Animals

Junglefowl (Genus Gallus): Species, Ecology, Behavior and Human Connections Junglefowl Junglefowl are four Gallus species of Phasianidae native to South and Southeast Asia, notable for sexually dimorphic plumage and including the Red Junglefowl, the wild ancestor of…

Juramaia: Earliest Known Eutherian Mammal from the Late Jurassic Juramaia Juramaia is the earliest known eutherian mammal, a small shrew-like animal from China’s Late Jurassic (~160 Ma). Its skeleton and teeth illuminate early mammal anatomy, arboreal ha…

Justify (racehorse) — 2018 American Triple Crown winner Justify (horse) Justify is a retired American Thoroughbred racehorse foaled in 2015, unbeaten in his career and the thirteenth winner of the U.S. Triple Crown after victories in the 2018 Kentucky…

K-Run's Park Me In First (Uno) — 2008 Westminster Best in Show Beagle K-Run's Park Me In First K-Run's Park Me In First, called Uno, was a beagle best known for winning Best in Show at the 2008 Westminster Kennel Club dog show, bringing rare recognition to the beagle and the…

Kabomani tapir (Tapirus kabomani) Kabomani tapir Small South American tapir described in 2013 from the Amazon. Notable for its small size and debated taxonomic status; distribution, ecology and conservation needs remain incomplet…

Kabul markhor (Capra falconeri megaceros) Kabul markhor A subspecies of markhor native to Afghanistan and Pakistan, recognized for its large spiraled horns. It faces threats from hunting and habitat loss and is the subject of regional c…

Kakapo (Strigops habroptilus): New Zealand's flightless parrot Kakapo The kakapo is a nocturnal, flightless parrot endemic to New Zealand. This article explains its appearance, behavior, history, conservation and unique place in culture and science.

Kallima — the oakleaf or dead‑leaf butterflies Kallima Kallima is a genus of Asian nymphalid butterflies famed for remarkable dead‑leaf camouflage: closed wings mimic a dried leaf. The group is well known in studies of mimicry, form va…

Kangaroo (Macropus) — overview, biology and significance Kangaroo Kangaroos are large Australian marsupials of the genus Macropus. This article covers their biology, species groups, distribution, locomotion, and interactions with people and ecosy…

Kangaroo mouse (Microdipodops): desert-adapted hopping rodents Kangaroo mouse Small, bipedal rodents of the genus Microdipodops found in the deserts of the southwestern United States; notable for jumping locomotion, seed-based diet, water conservation, and t…

Kangaroo rat (Dipodomys): desert‑adapted North American rodents Kangaroo rat Small, hopping rodents of the genus Dipodomys found in arid and semi‑arid North and Central America. Noted for long hind legs, water‑conserving physiology, nocturnal habits and see…

Karabakh horse — mountain‑steppe breed of the Southern Caucasus Karabakh horse A compact, speedy riding and racing horse from the Karabakh region of the Southern Caucasus, noted for endurance, a gentle temperament and cultural importance in Azerbaijan; number…

Kashmir stag (Hangul) — endangered elk of the western Himalaya Kashmir stag The Kashmir stag or hangul (Cervus canadensis hanglu) is a range‑restricted elk subspecies of the western Himalaya, native to the Kashmir Valley and parts of Himachal Pradesh, thre…

Kea (Nestor notabilis): the alpine parrot of New Zealand Kea Kea are large, intelligent, olive-green parrots endemic to New Zealand's South Island. Noted for curiosity, alpine habits and complex social behavior, they face conservation challe…

Keel-billed Toucan (Ramphastos sulfuratus) Keel-billed Toucan A colorful tropical bird of the toucan family found from southern Mexico to northern South America; known for its large multicolored bill, social behavior, and role in forest ecolo…

Kellen's dormouse (Graphiurus kelleni) Kellen's dormouse A compact overview of Kellen's dormouse, an African Gliridae rodent: appearance, behavior, range across sub‑Saharan habitats, ecology, and conservation notes.

Kentrosaurus — a spiked stegosaur from Tendaguru Kentrosaurus Kentrosaurus, a small stegosaur from the Late Jurassic of East Africa, is known for its paired plates and numerous spikes. Fossils from the Tendaguru formation revealed its anatomy…

Kestrel (Falco): small hovering falcons Kestrel Kestrels are small falcons known for hovering flight, distinct plumage differences between sexes, and adaptation to open habitats worldwide. This article covers appearance, behavio…

Khapra beetle (Trogoderma granarium): a destructive stored‑product pest Khapra beetle Overview of the Khapra beetle, Trogoderma granarium: origin, biology, economic impact on stored grains and seeds, control challenges, and measures for prevention and quarantine.

Killer whale (Orcinus orca) Killer whale Killer whales (Orcinus orca) are large, black-and-white marine predators in the dolphin family. They live worldwide, form complex social pods, use echolocation, and exhibit diverse…

King cobra (Ophiophagus hannah): overview, biology, and conservation King cobra Large, tree‑adapted venomous snake of Asia known for its length, hood display, snake‑eating diet, nest‑building reproduction, and conservation concerns.

