Animals

Pedipalp: structure, function, and diversity among chelicerates Pedipalp Pedipalps are the second pair of front appendages in chelicerates (including spiders and scorpions), specialized for sensing, feeding, manipulation and—in many male spiders—sperm t…

Pedostibes — Asian tree toads Pedostibes Pedostibes is a small genus of arboreal true toads from South and Southeast Asia, recognized for expanded toe pads, webbed digits, and life in forested habitats.

Pegomastax — a small heterodontosaur from the Early Jurassic Pegomastax Pegomastax africana, a small heterodontosaurid ornithischian from Early Jurassic South Africa, known for a robust lower jaw and enlarged canine-like tooth; described by Paul Sereno…

Pelagornis — giant bony‑toothed seabirds Pelagornis Pelagornis is an extinct genus of very large marine birds known as bony‑toothed birds. They had long, narrow wings and tooth‑like beak projections; some species had wingspans estim…

Pelecaniformes: four‑toed waterbirds and their biology Pelecaniformes Order of medium-to-large waterbirds traditionally grouped by fully webbed, four-toed feet. Includes pelicans and similar fish-eating species. Modern research has revised which fami…

Pelecanimimus — an early many‑toothed ornithomimosaur Pelecanimimus Pelecanimimus, a primitive ornithomimosaur from Early Cretaceous Spain, is notable for retaining an unusually large number of small teeth and for illuminating early stages of ornit…

Pelican (Pelecanus): biology, distribution and natural history Pelican Large water birds of the genus Pelecanus known for a long bill and expandable throat pouch; widespread but patchy distribution, varied feeding styles, social nesting, and conservat…

Pelican eel (Eurypharynx pelecanoides) — deep‑sea gulper Pelican eel A deep‑sea eel known for its enormous expandable mouth and bioluminescent tail tip. Found worldwide in tropical and subtropical waters, it is the sole species of its family and rar…

European spadefoot toads (Pelobatidae) Pelobatidae Pelobatidae is a family of burrowing frogs represented by the single living genus Pelobates. Found across Europe, the Mediterranean, northwestern Africa and western Asia, they are…

Pelophryne (flathead toads): overview of the Southeast Asian true toad genus Pelophryne Pelophryne is a genus of small Southeast Asian true toads (Bufonidae) known as flathead or dwarf toads. They inhabit forested islands and peninsulas and are sensitive to habitat lo…

Pelorosaurus — fragmentary brachiosaurian sauropod of the Early Cretaceous Pelorosaurus Pelorosaurus is a historically important but taxonomically problematic sauropod known from fragmentary Lower Cretaceous remains in England and Portugal, often linked to brachiosaur…

Penguin Flightless seabirds of the family Spheniscidae, adapted for swimming; live only in the Southern Hemisphere and include species from Antarctic coasts to the Galápagos Islands.

Pentaceratops Pentaceratops, a large Late Cretaceous horned dinosaur from North America, is known for its ornate frill and distinctive horn arrangement. It illustrates ceratopsid diversity and f…

Pentatomidae: the stink bug family Pentatomidae Pentatomidae, commonly called stink or shield bugs, are a large Hemiptera family of shield-shaped insects. Many species are agricultural pests; some are predatory and play ecologic…

Pentatomoidea: shield bugs and stink bugs — overview, traits, and importance Pentatomoidea Pentatomoidea is a superfamily of true bugs (Heteroptera) often called shield or stink bugs. About 7,000 species worldwide, they have a shield-like scutellum and scent glands and i…

Pepe le Pew Animated Looney Tunes skunk created by Chuck Jones and voiced by Mel Blanc, known for a florid French accent, romantic pursuit gags and the Oscar-winning 1949 short; now often reas…

Peppered moth (Biston betularia) Peppered moth A medium-sized nocturnal moth noted for caterpillar twig-mimicry and adult colour polymorphism. Famous as a textbook example of natural selection and of industrial melanism in temp…

Peramelemorphia: bandicoots, bilbies and related marsupials Peramelemorphia Peramelemorphia is the order of small to medium Australasian marsupials that includes bandicoots and bilbies, characterized by pointed snouts, digging adaptations, omnivorous diets…

Perch (Perca): freshwater fish—anatomy, behavior, and human importance Perch Perch (genus Perca) are small to medium freshwater fishes known for their two-part dorsal fins, rough scales, lateral line sense system and role in sport fishing and ecosystems.

Perciformes: the perch-like fishes Perciformes Perciformes, traditionally the largest order of ray-finned fishes, are a diverse assemblage of perch-like species found in nearly all aquatic habitats; important ecologically, comm…

Père David's deer (Milu) Père David's deer Père David's deer (Milu) is a Chinese wetland deer once extinct in the wild. Named for Père Armand David, it survives through captive breeding and managed reintroductions into prot…

Peregrine falcon: global raptor known for high-speed hunting Peregrine falcon The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) is a widespread bird of prey renowned for its high-speed stoop, cliff and urban nesting, varied subspecies, and remarkable recovery after pe…

Perognathinae — the pocket-mouse subfamily of rodents Perognathinae Perognathinae is a subfamily of small North American rodents (pocket mice) distinguished by external cheek pouches, nocturnal granivory, and adaptations to arid habitats.

