanks, swamps and mangrove forests. A remarkable feature of this arboreal monkey is the male’s large, fleshy nose that can reach up to 7 inches long. Juveniles have blackish fur and blue face with relatively normal nose. Adults are generally reddish-brown in color and with grayish limbs. On average, males grow to about 72 cm in length and weighing up to 24 kg. Proboscis monkey feeds mainly on leaves, mangrove shoots, fruits and seed. The IUCN listed this monkey as Endangered.



Peccary

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Peccary, often called Javelina, is a medium-sized mammal resembling a wild pig that is widespread in southwestern United States, South and Central America. Just like wild pigs, peccaries have large heads, small ears and tails, circular snout, spear-like canine teeth and sport dark coarse hair. On average, they measure between 90 to 130 centimeters and can reach 20 to 40 kilograms in weight. Generally omnivores, their diet consist of grass, fruits, roots and seed.

Pika

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The pika is any member of the Ochotonidae, which is characterized by its rounded ears, short limbs. and short tail. This small animal native to cold climates is found in North America and central Asia. Recognizable by its high-pitched alarm call, pika is often referred to as the “whistling hare”. Adult pikas measure 15-25 cm in length and about 170-400 g in weight. This diurnal 9active at night) animal has big ears and sports soft fur; gray-brown upperparts and white on the belly. A known herbivore, it feeds on grasses, leaves, twigs, herbs and bark.

Pied Tamarin

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The Pied tamarin (Saguinus bicolor) is a small, endangered monkey inhabiting tropical forests of Manaus, Brazil. This diurnal and arboreal primate exhibit black hairless face, a white chest, brown or tan hind legs and brown to black tail. Adults average 20.8–28.3 cm in body length with about 33.5–42.0 cm long tail and weigh between 400 – 430 grams. and a black hairless face. Tamarins are omnivorous, they feed on insects, spiders, birds' eggs, other small vertebrates, flowers, fruits and nectar.

Polecat

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A polecat is a solitary animal belonging to the weasel family, found in Asia, Europe, and certain parts of Africa. Its favored habitat includes, riverbanks, farmlands and woodlands. It has a long, slender body, rounded ears, short muzzles, short tail, and sensitive whiskers. It sports a long, black fur with yellow patches on the face and ears. On average, a polecat measures 55 centimeters long with a 10 centimeters long tail. Most polecats are nocturnal and carnivores, feeding on fish, small birds, reptiles, eggs, and other small mammals.

Pudu

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The pudú is any of two species of small deer native to South America. Considered as the world’s smallest deer, pudus measure about 32 to 44 centimeters at shoulder high, about 85 centimeters long and weigh up to 12 kilograms. They have small hooves, small black eyes, dewclaws, rounded ears, black noses and short tails. The long and coarse fur varies in color, from a dark brown to reddish brown hue. Pudus are solitary and herbivore animals, feeding on leaves, vines, young sprouts, herbs, flowers, buds and fallen fruits.

Pangolin

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A pangolin, also called the “scaly anteater”, is a long-tailed mammal inhabiting warm regions of Asia and Africa. its preferred habitats include savannas and woodlands close to water. This nocturnal animal is distinguishable by its large, hardened, plate-like scales, powerful claws, and elongated tongue. Pangolins range in sizes from 30 cm to 100 cm. Pangolins feed on ants, termites and other small insects.

Check out the entire Animal Alphabet list here:
Amazing Animal Alphabet Series 1
Amazing Animal Alphabet Series 2

The World's Rarest Breeds of Dog

There are numerous dog breeds from around the world, but there are also rare breeds. Take a look at the rarest dog breeds.

If you are an owner of any of the breeds of dog below, you are rare, you are lucky because only a few people have the chance to own any of these pets.

1.) American Alsatian

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The handsome American Alsatian is a rare domestic dog breed that originated in the US. This large breed was bred to resemble the Dire Wolf’s bone and body structure. It was developed as a large companion dog from pure bred Alaskan Malamute, Anatolian Shepherd, English Mastiff, German Shepherd and Great Pyrenees lines. It can also be trained as a search and rescue dog, but it is most suited for the gentle work of therapy dog or Reading Education Assistance Dogs (READ). It is formerly known as the Alsatian Shepalute.

2.) Mudi

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Another certified rare dog breed is the Mudi. This rare herding black dog originated in Hungary. It has curly or wavy coat with short hair on the face and legs. It can also be brown, white, fawn, and black merle. Mudis have short tails which may be born long and docked short or born naturally short.

