The Hermann’s tortoise is a Mediterranean terrestrial tortoise, 15–20 cm long, with a yellowish carapace patterned with black markings. Endemic to the shrublands and garigues of southern Europe, it also inhabits open woodlands and rocky grasslands, feeding on leaves, flowers, and small fruits. During breeding (May–June), males engage in head-bobbing displays and scrape the soil before nesting.
The Trachemys scripta, commonly known as the red-eared slider, is a popular species of aquatic turtle in the pet trade. It is easily recognizable by its distinctive red markings behind the eyes. This turtle is native to the United States but has been introduced to many countries, where it can become invasive. It prefers aquatic habitats such as ponds, lakes, and rivers with abundant vegetation. The red-eared slider is omnivorous, feeding on aquatic plants, insects, and small fish. It is known for its ability to adapt to various environments, contributing to its popularity in captivity. However, it requires proper care to thrive.
The desert tortoise, Gopherus agassizii, is an iconic species of the arid regions of the southwestern United States and northern Mexico. Well adapted to its dry environment, it spends up to 95% of its time in burrows to protect itself from extreme heat and conserve moisture. Its shell, which can reach 15 inches in length, is brownish, allowing it to blend into the desert landscape. As a herbivore, it primarily feeds on grasses, wildflowers, and cacti. The desert tortoise plays a crucial role in its ecosystem, with its burrows providing shelter for many other species. Unfortunately, it is threatened by habitat loss, disease, and vehicle collisions.
The Aldabra giant tortoise, scientifically known as Aldabrachelys gigantea, is one of the largest land tortoises in the world. Native to the Aldabra Atoll in the Seychelles, it can weigh up to 250 kg and measure over a meter in length. Its domed shell and sturdy legs allow it to move slowly but steadily across its island habitat. As a herbivore, it primarily feeds on grasses, leaves, and fruits. This tortoise is a symbol of longevity, often living over 100 years. Although protected, it remains vulnerable to threats such as habitat loss and climate change.
The painted turtle, Chrysemys picta, is a widely distributed aquatic species in North America. It is characterized by its smooth, flat shell adorned with red, yellow, and black patterns. The edges of its shell often feature red lines, while its skin displays yellow and red stripes. Typically measuring between 10 and 25 cm, it is well adapted to aquatic environments such as ponds, lakes, and marshes. It primarily feeds on aquatic plants, insects, small fish, and crustaceans. The painted turtle is known for its sunbathing behavior, often seen basking on rocks or logs to regulate its body temperature.
The Eastern box turtle is a small terrestrial turtle (10–15 cm shell length) with a high-domed carapace marked by radiating yellow and orange patterns on an olive-brown background. Endemic to eastern North America, it inhabits moist forests, meadows, and wetlands, feeding on invertebrates, berries, and fungi. During the breeding season (April–October), females dig shallow nests to lay 3–8 eggs.
The Toco Toucan, scientifically known as Ramphastos toco, is a striking bird native to the tropical forests of South America. Easily identifiable by its large, vibrant red bill, it measures about 55 to 65 cm in length. Its plumage is predominantly black with a white throat, and its eyes are encircled by a blue ring. Despite its size, the bill is lightweight due to its hollow structure, aiding in the capture of fruits, insects, and occasionally small reptiles. The Toco Toucan is an adept climber and uses its wings for short flights between trees. It lives in small groups and communicates through harsh calls, playing a crucial role in seed dispersal.
The Pteroglossus torquatus, known as the collared aracari, is a vibrant bird belonging to the Ramphastidae family. It is characterized by its striking plumage, predominantly black body, bright yellow chest, and distinctive red collar. Its long, curved beak is essential for feeding on fruits, insects, and occasionally small vertebrates. This toucan primarily inhabits the tropical rainforests of Central America, from southern Mexico to Panama. It is often seen in small groups, moving nimbly through the canopy. Although relatively common in its natural habitat, deforestation poses an increasing threat to its populations.
The toco toucan is the largest toucan species (55–65 cm long), with black plumage and a white throat topped by a large bright orange bill. It inhabits tropical humid forests and woodland savannas in South America, feeding on fruits, insects, and small vertebrates. During the breeding season (February to June), it nests in tree cavities and pairs perform aerial display flights.
The Livingstone's Turaco, or Tauraco corythaix, is a captivating bird native to the forests of southern Africa. It is easily identifiable by its bright green plumage, red wings visible in flight, and distinctive crest. Measuring about 40 cm in length, this bird has a short, powerful beak, perfect for feeding on fruits, flowers, and insects. Turacos are known for their agile flight and ability to move swiftly through dense canopies. They typically live in small family groups and are often seen feeding or resting in trees. Their call is a mix of cries and whistles, adding a unique soundscape to their natural habitat.
