With over 2 million species classified into 30 phyla, Kingdom Animalia surpasses the other 4 kingdoms in terms of its species diversity.
Animals are “multicellular” (composed of many cells). In most animals, these cells are organized into tissues that make up different organs and organ systems. The exception is the sponges.
All animals are heterotrophs, meaning that they must obtain energy and nourishment by consuming other organisms.
All animals require oxygen for their metabolism, can sense and respond to their environment, and have the capacity to reproduce sexually (though many reproduce asexually, as well).
The classification system consists of seven main levels, although some have sub groupings, as well:
Kingdom: A kingdom is the broadest level. It contains the most kinds of organisms. The relationships among organisms in a kingdom are extremely loose.
Phylum: Phylum is the major taxonomic group of animals and plants. Within the kingdoms, organisms are divided by general characteristics. For example, in the Animal Kingdom, animals with backbones are placed in a separate phylum from animals without backbones.
Class: Organisms in a phylum are divided into classes that further group similarities. In the Animal Kingdom, for example, birds, mammals, and fish all group in their own classes. Among plants, the angiosperm class comprises all flowering plants, and all conifers, such as pines and spruces, make up the conifer class.
Order: Scientific groupings don’t follow hard and fast rules. After you get to the “order” of a living thing, there’s disagreement about where it belongs. You may find that different scientific organizations group creatures in different orders or families.
Family: Families further divide organisms of the same class by similar characteristics. Not all scientific organizations may agree to the exact family an organization should be classified in.
Genus: Two or more species that share unique body structures or other characteristics are considered to be closely related and are placed together in a genus. Sometimes a genus may include only a single species if there’s nothing else in the world that has similarities with it.
Species: A species is the most specific level. It contains the fewest organisms. The relationship between organisms in a species is very close.
Kingdom: Animalia (Metazoa or metazoans)
Phylum: Annelida (Segmented Worms – earthworms, leeches)
The annelids include earthworms, polychaete worms, and leeches. All members of the group are to some extent made up of segments that are formed by subdivisions that partially transect the body cavity.
Segments each contain elements of such body systems as circulatory, nervous, and excretory tracts.
The internal organs of annelids are well developed. They include a closed, segmentally-arranged circulatory system.
The digestive system is a complete tube with mouth and anus. Gases are exchanged through the skin, or sometimes through specialized gills. Annelida can be either sexual or asexual animals.
Members of the Phylum Annelida can be found throughout the world, in marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. Ecologically, they range from passive filter feeders to voracious and active predators.
Phylum: Arthropoda (Arthropods:Spiders,Insects,Crabs) 1,140,000 species
The Phylum Arthropoda is the largest phylum of animals and include the insects, arachnids, crustaceans, and others. Arthropods are characterized by the possession of a segmented body with appendages on at least one segment.
They have a dorsal heart and a ventral nervous system. All arthropods are covered by a hard exoskeleton.
Phylum: Brachiopoda (Lamp Shells) About 350 species
The Brachiopoda, or Lampshells are an ancient phylum of filter feeding marine worms. Upon first glance, they look like clams, but they are actually quite different in their anatomy, and they are not closely related to the molluscs.
The bodies of brachiopods are enclosed in a double shell. They are small animals with the largest living species having a shell length of about 10 cm (4 in) and most species are much smaller.
Brachiopods often make their homes in very cold water, either in polar regions or at great depths in the ocean.
Phylum: Bryozoa (Moss Animals) About 5,000 species
Bryozoans are tiny colonial animals that generally build stony skeletons of calcium carbonate, superficially similar to coral.
They are also known as moss animals (which is the literal Greek translation) or sea mats.
They generally prefer warm, tropical waters but are known to occur worldwide. Most species of Bryozoan live in marine environments, though there are about 50 species which inhabit freshwater.
Phylum: Chordata (Animals with a notocord) 51,000 species
Chordata contains the most familiar species, including humans. All chordates have several things in common that occur at some stage of development.
They have pharyngeal slits, which are openings that connect the inside of the throat to the outside of the neck. These are often used as gills.
Their main feature, what they are named after, is the notochord, which is a rod that supports the nerve cord. The nerve cord is also present in all species. This is a bundle of nerve fibers which connect the brain with the muscles and organs, and is through which messages from the brain are sent.
