We are lucky enough to live in a world with so many different types of animals. And each one is so unique and has so many of its own quirky facts.
If you love animals you will love this post. From penguins to koalas to panthers to cheetahs to bald eagles and many more – here are 601+ facts about animals you might not know.
551+ Facts about Animals
Facts about Animals
Sharks have been around a long time—longer than the current form of humans, in fact. Their evolution is such that they are nearly perfectly adapted to their environment. That makes them formidable prospects for a human to face.
The irony is that sharks don’t naturally prey on humans, and their reputation as vicious killers is largely undeserved. These interesting facts about sharks will explain why this is so. They will also show why the shark, like the ever-popular dolphin, is amazing, fascinating, and cool!
We’ve all seen the movie “King Kong”, but how much do we actually know about these mighty primates? These enlarged monkeys generally mind their own business, and you will usually find them roaming the ground or nearby waters. Residing in the luscious forests of Africa, gorillas are one of the more fascinating animals we get to learn about, and learn from, on our beautiful planet earth.
As humans, it's important to do everything we can to understand gorillas. There are so many interesting facts about gorillas, from their diet and their habitat, to their conservation threats, and the many other aspects that make them so remarkable.
This article will educate and enlighten you on everything you want to know about these majestic King Kongs.
The German Shepherd breed is admired by many dog lovers from all around the world. These noble canines are renowned for their courageous and good-natured temperament.
German Shepherds are one of the most popular dog breeds in the United States. And they are world-famous pups for all the right reasons. You’ll find these working dogs serving as police dogs, guard dogs, playful family pets, and movie stars.
Whether you’re looking for a faithful furry companion or just curious about these fluffy doggos, there are a few interesting facts about German Shepherds that may surprise you. Keep reading to find out the top things to know, from their history to charming characteristics.
Bobcats live all across the United States, and yet many of us don’t know that much about them. These beautiful creatures are quite shy and won’t often show themselves to humans.
Bobcats are part of the cat family and even look similar to house cats in some aspects. However, they are much more powerful and athletic than their domestic cousins. These independent wild cats can leap, sprint, climb, and even swim to get to their prey.
Besides their amazing hunting skills, bobcats have many more fascinating qualities that you may not have heard of before. From the origin of their name to their unique looks and everything in between, let’s take a look at the most interesting facts about bobcats.
Ladybugs are tiny, adorable insects that everybody loves to find (because they bring good luck and all). Although most commonly recognized as small red bugs with black dots, ladybugs actually come in a variety of patterns and colors. This includes bright colors and stripe markings or no markings at all, so keep an eye out for unique variations.
There are about 5000 different species of ladybugs in the world. They are graceful and harmless to humans but will destroy a large number of pests during their lifetime.
Some people fear snakes while others love them. However you feel about them, one thing’s for sure, they’re a unique addition to our world. Their evolution is fascinating and their existence bewildering.
From the ability to clone themselves to replacing parts of their body, snakes are a continued scientific marvel. Here’s what we know about these mysterious creatures. Unsurprisingly there are many interesting facts about snakes.
Penguins evolved over 60 million years ago from birds who flew through the air into birds who swam through the water. While giant penguins no longer roam the Earth, as they did up until 25 million years ago, penguins continue to hold a prime spot in our love of nature.
While many penguin species are thriving, some are listed on the Endangered Species list. The best way we can ensure we continue to have penguins in the future is to protect their natural habitat in the Southern Hemisphere, including Antarctica.
Which came first, the chicken or the egg? And why did the chicken cross the road? Are probably two of the most asked and contemplated menial questions today.
But nobody has stopped to think that maybe these little guys just want to live their lives without having their motives questioned.
Chicken questions aside, there are some pretty fascinating facts about these birds that you might (and probably) don’t know. These farm animals have been part of human lives for many centuries and it's worth getting to know them a little better.
Irresistibly soft and fluffy with their floppy bunny years and twitching bunny noses, many people can’t resist lovable rabbits. Throughout the years, the cute creature named rabbit who loves to live in woods, grasslands, forests, wetlands and deserts has been a symbol of fertility.
Some people hunt them down for food, some keep them as pets in the home and many are still in the wild. But wherever they are they have captured our imaginations through the many movies, tv shows, and books that have portrayed them as loveable characters.
While there are only 8 species of bear in the world, there are a surprising variety of bears living in different habitats. There are no bears in Australia or Africa. However, bears can be found in North America, South America, Asia, and Europe.
Some bear species are threatened by the loss of habitat. The panda bear and the spectacled bear both have fragile population numbers due to the destruction of their habitat. In recent years, scientists have been more successful at breeding panda bears in captivity.
At 100 miles per hour in a dive, the bald eagle is a fearsome predator that eats mostly fish. Thanks to the banning of DDT and the protection of the bald eagle through numerous acts of Congress, we’ll have more interesting bald eagle fun facts for many years to come.
The bald eagle is both the national bird and national animal of the United States of America. Once endangered, their numbers have since rebounded and bald eagles live all across North America, including Canada, Alaska and Mexico.
