Myths and Misconceptions
A common misconception is that these animals are able to shoot out their quills at attacking predators when in actuality they will back up into attacking animals, causing the quills to become imbedded in their skin.
What is a porcupine
While alligators have a snout that is more rounded and almost U-shaped, this close relative has a snout that is much more slender and has more of a V-shape.
What is a crocodile
Despite it sounding like a myth, cows actually do have this many stomachs. They are part of a group of animals called "ruminants" that also includes goats, sheep, and giraffes.
What is 4
These bald headed birds known for eating dead animals are split up into two different groups based in where they live, considered either "New World" or "Old World". The interesting thing is, despite them sharing the same name, they are not very closely related and their similarities in both appearance and behavior are results of convergent evolution.
What are vultures
This law was established in 1973 and is credited with saving over 200 different species from extinction.
What is The Endangered Species Act
Chameleons have long been believed to change their color in order to blend into their surroundings, otherwise known as this. The reality is that it is mostly used by males to try and establish dominance when fighting over territory or breeding rights.
What is camouflage
One difference between millipedes and this other multi-legged animal is the fact that the millipede is considered "poisonous" while the other one is considered "venomous".
What is a centipede
This cephalopod has often been called the smartest invertebrate and those in captivity have been known to open jars and escape from their tanks and one even remembered a security guard's schedule so it could avoid being caught.
What is an octopus
These were the islands visited by Charles Darwin. Some of their most famous animals are the multiple different finches that helped support Darwin's idea of adaptation as well as the world's largest tortoise species.
What are the Galapagos Islands
Sharks are shown to be crucial components of the marine ecosystem, acting as the apex predators for many different food chains. Unfortunately, many of them have been hunted in order to make this dish that is considered a delicacy in China.
What is shark fin soup
A common misconception is that snakes are able to do this in order to swallow meals much larger than their head. In reality, their lower jaw is connected by ligaments allowing it to stretch much wider when feeding.
What is unhinge their jaw
Some of the differences between seals and this animal are that that seals are more adapted for swimming in the water, with a fused tail flipper and no visible ear flaps, as opposed to the visible ear flap and larger flippers that allows its look-alike to "walk" on the surface of the land.
What are sea lions
This well-known insectivore has a two foot long tongue covered in sticky saliva that it uses to eat its favorite food.
What is a giant anteater
There are 105 different species of lemurs and they all live on this large island off the Eastern coast of Africa.
What is Madagascar
This famous primatologist spent most of her career observing chimpanzees in order to learn more about them. She's now a leading voice in conservation, even founding her own conservation institute.
Who is Jane Goodall
Though many people think touching a toad will give you these due to their bumpy skin, it is actually caused by a specific virus that can only be contracted if it gets into your blood stream.
What are warts
While the most obvious difference between a kangaroo and this other smaller marsupial is their difference in size, you can also distinguish between them by looking at the way the teeth are arranged in their lower jaw.
What are wallabies
Pound for pound, this spotted feline native to the Americas has the strongest bite force of any jungle cat.
What is a jaguar
While most of them are native to Australia and the surrounding areas, this marsupial is the only one that lives in the Americas.
What are opossums
Many different species have been saved from extinction due to conservation efforts, such as this aquatic mammal also known as a "sea cow" that had its status downgraded from "endangered" to "threatened" in 2017.
What are manatees
It has been long rumored that this creepy crawly is the world's most venomous spider, but its fangs are too small to bite you. One of the many problems with this rumor is the fact that it isn't even a type of spider but is instead in a group all its own called Opiliones.
What is a daddy-long leg
Peccaries are animals native to Central and South America. Due to their snouts, many people think they're a wild this animal, but a quick look at their tails and the number of toes on their hind legs will show that that they are a different species.
What are pigs or boars
While humans are able to be identified by their fingerprints, scientists are able to differentiate these great apes from one another by their distinct "noseprints".
What are gorillas
Due to the high number of Great Whites that often gather there, Shark Alley is the name given to the channel of water between Dyer Island and Geyser Rock off the coast of this country.
What is South Africa
This branch of biology has to do with how different organisms interact with each other and the environment. It is commonly used by conservationists to try and preserve the environment without causing any additional, unforeseen consequences.
What is ecology