Animals

Wasps: biology, diversity, ecology, and human interactions Wasp Wasps are a diverse group of Hymenoptera, ranging from solitary parasitoids to social Vespidae. This article covers their biology, life cycles, ecological roles and use in biologic…

Water beetle A general overview of water beetles: their appearance, adaptations for aquatic life, main families, life cycle, ecological roles, and conservation concerns.

Water bird Birds that live on, feed in, or depend on freshwater and marine environments; includes waterfowl, seabirds, waders and shorebirds with special adaptations and conservation signific…

Water buffalo: biology, domestication, uses, and conservation Water buffalo Concise overview of the water buffalo (wild and domestic): physical traits, behaviour, domestication history, agricultural and dairy uses, feral populations, and conservation chall…

Water deer (Hydropotes inermis) Water deer Small, tusked deer native to China and Korea, sole member of Hydropotinae. Lives in wetlands and reedbeds; males have prominent upper canines instead of antlers. Two subspecies: Ch…

Water strider (pond skater) — surface-dwelling true bug Water strider The water strider (pond skater) is a surface-dwelling true bug (Gerridae) that walks on water using hydrophobic hairs and long legs. About 500 species inhabit ponds and slow stream…

Waterfowl: ducks, geese and swans — overview, traits, and conservation Waterfowl Waterfowl are birds adapted to life on or near fresh and salt water, chiefly the Anatidae (ducks, geese, swans). This article covers their features, behavior, importance, and how t…

Weasel (genus Mustela): small carnivores of the Mustelid family Weasel A concise encyclopedic overview of weasels (genus Mustela): traits, species and distribution, behavior, reproduction, relationship with humans, and conservation notes.

Wedge-tailed shearwater (Puffinus pacificus) Wedge-tailed shearwater A medium-large tropical seabird of the Procellariidae family, noted for its wedge-shaped tail, nocturnal colony habits, burrow nesting, long-distance foraging and broad Indo-Pacifi…

Weedy sea dragon (Phyllopteryx taeniolatus): appearance, habitat, and conservation Weedy sea dragon The weedy sea dragon is a marine fish related to seahorses, native to southern Australia. This article covers its appearance, behaviour, habitat, reproduction, conservation and dif…

Weevil (Curculionidae): snout beetles, diversity, biology and impact Weevil Weevils are herbivorous beetles known for an elongated snout (rostrum). The family Curculionidae contains tens of thousands of species and includes many notable agricultural pests…

Welsh Springer Spaniel Medium-sized red-and-white spaniel from Wales, used as a flushing and retrieving gun dog. Energetic, affectionate, and hardy; requires regular exercise and grooming. Similar to but…

Werneria (smalltongue toads) Werneria Werneria is a small genus of African true toads found in Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea, specialized for life in fast streams and montane habitats and notable for reduced tongues a…

West Caucasian tur (Capra caucasica) — mountain goat-antelope of the western Caucasus West Caucasian tur A concise overview of the West Caucasian tur, Capra caucasica: its appearance, mountain habitat in the western Caucasus, behavior, threats, and conservation measures.

West Highland White Terrier (Westie) West Highland White Terrier A compact, energetic Scottish terrier breed with a white double coat, bred originally for hunting. Known for its bold personality, friendly nature, and distinct grooming needs.

West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus): biology, range, and conservation West Indian manatee Overview of the West Indian manatee, its taxonomy, appearance, habitat, behavior, threats, and conservation measures for the Florida and Antillean populations.

Western diamondback rattlesnake (Crotalus atrox) Western diamondback rattlesnake A venomous pit viper native to the southwestern United States and Mexico, known for its distinctive diamond pattern, audible rattle, role in ecosystems, and frequent involvement in…

Western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla) Western gorilla The western gorilla is a species of great ape from central and western Africa. This article summarizes its appearance, behavior, distribution, taxonomy, conservation status and key…

Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis): appearance, behavior, and conservation Western grebe The western grebe is a long-necked, diving waterbird of western North America, known for dramatic courtship displays, floating nests and a primarily fish diet. Overview, identifica…

Western grey kangaroo A common large macropod of southern Australia, Macropus fuliginosus is a grazing marsupial with several regional forms, including the Kangaroo Island subspecies; adaptable but loca…

Western horse (Equus occidentalis): a Pleistocene North American equid Western horse Equus occidentalis, the Western horse, was an extinct stoutly built horse of Pleistocene North America, known from fossils and notable for its zebra- or quagga-like appearance thou…

Western long-beaked echidna (Zaglossus bruijni) Western long-beaked echidna A mountain-dwelling monotreme from New Guinea, Zaglossus bruijni is a worm-eating echidna threatened by habitat loss and hunting; notable for its claws, size and fossil record.

Western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) Western lowland gorilla A comprehensive overview of the western lowland gorilla: appearance, behavior, habitat across Central Africa, conservation status, and role in research and zoos.

Western meadowlark (Sturnella neglecta) Western meadowlark A grassland bird of western North America known for its bright yellow breast, flute-like song, ground nesting, and designation as the state bird of six U.S. states.

Western rattlesnake Common name for several rattlesnake species of western North America (genus Crotalus). Overview of identification, behavior, venom, distribution, taxonomy and conservation.

Western toad (Anaxyrus boreas) Western toad The Western toad (Anaxyrus boreas) is a large toad native to western North America. It inhabits diverse wetlands and uplands, is an important insect predator, and faces regional de…

Westlothiana: an early tetrapod from the Carboniferous Westlothiana Westlothiana lizziae is a small, lizardlike early tetrapod from the Carboniferous of Scotland, notable as a transitional form that helps illuminate the origin of amniotes and terre…

Whale: biology, classification, and human interactions Whale Overview of whales: their biology, major groups, relationship to other mammals, history with humans, conservation issues and distinctions between whales, dolphins and porpoises.

Whale shark (Rhincodon typus) Whale shark The whale shark is the largest fish and a gentle filter-feeding shark found in warm seas worldwide; reaches about 12 m, feeds on plankton and small fish, and faces conservation thr…

Whelk (marine gastropod) Whelk Whelks are marine snails—mostly carnivorous or scavenging gastropods—commonly applied to members of the Buccinidae and similar families. They have spiral shells, cultural and culin…

Whirligig beetle (Gyrinidae): surface-swimming water beetles Whirligig beetle Whirligig beetles (family Gyrinidae) are small, surface-dwelling aquatic beetles notable for divided eyes, rapid circular schooling behaviour, an air reserve under the elytra, and…

Whisker (vibrissa): structure, function and cultural uses Whisker Whiskers (vibrissae) are specialized tactile hairs found on many mammals. This article covers their anatomy, sensory role, species examples, care considerations, and the word’s use…

White bass (Morone chrysops) White bass A compact overview of the white bass, a silver, schooling freshwater fish (Morone chrysops): appearance, behavior, habitat, fishing value, and distinctions from related bass specie…

White rhinoceros (Ceratotherium simum) White rhinoceros Large African grazing rhinoceros with a broad, square lip. Two subspecies exist: the northern form is functionally extinct in the wild, while the southern population persists under…

White wagtail (Motacilla alba) White wagtail A concise encyclopedia article on the white wagtail, covering identification, behavior, range, breeding, and its relationship with people.

White-backed vulture (Gyps africanus) White-backed vulture A large African scavenger of the Accipitridae family, the white-backed vulture plays a key role in removing carcasses. It is social, tree-nesting, and has faced severe population d…

White-bellied sea eagle (Haliaeetus leucogaster) White-bellied sea eagle Large Indo-Pacific sea eagle with white underparts and head and grey upperparts; largely fish-eating but opportunistic. Widespread yet locally declining where nests and shorelines…

White-crested cockatoo (Cacatua alba): overview, traits, and conservation White-crested cockatoo A medium-sized white cockatoo native to the Moluccan islands, known for its umbrella-like crest. Covers appearance, behavior, habitat, captivity, and conservation concerns includin…

White-headed capuchin (white-faced capuchin) White-headed capuchin A medium-sized New World monkey known for a white face and shoulders, high intelligence, varied diet, tool use and an important role in seed dispersal across Central America and ne…

White-lipped tree frog (Litoria infrafrenata) White-lipped tree frog A large Australasian tree frog species, the white-lipped tree frog is notable for its size, broad distribution in New Guinea and northern Australia, diet of insects, and use in the…

White-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus): appearance, ecology, and human interactions White-tailed deer Overview of the white-tailed deer: identification, range, behavior, reproduction, predators, ecological role, and management in native and introduced regions.

White-tailed eagle (Haliaeetus albicilla) White-tailed eagle A large Eurasian sea eagle, Haliaeetus albicilla is a powerful coastal raptor known for its broad wings, white tail in adulthood, fish-based diet and recovering populations after c…

Whitetip reef shark (Triaenodon obesus) Whitetip reef shark A small, slender reef shark of the Indo-Pacific, known for white-tipped fins, nocturnal hunting and cave-resting; an important reef predator currently assessed as Near Threatened.

Whooper swan (Cygnus cygnus): description, range, behaviour and status Whooper swan The whooper swan is a large migratory Eurasian swan known for its loud whooping calls, distinctive yellow-and-black bill, tundra breeding and wintering in temperate wetlands; simil…

Wikispecies — an open directory of taxonomic information Wikispecies Wikispecies is a free, collaborative Wikimedia directory that documents scientific names, classification and taxonomic references. It is aimed at specialists and informed contribut…

Wild boar (Sus scrofa): biology, range, behavior and human relationships Wild boar A widespread wild pig native to Eurasia and North Africa. The wild boar is an adaptable omnivore, ancestor of domestic pigs, culturally significant and often a management concern w…

Wild goat (Capra aegagrus) Wild goat A wild caprine native to parts of Europe and Asia, ancestor of the domestic goat; adapted to rocky habitats and notable for its horns, climbing ability, and cultural importance.

Wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) Wild turkey Large North American game bird, the wild turkey is a forest-adapted species ancestral to the domestic turkey; notable for its social behavior, distinctive plumage, and habitat acro…