3.) New Guinea Singing Dog

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Also known as Singer, this rare dog breed of the dingo type can be found in New Guinea. Separated from the rest of the world, they developed without influence from other dogs. The unique characteristics associated with this canine are attributed to its long term isolation. Black and Tan Colored Singing Dogs are rare. Only two Singers are known to exist today.

The unique New Guinea Singing Dog with exceptional intelligence and physical abilities serves as a companion and therapy dog. This rare canine is also known for a variety of names such as the New Guinea Dingo, Singing Dog, New Guinea Highland Dog, New Guinea Wild Dog, Hallstrom Dog, New Guinea Highland Wild Dog, Papua New Guinea Singing Dog, and the acronym NGSD.

4.) Barbet

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The Barbet is an all-black dog breed. This curly twirly dog originated in France. It is used as a retriever, flushing dog and water dog. The Barbet is a certified rare breed. Most Barbets are entirely black, but they can be white or brown also.

5.) Basenji

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The Basenji is a peculiar and rare breed of hunting dog that originated in Africa. This unique dog produces an unusual yodel-like sound commonly called a “barroo”, due to its unusually shaped larynx. This trait also gives the Basenji the nickname “Barkless Dog.” Basenjis are rare because they come into estrus only once annually, while other dog breeds may have two or more breeding seasons every year.

6.) Azawakh

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The Azawakh is a rare breed of sighthound dog that also originated in Africa. It can attain a height of up to 74 cm and its coat is too short and almost hairless in the belly. They are rare because, like the Basenji and Tibetan Mastiff, Azawakh bitches often have a single annual estrus.

7.) Tibetan Mastiff

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The Tibetan Mastiff is a unique-looking dog breed. This ancient breed from Central Asia is rare and is also known as Do-chi

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Its name Do-khyi means “home guard” or “door guard”. It is used to guard herds, flocks, tents, palaces, villages and monasteries. It is usually tied outside the home as a guardian.

8.) Otterhound

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The Otterhound is a rare old British breed of dog. There are only an estimated 1,000 or so Otterhounds in the world and somewhere between 350 and 400 in the US and are now regarded as the most endangered dog breeds in Britain since only 51 were born there in 2006.

9.) Stabyhoun

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The Stabyhoun is a rare breed of dog that originated in the province of Friesland in the Netherlands. The first part of the name is probably from the Dutch: “sta me bij” which means to stand by me. The last part is simply Frisian, meaning dog, which is pronounced “Hoon”. Today, there are only approximately 3,500 Stabyhouns remaining in the world. It is also known as Stabij.

10.) Chinook

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The Chinook is a rare breed of sled dog type that developed in New England in the United States. It is recognized as the “New Hampshire State Dog.” The breed is described as calm, non-aggressive and very friendly, always kind with strangers and children. They are good with all dogs most of the time and also great with other animals.

The Popular But Controversial Dwarf Cats

Dwarf cats are unusual and popular. People are interested in them. However, breeding them faces some controversial issues. Some people think that the dwarf breeds have been developed deliberately through some form of genetic engineering, resulting in some kind of monster cat! Read on to learn more about these dwarf cats.

Several numbers of cat breeds fall under the “dwarf cat” category- manifesting genetic mutation, particularly the shortening of front legs, resulting to dwarfism. Founding parents have been deliberately selected and development stages are still undergoing to ensure a “normal” and unique breed be produced.

These cats are bizarre yet gaining tremendous popularity. More people are interested in them. However, Dwarf cats are a very controversial issue, where many animal rights advocates deemed the breeding of these cats are illegal. The opposing sectors, voiced out that it is inhumane to breed cats with a deformity just to cater to the whims of others who fancy these dwarf cats. Read on to learn more about these popular but dwarf cats and perhaps you can decide which side are you with.

Munchkin Cat

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Though prior sightings were reported as early as the 1940s, the Munchkin cat gains worldwide recognition through a television program only in 1991.A small to medium sized cat with short legs, munchkins are exceptionally skilled at climbing and jumping. Coats come in various hair lengths and colors They are described as intelligent, agile, outgoing, sweet-natured, sociable, playful, and fast runners.

