Animals

Berlin Zoological Garden Major zoological park in Berlin founded in 1844, noted for its extensive species collection, historic and modern architecture, wartime history, conservation work, and public role i…

Better Talk Now American Thoroughbred turf racehorse, winner of the 2004 Breeders' Cup Turf. Raced nine seasons with 14 wins from 51 starts and more than $4.3 million in earnings; euthanized after…

Bharal (Himalayan blue sheep) Bharal A high‑altitude caprid of the Himalayas, the bharal (Pseudois nayaur) is adapted to steep rocky slopes, has a bluish coat and curved horns, and is an important prey species for mou…

Bhupathy's purple frog (Nasikabatrachus bhupathi) Bhupathy's purple frog A fossorial frog species from the Western Ghats of India, notable for its purple coloration, burrowing lifestyle, ancient evolutionary lineage, and conservation importance.

Bicentenaria: a small coelurosaurian theropod from Late Cretaceous Argentina Bicentenaria Bicentenaria is a genus of small carnivorous coelurosaurian theropods from Argentina, known from early Late Cretaceous (~90 Ma) deposits. The type species is Bicentenaria argentina…

Bichon Frisé — small white companion dog Bichon Frisé A lively, small companion breed known for its curly white coat, playful temperament, and history from the Canary Islands to France. Popular as a family and therapy dog; requires re…

Bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis): ecology, characteristics, and conservation Bighorn sheep Overview of the bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis): appearance, behavior, habitat across western North America, recognized subspecies, threats, and conservation responses.

Bignose shark (Carcharhinus altimus) Bignose shark A medium-large requiem shark of tropical and subtropical seas. Characterized by an elongated snout, reaches about 3 m, inhabits continental shelf edges to ~430 m, and is taken as b…

Bilateria: Bilaterally Symmetrical Animals and Their Body Plans Bilateria Bilateria are animals with bilateral symmetry and distinct front/back and left/right axes. They include most animal phyla, show cephalization and three germ layers, and split into…

Bilby (rabbit-eared bandicoot): appearance, behavior and conservation Bilby The bilby is a nocturnal, burrowing marsupial of arid Australia. This article covers its appearance, ecology, threats, conservation actions and cultural significance.

Binturong (Bearcat) — Arctictis binturong Binturong A large, arboreal viverrid of South and Southeast Asia known as the binturong or bearcat, notable for its prehensile tail, omnivorous diet, and important role in seed dispersal.

Bird (Aves): characteristics, evolution, behavior, and human relationships Bird Comprehensive overview of birds (Aves): anatomy, adaptations for flight, evolutionary origins, behavior and life cycle, human uses and conservation, plus notable distinctions and f…

Bird feet: structure, toe arrangements and ecological adaptations Bird feet Overview of bird feet anatomy and types — toe arrangements, webbing and lobes, raptorial adaptations, evolutionary origins and examples illustrating their ecological roles.

Bird nest: types, construction, and ecological role Bird nest Overview of bird nests: common forms, building materials, functions, size extremes, nest-site choices, behavior, threats and conservation measures for nesting birds.

Birds of Prey (Raptors): Characteristics, Evolution, and Ecological Role Bird of prey Birds of prey, or raptors, are predatory birds that seize and kill animals with powerful talons and hooked beaks. This article outlines their anatomy, diversity, evolution, ecology…

Birds-of-paradise (Paradisaeidae): appearance, behaviour, and conservation Bird-of-paradise Birds-of-paradise are a family of songbirds native to Australasia, famed for the males' elaborate plumage and courtship displays; ecology, distribution, diet, and conservation stat…

Birdo (Mario series character) Birdo Birdo is a recurring character in Nintendo's Mario franchise, known for shooting eggs and appearing in platformers, racing and party games. Birdo's depiction and gender identity ha…

Bison: overview, appearance, habitat, history and conservation Bison Large shaggy bovines of the genus Bison found in North America and Europe. Covers physical traits, habitat, ecological role, cultural importance, conservation history and how they…

Bison antiquus — the Pleistocene bison of North America Bison antiquus Bison antiquus was the dominant large grazing mammal of North America during the Pleistocene. This article outlines its appearance, evolution, role in ecosystems, interactions with…

Bit (horse): function, types, fitting, and welfare Bit (horse) A bit is mouthgear used with a bridle and reins to communicate with a horse. This article covers its parts, common types, materials, discipline uses, fitting, and welfare concerns.

Bite (injury caused by the teeth of another animal) Bite A bite is an injury produced by the teeth of another creature. Covers types of bites, wound patterns, infection risks, first aid and treatment, prevention, and forensic considerati…

Bitis: African vipers — biology, species, and significance Bitis Bitis is a genus of venomous vipers native to Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula, known for species like the puff adder and Gaboon viper and for their ambush habits and medi…

Bittern (Botaurinae): the secretive reed-dwelling herons Bittern Bitterns are compact, secretive herons of the subfamily Botaurinae, adapted to life in reedbeds and marshes worldwide. This article covers their ID, behaviour, taxonomy, habitat, d…

Black bass (North American freshwater gamefish) Black bass Black bass are a group of freshwater gamefish native to eastern North America, prized by anglers for their fighting ability and adaptability; includes largemouth, smallmouth and re…

