Animals

Eoraptor: an early dinosaur from the Ischigualasto Formation Eoraptor Eoraptor was a small, early dinosaur from the Late Triassic of Argentina. Known from well‑preserved fossils, it helps illuminate the anatomy, ecology, and early evolution of dinosa…

Epidexipteryx — a Jurassic maniraptoran notable for ornamental tail feathers Epidexipteryx Epidexipteryx is a small Jurassic maniraptoran dinosaur known from a single well-preserved Chinese specimen, notable for elongated ribbon-like tail feathers that illuminate early s…

Equidae: the family of horses, donkeys and zebras Equidae Equidae is the mammal family that includes modern horses, donkeys and zebras (genus Equus). Members are single-hoofed, herbivorous, cursorial mammals with a long fossil history and…

Equus (genus) — horses, asses and zebras Equus (genus) Equus is the genus of modern one-toed hoofed mammals that includes horses, asses and zebras. Adapted to grasslands, they evolved from multi-toed ancestors and have important ecolog…

Erinaceidae: the family of hedgehogs and gymnures Erinaceidae Erinaceidae is a small family of mammals that includes spiny hedgehogs and the hairier, scent-marking gymnures (moonrats); they belong to the order Eulipotyphla and have a long fos…

Eriophyidae: the gall mites — tiny plant parasites Eriophyidae Eriophyidae are microscopic plant-feeding mites that induce galls and other symptoms, often host-specific and economically important; some species also vector plant viruses.

Eristicophis — McMahon's viper, a desert viper of Central Asia Eristicophis Eristicophis is a monotypic genus of venomous viper whose sole species, Eristicophis macmahoni (McMahon's viper), inhabits desert regions near Iran, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Eshanosaurus: Early Jurassic therizinosaur-like dinosaur from China Eshanosaurus Eshanosaurus deguchiianus is an extinct genus known from a Lower Jurassic jaw fragment found in Yunnan, China; its classification as a therizinosaur and status as the earliest coel…

Esociformes: pikes, mudminnows and their freshwater relatives Esociformes Esociformes are a small order of freshwater ray-finned fishes including pikes (Esox) and mudminnows (Umbridae), found across northern continents; notable as ambush predators with d…

Esox: the pike genus of freshwater predatory fishes Esox Esox is the genus of pike and pickerel — elongated, ambush predators of northern freshwater systems. This article covers their traits, species, fossil record, behaviour, fishery im…

Estrildid finches Estrildid finch Small, social seed-eating passerines of the Old World tropics and Australasia, known for varied plumage, domed grass nests, and importance in aviculture and research.

Etruscan shrew (Suncus etruscus) Etruscan shrew A tiny insectivorous mammal, the Etruscan shrew is the smallest mammal by mass; this article summarizes its size, metabolism, behaviour, range, reproduction and conservation.

Euarchonta: arboreal mammals including primates, colugos and treeshrews Euarchonta Euarchonta is a grandorder of placental mammals that groups primates, colugos, treeshrews and related fossil taxa; together with Glires it forms the Euarchontoglires clade within E…

Eudimorphodon — an early long-tailed pterosaur of the Late Triassic Eudimorphodon Eudimorphodon is a small, long‑tailed pterosaur from Upper Triassic deposits in Italy, notable for its exceptionally complex multicusped teeth, preserved stomach contents, and an u…

Eumetazoa — animals with true tissues and gastrulating embryos Eumetazoa Eumetazoa are animals that form true tissues and undergo gastrulation, including cnidarians, ctenophores and bilaterians. They develop organised germ layers and often possess nerve…

Euoplocephalus — Late Cretaceous armored ankylosaur Euoplocephalus Euoplocephalus, a well‑armored, low-slung ankylosaurid from the Late Cretaceous, is known from many specimens and a distinctive tail club and osteoderms found in western North Amer…

Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis — Indian skipper or skittering frog Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis Semi-aquatic frog of South Asia, the Indian skipper (Euphlyctis cyanophlyctis) frequents ponds and rice fields. Known for skittering escape behaviour, insectivorous diet, and use a…

Eupleridae: the carnivores of Madagascar Eupleridae Eupleridae are a family of carnivorous mammals endemic to Madagascar. The group includes eight species in seven genera, from the fossa to smaller civets and mongoose-like forms, ad…

Eurasian golden oriole (Oriolus oriolus) Eurasian golden oriole A bright yellow migratory songbird of the oriole family that breeds across Europe and western Asia and winters in sub‑Saharan Africa; noted for its flute‑like song and striking mal…

Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) Eurasian lynx Overview of the Eurasian lynx: appearance, behavior, distribution across Europe and Asia, diet, reproduction, and conservation measures in neutral, accessible detail.

Eurasian magpie (Pica pica) Eurasian magpie Widespread black-and-white corvid of Europe, Asia and North Africa, notable for its long tail, iridescent plumage, problem-solving intelligence, adaptable diet, and rich cultural m…

Eurasian teal (Anas crecca) — a small migratory dabbling duck Eurasian teal Overview of the Eurasian teal (Anas crecca): identification, behavior, migration, taxonomy, conservation, and its role in wetlands and birdwatching.

Europasaurus: the dwarf sauropod from Late Jurassic Germany Europasaurus Europasaurus is a small, Late Jurassic sauropod from northern Germany. Known from multiple individuals, it provides one of the clearest examples of insular dwarfism in dinosaurs an…

European badger (Meles meles) European badger A medium-sized, social mustelid native to most of Europe; a burrowing omnivore known for setts, latrines, broad diet, and complex interactions with ecosystems and people.