The Guinea Turaco, or Tauraco persa, is a striking bird known for its vibrant plumage and distinctive crest. Native to the forests of West Africa, it is characterized by its bright colors, particularly the emerald green body and vivid red wings visible in flight. Measuring about 40 cm in length, it has a short, strong beak, ideal for feeding on fruits, flowers, and leaves. Social in nature, it often lives in small groups and communicates with loud calls. Although primarily arboreal, it occasionally descends to the ground to forage. Its ability to move nimbly through trees is aided by its zygodactyl feet, allowing it to grip branches securely.
The African Mourning Dove, scientifically known as Streptopelia decipiens, is an elegant and graceful bird primarily found in sub-Saharan Africa. It is distinguished by its delicate plumage, blending shades of gray, brown, and white, with a characteristic black band on its neck. This bird prefers open habitats such as savannas, agricultural areas, and urban gardens, where it can easily find seeds and small fruits to feed on. The African Mourning Dove is often seen in pairs or small groups, and its soft and melodious call is a familiar sound in its range. Although generally discreet, it can become more visible during the breeding season when it performs aerial courtship displays.
The Mourning Dove, Zenaida macroura, is an elegant and graceful bird, easily recognizable by its light brown plumage and black spots on the wings. It features a long, tapered tail and dark eyes surrounded by a pale ring. This bird is widespread across North America, inhabiting various environments from urban areas to open countryside. The Mourning Dove is known for its melancholic song, a soft cooing often heard at dawn and dusk. It primarily feeds on seeds, which it pecks from the ground. Although often seen in pairs or small groups, it can form large flocks during migrations.
The Satyr Tragopan is a fascinating bird native to the mountainous forests of the Himalayas. This medium-sized pheasant is particularly remarkable for its striking plumage. The male displays vibrant colors, with shades of red, orange, and blue, while the female is more subdued with brown and gray tones, allowing her to blend effectively into her surroundings. The Satyr Tragopan is known for its spectacular courtship displays, where the male spreads his feathers and emits loud calls to attract a mate. It primarily feeds on vegetation, seeds, and insects. Although its habitat is threatened by deforestation, it remains relatively common in some areas.
The Cyprus Wheatear, or Oenanthe cypriaca, is a small passerine bird belonging to the Muscicapidae family. This bird is endemic to the island of Cyprus, where it is often seen in open and rocky areas. It is distinguished by its black and white plumage, with a black head and a grayish back. The male and female show little sexual dimorphism, although the male displays slightly brighter colors. The Cyprus Wheatear is a trans-Saharan migrant, spending the winter in East Africa. It feeds mainly on insects caught on the ground. Its breeding season extends from spring to summer, where it builds its nest in rocky crevices.
The wheatear is a small ground-dwelling bird found primarily in meadows, cultivated lands, and rocky areas across Europe, Asia, and North Africa. It is easily recognized by its contrasting plumage, with a brown back, white belly, and a black head. This small bird is especially active and restless, often seen hopping on the ground in search of insects and small arthropods. It frequently perches on rocks or grasses to survey its surroundings.
The black-eared wheatear is a small passerine, 14–15 cm long, with contrasting plumage: pale grey crown and back, black wings and tail, white throat and a black eye stripe. It inhabits steppes, rocky slopes, scrub and open plains in southern Europe and Western Asia, feeding on insects and spiders on the ground or during low flights. During breeding (April to July), the male performs aerial displays and sings from a perch to attract the female and defend its territory.
The Alpine newt is a small urodele amphibian, 9–13 cm long, with a bright olive back and orange belly. It inhabits ponds, pools, and wooded wetlands across temperate Europe. During the breeding season, males develop a colored tail crest and perform a nuptial dance to attract females.
The crested newt is a urodele amphibian, 9–11 cm long, with a dark brown back spotted with bright orange and a black belly. It inhabits temporary ponds, ditches, and woodland pools in temperate Europe, feeding on aquatic insects and small crustaceans with its rapid tongue. During the breeding migration, males develop a prominent dorsal crest and perform a nuptial dance in front of females.
The Italian Crested Newt, Triturus carnifex, is a species of newt in the family Salamandridae. It is characterized by its rough skin and prominent dorsal crest, especially visible in males during the breeding season. This newt typically measures between 10 and 16 cm in length. Its coloration ranges from brown to black, with lighter spots on the belly. It primarily inhabits wetlands, such as ponds and marshes, and is often found in nearby forests and grasslands. Although its population is stable, it faces threats from habitat destruction and water pollution.
