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Animal facts

Discover the remarkable lives of animals, one fact at a time.

Wildcat

  • The wildcat's tail is thick and blunt, with several black rings and a black tip.
  • Domestic cats descend mainly from the African wildcat, not the European wildcat.
  • Wildcats and domestic cats can interbreed, which is the biggest threat to wildcats in many areas.

Wolf

  • To help newborn pups pee and poo, the mother licks their bellies.
  • The grey wolf is the largest wild member of the dog family, which also includes domestic dogs, coyotes, dingoes, jackals, foxes and African wild dogs. Related profile: Dog. Related profile: Jackal.
  • Wolves walk and run on their toes and can reach about 50-60 km/h in short bursts.

Woodpecker

  • There are more than 200 species of woodpeckers.
  • A woodpecker's tongue is supported by long bones that wrap around the back of its skull.
  • Most woodpeckers have two toes pointing forward and two pointing backward.

Zebra

  • Zebras belong to the horse family (Equidae), along with horses and donkeys. Related profile: Horse. Related profile: Donkey.
  • Like human fingerprints, every zebra's stripes are unique.
  • Zebras are social animals and feel safer resting near other zebras, which can warn them if predators approach.