Perro de Presa Canario (Presa Canario) Perro de Presa Canario A large molosser-type dog from the Canary Islands developed as a farm and livestock guard. Muscular and protective, the breed needs early training and socialization and is restrict…

Persian cat Long-haired domestic cat breed from historic Persia (Iran), noted for a dense coat, calm temperament and distinctive facial types; requires regular grooming and attention to breed-…

Pet (domesticated companion animals): types, care, and social role Pet An accessible overview of pets: definition, common species, care and welfare, historical roles, distinctions from working animals, and the role of shelters and adoption.

Peter Rabbit Peter Rabbit is Beatrix Potter’s mischievous anthropomorphic rabbit, introduced in 1902. This article outlines the character, origins, stories, adaptations, and cultural impact.

Petrolacosaurus — an early diapsid reptile of the Late Carboniferous Petrolacosaurus Petrolacosaurus was a small, early diapsid reptile from Pennsylvanian-aged Kansas. This article reviews its discovery, anatomy, ecology, and significance for early amniote evolutio…

Petropedetidae: African rock frogs and related ranids Petropedetidae Petropedetidae (sometimes treated within Ranidae) are a group of sub-Saharan African frogs with variable taxonomy, diverse life histories, and conservation concerns tied to habitat…

Petting zoo: interactive animal exhibits for children and families Petting zoo A petting zoo is a small, supervised animal exhibit where visitors can touch and feed gentle, usually domesticated animals. They serve educational, recreational and commercial role…

Phacochoerus (warthogs): natural history, traits, and taxonomy Phacochoerus Phacochoerus, commonly called warthogs, is a genus of African wild pigs known for facial 'warts', curved tusks and burrow-based behavior. Two species inhabit open habitats across s…

Phantasmal poison frog (Epipedobates tricolor) Phantasmal poison frog A small, brightly colored poison dart frog endemic to central Ecuador’s Andean slopes; known for skin alkaloids, terrestrial breeding and conservation concerns from habitat loss an…

Pharaoh Hound (Tesem) — Maltese sighthound Pharaoh Hound A Maltese sighthound known as the Pharaoh Hound or Tesem, noted for its tan coat, erect ears and speed. Historically linked to rabbit hunting and often kept as an active companion…

Phasianidae: pheasants, partridges, grouse, junglefowl and allies Phasianidae Phasianidae is a family of ground‑dwelling birds (order Galliformes) including pheasants, partridges, grouse and junglefowl. Covers appearance, behaviour, distribution, uses and co…

Pheasant Pheasants are ground-dwelling birds in the order Galliformes, known for sexual dimorphism, showy plumage in males, varied habitats, and complex interactions with people including h…

Phengodidae: New World glow‑worm beetles Phengodidae A family of New World bioluminescent beetles whose larvae and larviform females glow. Predatory in soil litter, they include 'railroad worms' with red and green light organs and ab…

Phidippus audax — the bold (daring) jumping spider Phidippus audax A North American jumping spider (Salticidae) known for bold hunting, distinctive abdominal spots that change color with age, strong vision, and metallic chelicerae; common in garde…

Philippine eagle (Pithecophaga jefferyi) Philippine eagle A large, forest-dwelling raptor endemic to the Philippines, the Philippine eagle is noted for its size, shaggy crest, conservation importance, and cultural status as the national b…

Phoronida (horseshoe worms): description, biology, and significance Phoronida Phoronida, or horseshoe worms, are a small phylum of marine, tube‑dwelling animals with a lophophore and U-shaped gut. This entry outlines their anatomy, life cycle, ecology, class…

Phorusrhacos — Miocene 'terror bird' of Patagonia Phorusrhacos Phorusrhacos was a large, flightless predatory bird from Miocene Patagonia, known from Argentine fossils. It had a massive hooked beak, long legs for running, reduced wings, and oc…

Phytosaur — Triassic semi‑aquatic archosaurs Phytosaur Phytosaurs were large, semi‑aquatic archosaurs of the Triassic with long snouts and heavy armour. They resemble modern crocodiles by convergence but are a distinct, extinct group k…

Piatnitzkysaurus — Middle Jurassic theropod from Argentina Piatnitzkysaurus Piatnitzkysaurus is a genus of basal tetanuran theropod from Middle Jurassic Argentina. A lightly built, bipedal carnivore roughly 6.6 m long, important for understanding Jurassic…

Piciformes: the order of woodpeckers, toucans and allied birds Piciformes Piciformes are an order of mostly arboreal birds including woodpeckers, barbets, toucans and honeyguides—about 400 species in ~67 genera—known for cavity nesting, zygodactyl feet a…

Pickerel frog (Lithobates palustris) Pickerel frog A small North American frog noted for paired rectangular dorsal blotches and bright yellow-orange inner thighs; found in eastern wetlands and known for skin secretions that deter p…

Piculet (small woodpeckers) Piculet Piculets are small woodpeckers found mainly in tropical South America, with a few species in Asia and one in Africa. They are insectivorous, cavity-nesting birds notable for short…

Pieridae: the white and yellow butterflies — overview, traits, and significance Pieridae Pieridae is a large family of butterflies known for white, yellow or orange wings. This article covers their appearance, diversity, behavior, life cycle, agricultural impact and na…

Pig (domestic pig): biology, behavior, history and human uses Pig Overview of pigs: taxonomy, physical traits, behavior, domestication, economic and cultural roles, health considerations, and notable facts about intelligence and uses.

Pig-nosed turtle (Carettochelys insculpta) Pig-nosed turtle A distinctive freshwater turtle with a fleshy, pig-like snout and flipper-like limbs, native to northern Australia and southern New Guinea; an evolutionarily unique species facing…