Animals

Neopterygii: the modern ray-finned fishes Neopterygii Neopterygii ("new fins") are a major clade of ray-finned fishes that evolved lighter skeletons and more mobile jaws; they include gars, bowfins and the vast radiation of teleosts,…

Neosodon (extinct sauropod) Neosodon Neosodon, meaning "new tooth," is a little-known sauropod named from fragmentary dental remains. Its anatomy, age and exact relationships are uncertain and it is often treated as d…

Neovenator — Early Cretaceous theropod from the Isle of Wight Neovenator Neovenator was a large, slim-bodied carnivorous dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous of southern England. Known from Isle of Wight fossils, it is one of Europe's best-studied predato…

Nesomyidae — family of African and Malagasy rodents Nesomyidae Nesomyidae is a diverse family of rodents native to Africa and Madagascar, containing several groups such as Malagasy rats and mice, pouched rats, climbing mice, and the white‑tail…

Nest (animal structure): types, construction and function Nest A nest is an animal-built structure for holding eggs or raising young. This article explains types, building materials, behaviors, ecological roles and notable examples across bird…

Nestor (genus) Nestor is a small genus of large, stocky parrots native to New Zealand and nearby islands, including the kea and kākā; it includes two living species and two recently extinct islan…

Neuquenraptor — Gondwanan dromaeosaurid from the Late Cretaceous Neuquenraptor Neuquenraptor is a genus of small dromaeosaurid theropod from the Late Cretaceous of Argentina, notable as one of the earliest recognized relatives of raptors in the Southern Hemis…

Neuroptera — net‑winged insects including lacewings, antlions, and mantidflies Neuroptera Neuroptera is an order of net‑winged insects (about 6,000 described species). Adults have four veined membranous wings and larvae are mostly predatory; many species are ecologicall…

New World monkeys: overview, traits, taxonomy, and conservation New World monkey New World monkeys (Ceboidea) are platyrrhine primates native to Central and South America. This article summarizes their anatomy, families, evolution, ecological roles, and conserv…

New World orioles (Icterus) New World oriole Colorful American songbirds of the genus Icterus (family Icteridae), resembling Old World orioles by convergent evolution; known for bright plumage, woven pouch nests, insectivory,…

New World rats and mice (American cricetid rodents) New World rats and mice A broad overview of the New World rats and mice: their classification within cricetid rodents, diversity, adaptations, ecology, relationships to people, and conservation considerat…

New World vulture (Cathartidae): overview, characteristics and conservation New World vulture New World vultures (family Cathartidae) are carrion-eating birds of the Americas noted for their sense of smell, bare heads, soaring flight and key ecological role; some species ar…

New Zealand parrots (Strigopoidea): kea, kākā and kākāpō New Zealand parrot Overview of Strigopoidea, the small New Zealand parrot superfamily: taxonomy, appearance, behaviour, evolution, threats and conservation of the kea, kākā, kākāpō and fossil relativ…

Newfoundland (dog): large working breed known for swimming and rescue Newfoundland (dog) Newfoundland is a large, heavy-coated working dog from the island of Newfoundland, prized for swimming ability, water rescue, a gentle temperament, and specific health and grooming…

Newt: overview of the small semiaquatic salamanders Newt Newts are a group of small semiaquatic salamanders known for their life stages (efts), toxic skin secretions, and importance in ecology and scientific research. Found across Europe…

Nguni cattle: hardy multi‑coloured cattle from southern Africa Nguni cattle Nguni cattle are a group of medium-sized, multi-coloured cattle developed in southern Africa. They are valued for hardiness, fertility and cultural importance in pastoral and small…

Nigersaurus — the short-necked, ground-feeding sauropod Nigersaurus Nigersaurus is a small, mid-Cretaceous diplodocoid sauropod from what is now Niger, known for its broad, tooth-filled muzzle, rapid tooth replacement and adaptations for low‑level…

Nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos): description, behaviour, habitat and cultural role Nightingale An overview of the common nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos): identification, taxonomy, voice, breeding and migration, habitat preferences, and its cultural and ecological signifi…

Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) Nile crocodile Large African crocodile species found in rivers, lakes and wetlands across sub-Saharan Africa and Madagascar; known for powerful jaws, variable diet, and maternal care of nests.

Nilgai (Boselaphus tragocamelus) Nilgai Large antelope of the Indian subcontinent. Males are called blue bulls; species is widespread in India, Nepal and Pakistan, with introduced populations abroad. Herbivore, social, a…

Nimravidae: extinct feliform carnivores and "false" saber-toothed mammals Nimravidae Nimravidae were an extinct family of feliform carnivores, often called false saber-toothed cats. They lived from the Eocene to the Miocene across North America, Europe and Asia and…

Nimravides — a North American Miocene saber-toothed felid Nimravides Nimravides is an extinct genus of saber-toothed cats from North America that lived during the middle to late Miocene. It is a member of the Felidae and is notable for its large can…

Nine-banded armadillo (Dasypus novemcinctus) Nine-banded armadillo A medium-sized armored mammal native to the Americas, known for its bony carapace, insectivorous diet, burrowing habits and the unusual reproduction that often produces identical q…

Noasaurus: a small Late Cretaceous predatory dinosaur Noasaurus Noasaurus was a small, lightly built carnivorous dinosaur from Late Cretaceous South America, known for an unusual foot claw and its role in illustrating convergent evolution among…

Nocturnal animals: behavior, adaptations, and ecological roles Nocturnal animals Overview of animals active at night: definitions, sensory and behavioural adaptations, activity patterns (nocturnal, crepuscular, cathemeral), examples, ecological importance, and…

Nodosauridae — armoured ankylosaurs without tail clubs Nodosauridae A family of heavily armoured, quadrupedal herbivorous ankylosaurs that lacked tail clubs; lived from the Late Jurassic to the Late Cretaceous across several continents.