Black caiman (Melanosuchus niger): overview, biology, and conservation Black caiman The black caiman is the largest South American alligatorid. This article covers its appearance, habitat in the Amazon Basin, behavior, reproduction, and conservation challenges and…

Black cockatoo Black cockatoos are a group of mostly dark-plumaged cockatoo species native to Australia and nearby islands, notable for strong bills, distinctive tail panels, and conservation con…

Black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) Black mamba Large African elapid snake noted for its speed, potent neurotoxic venom and the black coloring inside its mouth. Overview of appearance, behavior, habitat, venom, and interactions…

Black rhinoceros (Diceros bicornis) Black rhinoceros A large African rhinoceros species known for its prehensile upper lip, browsing diet, two horns and critical conservation status; native to parts of eastern and southern Africa.

Black softshell turtle (Bostami turtle) — Nilssonia nigricans Black softshell turtle Nilssonia nigricans, the black or Bostami softshell turtle, is a rare freshwater species native to parts of India and Bangladesh, notable for temple populations and urgent conserva…

Black Swallowtail (Papilio polyxenes) Black Swallowtail A widespread North American swallowtail butterfly, known for its black wings with yellow spots, caterpillars that eat carrot-family plants, and importance as a garden pollinator an…

Black swan (Cygnus atratus) Black swan Large Australian waterbird notable for its predominantly black plumage, white flight feathers and red bill; covers identification, range, behavior, cultural significance and conser…

Black vulture (Coragyps atratus) Black vulture A concise account of the American black vulture, covering identification, range, behavior, feeding, reproduction, conservation and distinctions from related vultures.

Black widow (Latrodectus): identification, venom, behavior, and safety Black widow Black widow spiders (genus Latrodectus) are small, glossy spiders notable for the female's red hourglass mark and a neurotoxic bite. This article explains identification, distribut…

Black-billed magpie (Pica hudsonia) Black-billed magpie A North American corvid with striking black-and-white plumage and long tail; adaptable omnivore, socially complex, widespread west of the Appalachians and common in open temperate…

Black-capped chickadee Small North American songbird (Poecile atricapillus) with a black cap and bib, known for bold behavior, food-caching memory, complex calls and a wide range across Canada, Alaska an…

Black-footed cat (Felis nigripes): smallest African wildcat Black-footed cat Compact encyclopedia entry on the black-footed cat (Felis nigripes): appearance, behavior, habitat, conservation status, and notable facts about this vulnerable, largely nocturnal…

Black-headed Grosbeak (Pheucticus melanocephalus) Black-headed grosbeak A North American songbird in the Cardinal family; a medium-sized, migratory seed- and insect-eater notable for the male's black head, warm orange breast and a rich, warbling song.

Black-necked crane (Grus nigricollis) Black-necked crane Large high‑altitude crane from the Tibetan Plateau and neighbouring regions. Recognisable by a black neck, red crown patch and pale grey body; associated with wetlands, cultural tr…

Black-necked grebe (Eared grebe) Black-necked grebe A compact encyclopedic overview of the black-necked grebe (Podiceps nigricollis), known as the eared grebe in North America: identification, range, behavior, breeding, conservation…

Black-tailed rattlesnake (Crotalus molossus) Black-tailed rattlesnake Venomous pitviper of the southwestern United States and Mexico, known for its dark tail and moderate size; occupies arid, rocky and scrub habitats and includes several regional sub…

Blackbird (Old World thrushes of the genus Turdus) Blackbird Old World 'blackbird' commonly refers to thrushes in the genus Turdus. This article outlines their appearance, behavior, taxonomy, range, and how they differ from New World blackbi…

Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) Blackbuck A slender antelope of the Indian subcontinent, noted for the male's dark coat and spiral horns. Inhabits grasslands and open plains; faces habitat loss, hunting pressure and benefi…

Blanford's fox (Vulpes cana) Blanford's fox A small, nocturnal fox of arid and rocky regions in the Middle East and Central Asia, notable for large ears, a long tail and exceptional climbing ability; lives in rock crevices a…

Blattodea: the order of cockroaches and termites Blattodea Blattodea is the insect order that unites cockroaches and termites; it covers their biology, evolution, ecological roles, and interactions with humans.

Blenny (Blennioidei): small benthic fishes of rocky coasts and reefs Blenny Blennies are a diverse group of mostly small, bottom-dwelling teleost fishes (Blennioidei) found in coastal waters worldwide. They show distinctive morphology, varied diets, and cl…

Blister beetle (Meloidae): overview, biology and significance Blister beetle Blister beetles (family Meloidae) are a diverse group of beetles that produce cantharidin, can cause skin blisters, have complex larval stages, and influence pollinators, agricultu…

Blood pheasant (Ithaginis cruentus) — overview, appearance, habitat, conservation Blood pheasant A small Himalayan pheasant with distinctive red markings. Found in montane forests and alpine scrub across northern India, Nepal, Bhutan and China; taxonomically unique and of cons…

Bloodhound: scent hound breed noted for exceptional tracking Bloodhound Large scent hound originally bred for trailing game and people. Known for powerful nose, loose skin and long ears; used in police work, search and rescue and tracking competitions.