The budgerigar, aka budgie, or more famously - parakeet, is actually a member of the parrot family. There are 115 known species of parakeet. But we will be focusing on the budgerigar or common parakeet. The kind you find in pet stores all over the world. In captivity, these sweet and social birds have little fear of humans and can even, with some patience, be taught to speak. #Australia #avian #bird #budgerigar #budgie #fly #parakeet #parrot #pet #wings #worldwide

The basking shark is the second largest known fish in the ocean, after the whale shark. These gentle giants have lots of teeth but instead choose to eat plankton. They can be found in temperate waters around the world, slowly swimming about, peacefully scooping up plankton. These sharks get their name from the fact that they swim close to the surface, almost as if they are basking in the sun. #basking #baskingshark #fish #krill #ocean #plankton #sea #shark #whaleshark #worldwide

The lungfish can be found on 3 continents: Africa, Australia, and South America. But we will be focusing, primarily, on African lungfish. There have been many a speculation as to whether or not lungfish were the gap between aquatic and land animals. The debate rages on. These odd creatures prefer backwaters, freshwater swamps, and small rivers. They can be found in Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia, Guinea, Niger, Senegal, #Africa #African #Africanlungfish #aquatic #estivate #evolution #fish #lung

The Saharan horned viper can be found in Northern Africa and certain parts of the Middle East. These venomous serpents prefer dry, sandy areas with subtle rock outcroppings, and also oases. These vipers have been documented at altitudes of up to 4,900 feet. They are typically identified by their pair of supraocular "horns", although there have been hornless specimens found too. #ambush #bite #desert #envenomation #fangs #hornedviper #Sahanan #Sahara #Saharanhornedviper #sand #snake #veno

Known the world over for their intellect and loyalty, the African grey parrot is one of the most sought after of the exotic pets. Care should be taken though, as I have worked with these birds and have found that they can be loyal to a fault, if not raised properly. Also, due to their intelligence, they absolutely must be worked with daily and provided the proper stimuli. #Africa #African #Africangreyparrot #bird #egg #feather #fly #grey #greyparrot #intelligent #nest #parrot #talk

The meerkat belongs to the mongoose family. Nope, they aren't cats at all. They live in semi-arid and arid deserts in western and southern Namibia, southwestern Botswana, and north and west South Africa. While they don't sing songs about life or make friends with warthogs or especially lions, they are sociable with each other. These cute critters can be seen in large groups, called mobs or gangs, of up to 40+ #Africa #African #burrow #family #gang #groom #grooming #insectivore #meerkat

The south polar skua, aka jaeger, is a seabird that can be found in Africa, Antarctica, Asia, North America, Oceania, and South America. They use the snow-free areas of Antarctic coasts to breed during warmer months, and spend the cooler months at sea, in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. With an estimated 15,000 individuals, these birds are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. First the Stats... #aggressive #Antarctica #bird #carrion #gull #ocean #polar #predator #sea #skua

The Asian small-clawed otter is the smallest known otter species. Their hands and feet are only partially webbed and they have short claws. This aids in sensitivity to touch and a heightened dexterity, which helps them find food under rocks and in the mud. Small-clawed otters can be found in parts of India and Southeast Asia including the islands of Borneo, Java, Palawan, and Sumatra. #Asia #Asian #Asiansmallclawedotter #claw #clawed #fur #mammal #mud #otter #predator #river #water

Say hello to the chamois (pronounced sham-wah). A goat-antelope that hails from Europe and Asia-minor. They have also been introduced to New Zealand. These critters prefer alpine meadows, mountains, steep slopes, and rocky terrains. They can be seen at altitudes of up to 11,800 feet! Chamois face hunting, lack of food (due to competition from livestock), habitat loss, and disease. #alpine #antelope #Asia #chamois #cliff #Europe #goat #graze #mountain #NewZealand #prey

Whales are a critical component to the earth's oceans. The southern right whale is no exception. These giants, like all other baleen whales, aid in the bloom of phytoplankton and krill when they (believe it or not) poop. Their feces is fed upon by phytoplankton which then blooms to then be consumed by zooplankton and thus begins the circle of oceanic life. #baleen #cetacean #krill #mammal #ocean #plankton #rightwhale #southernrightwhale #whale #wouthern

Found on multiple continents, the wild boar prefers grassy savanna areas, agricultural areas, wooded forests, shrublands, and marshy swamplands. There are 4 known subspecies of wild boar, pretty much differentiated by coloration. These critters are strong, fast, and eat pretty much anything. They also have an attitude. So give em room. Even though they suffer at the hands of habitat loss and are actively hunted, they #aggressive #boar #forest #hog #nocturnal #pig #predator #prey #tusk

The sand lizard can be found throughout Europe and Asia. They prefer sandy heathlands and sand dunes in coastal regions. These multicolored critters are considered one of the United Kingdom's rarest reptiles. This is due to habitat destruction and degradation. However, due to their overall numbers in Asia, they are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN. First the Stats... Scientific name: Lacerta agilis Weight: #Asia #autonomy #Europe #lizard #predator #prey #reptile #sand #sandlizard

The giant petrel is a sea bird that hails from Antarctica up into the subtropical areas of South America, Australia, and Africa. They may look a little like an albatross but when they fly, they have a slight hunchback. Giant petrels are a perfect example of an opportunistic feeder. They will eat just about anything they can get a hold of. They will feed on land and out at sea. #aggressive #Antarctica #bird #carrion #egg #fly #giantpetrel #ocean #petrel #predator #scavenger #sea #seabird

A member of the weasel family, the fisher is native to North America (United States & Canada). Once hunted for their fur to near extinction, these critters have bounced back from elimination due to the efforts of conservationists. They now number over 100,000. Which is good too, as their reduction has cause a boom in the porcupine population and subsequent tree damage. #blackcat #blackfox #Canada #cat #crepuscular #fisher #fishercat #nocturnal #pékan #predator #UnitedStates

The beluga whale, aka white whale or sea canary, calls the frigid Arctic waters its home. These beautiful white whales rely on their coloration to blend in with their icy surroundings. Belugas are considered to be the most vocal of all cetaceans. Despite human interference, at the hands of overfishing, shipping lanes (boat strike), the oil industrydegrading their habitat, and climate change these critters are listed #Arctic #beluga #belugawhale #cetacean #mammal #ocean #orca #pod

Among the most highly endangered crocodilians in the world, the Siamese crocodile makes their home in the Mekong River basin and the wetlands in Cambodia. They prefer slow-moving streams and rivers, lakes, seasonal oxbow lakes, marshes, and swamplands. Sadly, Siamese crocs are listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, with fewer than 1,000 estimated individuals in the wild. #Asia #Cambodia #croc #crocodile #crocodilian #egg #MekongRiver #predator #reptile #Siamese #Siamesecrocodile