13 Fun Facts About Animals

Animals are incredible. Although in the wild they may seem similar is certain ways, each species differ from the other in ways that are fascinating and intriguing. They have dissimilar habits, diets, characteristics and behavior patterns. So much so that many species have been further divided in to sub-species based on their evolution in different parts of the world. It is amazing to watch them on various documentaries and shows dedicated to animals.

In search of fun facts about animals!? Well you’ve landed in the right place. Sit back and read our list of fascinating animals facts. And check back often, we’re always adding new one!

1. Animal Fun Fact: Koalas Have Fingerprints

Slow-moving eucalyptus aficionados, koalas are beloved! They live on trees and are native to Australia and are closely related to wombats. That’s right Koalas are not really bears. Koalas also sleep a lot, sometimes up to 18 hours a day. It is also a sad fact that Koalas are endangered species, due to deforestation and loss of habitat. They have no fur on the palms of their hands and fingers and also have fingerprints that are indistinguishable from humans, with the same whirls and loops. Researchers have determined that the marsupials adapted this feature to get a better hold of branches of trees while foraging for food.

Bonus Fun Fact About Animals: Chimpanzees share this same human characteristic.

Learn more about koalas here.  

2. Animal Fun Fact: Platypuses Can Shoot Venom from Their Feet

Platypuses have unusual appearances. They look as if they’re cobbled together from other non-threatening animals, like a duck and a beaver. But in reality, platypuses are feisty! They are found in eastern Australia and are one of the only two egg-laying mammal species in the world. They seem lazy as they sleep for around 14 hours a day, hibernate in their burrow during winter, and sometimes fall prey to snakes, water rats, birds and crocodiles. It is forbidden to keep them as pets in Australia.

If you anger one, it may shoot venom at you from spurs located on its back feet. Thanks to this feature, platypuses are one of the few poisonous mammals on Earth.

Learn more about the platypus here.

3. Animal Fun Fact: Sloths Have Olympian-Like Swimming Skills

Sloths are one of the slowest animals on land due to having very low metabolism. They are unique in that respect and fall prey to other predators easily. They do have some natural defense as they have long claws and can lash out when threatened, however, they are generally not aggressive towards humans. They are native to the tropical rainforests in South and Central America, and spend their days hanging upside down from tree branches.

The amazing fact about sloths is that in the water, they swim like Olympians! In fact, these slow-moving creatures can speed along almost four times faster in water than on land. Sloths even do the breaststroke the same way as humans! Swimming is a skill they need to survive.

Learn more about sloths here!

4. Animal Fun Fact: Elephants Can’t Jump

Elephants are amazing animals with many admirable characteristics. They are the largest land-dwelling mammals, have an incredible sense of smell, great memory, social lives that are as complex as humans, and they are nearly immune to cancer. They also have the longest gestation period in mammals which lasts for 645 days, which is almost two years. Elephants have been found to be incredibly intelligent, emotional, empathetic, self-aware, and compassionate species. Although an Elephant can take on any predator and win they are afraid of bees.

Yet, despite all of their great qualities, elephants can’t jump. Why? They have weak lower-leg muscles and stiff ankles. Remember that the next time you’re exchanging fun facts about animals with your friends!

Read more about elephants

5. The Great White Shark Must Keep Swimming to Breathe

In the Pixar movie “Finding Nemo,” Dory sings “Just keep swimming” to keep Marlin from giving up, but fun facts about animals include the one that the great white shark must keep swimming to stay alive. This type of shark must swim quickly with its mouth open for oxygen to get to its gills. This is called “ram ventilation,” and is a technique used by more of the species than just the great white shark. Others include hammerhead sharks, whale sharks, reef sharks, and makos. Learn more about great white sharks here.

6. The Narwhal’s Horn is a Tooth

Narwhals have the ultimate snaggle tooth. The famous tusk or horn that gives them the appearance of being a unicorn of the sea is actually a tooth. It protrudes through the upper lip of male narwhals, and it is how they attract females. Narwhals are at home in the cold waters of the Arctic Circle.

7. Whales Can Put Half of Their Brains to Sleep

Blue whales, the largest mammal on the planet, are so large that a human baby could crawl through one of their major blood vessels, but they are unable to breathe underwater. Periodically, they must surface to breathe. Blue whales are in the list of endangered species as they have been subjected to commercial hunting for ages, now their numbers have dwindled to a mere twenty thousand around the world. They are non-aggressive towards humans and generally live peacefully.

So, how do they sleep? They sleep by being able to put half of their brains to sleep. This lets them rest while remaining awake enough to breathe and search for danger. Read more about this animal here. 

8. Kangaroos Can’t Walk Backwards

Kangaroos are large Australian marsupials capable of hopping great distances, but the structure of their large tails and strong rear feet make it impossible for them to walk backward. The designers of the Australian Coat of Arms used the animal for this reason. It symbolizes that the nation only moves forward. Read more here. 

9. Sea Otters Hold Hands When They Sleep

Sea otters are water-based creatures that live most of their lives in water. They hunt, eat and sleep in waterways. Sea otters hold hands when they fall asleep to avoid floating away from one another in the ocean while they’re resting. They also anchor to a spot by tangling themselves up in seaweed or kelp. Read more about this amazing animal. 

10. Hyenas are More Related to Cats than Dogs

Hyenas are more closely related to cats than dogs even though many people think that they look more like a dog. Technically, the animal is a part of the Feliformia suborder, which is one of the two Carnivora orders, but they are different enough from cats for their own separate classification, which is the Hyaenidae. Read more about hyenas.

11. Bearded Dragons Wave Their Arms to Get Your Attention

You’d think that bearded dragons would be feisty and inclined to bite, but these mid-size lizards are quite friendly. Bearded dragons might look intimidating with their scales and jagged beards, but they like to be stroked. They also waive their arms in a human-like way to get attention. Read the bearded dragon encyclopedia page for more information.  

12. Butterflies Taste with Their Feet

Butterflies can taste with their feet! The insects have a long tube-like tongue, which is referred to as a proboscis, that they use to ingest flower nectar, but they actually taste with their feet. This lets them determine which flowers are best for laying their eggs on. Learn more about butterflies here. 

13. Rabbits Release Heat from Their Ears

Like you, rabbits use their ears to hear. In fact, they can rotate them 270 degrees to do so. However, bunnies are unable to sweat to stay cool in the hot summer. Instead, their ears shed heat, allowing rabbits to keep their bodies at a safe temperature. See the rabbit encyclopedia page for more information. 

Summary

Here’s a roundup the these enjoyable fun facts about animals:

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The photo featured at the top of this post is © Richard A Wall/Shutterstock.com