A tail is also present, which extends past the anal opening. In most species, at least some of these features disappear with age. For example, the pharyngeal slits are only present in the human fetus.
SubPhylum: Cephalochordata (lancelets OR amphioxus) 25 species
This is a small, very unusual subphylum of creatures. These animals are fish-like in appearance, but are invertebrates with a notochord, and a nerve cord right above it.
They lack bones, a brain, eyes, and most other organs associated with the brain. There are 25 species, and they do not seem to be placed in any class. However, some experts do not call this a subphylum and they place it in a class of the same name.
SubPhylum: Urochordata (Tunicata: sea squirts, salps) 3,000 species
This is a large subphylum of unusual invertebrates that do not look like anything much more than a strange underwater worm or mushroom.
They start off life as tadpole-like larvae with notochords and all the rest.
This stage lasts only a short time, after which they anchor to the seabed and live a sedentary life. They completely change shape at this point, and it is hard to believe that they are in the same phylum as humans.
The adults lack the notochord but do keep the pharyngeal slits. They have a highly-developed internal structure, with a heart and other organs.
Tunicates are named for their protective covering, known as a tunic.
This tunic is made up of cellulose, which is very rare in animals.
Class: Appendicularia or Larvacea (free swimming tunicates)
Class: Ascidiaceae (sea squirts)
Class: Sorberacea (benthic tunicates)
Class: Thaliacea (salps)
SubPhylum: Vertebrata (vertebrates – Animals with backbones) 41,700 species
This is the largest subphylum and the focus of this website. It contains the more well-known land animals, including humans, reptiles, fish, marine mammals, and birds. Every animal with a backbone is present in this subphylum.
The notochord is developed at an early age, and is replaced with vertebrate. All vertebrates have a skeleton of either bone or cartilage.
Their brain is protected by a boney cranium, and consists of three parts. They all have well-developed hearts with 2-4 chambers and have a closed circulatory system.
Class: Amphibia (Amphibians – frogs, salamanders)(4,000 species)
Class: Aves (Birds – 9,090 species)
Class: Cephalaspidomorphi (Lampreys – 73 species)
Class: Chondrichthyes (Pices – cartilaginous fish)
Class: Mammalia (mammals – 4,620 species)
The mammals are the class of vertebrate animals primarily characterized by the presence of mammary glands, which in females produce milk for the nourishment of young; the presence of hair or fur; and which have endothermic or “warm blooded” bodies.
The brain regulates endothermic and circulatory systems, including a four-chambered heart. Mammals encompass more than 5,000 genera, distributed in 425 families and up to 46 orders (the number depends on the classification scheme adopted).
Class: Myxini (Hagfish)
Although hagfish are sometimes called “slime eels,” they are not eels at all. Myxini is the only class in the clade Craniata that does not also belong to the subphylum Vertebrata.
The hagfish is a more primitive fish than the bony or cartilaginous fish. The hagfish is known as the sea’s most disgusting creature, due to it’s ability to produce buckets of slime in a couple minutes as an escape mechanism.
Class: Osteichthyes (Pices – bony fish – 29,000 species with many more unidentified)
The Osteichthyes class is the largest in the Vertebrata sub-phylum. The Osteichthyes are a taxonomic superclass of fish, also called bony fish that includes the ray-finned fish and lobe finned fish. The vast majority of fish are osteichthyes.
Class: Reptilia (reptiles: Crocodiles, Aligators, Snakes,Turtles) 6,000 species
Reptiles are air-breathing, cold-blooded vertebrates that have skin covered in scales as opposed to hair or feathers. They are tetrapods (having or having descended from vertebrates with four limbs) and amniotes, whose embryos are surrounded by an amniotic membrane.
Modern reptiles inhabit every continent with the exception of Antarctica, and are represented by four living orders.
Phylum: Cnidaria (Corals, Jellyfishes, Sea Anemones)
Phylum: Ctenophora (Comb Jellies)
Phylum: Echinodermata (Sea Urchins & Starfish)
Phylum: Mollusca (Molluscs:Snails, Clams, Squid & Octopus) about 80,000 species
Mollusks have three distinct divisions of their body. The head contains the sensory equipment (eyes, antennae, etc) and the primitive brain.
The visceral hump, which is the main body, contains most of the organs, including a complete digestive and excretory tract as well as the reproductive organs.
