Animals

Mockingbird A group of New World songbirds (family Mimidae) known for their vocal mimicry, varied repertoires, territorial behavior, and roles in ecosystems and culture.

Moeritherium — an early proboscidean of the late Eocene Moeritherium Moeritherium is an extinct genus of small, semi‑aquatic proboscideans from the late Eocene of North Africa; it represents an early stage in the evolutionary lineage that led to ele…

Mole (Talpidae): biology, behaviour, and distribution Mole Small, burrowing mammals in the family Talpidae. Covers anatomy, lifestyle, distribution, diet, taxonomy, ecological role, and human interactions.

Mole cricket (family Gryllotalpidae): burrowing crickets and their biology Mole cricket Mole crickets are burrowing insects (Gryllotalpidae) known for shovel-like forelimbs, subterranean songs, plant-root feeding, and occasional pest status on lawns and crops.

Mole salamander (Ambystoma) Mole salamander Mole salamanders (genus Ambystoma) are North American amphibians known for burrowing adults, aquatic larvae, and variable life histories including neoteny; some species are popular…

Mollusc (Mollusca): diversity, anatomy, evolution and human relevance Mollusc Molluscs (Mollusca) are a diverse phylum of mostly marine invertebrates including snails, clams and cephalopods; this article reviews their anatomy, major groups, evolution, ecolog…

Monal (Lophophorus): iridescent pheasants of the high Himalaya Monal Monals are ground-dwelling pheasants in genus Lophophorus, noted for males' iridescent plumage. Native to high-elevation rhododendron and conifer forests in the Himalaya and adjace…

Monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus): appearance, life cycle, and migration Monarch butterfly A comprehensive overview of the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus): description, life cycle, famous multi‑generational migration, habitat, threats, and conservation measures.

Monard's dormouse (Graphiurus monardi) Monard's dormouse Monard's dormouse is a little-known African dormouse in the family Gliridae, recorded in Angola and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and associated with moist savanna habitats.

Mongoose (Herpestidae): appearance, behavior, and human interactions Mongoose Small carnivores of the family Herpestidae, mongooses are agile, often social mammals found across Africa, Asia, parts of Europe and introduced islands; known for varied diets and…

Monitor lizard (genus Varanus): overview, biology, distribution and conservation Monitor lizard Monitor lizards (genus Varanus) are large, largely carnivorous lizards found across Africa, Asia and Australia. This article summarizes their anatomy, behavior, habitats, notable s…

Monk parakeet (Quaker parrot): description, behavior, and human interactions Monk parakeet Concise, neutral overview of the Monk parakeet (Myiopsitta monachus): appearance, communal nesting, range, behavior, diet, reproduction, interactions with humans and management in…

Monkeys: biology, classification, behavior and human connections Monkey Monkeys are diverse primates found mainly in Africa, Asia and the Americas. This article summarizes their biology, taxonomy, habitat, behavior, cultural roles and conservation issu…

Monoclonius — a doubtful ceratopsid dinosaur genus Monoclonius Monoclonius is a historically named ceratopsid dinosaur from Late Cretaceous North America. Once described in 1876, it is now considered dubious and likely represents juvenile or m…

Monolophosaurus — Middle Jurassic crested theropod from China Monolophosaurus Monolophosaurus, a medium-sized crested theropod from Middle Jurassic China, is known from a nearly complete skull and partial skeleton and provides key evidence about early tetanu…

Monotremes: egg-laying mammals of Australia and New Guinea Monotreme Monotremes are a small group of mammals (order Monotremata) that lay eggs yet nurse their young. This article summarizes their traits, evolution, reproduction, and conservation.

Montanoceratops: a small leptoceratopsid ceratopsian Montanoceratops Montanoceratops was a small horned dinosaur from Late Cretaceous North America, a member of Leptoceratopsidae with a parrot-like beak, cheek teeth, and a modest frill possibly used…

Moor frog (Rana arvalis) Moor frog Overview of the moor frog (Rana arvalis): identification, range, habitat, life cycle, breeding colour change, threats and conservation measures across its Eurasian range.

Moose (Alces alces): large northern deer Moose Moose are the largest members of the deer family found across northern Europe, Asia and North America. This article covers appearance, behaviour, habitat, life cycle, human interac…

Moray eel (family Muraenidae) Moray eel Moray eels are elongated predatory fishes in the family Muraenidae, found worldwide in marine and some brackish habitats. Known for their strong jaws, secretive reef behavior, and…

Morpho (butterfly genus) Morpho Morpho is a genus of large Neotropical butterflies known for vivid iridescent wings; it includes roughly 29 species and many subspecies native to Mexico, Central and South America.

Mosasaur Extinct group of large, marine squamate reptiles of the Late Cretaceous, known for powerful tails, paddle-like limbs, and global fossil record. Apex predators that vanished at the…

Mosquito (Culicidae): biology, life cycle, and human impact Mosquito Mosquitoes (family Culicidae) are small two-winged insects whose females often feed on blood. This article summarizes their taxonomy, anatomy, life cycle, role in ecosystems, publi…

Moth: biology, diversity, behavior and relationships with humans Moth Moths are diverse insects of the order Lepidoptera, closely related to butterflies. This article covers their characteristics, life cycle, diversity, ecological roles, human uses a…

Moulting (Molting): Natural Shedding and Ecdysis in Animals Moulting Moulting is the routine shedding or replacement of an animal's outer covering—skin, feathers, hair, exoskeleton or wings—timed by growth, seasons, reproduction, or repair.

