Animals

Goniatitina: extinct suborder of Paleozoic ammonoid cephalopods Goniatitina Goniatitina is a suborder of the extinct goniatitid ammonoids that lived through much of the Paleozoic. Known from coiled shells and simple suture patterns, they are important inde…

Goose (typical geese of the family Anatidae) Goose Geese are medium-to-large waterfowl of the family Anatidae. This article covers their taxonomy, appearance, behavior, migration, domestication, and notable distinctions from swans…

Gorgonopsids — predatory therapsids of the late Permian Gorgonopsid Extinct carnivorous therapsids of the late Permian, notable for elongated saber-like canines, robust skulls and a role as apex predators. Fossils chiefly from South Africa and Russ…

Gorgosaurus — Late Cretaceous tyrannosaur from western North America Gorgosaurus Gorgosaurus is a medium-to-large tyrannosaurid from the Late Cretaceous of western North America, known mostly from Alberta. It was an apex predator adapted for powerful bites, fas…

Gorilla: overview, biology, behaviour and conservation Gorilla Gorillas are the largest living primates, a genus of African apes split into western and eastern species. This article covers their appearance, social life, taxonomy, habitat, and…

Grackle: overview of the New World blackbird group Grackle Grackles are several species of New World blackbirds (family Icteridae) noted for glossy, often iridescent plumage, long tails and gregarious behavior across diverse habitats in th…

Grant's gazelle (Nanger granti) Grant's gazelle A medium- to large-sized East African antelope, Grant's gazelle (Nanger granti) inhabits dry savannas and open woodlands. Recognizable by curved horns, reddish coat and mixed feedi…

Graphium (swordtail swallowtail butterflies) Graphium Graphium is a genus of Papilionidae known as swordtails or bluebottles, with about 100 mostly tropical species across Eurasia, Africa and Oceania; notable for variable wing tails,…

Graphium sarpedon — the Common bluebottle Graphium sarpedon Graphium sarpedon, the Common bluebottle, is a swallowtail butterfly found across South and Southeast Asia and parts of Australia. It includes about 15 subspecies and is associated…

Graphiurus — the African dormice genus Graphiurus Graphiurus is a genus of small, arboreal dormice native to sub‑Saharan Africa, recognizable by bushy tails, climbing adaptations, nocturnal habits and an omnivorous diet.

Grass snake (Natrix): description, distribution and ecology Grass snake A non-venomous, water-associated colubrid (genus Natrix) found across much of Europe, parts of the Middle East and northwestern Africa; largely amphibian-eating and the subject of…

Grasshopper: biology, behavior, and human significance Grasshopper Overview of grasshoppers (suborder Caelifera): key characteristics, life cycle, diet, ecological role, differences from katydids, and economic importance including locust swarms.

Gray whale (Eschrichtius robustus) Gray whale A baleen whale noted for its gray mottled skin, nearshore benthic feeding, and annual long-distance migration between high-latitude feeding areas and subtropical breeding lagoons.

Grazer (herbivore adapted to eating grass) Grazer An overview of grazers: animals, adaptations in teeth and digestion, ecological roles, evolution from browsers, examples, and impacts such as overgrazing and land management.

Great auk (Pinguinus impennis): the extinct North Atlantic auk Great auk Flightless seabird of the North Atlantic, hunted to extinction in the 19th century. Notable for its penguin-like appearance, colonial breeding on rocky islands, and cultural legacy…

Great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) Great cormorant Large black coastal and freshwater diving bird found across the Old World and Atlantic North America; known for varied size, fish diet, colonial nesting, wing-drying posture, and i…

Great crested grebe (Podiceps cristatus) Great crested grebe A distinctive freshwater diving bird with ornate head plumes, noted for elaborate courtship displays, floating nests and a past recovery after hunting for its plumage.

Great crested newt (Triturus cristatus) Great crested newt A large European amphibian with warty skin and a jagged dorsal crest. Lives terrestrially outside the breeding season and breeds in ponds; protected across much of its range due to…

Great Dane Large, short-coated dog breed of German origin, known as a 'gentle giant'; notable for great height, several coat patterns, companion roles, and specific health and care needs.

Great egret (Ardea alba) Great egret A large, white wading bird found across much of the world; known for its long neck, yellow bill, black legs, and elegant breeding plumes. Common in wetlands and often seen in shall…

Great gerbil (Rhombomys opimus) Great gerbil A large, burrowing rodent of arid Central Asia, the great gerbil is notable for its extensive tunnel systems, social colonies, ecological role and interactions with humans and dise…

Great hammerhead shark (Sphyrna mokarran) Great hammerhead shark The great hammerhead (Sphyrna mokarran) is the largest hammerhead species, a tropical-to-subtropical predator recognized for its tall dorsal fin and distinctive wide, nearly straig…

Great horned owl (Bubo virginianus) Great horned owl Large, adaptable American owl (Bubo virginianus) known for ear tufts, deep hoots, broad diet and varied habitats from forests and mountains to deserts and cities.

Great Plains Narrowmouth Toad (Gastrophryne olivacea) Great Plains Narrowmouth Toad Small, secretive amphibian of the central North American plains. Overview of appearance, range, behavior, reproduction, and conservation of Gastrophryne olivacea.

