Animals

Lady beetle (Coccinellidae) Lady beetle Compact overview of lady beetles (Coccinellidae): appearance, life cycle, diet, ecological role, history of introductions such as the harlequin, and notable defensive traits and di…

Lagomorpha: rabbits, hares and pikas — biology, evolution, and ecology Lagomorpha Lagomorpha is the mammalian order that includes pikas, rabbits and hares. This article explains their anatomy, behavior, taxonomy, ecological roles, and conservation challenges.

Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush): description, habitat, life history and uses Lake trout Lake trout (Salvelinus namaycush) is a large coldwater char of northern North American lakes, valued as both a sport and food fish. This article covers identification, range, biolo…

Lambeosaurus: the crested duck‑billed dinosaur Lambeosaurus Lambeosaurus is a genus of crested hadrosaurid (duck‑billed) dinosaurs from the Late Cretaceous of North America, known for its large hollow cranial crest and adaptations for herbi…

Lamella (zoology) Thin, plate-like biological structures in animals that serve as respiratory surfaces, filters, adhesive pads, or layered tissues; found in fish gills, waterfowl, reptiles and other…

Lammtarra: unbeaten 1990s Thoroughbred champion Lammtarra Lammtarra was an unbeaten Thoroughbred racehorse best known for winning the 1995 Epsom Derby in record time and capturing the King George VI and Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe en route…

Lamprey: jawless fishes with a suctioning mouth and ancient lineage Lamprey Lampreys are jawless, eel-like vertebrates with toothed, funnel-shaped mouths. Found in temperate coastal and freshwater systems, they have distinctive larvae, varied life historie…

Landseer (Continental-European type) A large, black-and-white water dog developed in continental Europe from Newfoundland stock; recognized by some kennel clubs as a distinct type known for its striking coat, gentle t…

Langur (Semnopithecus and related leaf monkeys) Langur Langurs are Old World leaf-eating monkeys of the subfamily Colobinae, known for long tails, folivorous diets, tree-dwelling habits and cultural significance across South and Southe…

Lar gibbon (white-handed gibbon) Lar gibbon Small arboreal ape of Southeast Asia, known for long arms, variable coat colors and loud duets; lives in monogamous family groups and faces habitat loss and hunting pressure.

Largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) Largemouth bass A widely distributed North American freshwater sport fish in the sunfish family, valued for angling and ecological effects; notable for its large mouth, olive-green color, and role…

Larinus planus: the thistle bud weevil Larinus planus Larinus planus is a small weevil native to Europe that feeds on thistle flower buds. Introduced to North America as a biocontrol, it reduces seed production but has caused non‑targ…

Lark (family Alaudidae) Lark Old World ground‑dwelling passerine birds of the family Alaudidae, known for elaborate songs and open‑habitat lifestyles; includes the Horned (Shore) lark in North America.

Latenivenatrix — a Late Cretaceous troodontid (“hiding hunter”) Latenivenatrix Latenivenatrix is a genus of troodontid theropod from Late Cretaceous North America. Named “hiding hunter,” it was separated from Troodon and is among the largest known troodontids…

Laughing kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) Laughing kookaburra A large, vocal kingfisher native to eastern Australia, famous for its loud laughing call, perch‑hunting behavior, cooperative breeding, and cultural prominence as an Australian ico…

Laurasiatheria: a major clade of placental mammals Laurasiatheria Laurasiatheria is a molecularly defined assemblage of placental mammals—including bats, carnivores, ungulates, whales, pangolins and insectivores—thought to have originated on nort…

Laurentophryne parkeri (Parker's tree toad) Laurentophryne parkeri Laurentophryne parkeri, Parker's tree toad, is a little-known bufonid amphibian endemic to montane forests of the Kivu region in the Democratic Republic of the Congo; threatened by…

Lavasoa dwarf lemur (Cheirogaleus lavasoensis) Lavasoa dwarf lemur A small, nocturnal primate endemic to three forest fragments on the Lavasoa Mountains of southern Madagascar, described in 2013 and threatened by habitat loss and fragmentation.

Lawrence's goldfinch: a small, nomadic North American finch Lawrence's goldfinch Lawrence's goldfinch (Spinus/Carduelis lawrencei) is a small seed-eating songbird native to coastal California and Baja California, notable for its striking male cap and irregular,…

Leadbeater's possum — ecology, threats and conservation Leadbeater's possum Leadbeater's possum is an endangered Australian marsupial confined to wet eucalypt forests in Victoria; it depends on tree hollows, year-round food supply and is threatened by logg…

Leaellynasaura — a small polar herbivorous dinosaur from Cretaceous Australia Leaellynasaura Leaellynasaura was a small, bipedal herbivorous dinosaur that lived in what is now Australia during the Early Cretaceous. It is notable for its polar habitat and unusual skull and…

Leaf beetle (family Chrysomelidae): overview, identification, and importance Leaf beetle Leaf beetles (Chrysomelidae) are a large, diverse family of plant-feeding beetles. Many species are agricultural pests while others are used in biological control; they display var…

Leaf insect (Phylliidae): true leaf mimics — appearance, life cycle, and distribution Leaf insect Leaf insects (family Phylliidae) are remarkable leaf mimics found from South Asia through Southeast Asia to Australia. This article explains their form, behavior, ecology, and taxo…

Leaf-cutter ant (Atta and Acromyrmex): fungus-farming tropical ants Leaf-cutter ant Tropical ants of the genera Atta and Acromyrmex that cut vegetation to cultivate fungal gardens; notable for complex colonies, division of labor, ecological impact and mutualisms.

Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) Leatherback sea turtle A large, cosmopolitan sea turtle with a unique leathery carapace. Covers appearance, behavior, diving and migration, life cycle, threats, conservation, and notable records.

Leiopelmatidae: primitive frogs of New Zealand and North America Leiopelmatidae Small family of archaic frogs in the suborder Archaeobatrachia: New Zealand Leiopelma and North American Ascaphus. Notable for primitive anatomy, ancient lineage, restricted ranges…

Leithiinae — a subfamily of dormice Leithiinae Leithiinae is a subfamily of the dormouse family (Gliridae), containing several genera of small, mostly arboreal rodents across Europe, Asia and North Africa, known for hibernation…

Lemming: Arctic rodents of the tundra Lemming Small, stout Arctic rodents of the subfamily Arvicolinae; known for cyclic populations, herbivorous diet, and a persistent myth about mass suicide. Important prey in tundra ecosyst…

Lemon shark (Negaprion brevirostris) Lemon shark A medium-sized coastal requiem shark with yellowish coloration, common in warm western Atlantic waters; notable for nursery use of mangroves, viviparous reproduction, and conservat…

Lemur: Madagascar's endemic primates Lemur Lemurs are a diverse group of primates native to Madagascar. This article covers their biology, evolution, behavior, threats, and why they are important to ecosystems and conservat…

Lemuriformes — the lemurs, lorises and galagos Lemuriformes Infraorder of primates that groups Madagascar's lemurs with African and Asian lorises and galagos; notable for toothcombs, nocturnal habits and distinct evolutionary history within…

Leopard (Panthera pardus): description, behavior and conservation Leopard A widely distributed big cat of the genus Panthera, the leopard is solitary, tree‑climbing, and an adaptable ambush predator found across Africa and Asia with variable coat pattern…

Leopard cat (Prionailurus bengalensis) Leopard cat A small wild Asian felid with spotted coat and wide distribution across South, Southeast and East Asia; variable subspecies and adaptable behavior, globally Least Concern but local…

Leopard seal (Hydrurga leptonyx): Antarctic predator and oceanic hunter Leopard seal Leopard seals are large Antarctic true seals known for powerful jaws, spotted necks, diverse diet from krill to other seals, wide southern distribution, and prominent role as top p…

Leopardus — genus of small Neotropical spotted cats Leopardus Leopardus is a genus of small wild cats native to Central and South America, including ocelot, margay and others. They are notable for spotted coats, arboreal habits in some specie…

Lepidoptera: butterflies, moths and skippers Lepidoptera Lepidoptera is the insect order of butterflies, moths and skippers. Characterized by scaled wings and complete metamorphosis, it includes a vast diversity with major ecological and…

Lepidosauria: the scaled reptiles (tuataras, lizards, snakes, amphisbaenians) Lepidosauria Lepidosauria is a major reptile clade characterized by overlapping scales; it includes tuataras, lizards, snakes and amphisbaenians and comprises the orders Squamata and Sphenodont…

Lepidosauromorphs: evolution, characteristics, and major groups Lepidosauromorph Lepidosauromorphs are a lineage of diapsid reptiles closer to lizards than to archosaurs. This article explains their defining traits, living representatives, fossil relatives, and…

Leporidae — the family of rabbits and hares Leporidae Leporidae is the mammal family that includes rabbits and hares (order Lagomorpha). About 60 species, widely distributed; important ecologically and economically; notable for long e…

Lepospondyli: Palaeozoic small-bodied tetrapods and debated evolutionary relationships Lepospondyl Lepospondyli: extinct small-bodied Palaeozoic tetrapods known for spool-shaped vertebrae. Diverse body plans and lifestyles; their evolutionary relationships to amphibians and amni…

Leptictidium: an Eocene small eutherian mammal genus Leptictidium Leptictidium was a small, long‑limbed eutherian mammal of the Eocene, known from well‑preserved fossils in Europe. Notable for its long hind legs, long tail and mobile snout, it in…

Leptoceratops — a small Late Cretaceous ceratopsian Leptoceratops Leptoceratops was a compact, beaked ceratopsian dinosaur from the Late Cretaceous of western North America, known from several skulls and partial skeletons and notable for its mode…

Leptodactylidae: overview, biology, distribution and reproduction Leptodactylidae Leptodactylidae is a diverse family of neotropical frogs with varied life histories, including foam-nesting and direct-developing species. This article covers traits, habitat, evol…

Leptophryne — a small genus of Southeast Asian true toads Leptophryne Leptophryne is a small genus of bufonid (true) toads native to mainland Southeast Asia, known from Peninsular Thailand through the Malay Peninsula. This article covers appearance,…

Lesothosaurus — a small early ornithischian dinosaur Lesothosaurus Lesothosaurus was a small, fast, bipedal dinosaur from Early Jurassic southern Africa, important for understanding early ornithischian evolution. It had a light build, distinctive…

Lessemsauridae: early large-bodied sauropodomorph dinosaurs Lessemsauridae Lessemsauridae are an early clade of large-bodied sauropodomorphs from the Late Triassic–Early Jurassic of Argentina and South Africa, showing early steps toward true sauropod body…

Lesser bandicoot rat (Bandicota bengalensis): description, behavior, and human impact Lesser bandicoot rat Compact overview of the lesser bandicoot rat (Bandicota bengalensis): appearance, distribution in South Asia, ecology, interactions with agriculture and control considerations.

Lesser black-backed gull (Larus fuscus): identification, behaviour and range Lesser black-backed gull A large, partly migratory gull of Atlantic Europe, Larus fuscus breeds on coasts and lakes, often nests in towns, and winters from the British Isles to West Africa and beyond.