European honey bee (Apis mellifera): biology, behavior and importance European honey bee Comprehensive overview of the European or western honey bee (Apis mellifera): taxonomy, anatomy, social structure, communication, pollination role, beekeeping, threats and conserva…

European hornet (Vespa crabro) European hornet Comprehensive overview of the European hornet, covering identification, biology, nesting, diet, behavior, range, interactions with people, ecological role, and safe management.

European perch (Perca fluviatilis) European perch A widespread freshwater predatory fish of Europe and western Asia, known for its greenish body, dark vertical bars and red fins; valued by anglers and important in many freshwater…

European plaice (Pleuronectes platessa): description, habitat and fisheries European plaice The European plaice is a right-eyed flatfish of the North-East Atlantic and Mediterranean. It inhabits sandy continental shelves, feeds on benthic invertebrates and supports import…

European polecat (Mustela putorius) European polecat A compact mustelid native to western Eurasia and north Africa. Overview of identification, behaviour, distribution, taxonomy, relations with humans, hybrids and conservation status…

European robin (Erithacus rubecula): appearance, behavior, and significance European robin Small insectivorous passerine found across much of Europe, known for its red breast, territorial song, and cultural popularity in Britain and beyond.

European sprat (Sprattus sprattus) — small oily fish of European waters European sprat The European sprat is a small oily forage fish related to herring, found in coastal European seas. It is nutritious, widely preserved (smoked, salted, canned) and important for fis…

European wildcat (Felis silvestris silvestris): description, ecology and conservation European wildcat Overview of the European wildcat, its appearance, behaviour, distribution, threats (including hybridization with domestic cats), and conservation measures.

Europelta — Early Cretaceous nodosaurid dinosaur Europelta Europelta carbonensis is a nodosaurid ankylosaur from the early Albian of northeastern Spain, known from relatively complete remains and important for understanding armor, ecology,…

Eurypterid (sea scorpions): anatomy, ecology and fossil history Eurypterid Eurypterids, or sea scorpions, were an extinct group of chelicerate arthropods that ranged from small forms to the largest known arthropods; they lived from the Ordovician to the e…

Eurypterus — the iconic Silurian sea scorpion Eurypterus Eurypterus is a well-known genus of extinct sea scorpions (eurypterids) from Silurian shallow seas, notable for paddle-like limbs, frequent fossil preservation, and wide distributi…

Eurytides — genus of swallowtail butterflies Eurytides Eurytides is a genus of swallowtail butterflies (family Papilionidae) native to North, Central and South America. Overview of appearance, life cycle, distribution, taxonomy and con…

Zebra Swallowtail (Eurytides marcellus) Eurytides marcellus A North American swallowtail butterfly known for black-and-white zebra striping, long tail streamers, and reliance on pawpaw plants; common in eastern woodlands and the state butte…

Eustreptospondylus — a mid‑Jurassic megalosaurid theropod from England Eustreptospondylus Eustreptospondylus is a medium‑large megalosaurid theropod from the Middle Jurassic of England, known from incomplete fossils and notable for its large skull, serrated teeth and it…

Ewe: people, language, and the female sheep Ewe Ewe refers to a West African ethnic group and their language, as well as the common English word for a female sheep. This article outlines their identity, language family, culture,…

Exmoor pony A small, hardy native British pony from Exmoor, noted for primitive markings, durability on moorland, and use in conservation grazing, riding and driving. Conserved by breed societ…

Exotic pet (non-traditional companion animal) Exotic pet An exotic pet is an uncommon or non-native animal kept for companionship. This article explains definitions, common groups, care issues, legal and conservation concerns, and how ex…

Ezo salamander (Hynobius retardatus) — northern Japan amphibian Ezo salamander The Ezo salamander (Hynobius retardatus) is a small terrestrial salamander native to northern Japan, typically found in forests, shrubland and wetlands where it breeds in ponds and…

Fabrosauridae — proposed family of early ornithischian dinosaurs Fabrosauridae Fabrosauridae is a historical grouping of small, early ornithischian dinosaurs. Once used for several primitive taxa, it is now regarded as an artificial assemblage and its members…

Fabrosaurus — an early, fragmentary ornithischian dinosaur Fabrosaurus Fabrosaurus is a small, early herbivorous ornithischian known from fragmentary jaw material from the Early Jurassic of southern Africa; its identity and relationships remain uncert…

Falcon (Falconidae): overview, biology, and human relationships Falcon Falcons are fast, small-to-medium birds of prey in the family Falconidae. This article covers their appearance, hunting methods, notable species, history with humans, and conservat…

Falconidae: the falcon family — overview, traits, and human connections Falconidae Falconidae is the family of diurnal raptors that includes falcons, kestrels and caracaras. This article covers their characteristics, taxonomy, distribution, cultural roles and not…

Falconiformes: diurnal birds of prey Falconiformes Falconiformes are diurnal raptors such as falcons, kestrels and caracaras. Overview of their traits, taxonomy, behavior, role in ecosystems, cultural uses like falconry, and conser…

Faline — fictional doe from Bambi (novel and Disney films) Faline Faline is the female deer who appears as Bambi's playmate, mate and later mother in Felix Salten's novel and in Disney adaptations; she represents themes of growing up, courtship a…