The visceral hump also includes the two external flaps of tissue, which are known as the mantle. The mantle excretes the material that forms the shell on some species, and it protects the mantle cavity.
The mantle cavity contains the gills, which excrete waste and circulate oxygen. Most mollusks have a shell, which sits on the visceral hump and acts as a “home”, much like a turtle shell. It protects the main body from predators.
The third body section is the foot, which enables locomotion. Even clams have a foot.
Most mollusks have a special tongue-like organ known as the radula. The radula is composed of chitin, much like the exoskeleton of an arthropod, and is covered in pointy “teeth”. The radula can be used to scrape food off rocks and to kill larger prey.
Class: Caudofoveata (70 species)
Class: Solengogastres (250 species)
Class: Gastropoda (snails and slugs – about 70,000 species)
Class: Polyplacophora chitons (about 600 species )
Class: Cephalopoda (squids, cuttlefish, octopuses, nautiloids – about 800)
Class: Monoplacophora (monoplacophorans – 12 species)
Order: Bivalvia bivalves (about 8,000 species)Order: Scaphopoda tusk shells (350 species)
Phylum: Nematoda (Roundworms)
Phylum: Nemertea (Proboscis Worms)
Phylum: Phoronida (horseshoe worms)
Phylum: Platyhelminthes (Flatworms)
Phylum: Porifera (Sponges) |–Archaeocyatha `–+–Stromatoporoidea |–+–Hexactinellida | `–Demospongiae | |–Ceractinomorpha | `–Tetractinomorpha `–+–Calcarea `–+–CNIDARIA `–BILATERIA
Phylum: Onychophora (Velvet Worms)
Phylum: Rotifera (Microscopic Aquatic Animals)
Scientists never agree on much of anything, so there are several accepted Plant and Animal Classification systems. Most of us don’t even know what the names of those classification systems mean, let alone understand the structure of them, so we are just going to use a simplified dummied up system the average common man can understand. A brief explanation of how Animal Classification works( for the average guy) »»
Pronghorns, commonly called Antelope in the american west, are true American natives, found nowhere else in the world. They have roamed the plains and deserts of North America for at least the last million years in substantially the same form. Pronghorn (Antelopes) »»
The American Beaver (Castor canadensis) is a large semi-aquatic rodent native to Canada, much of the United States, parts of northern Mexico, and the most southern province of Argentina, Tierra del Fuego. American Beaver (Castor canadensis) »»
Hornbills are large distinctive tropical birds, found only in the African and Asian continents.
These are the only birds that have a two-lobed kidney and the only ones in which the first two vertebrae (the axis and atlas) are fused together. Captive hornbill breeding project »»
Kodiak Bears, also known as the alaskan brown bear, have existed on Kodiak Island in Alaska for 12,000 years. With their stream-lined noses and larger bone structure, they are the world’s largest bear, comparable in size to polar bears. Kodiak bear »»
Musk oxen, Ovibos moschatus, are native to the Arctic areas of Canada, Greenland, and Alaska. The Alaska population was wiped out in the late nineteenth or early twentieth century, but muskoxen have since been reintroduced to Alaska. Musk Oxen,Ovibos moschatus »»
We are all familiar with dolphins, whales and sharks; we know what tuna and snapper look like, but what about some less familiar fish such as lizardfish, giant squid, or blind eels? There are so many lesser known animals in the depths of the ocean that we hear little or nothing about most times, it is interesting to investigate a few of these creatures and understand them a little more.
We are all familiar with dolphins, whales and sharks; we know what tuna and snapper look like, but what about some less familiar fish such as lizardfish, giant squid, or blind eels? Giant Squid are unusual deep sea animals »»
What has the beak of a bird, the spines of a hedgehog, the gait of a reptile, the pouch of a marsupial, and the lifespan of an elephant? If you answered an echidna, you are correct! Echidnas »»
Few spectacles symbolize autumn better than a gang of Canada Geese crossing a cloudy sky in V-formation. Common throughout most of North America, Canada Geese live around ponds, rivers, and lake shores where they feed on aquatic grass, roots, and young sprouts, as well as corn and grain. A strong inward pull called instinct urges these waterfowl into the skies to make this great annual southward migration. Canada Geese »»
From the ocean bursts a shiny five-year-old male puffin carrying a dozen small herring in his beak. It is August on the coast of Iceland, and the air is filled with the deep garbled growls of hundreds of puffins. The social birds have come to shore for the short breeding season, and the rocky banks are dotted with their squat, football-shaped bodies.