Skookum Cat

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The Skookum cat is a cross between Munchkins and LaPerms, developed by Roy Galusha in the mid 1990s. It is registered with the TICA as an experimental breed. It is a small to medium-sized cat with curly coat and short legs, as well as curled eyebrows and whiskers. Skookum comes in two versions – the “short hair” version and the “long hair” version. Coats too, come in varieties of colors and patterns. They are affectionate, confident, outgoing, playful, and fun loving.

Kinkalow Cat

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Another experimental breed as recognized by the International Cat Association (TICA), the Kinkalow was developed by Terri Harris in 1995. The breed, a cross between a Munchkin cat and an American Curl, produces litters with short legs and curled ears. It has a compact and stocky body, silky soft fur, very long tail, and come in various colors and patterns. Kinkalows are quite intelligent, friendly, gentle, and playful cats.

Bambino Cat

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This stocky cat with short legs is the result of crossbreeding the Munchkin Cat and the Canadian Sphynx. An experimental new cat breed, it was developed by Pat and Stephanie Osborne in 2005. Another hairless cat, Bambino has medium-sized, sturdy body, strong and well-muscled neck, large lemon-shaped eyes, large and upright ears, short and powerful legs. They are alert, agile, loving, outgoing and sociable cats.

Napoleon Cat

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Named after the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, the cute Napoleon cat is a new cat breed developed by Joe Smith in 1996. A cross between the Munchkin cat and the Persian Cat, the breed is characterized by its extremely short legs and a baby doll-faced with round, expressive eyes. It has a muscular body, a rounded head, short nose, small with rounded tips ears, and tail that is well proportioned to its body. Napoleon cat comes in two coat types — plush and soft, Shorthaired version; the soft, and straight Longhaired version. Also, the breed comes in two versions – the Standard “short-legged” version and the Non-standard “long legs.” Napoleon cats are laid-back, friendly, affectionate and sociable.

Minskin Cat

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The Minskin is relatively a new breed of cat developed by Paul McSorley in 1998 and is registered with TICA as an experimental breed. This dwarf cat is a cross between a Munchkin and a Sphynx. The breed is characterized by its soft, thinly coated skin. Minskin has a muscular sturdy body, small rounded head, wide set, large round eyes, large with rounded tips ears, short legs and a very long tail. It comes in all colors and patterns, such as including solids, shaded, bi-color, tabby patterns, and tortoise shells. Minskins are affectionate, energetic, intelligent, friendly, outgoing, playful and good hunters.

Lambkin Cat

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The Lambkin cat is a cross between the Munchkin (a dwarf cat) and the Selkirk Rex (a non-dwarf cat). The result is a hybrid cat having a curly coat and a very long body. This short-legged cat is registered with The International Cat Association (TICA).

Genetta Cat

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The Genetta Cat is the forerunner of the next generation’s exotic breed of dwarf cats. This short-legged cat that resembles a spotted African gent was created by Shannon Kiley in 2006. Still in the developmental stages, it is the result of crossbreeding the Munchkin Cat, the Savannah Cat, the Oriental Shorthair and the Bengal cat. At present, this hybrid cat is registered with the International Cat Association (TICA) as an Experimental Breed. A standard Genetta stands around 4 to 8 in tall at shoulder length. It has a very long body, a glossy coat, short legs, big with rounded tips ears, large green to brown eyes, and a very long tail. Colors range from black, silver, white, brown, or snow spotted. Genettas are very energetic, intelligent affectionate, friendly, and playful.

Dwelf Cat

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Our last entry, the Dwelf cat, is the result of crossbreeding the Munchkin cat, the Sphynx, and the American Curl. This hairless cat with slightly curled ears and short legs is presently in its developmental stages. Other features of this hybrid car include: large and almond-shaped eyes; short and muscular neck; very short eyebrows and whiskers; robust and muscular body; short and powerful legs. The DWELF is known to be friendly, sociable, active, and an outgoing cat.

10 Extremes Animals Whose Names Begin with The Letter O

From a tiny tick-eating African bird, to a weird forest giraffe and to an endangered big-eared bat, the animal kingdom presents us with 10 extreme animals whose names begin with the letter O.

Oxpecker

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The oxpeckers, also known as tickbirds, are two species of bird of the genus Buphagus. Widespread to sub-Saharan Africa, the two species namely: Red-billed Oxpecker and Yellow-billed Oxpecker are characterized by their broad bills, short legs and sharp claws. Also, both species sport brown plumage and average about 23 cm long. Found mostly in open habitats, oxpeckers hunt in the group on the back of the host animal feeding on ticks, dandruff, fleas, flies and ear wax. Using their bills, they open new wounds consuming the fresh tissues and drinking the blood.

