Biota Reference Libraries
The lesser white-toothed shrew (Crocidura suaveolens) is a tiny shrew found in Europe. Its preferred habitat is woodlands. The population is found on the Isles of Scilly. It forages on beaches. This is unusual behavior for this species.
The greater white-toothed shrew (Crocidura russula) is a small shrew found in Europe and North Africa. Its preferred habitats are grassland and woodland. It is slightly larger than the lesser white-toothed shrew but otherwise very similar. It can often be distinguished only by close inspection of its teeth.
The Indian Long-eared Hedgehog (Hemiechinus collaris) is a relatively small hedgehog native to India and Pakistan. Due its extremely large ears, it used to be considered a subspecies of long-eared hedgehog. The Indian Long-eared Hedgehog is notable for a quite complex mating ritual that involves "dancing" around females for several days before mating.
The long-eared hedgehog (Hemiechinus auritus) is a species of hedgehog native to Central Asian countries and the Caucasus Mountains. It is smaller than the West European Hedgehog. It weighs at most 17.64 oz (500 g), and is much faster. It is less likely to cuddle when approached by predators and will most likely try and outrun or leap at predators with their relatively short needles. Due to its...
The Water Monitor, Varanus salvator, is perhaps the most prevalent of monitor lizards in Asia. They range from Sri Lanka, India, Indochina, the Malay Peninsula and various islands of Malaysia. They live mostly in tropical forested areas. These lizards grow up to 9 feet long. Their body is muscular with a long powerful tail. They are excellent swimmers, using a raised fin located on their...
The Bengal Monitor, Varanus bengalensis, also known as the Common Indian Monitor, is a smaller lizard found throughout Bangladesh and India. Although they are usually found on the ground, the young are often seen in trees. They shelter in burrows or crevices in rocks and buildings. They will often make use of abandoned termite mounds. The Bengal Monitor measures up to 30 inches in body...
The four-toed hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris), or African pygmy hedgehog, is a small species of hedgehog. It is found throughout much of the south-Saharan African countries, from Senegal and Mauritania in the west, to Sudan in the east. It has been recorded as far south as Zambia. Populations tend to be scattered between suitable savannah or cropland habitats, avoiding forested areas. The...
The bonobo (Pan paniscus), until recently is usually called the pygmy chimpanzee and less often the dwarf or gracile chimpanzee. It is one of the two species of chimpanzees. Physical characteristics Its head is smaller than that of the Common Chimpanzee but has a higher forehead. It has a black face with pink lips, small ears, wide nostrils, and long hair on its head. Females have...
The eastern lowland gorilla (Gorilla beringei graueri) is a subspecies of Eastern Gorilla. It is now only found in the forests of eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. This subspecies is sturdier in appearance than the western lowland gorilla. It has longer teeth, a stronger jaw and a broader torso. They have black coats, which in males turns silver at the back as the animal matures....
The western lowland gorilla (Gorilla gorilla gorilla) is a subspecies of the western gorilla (Gorilla gorilla). It lives in montane, primary, and secondary forests and lowland swamps. It is found throughout all or parts of Angola, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea and Gabon. Of all gorillas it is the least endangered and is the...