AUTHOR: Louise Tillin, BBC News Online
Conservationists working to save India's endangered blind river dolphins say there are encouraging signs that the population is starting to stabilize in some areas.
AUTHOR: Pamela Conley
I entered the shallow water tentatively and continued slowly to walk out until I was chest deep in the water. Surprise and shock surged through me, as I felt something hit my back propelling me at fast speed ten feet further in the water. I quickly straightened my snorkel and mask and looked up to see a huge grinning face coming straight at me.
AUTHOR: Susan Milius
A nerve-racking effort to attach cameras to marine mammals has shown how four species dive the impossible dive.
AUTHOR: Susan Milius
A nerve-racking effort to attach cameras to marine mammals has shown how four species dive the impossible dive.
AUTHOR: Susan Milius
A nerve-racking effort to attach cameras to marine mammals has shown how four species dive the impossible dive.
Orcas haven't always been as popular as they are today. The killer whale's image began to change drastically in the mid-1960s, when a male orca later named Namu was captured off the coast of British Columbia, Canada, and towed to the Seattle Aquarium in a floating cage.
Orcas haven't always been as popular as they are today. The killer whale's image began to change drastically in the mid-1960s, when a male orca later named Namu was captured off the coast of British Columbia, Canada, and towed to the Seattle Aquarium in a floating cage.
A scientific computer mapping analysis released by he Western Native Trout Campaign today demonstrates that native trout species in the western United States are strongly correlated with the region's remaining roadless areas.
If the federal roadless policy adopted in 2000 is withdrawn, many populations of native trout will likely become extinct.
Roadless Areas Provide Last Refuge for Native Trout in the West »»
A scientific computer mapping analysis released by he Western Native Trout Campaign today demonstrates that native trout species in the western United States are strongly correlated with the region's remaining roadless areas.
If the federal roadless policy adopted in 2000 is withdrawn, many populations of native trout will likely become extinct.
Roadless Areas Provide Last Refuge for Native Trout in the West »»
To survive, antelopes rely on their ability to spot danger and to make a rapid escape. This defense system enables them to evade most wildlife predators, but it offers only partial protection from human hunters interested in antelope hide, horn, or meat, and no protection at all from changes to their habitat.
Although antelopes all belong to the cattle family (family Bovidae), the term antelope is an informal one, and does not have any precise scientific meaning. Types of antelope »»
Antelopes reach sexual maturity quickly. The smallest antelope species are ready to breed when just 6 months old, and the largest only need 3 or 4 years to reach sexual maturity. Antelope courtship and reproduction »»
Compared to some mammals, such as carnivores (meat-eaters) and primates (apes, monkeys, and humans), antelopes are not noted for high intelligence.
Antelopes differ from one another almost as much as they differ from other members of the cattle, goat, and sheep family. Size is one of the most striking and variable features of antelopes: The common eland towers over most breeds of domestic cattle and can be 300 times heavier than the royal antelope. Antelope Size and Diversity »»
Antelope is a common name applied to a diverse group of hollow-horned mammals that belong to the same family as cattle, goats, and sheep. About 100 species of antelopes live in Africa and Asia, including some of the world’s fastest and most elegant hoofed mammals, as well as some of the most endangered. Antelope Range and Habitat »»
Trout, the Last Bastion Of American Patriotism.. KEYWORDS: trout recipe thanksgiving symbol american patriotism flavor of trout species
Each year, around Thanksgiving, radio and newspaper commentators remind us of the fact that Benjamin Franklin originally proposed the turkey as our country’s national symbol. Franklin held – the commentators remind us – that the wily, quick-witted wild turkey was more symbolic of the American character than was the fish-stealing, nest-fouling bald eagle.
Unfortunately, the tough, smart turkey that Franklin admired so much has deteriorated as a role-model over the past 250 years or so. The domestic turkey that we are familiar with today is a pretty representative symbol of many of our national traits – it is over-weight, over-sexed and dumb as a post – but not the ones that we’d particularly like to advertise. What we really need is a different animal symbol – one that shows us off in a slightly better light. What about – hold onto your hats, now – the rainbow trout? Trout, the Last Bastion Of American Patriotism »»
KEYWORDS: right whale species right whale fact sheet Eubalaena glacialis North Atlantic right whale Eubalaena japonica North Pacific right whale Eubalaena australis southern right whale
The right whale may have received its name from whalers who thought that it was the “right” whale to kill because it was correct commercially (oil came from whales in those days), or because it was considered “proper” or “true” which meant typical of whales in general. They were easy targets, if you could ever call going out in small boats with harpoons and lances an ‘easy’ business.
