Animals

Lesser Roadrunner (Geococcyx velox) Lesser roadrunner A ground‑dwelling bird of arid and semi‑open habitats in Mexico and Central America, the lesser roadrunner is a smaller, swift relative of the greater roadrunner with distinctive m…

Lhasa Apso (Tibetan companion dog) Lhasa Apso Small Tibetan dog breed with a dense coat and watchdog instincts. Originated in Lhasa, Tibet; long-lived and spirited, it needs regular grooming, early socialization, and routine v…

Limaysaurus — a rebbachisaurid sauropod from Patagonia Limaysaurus Limaysaurus is a genus of herbivorous rebbachisaurid sauropod from Patagonia, Argentina, known from fragmentary remains and important for understanding Cretaceous Gondwanan dinosau…

Limnognathia maerski: a tiny jawed animal and its biology Limnognathia Limnognathia maerski is a microscopic freshwater animal notable for its complex jaw apparatus, uncertain taxonomic position within Gnathifera, and distinctive life cycle adapted to…

Lingula (brachiopod): anatomy, fossil history, and ecological role Lingula Lingula is a genus of inarticulate brachiopods notable for a very long fossil record, an organophosphatic shell, burrowing lifestyle and its status as a classic 'living fossil'.

Linsang: small arboreal feliforms of Africa and Asia Linsang Linsangs are four small, cat-like feliform carnivores in two genera — Poiana (African) and Prionodon (Asiatic). They are slender, nocturnal tree hunters whose classification has be…

Lion (Panthera leo): biology, behaviour, history and cultural importance Lion Comprehensive overview of the lion (Panthera leo): appearance, social behaviour, diet, historical range, conservation challenges and cultural significance across regions.

Lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus) — endangered primate of the Western Ghats Lion-tailed macaque An arboreal Old World monkey endemic to India’s Western Ghats. The lion-tailed macaque is a small, black-furred primate with a silver mane, specialized for rainforest canopies and…

Lions in heraldry: symbolism, forms, history and notable examples Lions in heraldry Overview of the lion as the most common heraldic beast: meanings, blazon terms, common attitudes, historical development, and well-known national and dynastic examples.

Liopleurodon — Jurassic pliosaur and marine apex predator Liopleurodon Liopleurodon was a large marine pliosaur from the Late Jurassic, a short-necked plesiosauran predator known from European fossils. Size estimates vary; it hunted fish and other mar…

Lipizzaner — classical dressage horse Lipizzaner Lipizzaner (Lipizzan) is a predominantly grey horse breed celebrated for classical dressage and the Spanish Riding School. Known for intelligence, collected movement and the haute…

List of amphibians by family and group List of amphibians An organized overview of amphibian groups and notable families, with key characteristics, life cycle, habitats, examples, and conservation notes.

Animal phyla: organized list and explanatory guide List of animal phyla Overview and clarification of the major animal phyla, how they are defined, grouped and studied, with representative examples and notes on modern classification methods.

List of Domestic Cat Breeds: Overview, History, and Examples List of cat breeds Descriptive guide to domestic cat breeds: definitions, groupings, history of development, common uses, health and ethical considerations, and notable examples of popular breeds.

List of dinosaurs: overview, classification, and notable examples List of dinosaurs An organized overview of dinosaurs: definition, major groups, representative genera (including birds), how lists are compiled, doubtful entries, and their scientific importance.

List of dog breeds: overview, types, and development List of dog breeds An organized introduction to dog breeds: what they are, how they are classified and developed, common and rare examples, and notable distinctions and health considerations.

List of national animals: meaning, selection, and notable examples List of national animals Overview of national animals as symbols of countries: what they are, how they are chosen, historical origins, uses in identity and conservation, and common examples from around the…

National birds: definition, significance, and notable examples List of national birds An overview of national birds: what they are, how they are chosen, cultural and conservation roles, and well-known examples from around the world.

List of New World monkey species Overview and representative species of New World monkeys (Platyrrhini), their families, distinguishing traits, distribution, and conservation notes.

Old World monkeys: overview and representative species List of Old World monkey species Survey of Old World monkeys (family Cercopithecidae): traits, major lineages, representative species, distribution, and conservation. Highlights differences with New World monkeys…

List of Pokémon species List of Pokémon An organized overview of the fictional Pokémon species from the Pokémon franchise, covering their classification, evolution, variations and cultural role; includes more than 800 kn…

List of pterosaurs: overview and notable genera List of pterosaurs An organized overview and annotated list of pterosaurs — the extinct flying reptiles — covering their anatomy, major groups, fossil record, and key genera.

List of South American dinosaurs: overview and notable genera List of South American dinosaurs Survey of dinosaur taxa known from South America, their major groups, important fossil sites, and why the continent is central to studies of dinosaur diversity and evolution.

List of zoos — overview, types, history and significance List of zoos An encyclopedic guide to lists of zoological gardens: how they are organized, common types and features, history and functions, and how such lists are used and maintained.

