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The zebra, a fascinating and iconic African mammal, is scientifically classified into three main species: the plains zebra (Equus quagga), the mountain zebra (Equus zebra), and the Grévy’s zebra (Equus grevyi), each with its own unique characteristics and habitats. Zebras belong to the family Equidae, which is a diverse group of mammals that also includes horses and donkeys, sharing a common evolutionary lineage and several anatomical and behavioural traits. All

THE SCIENTIFIC NAME FOR THE ATLANTIC PUFFIN IS FRATERCULA ARCTICA. Puffins belong to the family Alcidae, a group of seabirds that also includes guillemots, and auks. THERE ARE THREE RECOGNIZED SPECIES OF PUFFINS: ATLANTIC PUFFIN (FRATERCULA ARCTICA), HORNED PUFFIN (FRATERCULA CORNICULATA) AND THE TUFTED PUFFIN (FRATERCULA CIRRHATA). Puffins are found in the North Atlantic and Pacific coasts of North America, with the Atlantic Puffin breeding in Eastern North America, Greenland,

Sloths are divided into two main categories: two-toed and three-toed sloths, which are distinguished by the number of claws on their forelimbs. The scientific name for sloths is Bradypus variegatus (three-toed sloth) and Choloepus didactylus (two-toed sloth). They belong to the family Bradypodidae and are part of the order Pilosa. There are six species of sloths currently recognized. The six species of sloths include: the two-toed sloth, the three-toed sloth,

Axolotls are not fish but amphibians from the family Ambystomatidae (order Caudata). Their scientific name is Ambystoma mexicanum. The name ‘axolotl’ comes from the Nahuatl language, meaning ‘water dog’. They are part of a group of salamanders known as mole salamanders due to their burrowing behaviour. They are lentic, meaning they inhabits still-water lakes. They are native to freshwater lakes like Lake Xochimilco and Lake Chalco in Mexico City. Axolotls

The Blue Crane is the national bird of South Africa. It’s also known as the Stanley crane and the Paradise crane. The scientific name “Anthropoides paradiseus” means “paradise crane” in Latin, possibly referring to their almost angelic appearance. The scientific name for the blue crane is Anthropoides paradiseus. There are fifteen species of cranes in the world, belonging to the family Gruidae in the order Gruiformes. Most blue cranes live

The aardwolves belong to the sub-family Hyaeninae and its scientific name is Proteles cristatus. Despite its name, the aardwolf is a member of the hyena family, but it is not a true wolf or a dog. The name “aardwolf” is derived from the Afrikaans and Dutch words meaning “earth wolf,” emphasizing their digging behaviour. Aardwolves are found primarily in Eastern and Southern Africa, in grassland and savanna habitats. The aardwolves

Grasshoppers and Locust belong to the order Orthoptera, which also includes crickets and katydids. Locusts are actually species of short-horned grasshoppers. Grasshoppers existed long before dinosaurs. Fossils date back to the Carboniferous period, which shows that the primitive grasshoppers first appeared more than 320 million years ago. Grasshoppers sometimes “spit” brown liquid to defend themselves from predators. Some people say grasshopper’s spit “tobacco juice,” probably because grasshoppers have been associated

Sea slugs are marine invertebrates that have no shells or very reduced shells. Sea slugs belong to the class Gastropoda, the same group as snails, slugs, and limpets. The scientific name of a sea slug is Nudibranchia. Sea slugs are also known as nudibranchs, which means “naked gills” in Latin. They are incredibly diverse, with about 3,000 known species. Sea slugs can be found in all oceans and at various

The scientific name for killer whales is Orcinus orca. “Orcas” and “killer whales” both refer to the same species of marine mammals. “Orcas” is a more commonly used term, while “killer whales” is another common name for the same species. Orcas were given the name ‘killer whale” by ancient sailors’ observations of groups of orcas hunting and feeding on other animals, such as whales and seals. The Latin name of

Baboons are primates and are native to Africa. They belong to the genus Papio and are known for their distinctive appearance and complex social structures. They are also known as Chacma baboons, a name derived from the Khoikhoi word for baboon, “chao kamma”. There are five species of baboons in South Africa: Chacma baboon, Olive baboon, Guinea baboon, Kinda baboon, and Yellow baboon. Baboons are some of the most identifiable