Animals

Mandarin duck (Aix galericulata): appearance, range, and significance Mandarin duck A colorful East Asian perching duck, the mandarin duck (Aix galericulata) is noted for the male's ornate plumage, wooded-water habitats, cultural symbolism, and small introduced po…

Mandrill (Mandrillus sphinx) Mandrill A large, brightly colored Old World monkey from central African rainforests, highly sexually dimorphic, living in large social groups; vulnerable because of habitat loss and huntin…

Manipur frog (Euphlyctis ghoshi) Manipur frog A little-known frog species described from Khugairk Reserve Forest, Manipur, India. Known from very few records; its ecology and conservation needs require field surveys and habita…

Maniraptora: the hand‑snatching theropods and their link to birds Maniraptora Maniraptora is a clade of coelurosaurian theropods that includes birds and their closest relatives; many had feathers and varied ecologies from carnivores to herbivores.

Manta Ray: giant filter-feeding rays of tropical seas Manta ray Large, flattened rays known for wide pectoral 'wings', filter feeding on plankton, complex social behaviour, and distinctive cephalic lobes; includes giant and reef mantas and face…

Mantellidae — the Malagasy frog family Mantellidae Mantellidae are a diverse family of frogs endemic to Madagascar and Mayotte, notable for varied life histories, bright aposematic species with alkaloid defenses, and important cons…

Mantellinae — the colorful Malagasy frogs Mantellinae Mantellinae is a subfamily of frogs native to Madagascar and nearby islands, known for bright warning colors, toxic skin alkaloids, and a radiation of more than 100 species importa…

Mantidfly (Mantispidae): description, life cycle, distribution and distinctions Mantidfly Mantidflies (family Mantispidae) are neuropteran insects notable for mantis-like raptorial forelegs, diverse larval biology often tied to spider egg sacs, and a mainly tropical dis…

Mantis (Mantodea): overview of praying mantids Mantis Mantids (order Mantodea) are predatory insects known as praying mantises. This article covers their anatomy, behavior, life cycle, distribution, relationships to other insects, and…

Mantis shrimp: the stomatopod predators with extraordinary vision and strikes Mantis shrimp Mantis shrimp are marine stomatopods—colourful, often reef-dwelling crustaceans known for complex eyes and extremely fast raptorial strikes used to spear or smash prey.

Mantophasmatidae: the gladiator insects — overview and history Mantophasmatidae Mantophasmatidae are a small group of African, wingless predatory insects (often called gladiators) discovered in 2002. This article summarizes their appearance, behavior, fossil r…

Manucodia — the manucodes, a genus of birds-of-paradise Manucodia Manucodia is a small genus of birds-of-paradise found in New Guinea, nearby islands and parts of northeastern Australia. They are notable for monogamy, similar plumage between sexe…

Manx cat: tailless or short-tailed domestic breed from the Isle of Man Manx cat The Manx is a domestic cat breed from the Isle of Man, distinguished by a naturally shortened or absent tail, rounded body, longer hind legs, strong hunting skills and specific gen…

Marabou stork (Leptoptilos crumeniferus) Marabou stork A large African stork species, the marabou is a scavenger and colonial breeder found south of the Sahara; notable for its bare head, massive wingspan and association with human was…

Marbled cat (Pardofelis marmorata): small arboreal felid of Asia Marbled cat A compact overview of the marbled cat: appearance, habitat, behavior, taxonomy, and conservation. Covers its arboreal lifestyle, range in South and Southeast Asia, and relations to…

Margay (Leopardus wiedii) Margay Small, nocturnal Neotropical wild cat known for extreme arboreal agility, spotted coat, and solitary habits; faces habitat loss and illegal trade pressures across Central and South…

Marginocephalia — the 'fringed-head' dinosaurs Marginocephalia Marginocephalia is a clade of herbivorous ornithischian dinosaurs characterized by skull modifications: thick domes or frills and horns. Includes Pachycephalosauria and Ceratopsia;…

Marine angelfish (family Pomacanthidae): appearance, behavior and care Marine angelfish Marine angelfish (Pomacanthidae) are colorful reef fishes found in tropical seas worldwide. This article summarizes their taxonomy, appearance, ecology, aquarium importance and con…

Marine iguana (Amblyrhynchus cristatus) Marine iguana Herbivorous lizard endemic to the Galápagos Islands. The marine iguana forages at sea on algae, sunbathes on rocky shores, and shows unique adaptations—salt glands, flattened tail…

Markhor (Capra falconeri): mountain goat of Central Asia Markhor A comprehensive overview of the markhor — its appearance, habitat, behavior, cultural importance, and conservation status, including threats and recovery efforts across its range.

Marlin (Istiophoridae) — overview, biology, and human interaction Marlin Large predatory billfish (family Istiophoridae) known for long bills, high speeds, and roles in sport fishing and ocean ecosystems. Biology, behavior, species, and conservation ove…

Marmoset: small New World primates of the family Callitrichidae Marmoset Marmosets are small New World monkeys in the family Callitrichidae. Adapted for life in forest canopies, they feed on gum, fruit and insects, live in cooperative family groups, and…

Marrella (Marrella splendens): a Cambrian arthropod from the Burgess Shale Marrella Marrella is a small, distinctive arthropod best known from the middle Cambrian Burgess Shale; its unusual anatomy influenced ideas about early arthropod evolution and Cambrian ecos…

Marshosaurus — a medium-sized Morrison Formation theropod Marshosaurus Marshosaurus, a medium-sized carnivorous theropod from the Upper Jurassic Morrison Formation of western North America, known from fragmentary remains and important for understandin…

Marsupials Marsupial Marsupials are mammals in the infraclass Metatheria, notable for short gestation and raising underdeveloped young often in a pouch; includes kangaroos, koalas and opossums across A…

Marsupial lion (Thylacoleo): extinct Australian carnivorous marsupial Marsupial lion Thylacoleo, the marsupial lion, was a distinctive Pleistocene carnivore from Australia. This article summarizes its taxonomy, anatomy, feeding adaptations, fossil record, and leadi…

Marsupial mole (Notoryctidae) Marsupial mole A small family of subterranean Australian marsupials adapted for life in sand: two living species, unique fossorial anatomy, secretive behaviour, and a limited desert distribution.

