Wild Animals

Wild Animals!

Zoological Science and Fun from Earth's Kids

Welcome to the Wild Animal page! Wild animals are a fascinating and joy-inspiring part of our world. We can learn so much by studying them and learning more about the habitats, food webs, and social communities to which they belong. Did you know that many different kinds of scientists study animals -- to learn more about the human world? It's true!

Ecologists learn about human kind's place in the fragile web of life by studying the needs and health of the animals (and plants) that share our planet. Meanwhile, psychologists and anthropologists learn about human evolution, social bonding, reproductive drives and much more by studying the habits and anatomy of non-human, animal relatives (both distant and near). Even medical doctors learn from animals by studying their venoms, bacteria, self-healing abilities and so on in an effort to unlock new ways to heal the human body.

But as the great naturalist John Muir taught us, animals -- and in fact all of our natural world -- offer another kind of benefit as well. And that is that quiet time spent out in nature, observing wildlife, has the power to uplift the human spirit. The beauty, courage, and tenderness of animals touches us.

And outdoors, surrounded by the wonder of nature, a sense of quite joy, of wonder, wells up inside us. For a moment, we simply ARE. Perhaps we even notice that our human mind, with all it's busy thoughts, is not the only important force in the world. Life itself, flowing from a power greater than ourselves, is at work all around us. And we are a part of that Life.

We invite you to spend more time with the animals. Visit a wildlife preserve. Play with your pet. Observe the animals that live in the zoo. Observe with your heart as well as your mind. See what you find out.

Listed below are a good many resources to help your learn more about your favorite animals. Be sure to also visit our page on Saving the Environment to find out what you can do to help endangered animal species and to preserve the habitats of those who are not endangered (yet).

Online Learning...

Animals A to Zoo

Animal facts from Animal Planet! This multimedia site includes sound bytes, pictures, text, and documentary clips to help you learn about each kind of animal.

Animals & Nature, from National Geographic

Here's a great place to look up fascinating and accurate info on all your favorite animals! Offers A to Z creature features, plus news and stories, incredible photos, and wallpaper for your computer. You can even use their Local Wildlife Guides to find out about native plant and animal species in your area. (Just enter your zip code.) Printable coloring pages as well.

Animal Biology & Animal Behavior

Suited to older students, this is an excellent collection of articles, web pages, and breaking news on a wide variety of topics related to animal behavior and biology. Lots of unusual links.

Animal Names

You may have heard of a wolf "pack" or a dolphin "pod", but what about an "army" of frogs or a "skulk" of foxes? Learn the names for all kinds of animal groups -- as well as what to call the male and female of each species, and their offspring.

Creatures of the Deep

In the fathomless depths of the ocean, where it's so far from the surface that even can't penetrate, live bizarre creatures with adaptations so strange they seem like science fiction. Part of the Extreme Science website.

E-Species Fact Sheets

From Kids Planet, this site features fact sheets on a broad array of animals, arranged by continent!

Elephant Walk
Written by Jean Craighead George, Illustrated by Anna Vojtech

Elephants!

All about Elephants. Learn what distinguishes the African elephant from the Asian elephant and much more.

Endangered Animals!

This site by the American Museum of Natural History presents an online exhibition showing various endangered animals, the reasons for the problem, an informative fact sheet on each animal species, as well as some fun pages with legends and coloring. There's even information on endangered habitats, such as coral reefs, the Olympic Peninsula, Madagascar, and the Kapuas River region of Borneo.

Frog Facts

Learn about the difference between frogs and toads, meet some really strange and wacky frog species, and find out all about the life cycle and adaptations of different frog types. Part of the great Frog Land site with lots of cool frog photos.

More Frog Facts, Fun & Links
from the Exploratorium

Red-Eyed Tree Frog. Joy Cowley. Illustrated with photographs by Nic Bishop. Scholastic Press. 32pp.

Gator Hole

This is useful site for learning about the various creatures that make up the family crocodilian. Great facts and links, plus myth busting! Photographs illustrate the differences between the various crocs and gators. Great for school reports.

Gorilla Foundation

A great place to learn about gorillas, including Koko, the gorilla who can speak to us in sign language. You can actually watch online footage of Koko signing, plus view other interesting online videos. Now you can also check out KOKO'S KIDS CLUB, with facts and images especially for younger gorilla fans!