Mammals

Mammals

Fascinating facts about our warm blooded friends - the mammals.
What is ivory

What is ivory and is it any different to bone? And is it just elephants that have ivory?

What is ivory? Is it just elephants that have ivory? JV Chamary explains all you need to know about ivory
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Naked mole rats

It stretches up to 2.5 miles, is 2.5 metres deep and is home to 300 of the weirdest, most rule-breaking animals on the planet

Hundreds of these mammals can be found in vast subterranean networks in East Africa
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Black rhinocerous standing in field

Is it really safe to airlift rhinos by their ankles, dangling two-tonne giants in midair?

In Southern Africa, white and black rhinos are often translocated to avoid inbreeding or overpopulation of an area. Previously, rhinos were moved, fully awake, in crates or on pallets, but there were problems, including the possibility of injury to the huge herbivores. When lifted by helicopter, the crates also had a tendency to swing around dangerously. The preferred technique has often been to dart rhinos with anaesthetic from the air, then blindfold the immobilised pachyderms and airlift them in a giant sling, suspended by their ankles. After a short flight, the animals are transferred to a truck. A 2021 study
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Cougar in Yellowstone

Remote cameras in Yellowstone capture cougars and wolves on the hunt. The footage reveals something important

Researchers installed cameras in the US national park to monitor cougar density and abundance – and to see how these apex predators interact with other species, such as wolves.
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Elephant approaches camera

“Lifted her enormous foot.” Herd of elephants stomps towards photographer's camera in Kenya, then this happens

A wildlife photographer set up his camera and moved away to give the elephants plenty of space. But the curious herd had other ideas for his camera...
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Sloth bear portrait

"It has a nasty habit of going on an explosive attack if startled, using sharp claws to rake down their victims' fronts, ripping off faces and gouging out eyes"

If provoked the sloth bear is one of the world's deadliest bears
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Eastern chimpanzee male infant 'Google' aged 2 years approaching with curiosity - wide angle perspective (Pan troglodytes schweinfurtheii). Gombe National Park, Tanzania. June 2011.

“She’s trying to hit it with the camera!” Researchers attached a camera to a baby chimp – and recorded something incredible

The chimpanzee was being studied to see if it could detect dangers in the wild
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Mountain gorilla (Gorilla beringei beringei) silverback, Rwanda

It's as tall as Brad Pitt, weighs 169kg, up to 10 times stronger than a human and is the master of knuckle-walking

Our guide to one of our closest relatives – the gorilla, including the difference between the two species, why they're endangered and conservation work.
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It's only 32cm long, yet it can drink alcohol all day long and never get drunk or hungover

"If you see any of these signs, back away slowly" – how to stay safe around wild elephants

Always remember wild elephants can be dangerous, especially if they feel threatened
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Meaning of Groundhog Day

What’s the meaning behind Groundhog Day? And can this adorable-looking creature actually predict the weather?

You might be familiar with the well-known comedy film, but is it based in any fact? We take a look at the meaning behind Groundhog Day
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A close-up shot of a naked mole rat in an underground burrow,United States,USA

6 surprising incestuous animals – and why these species prefer to keep it in the family

From wolves to cichlid fish, inbreeding has been observed in a surprising amount of species
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deadliest bears

How to avoid a bear attack – information that could save your life

Knowing how to avoid an attack could save your life, because if a bear decides to pick a fight, you’re in a tight corner.
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With speeds of 100 miles per hour, it leaves birds like swifts and albatrosses eating its dust.

did you know the fastest flying animal in the world isn't a bird
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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

Essentially it's 'a self-sealing snorkel'

Why do moose have such extraordinary noses?
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Tundra Wolves

9 brutal grey wolf photos that reveal the power and ferocity of these formidable apex predators

These amazing images reveal the brutality and sheer power of these incredible predators
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Bonobo female 'Opala' portrait (Pan paniscus). Lola Ya Bonobo Santuary, Democratic Republic of Congo. Oct 2010.

When scientists set a test for apes they were astounded with what happened next...

Why bonobos are more like humans than chimpanzees
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Japan's cat island

There’s a Japanese island where feral cats outnumber humans – and scientists discovered something interesting about their genetics

In Ehime Prefecture, Japan, there's an island that's famous for its cat community. But how did they get there?
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Coastal marten

Remote cameras catch rare predator in Californian forest. There are only 500 left on the planet

Once thought extinct, researchers are trying to find out more about this tiny carnivore to aid its conservation.
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Japanese macaques in snow

There's a pink-faced monkey in Japan that bathes in hot springs – for a surprising reason

Japan's snow monkeys soak in hot springs for thermoregulation and to relieve stress – a new study suggests there is another reason...
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koala

“The koala is beloved around the world. You’d think that its future would be secure.” Why protecting the Australian icon is a massive headache for conservationists

Koalas, a much-loved icon, are both endangered and abundant in Australia. We look at the big picture across an even bigger country
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Lowland Streaked Tenrec (Hemicentetes semispinosus), MadagascarTenrec de semispinosus de Hemicentetes (Hemicentetes semispinosus), MadagascarStreifentanrek oder Streifentenrek (Hemicentetes semispinosus), Madagaskar

This crazy animal looks like a cross between a porcupine, hedgehog and a bee – meet one of Madagascar's weirdest animals

What on earth is this spiky creature?
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Can sheep and goats cross-breed?

Sheep and goats may look similar, share pastures and even behave alike – but can they actually produce offspring together?
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Opoyastin pack single wolf

I spent 7 years tracking an elusive wolf pack through the snowy wilds of Canada. My encounters were mind-blowing

Meet the Opoyastin pack, the charismatic wild wolves who inhabit the icy wilderness of Canada’s Kaska Coast
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