Marten (genus Martes) — small mustelids of the Northern Hemisphere Marten Martens are arboreal, scent-marking mustelids in the genus Martes. Found across the Northern Hemisphere, they are solitary omnivores with valuable fur and varied conservation statu…

Martial eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus) Martial eagle A large African bird of prey noted for its size and power. The martial eagle inhabits sub-Saharan open woodlands and savannas, preys on sizable birds and mammals, and faces conserv…

Maru (cat) — Japanese internet celebrity cat Maru (cat) Maru is a Japanese cat best known from online videos for his playful antics—sliding, box fascination, and a long-running presence that helped define early internet cat culture.

Masiakasaurus: a small predatory dinosaur from Late Cretaceous Madagascar Masiakasaurus Masiakasaurus knopfleri was a small, dog-sized theropod from Late Cretaceous Madagascar, notable for its forward-pointing teeth, unusual jaw shape, and role in understanding Gondwa…

Masked mouse-tailed dormouse (Myomimus personatus) Masked mouse-tailed dormouse A small dormouse species of the family Gliridae native to parts of Iran and Turkmenistan, noted for a dark facial 'mask' and a mouse-like tail; ecology and conservation needs are s…

Massospondylus — early sauropodomorph dinosaur from southern Africa Massospondylus Massospondylus, named in 1854, is a well-known early sauropodomorph from southern Africa. This bipedal herbivore is important for studies of dinosaur growth, reproduction and sauro…

Mastiff (English Mastiff) Mastiff A very large, ancient dog breed noted for its massive head, calm temperament and role as guardian; requires careful health management, training and space.

Mastodons (Mammutidae): extinct proboscidean browsers related to elephants Mastodon Mastodons (family Mammutidae) were extinct proboscideans—browsing relatives of elephants—known for cusped molars and heavy bodies (~4–6 tons), last appearing in the fossil record a…

Materpiscis: Devonian pyctodontid placoderm preserving an embryo Materpiscis Materpiscis is a Late Devonian pyctodontid placoderm from the Gogo Formation whose fossil preserves an embryo and a cord-like structure, providing early direct evidence of internal…

Mauisaurus: the New Zealand long‑necked plesiosaur Mauisaurus Mauisaurus is a genus of long‑necked plesiosaur from the Late Cretaceous of New Zealand, chiefly represented by Mauisaurus haasti. Known from fragmentary remains, it is notable for…

Maxillopoda Maxillopoda is a traditional class of small crustaceans including barnacles, copepods, and several minute groups; its members vary widely in form and ecology and the group’s unity…

Meadow brown (Maniola jurtina) — common European grassland butterfly Meadow brown A readable overview of the meadow brown (Maniola jurtina): identification, lifecycle, behaviour, evolutionary role of eyespots, habitat and its role in grassland ecosystems.

Meat ant (Iridomyrmex purpureus) Meat ant The meat ant is a widespread Australian ant species known for large, aggressive colonies, scavenging habits, and a role in cleaning carcasses and shaping ecosystems.

Meerkat (Suricata suricatta): social desert mammal Meerkat Overview of the meerkat, a small social mammal of southern Africa: appearance, behavior, habitat, diet, social structure, reproduction, and conservation.

Megabat (Old World fruit bat) Megabat Megabats, or Old World fruit bats, are members of the family Pteropodidae in the order Chiroptera. This article covers their traits, distribution, behavior, ecological role and dif…

Megafauna: Large Animals of the Ice Ages and the Modern World Megafauna Megafauna denotes very large animals, especially the Pleistocene giants and the largest living wild species. This article covers definition, examples, extinction causes and conserv…

Megalania: the giant Pleistocene monitor of Australia Megalania Megalania (Varanus priscus) was a very large monitor lizard from Pleistocene Australia. This article summarizes its anatomy, ecology, fossil record, extinction and cultural signifi…

Megalibgwilia Megalibgwilia was an extinct Australian genus of echidna known from fossils and important for understanding the early evolution of monotremes.

Megalodon (Otodus megalodon) — the giant extinct shark Megalodon Otodus megalodon was a massive predatory shark from the Miocene–Pliocene. Known for enormous serrated teeth, debated size estimates, and a global fossil record, it remains an icon…

Megaloptera: alderflies, dobsonflies, and fishflies Megaloptera Megaloptera is a small order of aquatic-associated insects (about 300 species) including alderflies, dobsonflies and fishflies; known for aquatic predatory larvae and large, short-…

Megalosauridae — a family of Jurassic carnivorous theropods Megalosauridae Megalosauridae is a family of primarily Middle–Late Jurassic carnivorous theropods (basal tetanurans) that includes Megalosaurus, Torvosaurus and Afrovenator and played a key role…