Great spotted woodpecker (Dendrocopos major) Great spotted woodpecker A medium-sized black-and-white woodpecker found across Eurasia and parts of North Africa. Known for drumming, tree excavation, and a varied diet including insects and seeds.

Great tit (Parus major) — overview, appearance, behavior and ecology Great tit A widespread passerine of the tit family Paridae, the great tit (Parus major) is a familiar garden bird across Eurasia and North Africa. This article covers its appearance, diet, b…

Great white pelican (Pelecanus onocrotalus) — overview, biology, and conservation Great white pelican Comprehensive overview of the great white pelican: identification, range, feeding and breeding behavior, and contemporary conservation challenges affecting this large wetland bird.

Great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) Great white shark A large, widely distributed predatory shark species known for powerful hunting, serrated teeth, long migrations and cultural notoriety; an apex marine predator with specialized sen…

Great-billed heron (Ardea sumatrana) Great-billed heron Large coastal heron of southeast Asia, Papua New Guinea and Australia, noted for its long heavy bill, solitary stalking of fish, and preference for mangroves, reefs and tidal water…

Greater Bird-of-Paradise (Paradisaea apoda): New Guinea canopy display specialist Greater bird-of-paradise Profile of the Greater Bird-of-Paradise (Paradisaea apoda), a New Guinea canopy specialist known for the male's ornate plumes and courtship displays, with coverage of taxonomy, hab…

Greater flamingo (Phoenicopterus roseus) Greater flamingo A comprehensive overview of the greater flamingo: appearance, range, habitat, feeding, reproduction, conservation status, and cultural significance.

Greater rhea (Rhea americana): overview, biology and human interactions Greater rhea The greater rhea is a large, flightless South American bird (Rhea americana). This article covers its appearance, behavior, habitat, taxonomy, conservation issues and differences f…

Greater roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) Greater roadrunner A ground-dwelling member of the cuckoo family native to the southwestern United States and Mexico; notable for running speed, long tail, and varied predatory diet.

Greater sage-grouse (Centrocercus urophasianus) Greater sage-grouse A comprehensive overview of the greater sage-grouse: identification, range, behavior, habitat needs, and conservation challenges in western North America.

Grebe (family Podicipedidae): aquatic diving birds Grebe Grebes are freshwater diving birds in the family Podicipedidae, known for lobed toes, elaborate courtship, floating nests and a worldwide distribution with 22 recognized species.

Green iguana (Iguana iguana): description, behavior, and human interactions Green iguana Large arboreal lizard native to Central & South America and the Caribbean; primarily herbivorous, often seen in trees and frequently kept as a pet or an invasive species in some re…

Green peafowl (Pavo muticus) Green peafowl The green peafowl is a large Southeast Asian pheasant (Pavo muticus) known for iridescent green and bronze plumage. Endangered in the wild due to habitat loss, hunting and fragment…

Green pheasant (Phasianus versicolor) Green pheasant A medium-sized, ground-dwelling bird endemic to Japan, noted for the male's iridescent green plumage and long tail. It is recognized as Japan's national bird and is commonly found…

Green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) Green sea turtle Chelonia mydas, the green sea turtle, is a large marine turtle of the family Cheloniidae. Adults are mainly herbivorous, return to natal beaches to nest, migrate long distances, an…

Green tree python (Morelia viridis) Green tree python An overview of the green tree python, covering appearance, behavior, habitat, reproduction, captivity, and conservation across New Guinea, nearby Indonesian islands and northern Au…

Green woodpecker Medium-sized woodpeckers of the genus Picus and relatives, known for green plumage, ant-heavy diet, loud calls and cavity nesting; several species carry the common name "green wood…

Greenland halibut (Reinhardtius hippoglossoides): biology, range and fisheries Greenland halibut A deepwater flatfish of northern oceans, Greenland halibut is the sole species of Reinhardtius. This article covers its appearance, habitat, fishery importance, culinary use and co…

Grey bamboo lemur (Hapalemur griseus) Grey bamboo lemur A small bamboo-specialist primate from eastern Madagascar, the grey bamboo lemur is crepuscular, feeds largely on bamboo, and faces conservation pressures from habitat loss.

Grey crowned crane (Balearica regulorum) Grey crowned crane Large, crested African crane found in wetlands and grasslands of eastern and southern Africa; omnivorous, famous for courtship dances and facing threats from habitat loss and trade…

Grey heron (Ardea cinerea): description, behavior and habitat Grey heron The grey heron is a large wading bird (Ardea cinerea) found across temperate Europe, Asia and parts of Africa. This article covers its appearance, feeding, breeding, distribution a…

Grey partridge (Perdix perdix): appearance, ecology and conservation Grey partridge Compact overview of the grey partridge (Perdix perdix): identification, range, behaviour, threats from agricultural change and conservation measures, plus notes on human use and di…

Grey peacock-pheasant (Polyplectron bicalcaratum) Grey peacock-pheasant A Southeast Asian pheasant known for its subtle grey plumage and iridescent tail 'eyes'; native to forests of Myanmar and neighboring countries and culturally significant as Myanma…

Grey's crowned guenon (Cercopithecus pogonias grayi) Grey's crowned guenon A Central African monkey with a distinctive crowned facial pattern and golden belly. Overview of appearance, behavior, range, diet, reproduction and conservation concerns.