Olingo

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Olingo (Bassaricyon gabbii) are six species of solitary mammals endemic to the rainforests of Ecuador, Peru, Columbia, Venezuela, Panama, Paraguay, Costa Rica, Nicaragua and Honduras. This arboreal and nocturnal animal can grow to about 35 to 48 cm long and weigh 10 to 15 kg. The tail can measure up to 48 cm. It sports a light brown coat with short fur, round head, rounded ears, pointed muzzle, sharp curved claws, and sharp teeth. The Olingo’s main food source includes: insects, lizards, and fruits.

Opossum

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Opossums (Didelphimorphia), often called possums, are 60-plus species of small to medium-sized marsupials widespread in the Western Hemisphere. These excellent tree climbers average 76 cm long from nose to tail, and weigh between 4 to 6 kg. Opossums are omnivores, feeding on mice, snakes, birds, insects and at times eat fruits, nuts and grass. A very slow runner, an opossum when cornered by its predator usually “play possum”, mimicking a dead animal by lying motionless on the ground, eyes closed and its ear extended until such time a change to make an escape comes.

Okapi

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Okapi (Okapia johnstoni) is a giraffe-like mammal endemic found in rainforests of Upper Zaire and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Adults stand to about 150-170 cm at shoulder length, 210 cm in body length, weigh around 210-250 kg and with an average of 30-42 cm tall. It has deep reddish-brown coat and a distinctive zebra-like stripes on its upper legs and hindquarters. Built more like a zebra, the okapi has a horse-like head, thick neck with black muzzle, large ears and a prehensile tongue. This long, sticky black/blue tongue measuring about 30 cm is used to strip leaves, to clean its ears and to wash its eyelids. Lifespan in captivity is about 30 years.

Otter

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Otters are twelve species in seven genera of semi-aquatic mammals comprising the family Mustelidae. They inhabit temperate regions of Europe, Asia, North America, and parts of North Africa. These playful mammals sport long, slender bodies, short limbs, muscular tails, sharp claws, and webbed paws. Otters average 0.7 to 1.8 m long and weigh 5 50 45 kg. Its diet includes fish and shellfish, amphibians, birds, small animals and other invertebrates.

Onager

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The Onagers (Equus hemionus), also known as: Asian Wild Ass are five species of wild horses endemic to India, Iran, Israel, Syria, Pakistan and Tibet. Smaller than horses, but larger than donkeys, onagers sport muscular bodies, buff/brown coat, with a white underside, dorsal stripes and dark mane. Though short-legged, they are extremely fast and agile. Adults can reach up to 2.1 meters in length, and weigh 200 – 250 kg. It feeds primarily on grasses and tender plants.

Oropendola

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Oropendolas (genus Psarocolius) are large blackbirds comprising the family (Icteridae) widespread in South and Central America. Generally, these passerine birds have chestnut, dark brown, chestnut or black plumage, long yellow tails, black legs, and pointed beaks. These colonial breeders typically inhabit forests, and open woodlands. Adult males, which are 50% larger than females average 30–50 cm long. Oropendolas feeds on fruits and large insects.

Oryx

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The Oryx is a large antelope native to near-desert regions of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. It measures about 1.5 m at shoulder length, 1.5 – 2.3 meters long and can weigh up to 200 kg. It has a muscular body, curved horns, and a thick neck with short mane. The coat is fawn in color with distinguished black marking running down its legs. It feeds primarily on coarse grasses, roots and tubers.

Ozark big-eared bat

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The Ozark big-eared bat (Corynorhinus townsendii ingens) is a medium-sized bat found only in several caves in Missouri, Arkansas, Missouri, and Oklahoma. An endangered species, this bat is about 10 cm long and weighs from5-13 g. It has large, erect ears about 2.5 cm, lump-adorned snout, and large wingspan reaching 30 to 34 centimeters. The Ozark big-eared bat diet includes moths, and other small bugs.

Ovenbird

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The Ovenbird (Seiurus aurocapillus), is a small, inconspicuous migratory bird of North America. Adult measures around 14 cm long and weigh about 18 g. It sports olive-brown plumage with white belly mark with black streak. Eyes are surrounded with white rings, and a crown of orange feathers on its head. The ovenbird forage on the forest floor in search for foods which includes insects, spiders and small invertebrates.