King eider (Somateria spectabilis): description, range, behaviour and ecology King eider A large Arctic sea duck, the king eider breeds on coastal tundra and winters in subarctic seas. Distinctive male plumage, diving diet of benthic invertebrates, and periodic large f…

King penguin (Aptenodytes patagonicus) King penguin A comprehensive overview of the king penguin: appearance, behavior, breeding, habitat, diet, and conservation, with distinctions from the emperor penguin and practical notes on res…

King vulture (Sarcoramphus papa): appearance, range, ecology, and significance King vulture Large New World vulture of tropical America, notable for its bold head colors, solitary habits at carrion, role as a scavenger, and status as the sole living member of Sarcoramphus…

Kingfisher: overview, characteristics, behavior, and conservation Kingfisher Kingfishers are a group of brightly colored birds in the Coraciiformes with around 90 species found mainly in the Old World and Australasia; notable for their stout bills, hunting…

Kingsnake (Lampropeltis): overview, behavior, and mimicry Kingsnake Nonvenomous New World snakes in the genus Lampropeltis, noted for diverse coloration, ophiophagy (snake-eating), resistance to some venoms, and Batesian mimicry of coral snakes.

Kinkajou (Potos flavus) — arboreal, nocturnal mammal of the Americas Kinkajou A nocturnal, tree-dwelling mammal of the Procyonidae family native to Central and South American rainforests, noted for its prehensile tail, omnivorous diet, and interactions with…

Kite (bird) Kites are medium-sized birds of prey in the Accipitridae family, recognized for long, buoyant wings, light bodies, and diets that range from scavenged carrion to active hunting of…

Kitee Zoo — a regional wildlife park in Kitee, Finland Kitee Zoo Kitee Zoo in Kitee, Finland, is one of the country's larger zoos, housing over 50 species and 200 individual animals. The park combines animal exhibits, education and visitor ameni…

Kiwi (bird): New Zealand’s small flightless emblem Kiwi Kiwi are a group of flightless birds native to New Zealand, known for long beaks, hair-like feathers, nocturnal habits, and cultural importance; several species face conservation t…

Knut (polar bear): life, media phenomenon and legacy Knut (polar bear) Knut (2006–2011) was a polar bear born at the Berlin Zoo who became an international media sensation after being hand‑reared. His life prompted debates on animal welfare, zoo pract…

Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) Koala An arboreal marsupial of eastern Australia, the koala is adapted to life on eucalyptus leaves; this article covers its biology, habitat, threats, cultural role and common misconcep…

Kodkod (Leopardus guigna): the small wild cat of southern South America Kodkod The kodkod (Leopardus guigna), also called güiña, is the smallest cat in the Americas. Native to Chile and Argentina, it lives in temperate forests, is a skilled climber and preys…

Koi (Nishikigoi): Ornamental varieties of common carp Koi Koi are selectively bred, brightly patterned varieties of common carp kept in outdoor ponds. This article explains their appearance, history, major varieties, care, cultural import…

Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis): overview, biology, and conservation Komodo dragon The Komodo dragon is the world's largest living lizard, native to a few Indonesian islands. This article summarizes its appearance, behavior, reproduction (including parthenogenesi…

Komondor — Hungarian livestock guardian dog Komondor Komondor, a large Hungarian livestock guardian known for its dense corded white coat, independent temperament and protective instincts. Suited to rural work rather than apartment l…

Kookaburra (Genus Dacelo) — overview, behavior and habitat Kookaburra Kookaburras are large kingfishers of the genus Dacelo native to Australia and New Guinea, noted for their loud 'laughing' call. This article describes appearance, species, behavior…

Korat (cat) — Thai blue natural breed Korat The Korat is an ancient natural breed of domestic cat from Thailand, known for its silver-blue coat, green eyes and cultural status as a symbol of good luck. Popular companion and…

Krill: Small, Swarming Crustaceans That Drive Marine Food Webs Krill Krill are small, shrimp-like crustaceans found throughout the world's oceans. They form dense swarms, perform large migrations, and are a critical food source for many marine speci…

Kronosaurus (large Cretaceous pliosaur) Kronosaurus Kronosaurus was a powerful, short-necked marine reptile from the Lower Cretaceous, known from Australian fossils. Famous for a massive skull and debated size estimates, once recons…

Kudu: Greater and Lesser African Antelopes Kudu Kudu are two species of African antelope, the greater and the lesser, recognized by striped coats and spiralled horns. This article covers identification, habitat, behavior, and co…

Kulindadromeus — Feathered ornithischian from the Jurassic of Siberia Kulindadromeus Kulindadromeus is a small Jurassic ornithischian from Siberia known for exceptional fossils that preserve scales and multiple types of feather-like integument, a discovery that res…

Kunbarrasaurus — armored ankylosaurian dinosaur from Australia Kunbarrasaurus Kunbarrasaurus is a genus of small to medium armored herbivorous ankylosaur from the Cretaceous of Australia, known from a well-preserved skull and skeleton and notable for its dis…

Labradoodle: origin, characteristics, care, and controversies Labradoodle Labradoodle — a Labrador Retriever–Poodle hybrid developed as a companion and service dog. Overview of appearance, coat types, temperament, health concerns, generations, uses, and…

Labrador Labrador commonly denotes the Labrador region in eastern Canada, the Labrador retriever, the Labrador Sea and Current, and the mineral labradorite. This article outlines their orig…

Labrador duck (Camptorhynchus labradorius) Labrador duck An extinct North American sea-duck known from a small number of 19th-century records and museum skins; notable for its distinctive bill and uncertain breeding ecology.

Labrador Retriever Friendly, versatile gun dog known for a water-resistant coat, webbed feet, and adaptable temperament; popular family pet and working retriever used in assistance, sport and detecti…

Lacewings (Chrysopidae): biology, behavior, and role in pest control Lacewing Comprehensive overview of lacewings (family Chrysopidae): appearance, life cycle, behavior, predator–prey interactions, and their applications in biological pest control and integr…