Kids Research Express

. Aardwolf The aardwolf, a member of the hyena family, is found throughout southern and eastern Africa. Aardwolves travel at night hunting for food, which consists of carrion (dead and decaying animal flesh) and insects, usually termites. They have weak jaws and small teeth, leaving them without defenses against enemies such as dogs. Abyssinian Abyssinians are particularly affectionate and have fine, soft fur resembling that of a wild rabbit. The origin of the cat is unknown, although its appearance suggests a relationship to the cats of ancient Egypt. It is one of the oldest breeds of domesticated cat. Afghan Hound The Afghan hound, similar to the greyhound, originated in Afghanistan and was known in ancient Egypt. A capable hunting dog, the Afghan hound is a swift runner and a powerful jumper. African Elephants African elephants live in grassy regions south of the Sahara Desert. Bull (male) elephants stand about 3.4 m (11 ft) tall and weigh about 5.4 metric tons,

. Snow Leopard The snow leopard lives only in coniferous forest scrub areas and the mountain steppe region of the Himalayas and surrounding areas. Generally solitary except during mating season, the snow leopard may be found at altitudes higher than 6000 m (19,000 ft) in search of migratory game such as wild sheep, ibex, and the musk deer. Sumatran Rhinoceros The Sumatran rhinoceros (Dicerorhinus sumatrensis) has been hunted so extensively that fewer than 300 animals survive in fragmented populations in Malaysia and Indonesia. Between 1985 and 1995 the number of Sumatran rhinos declined by 50 percent due to poaching. Sumatran Tiger The Sumatran tiger, found only on the Indonesian island of Sumatra, is the smallest type of tiger. Females weigh 75 to 110 kg (165 to 240 lb), and males weigh 100 to 140 kg (220 to 310 lb). In recent years the demand for tiger parts across Southeast Asia has threatened the Sumatran tiger, whose skins, bones, and claws are used in folk remedies and as novelty

. Numbat The numbat, Myrmecobius fasciatus, is an endangered marsupial that lives in southwestern Australia, often in eucalyptus groves. Numbats use their sensitive noses and sticky tongues to find and eat insects, especially termites. During the winter months they warm themselves by basking in the sun. Australians have created captive breeding colonies for numbats in hopes of ensuring their survival. Pangolin Four species of terrestrial and arboreal pangolins are found in forest and open savanna habitats of Africa and southern Asia. Entirely covered with large, brown, overlapping scales, the pangolin is well protected against predators. When threatened, the pangolin rolls into a tight ball, causing the sharp, free edges of the scales to rise. Pangolins eat ants and termites, which they lap up with their long, sticky tongues. Platypus The duck-billed platypus, Ornithorhynchus anatinus, found only in eastern Australia, lives in streams, rivers, and occasionally lakes with year-round wat

. Dall Sheep Dall sheep, sometimes called thinhorn sheep, inhabit cliff regions in Alpine and Arctic tundra areas of Alaska and northern British Columbia. Related to the musk ox and the moutain goat, these sheep can have either black, gray, or white coats, depending on the subspecies. Douroucouli The douroucouli is the only species of monkey that is nocturnal. With its large eyes, it is well adapted to see at night, but it can not perceive colors. Dugong This male dugong is among only a few thousand of the large marine mammals believed to remain in the Indian and western Pacific oceans. Dugongs, commonly called sea cows, have long been hunted for their meat, blubber, oil, and hide. The harmless animal uses its rounded forelimbs for locomotion and its muscular lips to tear water plants for food. Grévy’s Zebra The Grévy’s zebra (Equus grevyi) is the largest zebra, weighing up to 450 kg (990 lb). The vertical stripes on its body are narrow and close together, covering most of the body exc

. Arctic Fox The arctic fox, Alopes lagopus, wears two coats. Its warm-weather coat is gray-brown. During the winter, however, its fur is thick, white camouflage against a landscape of snow and ice, protection both from predators and from the harsh temperatures of tundra latitudes. The fox’s small snout and ears also conserve heat, as do its fur-covered feet, reminiscent of a rabbit’s. Temperatures drop to -70° C (-94° F) before the arctic fox begins to shiver. A small number have blue coloration in colder months, alternating to a rich brown in the summer. Asian Water Buffalo Related to the African water buffalo, yak, American bison, European bison, and four-horned antelope, the Asian water buffalo, Bubalus bubalis, has been domesticated and is now found throughout India, Asia, South America, Europe, and southern Africa. Australian Shepherd Brought to the United States by sheepherders in the late 19th century, the Australian shepherd possesses strong herding instincts. The Australian s