The Japanese fire‐bellied newt is a medium‐sized aquatic salamander (10–12 cm body length), with a dark dorsum and bright red belly marked with black spots. Endemic to Japan, it inhabits ponds, forest pools and slow‐flowing streams, feeding on invertebrates, worms and small crustaceans. Gregarious and secretive, it performs tail‐fanning courtship displays and aggregates in sheltered bays during breeding.
The marbled newt, Triturus marmoratus, is a medium-sized amphibian, typically measuring between 12 and 15 cm in length. Its skin features a distinctive marbled green and black pattern, providing excellent camouflage in its natural habitat. Males display a striking dorsal crest during the breeding season. This newt is primarily found in humid forests, meadows, and wooded areas of Western Europe, particularly in France and Spain. It is nocturnal, hiding under stones or leaves during the day. Reproduction occurs in ponds or temporary pools. Although its conservation status is concerning, it remains relatively common in some areas.
The palmate newt is a small urodele amphibian, 6–9 cm long, with an olive-brown back dotted with dark spots and a yellow-orange belly. It inhabits temporary ponds, ditches, and woodland wetlands in temperate Europe. Solitary and unobtrusive, it feeds on aquatic insects and small crustaceans with its speedy tongue.
The Notophthalmus viridescens, commonly known as the Eastern newt, is a small amphibian native to North America. It is characterized by its smooth, moist skin, typically green with distinctive red spots along its back. The Eastern newt undergoes several life stages, including an aquatic larval stage, a terrestrial juvenile stage known as the "eft," and an aquatic adult stage. These newts prefer aquatic habitats such as ponds, marshes, and streams but can also be found in moist forests during their terrestrial phase. They primarily feed on aquatic invertebrates and play a crucial role in the ecosystem by controlling insect populations.
The Baird's Trogon is a fascinating bird, endemic to the humid tropical forests of Central America, particularly in Costa Rica and Panama. This trogon is distinguished by its striking plumage, with a metallic green back, bright red chest, and white belly. It is often observed silently perched in the canopy, feeding mainly on insects and fruits. Although discreet, its melodious song echoes through the forest, signaling its presence. Unfortunately, deforestation threatens its habitat, making it vulnerable. Conservation efforts are crucial to ensure its survival. This bird is a symbol of the biodiversity of tropical forests and an indicator of the health of these ecosystems.
The Sphenodon punctatus, commonly known as the tuatara, is a reptile endemic to New Zealand. Often considered a living fossil, it belongs to an order of reptiles that thrived around 200 million years ago. The tuatara is nocturnal, primarily active at night, and feeds on insects, spiders, small birds, and eggs. It is recognizable by its spiny crest along the back, more pronounced in males. Tuataras have an exceptional lifespan, with some living over 100 years. They are oviparous, and females lay eggs that take between 12 and 15 months to hatch. Although protected, tuataras are threatened by habitat loss and introduced predators.
The Myiozetetes similis, commonly known as the Social Flycatcher, is a medium-sized bird with bright yellow underparts and a grayish-brown back. Its head features a distinctive black crown with a white stripe above the eyes. This bird is often found in open areas, near water bodies, or forest edges. Known for its energetic song, it adapts well to various environments, including urban areas. The Social Flycatcher primarily feeds on insects caught in flight but also consumes fruits. It is often seen in pairs or small groups, displaying marked territorial behavior.
The Turkey Vulture, or Cathartes aura, is a large scavenging bird of prey native to the Americas, easily identified by its red, featherless head and dark brown plumage. It plays a vital role in the ecosystem by consuming carrion, thus helping to prevent the spread of disease. With an excellent sense of smell, it can detect gases emitted by decaying carcasses. In flight, it is often seen soaring with its wings in a V-shape, using thermal updrafts to conserve energy. Although typically solitary, it can gather in large groups to feed. Its ability to adapt to various habitats, from forests to deserts, makes it a resilient and widespread bird.
The Southern Lapwing, or Vanellus chilensis, is a striking bird from the Charadriidae family, easily identified by its grey and white plumage, black wings, and distinctive call. It is commonly found in open grasslands, wetlands, and agricultural fields across South America. This bird is notably territorial, often defending its space against intruders, including humans. It primarily feeds on insects, worms, and small invertebrates by pecking at the ground. The Southern Lapwing is also known for its distraction displays, feigning injury to lure predators away from its nest.
The vaquita is a small porpoise (1.3–1.5 m, 40–60 kg) endemic to the Upper Gulf of California, with pale grey-blue skin and rounded head. Critically endangered, it uses echolocation to hunt fish and shrimp in turbid, shallow waters (<30 m). Fewer than 10 remain due to bycatch in gillnets and illegal fishing.