Animals

Fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox): Madagascar's Largest Native Carnivore Fossa Explore the fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox), Madagascar’s largest native carnivore: a cat‑like, tree‑agile predator—covering its behavior, lemur-based diet, taxonomy, reproduction, and…

Four-horned antelope (Tetracerus quadricornis) Four-horned antelope Small, solitary antelope of the Indian subcontinent notable for males bearing two pairs of horns; occupies dry forests and scrubland and faces habitat loss and hunting pressures.

Fowl (Galloanserae): landfowl and waterfowl Fowl Fowl are birds in two related orders — landfowl (Galliformes) and waterfowl (Anseriformes) — commonly hunted or domesticated for meat, eggs, feathers, and cultural roles.

Fox: small canids of Vulpes and related species Fox Overview of foxes — their classification, anatomy, behavior, diet, habitat, relationship with people, and notable species within Vulpes and related groups.

Fraser's dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei): oceanic pelagic dolphin Fraser's dolphin Fraser's dolphin is a compact, oceanic dolphin (Lagenodelphis hosei) of tropical and subtropical deep waters, noted for distinctive flank banding, offshore groups, and a largely Pa…

French Bulldog: appearance, history, care, and key facts French Bulldog Compact, affectionate companion dog known for its 'bat ears' and short muzzle. Originated in 19th-century France from Toy Bulldogs and local ratters. Popular pet with specific heal…

Freshwater crab Freshwater crabs are decapod crustaceans adapted to inland waters and damp habitats; they show parental care, high endemism, ecological importance, and face widespread conservation…

Friesian Horse — Dutch Breed Characterized by Black Coat, Feathering, and Animated Trot Friesian horse Friesian horse, a Dutch breed from Friesland, noted for its solid black coat, flowing mane, feathered legs and elevated trot; prized for riding, driving, dressage and ceremonial us…

Frill-necked Lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii) Frill-necked lizard A reptile native to northern Australia and New Guinea, notable for its expandable neck frill, bipedal sprinting and defensive displays. Overview of appearance, behavior, habitat, d…

Frog (order Anura): biology, life cycle, ecology, and human interactions Frog Comprehensive overview of frogs — their classification, anatomy and life cycle, habitats, ecological role, cultural uses, and conservation issues.

Frogs as Pets: Care, Species, Feeding, and Housing Frogs as pets Practical, neutral overview of keeping frogs as pets: common groups, housing, feeding, handling, health, and ethical considerations for prospective owners.

Frostius — a small genus of true toads Frostius Frostius is a small genus of true toads (Bufonidae) comprising two recognized species. They are Neotropical, share typical toad features, and have restricted ranges that raise cons…

Frugivore: animals that feed primarily on fruit Frugivore Frugivores are animals that preferentially eat fruit. This article explains their adaptations, examples across animal groups, ecological roles in seed dispersal, and conservation s…

Fruitadens — a small heterodontosaur from the Morrison Formation Fruitadens Fruitadens is a tiny Late Jurassic heterodontosaurian ornithischian known from partial skeletons in Fruita, Colorado; notable for its mixed dentition, small size, and inferred omni…

Fruitafossor — a termite‑eating mammal from the Late Jurassic Fruitafossor Fruitafossor is an extinct, chipmunk-sized mammaliform from the Upper Jurassic of North America, known from a well-preserved skeleton and notable for convergent adaptations to eati…

Fur: structure, functions, and human uses Fur Fur is the dense hair coat of many mammals. It insulates, camouflages, and protects; its structure varies by species and environment and has been used and managed by humans for mil…

Fur seals — biology, distribution, and conservation Fur seal Fur seals are otariid pinnipeds: nine species (one northern, eight southern) recognized for dense underfur, external ears, coastal breeding colonies, varied diets, and a history of…

Furcula (wishbone): anatomy, function, and evolution Furcula The furcula, or wishbone, is the fused clavicles found in birds and some theropod dinosaurs. It reinforces the shoulder girdle, helps in flight mechanics, varies among species, and…

Futabasaurus — an elasmosaurid plesiosaur from Japan Futabasaurus Futabasaurus is a genus of long-necked marine reptile (an elasmosaurid plesiosaur) known from fragmentary Upper Cretaceous remains in Japan; the type species is F. suzukii.

Gadfly: horse‑flies, botflies and the metaphorical gadfly Gadfly Gadfly commonly refers to biting or parasitic flies—notably horse‑flies and botflies—and by extension to a provocative person. Overview of biology, impacts on animals, control, and…

Galago (bushbaby): overview, traits, behavior and conservation Galago Galagos, or bushbabies, are small nocturnal African primates (family Galagidae). This article outlines their appearance, behavior, habitat, ecological role, taxonomy and conservati…

Galápagos penguin A concise overview of the Galápagos penguin (Spheniscus mendiculus): appearance, habitat on the Galápagos Islands, behavior, breeding, diet and conservation challenges.

Galapagos shark (Carcharhinus galapagensis) Galapagos shark A large tropical requiem shark associated with oceanic islands; known for reef-associated habits, wide tropical distribution, and important ecological role as a predator.