Mountain gazelle (Gazella gazella) Mountain gazelle A medium-sized gazelle of the Middle East and nearby regions, adapted to hills, plains and semi-desert; notable for its slender horns, agility, and cultural importance in the Levan…

Mountain goat (Oreamnos americanus) Mountain goat A North American alpine ungulate adapted to steep, rocky terrain. This article summarizes its appearance, behavior, habitat, reproduction, predators, and interactions with people.

Mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae) Mountain pine beetle A native bark beetle that kills mature pines across western North America; known for large outbreaks that reshape forests, affect timber and wildfire risk, and whose range has expa…

Mountain pygmy possum (Burramys parvus) Mountain pygmy possum Small nocturnal Australian marsupial restricted to alpine boulder fields; a Lazarus taxon rediscovered in 1966 and now the focus of conservation due to habitat fragmentation and cl…

Mountain weasel (Mustela altaica) Mountain weasel A small mustelid native to highland regions of Central and East Asia. The mountain weasel (also pale or Altai weasel) occupies alpine and steppe slopes, preys on small mammals, and…

Mourning collared dove (Streptopelia decipiens) Mourning collared dove A sub-Saharan African dove, Streptopelia decipiens, recognizable by a dark neck collar. Common near water in open woodlands and savanna; similar name to the North American mourning…

Mourning dove (Zenaida macroura) Mourning dove Comprehensive overview of the mourning dove (Zenaida macroura): identification, behavior, breeding, habitat, range, interactions with people, hunting and conservation.

Mouse: small rodent, biology, behavior, and relationship with humans Mouse Overview of mice: their biology, common species, behavior, diet, role in ecosystems, use in research and as pets, and their status as pests and model organisms.

Chevrotain (mouse deer) — small forest ungulates of Tragulidae Mouse deer Chevrotains, commonly called mouse deer, are the tiniest even-toed ungulates. Found mainly in Asian forests and by a single African species, they are secretive browsers with distin…

Mouse-like hamsters (Calomyscus): biology, distribution, taxonomy and human interactions Mouse-like hamsters Mouse-like hamsters (genus Calomyscus) are small rodents of arid rocky habitats in the Near East and Central Asia. They resemble true hamsters but are a distinct lineage; care, lif…

Mrs. Chippy — the ship's cat of Shackleton's Endurance Mrs. Chippy Mrs. Chippy was the well-known ship's cat aboard Endurance during Sir Ernest Shackleton's Imperial Trans-Antarctic Expedition; remembered for his bond with the crew and tragic deat…

Mudpuppy (Necturus): the aquatic salamander of North America Mudpuppy Mudpuppies are fully aquatic salamanders in the family Proteidae (genus Necturus), noted for external gills, a doglike barking sound, and a range across parts of Canada and the Mid…

Mudskipper: the amphibious goby of intertidal shores Mudskipper Mudskippers are amphibious gobies adapted to life on muddy coasts, mangroves and tidal flats. They forage, move and reproduce on exposed substrate and illustrate key adaptations fo…

Mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris): description, habitat, and conservation Mugger crocodile The mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) is a broad-snouted freshwater crocodile of South Asia. This article covers appearance, range, behaviour, reproduction, threats, and cons…

Mule (horse–donkey hybrid) Mule A mule is the offspring of a female horse and a male donkey, valued for strength, sure-footedness and endurance; commonly used as a pack, draft and riding animal in difficult terra…

Mule deer: description, behavior, distribution, and conservation Mule deer Comprehensive overview of the mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus): appearance, habitat, diet and migration (green-wave surfing), reproduction, subspecies, human interactions and conser…

Müller's Bornean gibbon (Hylobates muelleri) Müller's Bornean gibbon A small arboreal gibbon endemic to Borneo, often called the grey gibbon. Frugivorous and monogamous, it brachiates through forests and faces threats from habitat loss, hunting and…

Mullet: coastal schooling fishes and the short-front, long-back haircut Mullet Mullet: explore the coastal schooling fishes known for leaping behavior and the distinctive short-front, long-back haircut — origins, fish behavior, cultural history and modern tre…

Multituberculates — extinct rodent-like mammals with a long fossil record Multituberculate Multituberculates were an extinct, diverse group of rodent‑like mammals with distinctive multi-cusped teeth. They persisted through much of the Mesozoic and Paleogene before disapp…

Munchkin cat A domestic cat breed notable for unusually short legs caused by a genetic mutation. Small-to-medium size, playful temperament, varied coat types, and a history of both recognition…

Muntjac: small Asian deer with ancient origins and distinctive traits Muntjac Muntjacs are small forest deer of the genus Muntiacus, native to South and Southeast Asia. They are known for barking calls, short antlers, canine tusks and an ancient fossil linea…

Muridae: overview of the largest family of rodents Muridae Muridae is the largest family of mammals, including true mice, rats, gerbils and many relatives; it comprises hundreds of species distributed across Eurasia, Africa and Australia a…

Muriqui (Brachyteles): Brazil’s woolly spider monkeys Muriqui Muriquis (genus Brachyteles) are the largest New World monkeys, endemic to Brazil's Atlantic Forest. Two species face severe decline from habitat loss and fragmentation; they are f…