Right whales swim slowly and float when dead, which was important in those days. The exploitation of the right whale began in the Bay of Biscay in Spain by the 12th century and continued, especially in the North Atlantic, for many centuries. Despite being protected since the 1930s, the right whale is today the most endangered of all the great whales. Right Whale (Eubalaena) Fact Sheet »»
KEYWORDS: dolphin taxonomy whale taxonomy porpoise taxonomy dolphin species whale species porpoise species baleen whales toothed whales
The terms “whales”, “dolphins”, and “porpoises”, are not scientific and have been used interchangeably throughout history. Usually the term “whale” is used to describe a large cetacean whereas smaller cetaceans are usually called dolphins or popoises. Porpoises however, should refer only to the six species belonging to the family Phocoenidae. To make matters worse, there is also a dolphin fish, better known as mahi-mahi or dorado. Cetacean Taxonomy – Dolphins, Porpoises and Whales »»
KEYWORDS: orca fact sheet killer whale fact sheet odontocete toothed whale largest dolphin facts whale genus species
AUTHOR:
The orca, or killer whale, with its striking black and white coloring, is one of the best known of all the cetaceans. It has been extensively studied in the wild and is often the main attraction at many sea parks and aquaria.
An odontocete, or toothed whale, the orca is known for being a carnivorous, fast and skillful hunter, with a complex social structure and a cosmopolitan distribution (orcas are found in all the oceans of the world). Sometimes called “the wolf of the sea” orca can be a fierce hunter with well-organized hunting techniques, although there are no documented cases of killer whales attacking a human in the wild. Largest Dolphin: Orca (Killer Whale) Fact Sheet »»
KEYWORDS: orca fact sheet killer whale fact sheet odontocete toothed whale largest dolphin facts whale genus species
AUTHOR:
The orca, or killer whale, with its striking black and white coloring, is one of the best known of all the cetaceans. It has been extensively studied in the wild and is often the main attraction at many sea parks and aquaria.
An odontocete, or toothed whale, the orca is known for being a carnivorous, fast and skillful hunter, with a complex social structure and a cosmopolitan distribution (orcas are found in all the oceans of the world). Sometimes called “the wolf of the sea” orca can be a fierce hunter with well-organized hunting techniques, although there are no documented cases of killer whales attacking a human in the wild. Orca (Killer Whale) Fact Sheet »»
KEYWORDS: king salmon First Salmon Ceremony puget sound salmon fishing traditions salmon nets ceremonial fish salmon fishing
AUTHOR: Cathy McDonald
TULALIP – Two fires burned on the dirt floor of the Tulalip longhouse, giving off smoke and bits of ash that wafted upward through openings in the top of the building. Hundreds of people filled the wooden platforms built into each side of the structure. Tulalip tribal members sat next to public officials from Marysville and Everett. Visitors from nearby tribes such as the Makah and Suquamish, and even a member of the Hopi and Laguna Pueblos, bumped elbows with guests from Seattle. Three wide-eyed sailors in dress whites watched from a front-row bench.
About 50 costumed men, women and children danced counterclockwise around the edge of the floor, singing, drumming and shaking gourds.
When they finished, Tulalip tribal member Glen Gobin, the master of ceremonies, moved to the center of the longhouse. First Salmon Ceremony welcomes the returning salmon »»
KEYWORDS: orca whale Luna whale rescue whale protest killer whales Native Canadians Mowachaht First Nation Mowachaht-Muchalaht band whales in Nootka Sound San Juan Islands killer whales San Juan Islands orcas
AUTHOR: Lisa Stiffler
Yesterday rescuers were set to help troubled killer whale find his family, but the orca had other plans Local Indians lure Luna out to sea »»
KEYWORDS: trout game fish fishing story fish research fishing in Great Lakes trout story lake trout sport anglers
Larry Mattson caught a high-tech lake trout with a computer in its belly.
Mattson cut the fish open to find a computer the size of a pinky, and eventually called a phone number on a tag on the fish’s back.