Check out the entire Animal Alphabet list here:
Amazing Animal Alphabet Series 1
Amazing Animal Alphabet Series 2

The Carnivores: The World's Most Fearless yet Graceful Animals – Part One

Carnivores are considered the most fearless and ferocious creatures that humans have ever known. They have the built, power and stamina to lord it over hapless prey. These killing machines are gifted with special sensors, including an acute sense of smell, greater eye vision and ferocious teeth that comes in very handy for the kill. And they are blessed with swift, and graceful moves, adding to their predatory skills. Read on to learn more about these carnivores.

Generally, carnivores, whether they are mammals, reptiles, insects or birds are meat-eaters. We will focus on a specific type of mammal that comprises the order Carnivora --which human deemed fascinating creatures.

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Built to Hunt

These carnivores are bunched together, for they all share a common characteristic --they strive for meat. However, not all of them are considered highly or specialized predators. For example, the giant panda is considered herbivore for it feeds on bamboo shoots. Bears and badgers are omnivores since they will eat anything edible. Nevertheless, these animals shared common features with true predators, thus are included in the same group as that of the carnivores. Shapes and sizes don't matter, true carnivores share certain basic characteristics.

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Almost all carnivores share similar tooth structure. On each side of its top and bottom jaw, true carnivore has a prominent canine tooth, three incisor teeth, four small premolar teeth used for grinding, and three molars.In general, the pointed teeth (canine) are larger and much developed that the cutting teeth (incisor.) Canine teeth are very important weapons for they act as fangs to pierce the main arteries of the prey.

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The smaller grinding teeth (molars) looking like sharp, blade-like stuffs function as meat cutter or a slicer. The meat must be cut into chewable chunks for these hunting machines are incapable of chewing their meal into a pulp because their jaws can only move up and down, plus the fact that they have small grinding teeth. The tongue specially that of cats are equipped with horny, backward-facing tooth-like bumps.

Built for Speed

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Mobility and speed is a must for carnivores! In their case, a skeleton with very restricted features is in place. A large collar bone for instance, can impede its body mobility, thus true carnivore has small collarbone or in some species physically absent. Carnivores typically differ in how they move or walk. There are two main types: the plantigrade species and the digitigrade species. Plantigrade -type of carnivores stamp the soles of their feet on the ground when walking, while the digitigrade-type ones walk on their toes. Digitigrades are better adapted for running.

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A Sense of Survival

It is very important for carnivores have good sense of sight, hearing and smell in order to survive in the wild. However, the need for these senses differ from animal to animal.

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Most of these meat-seekers hunt by night, and a good eyesight that could see prey at some distance is a must. Dogs and cats are adapted to night vision: owing to "taperum" an extra layer of reflective fibrous cells over the retina. These special cells concentrate or redirect, the amount of light that enters the eyes. This is the reason why cat's and dog's eyes glow at night.

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A number of carnivores do their hunting in dense vegetation using the upgraded sense of hearing and smell. The changed is very noticeable in the species ear size and shape. Some species, like the fox, have directional ears, good at pinpointing the sound source in great clarity and accuracy.

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Other body parts aids carnivores to attain a very delicate sense of touch. Raccoons whiskers augment the animals need for a keen sense of smell. Also, these animals have sensitive nerve endings on the soles of their feet.

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For small carnivores like the Coati (Nasua narica) of Central America, having to blend well with its surroundings is very essential for them to survive. The ability to change color (camouflage) will enable the animal to creep up on its prey unseen. Also, it serves as a defense mechanism to escape or free from harm from bigger predators.

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An Individual Identity

Since almost all carnivores are gifted with an acute sense of smell marking out the boundaries of its territory will come in very helpful. These fearless animals emit special and identifiable scents and rub a certain part of its body against any object to mark out the scope of its territory. In some species, these foul-smelling scents serve as a defense mechanism against larger predators. Some species like the skunks and polecats produce these scents through glands in the skin.

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Carnivores hunting style differs from species to species: lions go for ambush, cheetahs go for swift and stealthy pursuits and coyotes leap on prey.

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But there is one carnivore species that has the most adaptable hunting skills. The crab - eating raccoon (Procyon cancrivorus) can climb well and swim well in pursuit of its prey. It lives in areas near marshes, rivers and lakes -- makes its home in the trees.

Check out Part 2 here: