Animals

Zapalasaurus (Early Cretaceous diplodocoid from Argentina) Zapalasaurus Zapalasaurus is a genus of long-necked diplodocoid dinosaur from the Early Cretaceous of Neuquén Province, Argentina; the type species is Zapalasaurus bonapartei.

Zebra: overview, appearance, species, behavior and conservation Zebra Striped African equids of the genus Equus. Covers appearance, species, habitat, social behavior, threats, and cultural significance with links to related topics.

Zebra mussel (Dreissena polymorpha): invasive freshwater bivalve Zebra mussel A small invasive bivalve native to Eurasia, the zebra mussel attaches to surfaces, alters aquatic ecosystems and clogs infrastructure; notable in the Great Lakes and many inland wa…

Zebrafish (Danio rerio): biology, research importance, and aquarium care Zebrafish A small freshwater fish native to South Asia, widely used in research for its transparent embryos, rapid development, and genetic tractability; also popular in aquaria as the zebra…

Zebu (Bos indicus): Tropical cattle of South Asia, Africa and beyond Zebu Zebu are humpless-appearing domestic cattle (Bos indicus) adapted to tropical climates, valued for heat tolerance, draught work and cultural roles across South Asia, Africa and oth…

Zephyrosaurus — small Early Cretaceous ornithopod Zephyrosaurus Zephyrosaurus was a small bipedal ornithopod from western North America in the Early Cretaceous (about 132 million years ago). Known from fragmentary bones, it was related to hypsi…

Zhejiangopterus Zhejiangopterus is a genus of toothless, crestless pterosaur from Late Cretaceous China, known from several adult specimens and noted for its long neck and relatively large wingspa…

Zhenyuanlong — a large feathered dromaeosaur from the Early Cretaceous Zhenyuanlong Zhenyuanlong is a genus of large, feathered dromaeosaur known from a nearly complete Early Cretaceous skeleton from Liaoning, China. It illuminates feather evolution and dinosaur-b…

Zizhongosaurus: overview of a Chinese sauropod genus Zizhongosaurus Zizhongosaurus is a genus of large, herbivorous sauropod dinosaur known from fragmentary fossils found in China. Its exact relationships are uncertain, but it has been compared to…

Zoantharia (Zoanthids): colonial anemone-like anthozoans without a stony skeleton Zoantharia Zoantharia (zoanthids) are an order of Anthozoa: small, often colonial polyps lacking a calcareous skeleton, notable for two rows of tentacles, debris-including tissues, symbioses,…

Zoo: purpose, history, animal care, and modern conservation roles Zoo An overview of zoos: definitions, roles in education, research and conservation, animal care and welfare, types of institutions, accreditation, public engagement, and current chall…

Zookeeper: roles, training, daily work, and conservation importance Zookeeper Summary of the zookeeper profession: duties, typical skills and training, working conditions, role in animal welfare and conservation, and how the job is organized in modern zoos.

Zoraptera: the obscure order of minute 'angel' insects Zoraptera Zoraptera is a small, little-known insect order of tiny, hemimetabolous animals found in warm regions; they show simple social behavior, wing polymorphism, and a debated position i…

Zosterops (white-eyes): overview of the small, ring‑eyed passerines Zosterops Zosterops, commonly called white-eyes, are small passerine birds notable for a pale eye‑ring. Found across Africa, Asia and Pacific islands, they include many island endemics and d…

Zuniceratops: an early horned dinosaur from North America Zuniceratops Zuniceratops (Z. christopheri) is a mid-Cretaceous ceratopsian from what is now New Mexico. A modestly sized, horned herbivore, it is important for understanding the early evolutio…

Zupaysaurus — Late Triassic theropod from South America Zupaysaurus Early carnivorous theropod from the Late Triassic of South America, known from fragmentary remains; notable for paired snout ridges, modest size (~5 m) and its role among basal din…