Hippo ( Hippopotomas Amphibius )

Hippo .... or hippopotamus amphibius!

The word hippo comes from the name water horse in greek ..... Yet I think these critters look more like water pigs than horses! These animals can survive in both land and water, and it's gravity allows it to sink to the bottom of rivers and walk along the bottom. It's no surprise that they sink; they are among the largest living animals! The only things that out-weigh it are whales and elephants.

While the hippo has webbed feet and can swim, it is not a particularly good swimmer. It is rarely found in deep water, as it cannot float either. As it is so big, the hippo does not often feel threatened, but when he does, you'll know it. When a hippo gets worried, it opens it's mouth all the way. Hippos usually travel in pods of up to one hundred, so chances of attack are slim.

Female hippos are able to start breeding at about 3 years old, while males are usually about 7. When a female gets pregnant,  she gives birth underwater- one of the few animals to do this. The baby usually weighs about 60-110 pounds. Hippos are very aggressive, especially when their babies are near. They fight by biting each other with their massive jaws. They can be found in Africa, Tanzania, and Zambia. 

Sea Turtle ( Dermochelyidae )

Sea Turtle .... or dermochelyidae!

Ever heard of the sea creature that will never die? No? The sea turtle is known to be able to live up to 80 years old. 80 years!  Don't get one of these for a pet, because it just might out live you! Since turtles have such a long life, you figure they could produce hundreds of kids. But the truth is, it takes decades until a sea turtle is mature enough to have babies! When the turtle finally does mature, the mating takes place in the sea, but strangely, the birth doesn't. At night, the mother turtle will crawl onto a nearby beach, search for suitable sand, and dig a 2 foot deep hole to bury her eggs in! Then, she leaves her babies, who will have to tend to themselves when they hatch.

Though it is illegal to hunt sea turtles in most countries, some people still hunt them for their shell, but mainly for food. In Japan and China, the flippers are good for making leather products, such as shoes, handbags, etc. Turtles are kept safe not only because they are nice to watch, but because they have immunity to a jellyfish sting and often eat them, making waters safer for tourists.

Lots of campaigns have been held against hunting and killing sea turtles, as they are an endangered species. Signs are put up on beaches that say: Sea Turtle Nest, Watch Your Step. Fishing and netting is sometimes restricted because of the sea turtles. They can be found in every ocean in the world other than the Antarctic.

Giant Otter

Giant Otter

Introducing the largest and most powerful otter.... the giant otter! These carnivorous creatures inhabit the waters of the Amazon Jungle. They usually stick to medium sized fish for their diet, but some otters have been daring enough to attack and defeat a 30 foot long anaconda. The otter has gigantic webbed paws, much like a dog's, at the end of short, stubby legs. It has a flattened tail to help it swim the fast and twisting waters of the Amazon. 

Like everything else about it, the otter has a very loud voice. It is thought to be the loudest sound of all otters. There's no mistaking this guy for a normal otter! While some giant otters are aggressive, some are as playful as puppies. But in a snap, they can turn back to being aggressive. This behavior has earned them the nickname " water wolves".

The otters are group animals, and travel in packs from 2-20. A typical pack consists of three-eight members. They feed, sleep, bathe, and swim together. Its teeth are hard enough to crack a crab's shell, which they frequently do to get the crab hiding on the inside.

Pygmy Marmoset

 Pygmy Marmoset

Introducing the world's ugliest primate .... the marmoset!  These small monkeys have thick, grizzly fur and a flat nose, and are described in their home land as " little lion". These rain forest creatures are among the world's smallest primates, so one would think that looking for food would be a problem. But the truth is, this tiny monkey lives off of tree gum and tree sap alone! It's front teeth are specially designed for making incisions in wood.

Unlike most monkeys, the marmoset uses its tail as a counterweight to balance itself on the branches it uses as pathways, as it is a creature that lives mostly in trees. No branches will break under this critter, as it is only 4.9 ounces!  The marmoset is native to many rain forests in Brazil, Columbia, and Ecuador.  

The pygmy marmoset can use vocal, body, and chemical signals to alert its family and other pygmy marmosets to danger. This is handy, as most marmosets usually live in groups of 2-6. A life span of a pygmy marmoset is usually 11-12 years in the wild, but in captivity can last up to 20 years old.

Praying Mantis ( Mantodea )

Praying Mantis .... or Mantodea!
Have you ever heard of a religious insect? No? Well,  there's always the praying mantis. But the fact is, these seemingly innocent creatures are far from religious ... In fact, they're cold blooded killers! Though it seems impossible, a mantis is a predatory creature. Never underestimate small, delicate looking things. The praying mantis will eat anything small enough to be captured and eaten by it. The mantis' ways of disguise make other creatures vulnerable, as it can blend easily into scenery as a leaf. Though most food is bug based, some larger species have been known to eat small rodents and reptiles.

The mantis' legs have little spikes on them that allow them to catch prey and climb trees more easily.  These are called raptorial legs. The mantis' head is very flexible, and allows 300 degree turns in some species. This can help it see if anything is coming. Mantis' can be found almost anywhere, even around here in NH. Their mating season is typically in Autumn, and the female lays from 10 to 400 eggs. The eggs are born into a small cocoon, and despite the durability of the eggs, they are usually eaten by parasitic wasps. In only a few species does the mother guard her eggs.The mantis' typical lifespan lasts about only a year in the wild, but in captivity, can last up to 14 months.

Kangaroo ( Macropodidae )

Kangaroo ... or Macropodidae!

While kangaroos are known for their pouches that hold their babies, only females have them.  Kangaroo mating season  can be any time of the year. The males will sometimes fight over females by kicking each other with their feet. The female will be pregnant for about one month, and then the baby kangaroo, also called a joey, is born. They are kept in the pouch until they are old enough to leave their mother.

Some people kill kangaroos for their meat, as it is high in protein and low in fat, therefore very good for you. Kangaroos have a large tail for balance and a small head. It's big feet give it advantages in jumping. Kangaroos are frequently part of road accidents.

To this day, kangaroos are still found in Australia, it's main base, but are also found in local zoos. They are one of the few species that is a marsupial, an animal that does not have a placenta. They are mammals and usually have a pouch to carry their babies in. They are also one of the largest marsupials known.

Piranha ( Characidae )

Piranha ... or Characidae!


Piranha are carnivorous fish that live in the Southern American rivers.  They are known for their deadly teeth and appetite for meat. Usually piranhas measure between one foot and two feet in length.

Though piranhas are commonly caught by fishermen down south and sold as food for money, they will bite frequently when handled. They are nuisances to bathers and swimmers if they have inhabited waters. They bite and injure people. It is not too dangerous, but is annoying.

Piranhas will also steal bait from fishing lines, damage other fish that have been caught, and damage fishing equipment ( all the more reason I am never going to hunt piranha ).  Piranhas are attracted by blood, so if you are swimming with an open wound in piranha infested water, beware.

Piranhas will not only eat things smaller then themselves, they will eat things larger than themselves. Once, the Amazon river was blocked by nets and a net of starving piranha were dumped into the blocked part of the river. Then, a cow was thrown in too, and was almost immediately a carcass.