Gall wasp (Cynipidae): biology, galls, and ecological role Gall wasp Small wasps (family Cynipidae) that induce plant galls; diverse, often oak-associated insects with complex life cycles, ecological interactions, and historical significance for gal…

Galliformes: the order of ground‑dwelling birds (pheasants, quail, chickens) Galliformes Galliformes are heavy-bodied, mostly terrestrial birds—pheasants, grouse, turkeys, quail and chickens—comprising over 250 species worldwide; many are game or domesticated and show…

Gallimimus — Late Cretaceous ornithomimosaur (the 'chicken mimic') Gallimimus Gallimimus was an ostrich-like, fast-running, toothless theropod from the Late Cretaceous of Mongolia. Known for its long legs, small head and beak, it informs studies of ornithomi…

Game bird Wild bird species hunted for food and sport; managed and regulated in many countries. Covers types, management, laws, history, uses and distinctions within conservation and hunting…

Game fish Fish sought primarily for recreational angling, prized for their fighting ability or culinary value; includes freshwater and saltwater species, with both recreational and commercia…

Gannet (genus Morus): seabird overview and natural history Gannet Gannets are large plunge-diving seabirds of the genus Morus, known for white plumage, yellowish heads, long pointed wings and dramatic high-speed dives to catch fish. They breed in…

Gansus — Early Cretaceous aquatic bird genus Gansus Gansus is an Early Cretaceous genus of aquatic birds from present-day Gansu, China. Well-preserved fossils show a mix of primitive and modern traits illuminating early evolution of…

Gar (family Lepisosteidae): ancient armored freshwater predators Gar Gars are long, armored freshwater fish in the family Lepisosteidae. These ancient ray-finned predators are native to the Americas, notable for ganoid scales, elongated jaws, lung-l…

Garden dormouse (Eliomys quercinus) Garden dormouse A small nocturnal rodent of the dormouse family (Gliridae) found in parts of Europe and North Africa; arboreal and omnivorous, hibernates seasonally and faces regional conservation…

Gargoyleosaurus — armored ankylosaur from the Morrison Formation Gargoyleosaurus Gargoyleosaurus was a small, armored ankylosaurian dinosaur from the Late Jurassic Morrison Formation of Wyoming, known for rows of osteoderms and lateral spikes and important for…

Garter snakes (Thamnophis): biology, distribution, and interactions with people Garter snake Common North American snakes in the genus Thamnophis, noted for stripes, aquatic habits, mild venom for small prey, varied diet, live birth, and resistance to newt toxins; widespre…

Gastornis (extinct flightless bird) Gastornis Gastornis is an extinct genus of very large, flightless birds from the late Paleocene to early Eocene of Europe and North America, notable for its massive beak, robust skeleton and…

Gastrolith (gizzard stone): function, history, and identification Gastrolith Gastroliths are stones swallowed and retained in the digestive tract of some animals to grind food or act as ballast; they are important in modern biology and paleontology.

Gastropoda: snails, slugs and related gastropod molluscs Gastropoda Gastropoda is the largest class of molluscs, including snails, slugs and many marine species. This article summarizes their form, development, diversity, fossil history, ecology an…

Gastrotrich (Gastrotricha): tiny aquatic animals called hairybacks Gastrotrich Gastrotricha are a phylum of microscopic aquatic animals (0.06–3 mm) found in marine, freshwater and moist terrestrial habitats. About 700 described species; noted for ciliation, a…

Gaur (Bos gaurus): the Indian bison Gaur The gaur (Bos gaurus) is the largest wild bovine native to South and Southeast Asia, a forest-dwelling herbivore notable for its size, distinctive horns and cultural importance; li…

Gavialidae — the long‑snouted crocodilian family Gavialidae Gavialidae is a small family of long‑snouted, primarily fish‑eating crocodilians represented today by the gharial and the false gharial. Both are evolutionarily distinctive and fac…

Gavialis: the gharial genus and its long-snouted relatives Gavialis Gavialis is a genus of longirostrine crocodylians that includes the living gharial and several fossil species; notable for an extremely narrow snout, fish‑eating habits, and a comp…

Gazelle: biology, habitat, and behavior Gazelle Gazelles are small to medium antelopes native to Africa and Asia, noted for speed, leaping displays, grazing behavior, and varied social structures. This article covers their trait…

Gecko: biology, behavior, adhesion, and relationship with people Gecko Overview of geckos—small to medium lizards (roughly 1,200 species) notable for vocalizations, adhesive toe pads, nocturnal habits, and close association with human dwellings.

Gemsbok (Oryx gazella): Large African Antelope of Arid Plains Gemsbok The gemsbok (Oryx gazella) is a large antelope native to southern African drylands. Known for long straight horns and striking markings, it is adapted to arid habitats and plays ro…

Genet (Genetta and relatives): overview, biology, and human interactions Genet Small viverrid carnivores of the Old World, genets are agile, mostly arboreal mammals notable for long tails, spotted pelage, varied diets, and a fossil record extending to the Pli…

Gentoo Penguin (Pygoscelis papua): Description, Behavior and Habitat Gentoo penguin A concise overview of the gentoo penguin—appearance, distribution, behavior, breeding, diet, and conservation, with distinctions from other large penguin species.

Geoffroy's cat (Leopardus geoffroyi) Geoffroy's cat Small spotted wild cat of central and southern South America, similar in size to domestic cats. Solitary and largely nocturnal, listed Near Threatened due to habitat loss, fragment…

Geometer moth (family Geometridae): overview, life stages, and significance Geometer moth Large family of moths (Geometridae) known for inchworm larvae and diverse wing patterns. About 23,000 described species, mostly nocturnal; includes the peppered moth and some agric…