That made Bill Mattes very happy. Man Catches Fish With Computer in Belly »»
KEYWORDS: marine mammals fun run family event elephant seals sea lions animal organization animal charity marine mammal research animal events calendar
AUTHOR: The Marine Mammal Center, News Release
The Marine Mammal Center is proud to present the 22nd annual Run For The Seals race, Saturday, March 13, 2004 at Rodeo Beach in the Marin Headlands, Sausalito. The four-mile race begins at 9am and is open to runners, walkers, families with baby joggers and even dogs.
Proceeds benefit The Marine Mammal Center. Prizes will be awarded to top finishers in various age categories and all registrants will receive a commemorative Run For The Seals t-shirt.
Run For The Seals is a fun, family-oriented event, that allows newcomers as well as people familiar with the work we do, to enjoy the beauty of the Marin Headlands, help support us in our goal of rescuing and treating elephant seals, sea lions and other marine life, and get a little exercise too, said B. J. Griffin, Executive Director of The Center. The work we do, and the resulting research and information we learn, helps all of us understand how diseases, global warming, and man-made threats affect marine mammals, which in turn, affect the health of our ocean, and us. The Marine Mammal Centers 22nd Annual Run For The Seals Race »»
KEYWORDS: dolphin encounter positive feedback dolphin sighting dolphin spins of swimming mammals don’t give up
Amidst much groaning and moaning, we carried one of our two kayaks from the bayside of the key to the beachtwo hundred yards of sweat and hand chafing. Loaded down with paddles and life preservers, we herded the kids to waters edge.
Captain Linus on the bow, oarsman Dad behind him, first mate Camille next in line and oarswoman Mom at the sterninto the waves we surged.
After a few wobbly moments in the break, the crew settled. We began to scour the depths for the Gulfs finestcow rays, turtles, fish of assorted sizes and our family favoritedolphin. Your words matter. »»
KEYWORDS: whooping crane endangered species whooping crane migration tallest bird in North America how many whooping cranes are left in the wild reintroduction of endangered species Non-profit organizations, individuals and government agencies joining forces to bring a migratory flock of whooping cranes back to eastern North America
Author: Tom Mackenzie, USFWS Southeast Region Press Release
Building on the success of two historic migrations led by Operation Migration Inc., a third generation of endangered whooping cranes began a similar migration today from Necedah National Wildlife Refuge in Wisconsin.
At 7:44 a.m., guided by three ultralight aircraft, 15 juvenile whooping cranes began the first leg of their 1,228-mile journey to their wintering habitat at Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, along Florida’s Gulf coast. They flew for 23 miles before reaching their first stopover in southern Juneau County. 3rd Group of Endangered Whooping Cranes Leaves WI for Ultralight-guided flight »»
KEYWORDS: Montana fishing on the Crow reservation in Montana trout fishing permits to fish on Indian reservations fish and game laws fishing laws in Montana trout fishery fishing the Bighorn River Crow fish and game codes Crow tribe fish management trout streams Montana game codes Flathead Reservation fishing Fishing tribal waters fishing permit wild turkey permits hunting wild turkeys on the Crow Reservation wild turkey season on the Crow Reservation Willow Creek Reservoir fishing permit requirement Three Mile fishing Pryor Creek Soap Creek Black Canyon Little Bull Creek Big Bull Creek
AUTHOR: James Hagengruber, Billings Gazette staff writer
Crow Tribe game wardens have begun enforcing long-dormant fish and game laws across the 2.4 million acre reservation, and the tribe is negotiating with the state over a variety of fishing and hunting access issues.
The talks also involve the state’s crown jewel trout fishery and political equivalent of Jerusalem: the Bighorn River. Crow tribe in Montana begins enforcing fishing laws »»
KEYWORDS: chinook salmon game fish endanged species Columbia River salmon five salmon species in Northwest rivers Columbia River tribes Columbia River spring chinook american indian traditional foods learn about chinook salmon migration chinook salmon chum salmon coho salmon pink salmon sockeye salmon Celilo Indian Village
AUTHOR: Lynda V. Mapes, Seattle Times staff reporter
ABOARD THE MISS ROXANNE – Bright as polished chrome, this monster chinook pulled thrashing from the lower Columbia River fixes its black eye on me as I draw close. Fascinated by its silver sheen, its huge size – it’s nearly as long as my leg – and the untold, unimaginable story of its journey to the deep Pacific and back, I trace my index finger along the slippery slope of its nose.