The further north you go, the bigger bald eagles are, and they can have wingspans as wide as 8 ft! Bald eagle nests can weigh as much as 1 ton and they certainly like living large! Their nests can be 100 ft. or more in the air.
Find out more information like this in my article about interesting facts about bald eagles.
There’s just something about these long-necked animals that capture our imagination. When kids learn about nature, one of their favorite subjects is giraffes. These unusual-looking creatures have long necks and eat from the tops of trees.
The beautiful fur of the giraffe is also something that draws us to this animal. Although giraffes are known to fight each other from time to time, they generally have a peaceful demeanor.
Here are 27 more interesting facts about Giraffes you might not know.
These large white bears occupy a special place in the indigenous cultures of the Arctic regions, but polar bears also hold a special place in the hearts and minds of people all around the world.
One of the surprising facts about the polar bear is that it is related to the brown bear. However, polar bears have evolved a set of special traits for hunting and surviving in the cold northernmost regions of Earth.
And here are 10 more interesting facts about polar bears.
We’ve gathered a ferocious set of facts, from facts about to domestic cats to facts about big cats, like mountain lions and cheetahs. You won’t find a more incredibly interesting list of cat facts anywhere.
These large cats were once domesticated in Asia, where the Asiatic cheetah is now critically endangered. In Africa, there are more cheetahs, but a lack of genetic diversity and threats to their habitat are putting increasing pressure on African cheetah populations.
Here are 27 interesting Cheetah Facts
Koalas are not bears but that doesn’t mean these aren’t interesting and amazing creatures. By some estimates, the Koala is associated more with its home Australia than its fellow marsupial, the Kangaroo.
Koalas have a nutrient-poor diet that mostly consists of leaves from the Eucalyptus tree, but also eats leaves from other trees such as the Acacia. As a result of this nutrient-poor diet, the Koala has many adaptations including one of the smallest brains compared to the body mass of any mammal.
While native tribes in Australia respected the Koala and its habitat, European settlers did not. Millions of Koalas were killed in the 1800s and early 1900s. While the Koala is a Protected Species in Australia, the Eucalyptus tree is not protected and as more of these trees are cut down, the numbers of Koalas are reduced.
The ancestors of dolphins are land mammals and dolphins are related to land mammals living today including, most closely, the hippopotamus.
The largest dolphin, the orca, is somewhat confusingly called a killer whale. Make no mistake though, the orca, and all other dolphins may look cute, but are carnivores that eat only meat.
Thankfully the relationships between humans and dolphins have been mostly good. However, some incidents of violence against humans by dolphins in captivity show this relationship may be strained when we keep dolphins locked up.
It may be that because dolphins are very social animals, captivity has a more negative effect on them than other animals.
What comes to mind when you think about cockroaches? I must say I immediately shudder - and then I remember that they are often said to be the only animal that would survive a nuclear war - neither of these are comforting thoughts!
But there is quite a bit more to these little insects than you might immediately think. here are 31 facts about cockroaches that you might not know.
The panther has strength, speed, power, courage, attitude, and a cute name. The panther is one of the most powerful, active, and deadliest mammals from the Big Cats family. They are also known as the Black Leopard, Black Jaguar, and Black Panther. Here are 26 facts about panthers you might not know.
One of the facts about the pufferfish for which it is best known is its ability to inflate - and because it is often thought to be poisonous.
The pufferfish actually inflates as a defensive mechanism and there is no limit to the number of times that it can inflate and deflate. Indeed, the puffer fish continues to breathe even while inflated. They take in oxygen through the gills on the side of their bodies. However, they are only able to travel at half their normal speed once they are fully inflated.
However, when the fish is inflated its oxygen consumption is five times higher than normal and it can take more than five hours for them to return to their normal levels.
Puffer fish are also known as blowfish, fugu, swellfish and globefish.
Dog owners and lovers alike might think they know everything there is to know about dogs, but don’t be surprised if this list challenges your general knowledge.
Dogs are our oldest companions, and they have plenty of interesting secrets and factoids that’ll rattle your perception of man’s best friend. Cats might be more mysterious, but these pieces of curious information will have you falling in love with dogs all over again.
Without further ado, here are some of the most fascinating (and sometimes downright bizarre) facts about dogs.
Puppies have stolen the hearts of many for as long as they have existed. It has even been proven that our stone age ancestors loved their puppies and took good care of them.
But there are things most people don't know about these furry little beings. There are many fun and exciting facts about animals, but puppies have some unique details. Let's go ahead and find out some facts about puppies most people don't know.
Did you know that Poodles are one of the most intelligent breeds in the world? Well, there’s more to these cute fluffy pups worth knowing, especially if you’re considering getting one.
And if you already own a pet Poodle, then these interesting facts about Poodles will surely entertain you.
How much cuter could you get than a dog that looks like a little fluffy lion? These curious canines have an interesting history leading up to their huge boost in popularity over recent decades.
From humble beginnings in the desert to regal advances into royal courts and eventual domestication by the average homeowner, they have an interesting story to tell!
Amanda O’Brien is the owner of the New Interesting Facts website. She attended Monash University in Melbourne, where she attained two degrees with first class honours. She lives in London and runs four websites (including this one) and loves to geek out on facts of all types.