Indoor Litter Boxes for Cats and Small Pets: Types, Maintenance and Placement Litter box Guide to indoor litter boxes for cats and small pets: types of boxes and litters, cleaning schedules, placement and odor-control tips, sizing advice, and troubleshooting for multi‑…

Little auk (dovekie) — Alle alle Little auk Small Arctic seabird (Alle alle) known as the little auk or dovekie. Breeds in high‑Arctic islands, feeds on zooplankton, forms large colonies, and is adapted to cold waters; two r…

Little cormorant (Microcarbo niger) Little cormorant A small, widespread cormorant of South and Southeast Asia. Dark-plumaged, fish-eating, and often seen drying its wings; common in freshwater wetlands and coastal shallows.

Little egret (Egretta garzetta) Little egret A small white heron found across parts of Europe, Africa, Asia and beyond; noted for its black bill, yellow feet and elegant breeding plumes. Often inhabits wetlands and forms mixe…

Little Grebe (Tachybaptus ruficollis) Little Grebe Concise encyclopedia entry on the Little Grebe (dabchick), a small diving waterbird: identification, behaviour, breeding, habitat, distribution and conservation notes.

Little owl (Athene noctua) Little owl Small, stocky owl of the true-owl family found across temperate Europe, Asia and North Africa; adaptable to open country and farmland, a cavity nester feeding on invertebrates and…

Little penguin (Eudyptula minor) Little penguin A small coastal penguin found in southern Australia and New Zealand, known for blue-gray plumage, nocturnal colony behavior, and conservation concerns from introduced predators and…

Livestock: domestic animals raised for food, fiber, and labor Livestock Livestock are domesticated animals kept by humans for food, fiber, work, and other products. This article explains types, history, husbandry systems, uses, and environmental and we…

Lizard (Reptile): Overview, Characteristics, Habitat, and Conservation Lizard Lizards are a diverse group of reptiles in the order Squamata. This article outlines their traits, distribution, behavior, notable species, and conservation concerns.

Llama (Lama glama): South American pack animal and camelid Llama The llama is a domesticated South American camelid used for pack transport, fiber, meat and guarding; native to Andean regions and distinct from alpacas, vicuñas, and guanacos.

Lobster (Nephropidae) Lobster Lobsters are large marine crustaceans in the family Nephropidae, important ecologically and economically. This article outlines their biology, habitat, fisheries, culinary uses, an…

Locust Locusts are a swarming phase of certain short-horned grasshoppers (Acrididae) that can form large, migratory bands or swarms and cause major agricultural damage. This article summa…

Loggerhead sea turtle (Caretta caretta) Loggerhead sea turtle A widely distributed marine turtle known for its large head and strong jaws. Caretta caretta nests on warm coastal beaches and faces threats from fishing, habitat loss, and climate…

Lonesome George — last known Pinta Island tortoise Lonesome George Lonesome George (c.1910–2012) was the last known Pinta Island tortoise, a global symbol of Galápagos conservation and the challenges of preventing extinction.

Long-beaked echidna (Genus Zaglossus) Long-beaked echidna Long-beaked echidnas (genus Zaglossus) are egg-laying monotremes native to New Guinea. Larger than short-beaked echidnas, they feed mainly on earthworms and face conservation press…

Long-nosed bandicoot (Perameles nasuta) Long-nosed bandicoot Small marsupial of eastern Australia and Tasmania, the long-nosed bandicoot is known for its pointed snout, burrowing foraging, very short gestation and vulnerability to habitat lo…

Longhorn beetle (Cerambycidae) Longhorn beetle Longhorn beetles (Cerambycidae) are a diverse family of insects known for very long antennae, wood-boring larvae, worldwide distribution, and roles as decomposers, pollinators, and…

Loon: aquatic diving bird of northern lakes and coasts Loon Comprehensive overview of loons (order Gaviiformes): appearance, diving adaptations, vocalizations, breeding, diet, migration, conservation issues and comparison with similar water…

Lophorhothon — an eastern North American hadrosaurid Lophorhothon Lophorhothon is a genus of duck‑billed dinosaur described in 1960 from Late Cretaceous deposits in Alabama. Known from fragmentary remains, it illustrates Appalachia’s dinosaur fau…

Loriini: lories and lorikeets, nectar‑feeding parrots of Australasia Loriini Loriini (lories and lorikeets) are a group of small to medium arboreal parrots with brush-tipped tongues for feeding on nectar, pollen and soft fruit; many are brightly coloured an…

Loris — nocturnal, arboreal primates of Southeast Asia Loris Lorises are small, slow-moving nocturnal primates from Southeast Asian forests, known for their large eyes, grasping hands, and unique behaviors; many species face threats from hab…

Lorisidae: lorises, pottos and angwantibos Lorisidae Lorisidae are a family of small, primarily nocturnal primates from African and Asian forests, including lorises, pottos and angwantibos. Arboreal and slow-moving, many species are…

Lorisoidea: the lorises and galagos Lorisoidea Lorisoidea is a superfamily of strepsirrhine primates comprising the families Lorisidae and Galagidae. These mostly nocturnal, arboreal mammals inhabit Africa and Asia and show dis…

Lorrain Dormouse (Graphiurus lorraineus) Lorrain dormouse A small African dormouse in the family Gliridae found in parts of West, Central and East Africa; inhabits moist forests, savanna and cultivated areas and displays typical arboreal,…