Nodosaurus Nodosaurus was a large, armored, quadrupedal ornithischian dinosaur from the early Late Cretaceous, known from fragmentary fossils in North America and noted for its heavy dermal a…

North Pacific Giant Octopus (Enteroctopus dofleini) North Pacific giant octopus A large, intelligent benthic octopus of the North Pacific coasts, notable for its size, problem‑solving abilities, opportunistic diet and short, semelparous life cycle.

Northern bat (Eptesicus nilssonii) Northern bat A medium-sized insectivorous bat of northern Eurasia, adapted to colder climates and often roosting in trees or buildings; related to the serotine bat and important for insect cont…

Northern bluefin tuna A comprehensive overview of the northern (Atlantic) bluefin tuna: its appearance, biology, range, human uses, and conservation concerns.

Northern corroboree frog (Pseudophryne pengilleyi) Northern corroboree frog A small, brightly striped Australian frog found in alpine and subalpine wetlands. Endangered due to disease, climate and habitat pressures; subject of recovery and captive-breeding…

Northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis): identification, behavior, and conservation Northern goshawk A comprehensive overview of the northern goshawk (Accipiter gentilis): appearance, range, behavior, history in falconry, and conservation status across Europe, Eurasia and North Am…

Northern green frog (Rana/Lithobates clamitans melanota) Northern green frog A common North American frog subspecies with a distinctive dorsolateral fold and a banjo-like call; found in northeastern U.S. and parts of eastern Canada in wetland habitats.

Northern hawk-owl (Surnia ulula) Northern hawk-owl A medium-sized, diurnal owl of the boreal zone, the northern hawk-owl is noted for its hawk-like shape, daytime hunting, and resident populations across northern North America and…

Northern pike (Esox lucius): biology, range, and human interactions Northern pike Overview of the Northern pike (Esox lucius): appearance, distribution, behavior, ecological role, angling significance and management across its Holarctic range.

Northern pintail (Anas acuta) Northern pintail A long‑tailed, wide‑ranging dabbling duck that breeds across northern Europe, Asia and North America and migrates to warmer wetlands; notable for its slim profile and declining pop…

Northern pygmy owl (Glaucidium gnoma) Northern pygmy owl A small, compact owl of the genus Glaucidium found across parts of North and Central America; known for daytime hunting, false nape spots, cavity nesting, and a complex taxonomic h…

Northern white rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum cottoni) Northern white rhinoceros A historically distinct subspecies of the white rhinoceros, native to central and eastern Africa; now functionally extinct in the wild and subject to intensive captive and assisted…

Norwegian Elkhound A sturdy Scandinavian spitz bred for hunting and guarding. The Norwegian Elkhound is a working, family-oriented dog known for its dense coat, curled tail and lively, independent na…

Norwegian Forest Cat A large natural breed from Northern Europe with a dense, water‑resistant double coat, adapted to cold climates; kept as a companion, working and show cat with a long cultural histo…

Notaden — genus of Australian burrowing frogs Notaden Notaden is a genus of stout, fossorial frogs native to central and northern Australia, adapted to arid and seasonal environments and known for burrowing habits, rapid breeding afte…

Nothosaur: Triassic marine sauropterygians Nothosaur Nothosaurs were semi-aquatic sauropterygian reptiles of the Triassic, known for long necks and slender jaws adapted for catching fish. They were ancestors or close relatives of ple…

Notoceratops — a disputed southern horned dinosaur Notoceratops Notoceratops is a poorly known Late Cretaceous ceratopsian named from a single jaw fragment discovered in South America; its identity and significance remain debated among paleonto…

Notostraca (tadpole shrimps): biology, life cycle, and fossil history Notostraca Notostraca, or tadpole shrimps, are an order of small crustaceans (Triops, Lepidurus) living in temporary waters worldwide; notable for ancient body plan, rapid life cycle and dura…

Nova Scotia Duck-Tolling Retriever Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever A compact, energetic retriever from Canada bred to 'toll' or lure waterfowl and to retrieve game; noted for its reddish coat, intelligence, and suitability for active households.

Nudibranchs: colorful shell‑less marine gastropods Nudibranch Nudibranchs are shellless marine gastropods known for exposed gills, vivid coloration, varied diets and defenses. Over 3,000 described species occur worldwide and are often called…

Numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus): the banded termite-eating marsupial Numbat The numbat is a small, diurnal Australian marsupial specialized for eating termites. Once widespread, it is now vulnerable due to introduced predators and habitat loss; conservatio…

Nurosaurus — informal name for a Cretaceous sauropod from Inner Mongolia Nurosaurus Nurosaurus is an informal name applied to a sauropod dinosaur from Cretaceous deposits of Inner Mongolia, China. Its remains and formal taxonomic status remain uncertain.