And then it bites me. Hard.
I yelp and yank back my finger, oozing bright drops of blood.
This mighty spring chinook, still watching me, has delivered its primal message: Chinook are the king of all salmon and nobody’s pet.
Chinnook salmon making a comback, begin their spring migration up river »»
KEYWORDS: whale bones whale jawbones Whitby England arch at the historic seaport Anchorage Alaska Sister Cities whalebone arch bowhead whale endangered species Miss Alaska Inupiat dance Alaska Highlanders whale oil
AUTHOR: Jane Zsabo, Anchorage Daily News
There’s been lots of jawboning in Whitby, England, lately, about jawbones from Barrow — two 16-foot, 350-pound remnants of a bowhead whale that have finally been installed as an arch at the historic seaport. Alaska whalebones find home halfway across world »»
KEYWORDS: California gray whale whale migration Makah whale hunt gray whale facts gray whale territory Eschrichtius robustus conservation success story endangered species what do gray whales eat feeding habits of the gray whale migration route of gray whales brain of gray whale how big is a gray whale’s tongue devil fish whalers friendlies whale watching Pacific Northwest whales Baja whales Makah tribe whale hunts uses for whale meat
AUTHOR: Lynda V. Mapes, Seattle Times staff reporter
POSSESSION BAY – Languid and liquid as the swells it surfs, the gray whale gives a mighty blow then arcs gracefully in a dive for the bottom.
Its explosive “Pffffooooffffh!” is arresting, and a reminder of our common breath: This is no giant fish from the depths, but a mammal, like us.
The grays’ migration off the coast – one of the longest undertaken by any mammal – is one of the rites of spring. The grays make it look easy, knocking off the 4,300-mile, one-way journey in just 54 days, swimming at a walking pace around the clock. And some grays go even farther – swimming as much as 5,000 miles.
Whales of controversial Makah hunt now making annual trek »»
KEYWORDS: salmon Northwest environmental news fish management salmon threatened salmon on the Olympic Peninsula Hurd Creek Hatchery Jamestown S’Klallam tribe wildlife management Department of Fish and Wildlife’s Fish Program Washington hatchery programs Naselle hatchery Coulter Creek hatchery Dungeness River chinook runs captive brood chinook returns Western Washington’s hatchery programs endangered native salmon
AUTHOR: Lewis Kamb, Seattle Post-Intelligencer reporter
Tribal authorities fear threatened salmon on the Olympic Peninsula would “spiral toward extinction” under Gov. Gary Locke’s plan to close a 2-decade-old state salmon hatchery.
The Hurd Creek Hatchery — one of three state hatcheries targeted for closure under Locke’s proposed budget — is a vital component of salmon recovery in upper peninsula river systems, said Scott Chitwood, fisheries manager for the Jamestown S’Klallam tribe. Without it, he said, “our ability to continue recovery work is severely hampered.” Tribe fears extinction of salmon »»
KEYWORDS: world’s largest fish longest fish smallest fish shortest fish heaviest fish fastest fish that lays the most eggs fish facts world record fish
KEYWORDS: otter species list types of otter species north american river otter eurasian otter cape clawless otter oriental small clawed otter sea otter sea cat neotropican otter spotted neck otter giant otter southern river otter american river otter smooth coated otter hairy nosed otter congo otter Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) Cape Clawless Otter (Aonyx capensis) Oriental Small Clawed Otter (Aonyx cinerea) Sea Otter (Enhydra lutris) Sea Cat (Lutra felina) Neotropican Otter (Lontra longicaudis) Spotted Necked Otter (Lutra maculicollis) Giant Otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) Southern River Otter (Lontra provocax) American River Otter (Lontra canadensis) Smooth Coated Otter (Lutra perspicillata) Hairy Nosed Otter (Lutra sumatrana) Congo Otter (Aonyx congica) otter species classification otter information otter facts animals related to otters
Otter-like animals have inhabited the earth for the last 30 million years and over the years their carnivore bodies have undergone subtle changes to enable otters to exploit the rich acquatic environment.
Otters are members of the Mustelid family which includes badgers, polecats, martens, weasels, stoats and mink.
Find out more about the 13 species. Otter Species List »»