• Interesting Facts about Amphibians (3)
• Interesting Facts about Birds (22)
• Interesting Facts about Fishes (9)
• Interesting Facts about Mammals (48)
• Interesting Facts about Reptiles (16)

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Hedgehog

DESCRIPTION: A small mammal with white hair on itsstomach and hair modified into spines on its back FUN FACTS There are 11 species of hedgehog nativeto Africa, Asia, and Europe, and they have been introduced to New Zealand. Hedgehog quills are not barbed orpoisonous. However, hedgehogs will apply a foamy saliva to their quills. Thismay serve many purposes: an irritant to predators, a natural insect repellentsince they are unable to clean their skin well, or an attractant to potentialmates. A hedgehog has a large muscle runningalong its stomach which pulls its body into a tight, spiky little ball fordefense. Large owls and raptors with well-protectedfeet and sharp claws are some of the only natural enemies of hedgehogs. Hedgehogsgive birth to one to seven babies which are born with the spines just below theskin. Spines start to appear within 24 hours.

Hippo

Hippos(Kubu) are very common to the Khwai River (unlike hippos at Eagle Island)and are more often than not seen out of the water, which is considered unusualas hippos have very sensitive skins. Hippos arevery territorial and are treated with enormous respect. Although very heavy(Average 2500kg) they can attain speeds of up to 45 kilometres perhour both in and out of the water.

Hyena

DESCRIPTION:   Coatis rough and short, color is reddish brown to tan, becoming lighter and lessspotted with age, tail pompom and nose are black SIZE: Male 79-86 cm,Female 84-89 cm. WEIGHT:Male 56-63 kg,Female 67-75 kg FUN FACTS: Hyenas live in territorial socialgroups called clans. Clans are dominated by females and can reach up to 70members. The spotted hyena is the largestspecies of hyena. The other species are the brown hyena and the striped hyena. Female hyenas possess similar lookingreproductive organs to males therefore accurate sexing can be difficult. The hyena is more closely related tothe mongoose and cat than the dog. The hyena is primarily a hunter, not ascavenger. They usually hunt alone however clans will hunt together in order tocatch larger prey. They are also good opportunistic hunters.

Hyrax

DESCRIPTION: The hyrax is a small, tailless,rodent-like animal with a long body and stout legs SIZE:Approximately 44-54 cm (18-22 in.) WEIGHT: 1.8-5.4 kg (4-12 lb.) FUN FACTS:  Hyraxes areunique in that the iris slightly protrudes over the pupil of their eye. Thisdecreases the amount of light to the eye from above, serving as a built-in sunvisor. Rock hyraxes are able to climb on steeprock surfaces because of physical adaptations on their feet. They are capableof retracting up the center portion of their feet into a concave dome, whichcreates a vacuum like suction to solid surfaces and aides in their climbingability. Hyraxes have long hairs scattered overtheir bodies. The hairs probably help orient hyraxes in dark areas and burrows,similar to whiskers. Rock hyraxes live in groups rangingfrom 2-26 individuals. A dominant male that watches over the colony carefullyto ensure their safety leads the group. Hyraxes have little control of theirbody temperature and cannot exist without shelter from cold and heat. Instead,they use the environment to regulate their temperature. The hyrax's wide mouth and sharp teethenable it to take large bites of grass and quickly fill its stomach. Eatingrapidly and spending less time on open grazing land lessens its exposure topredators. Hyraxes are considered a close relativeof the elephant because of similarities with the primitive Eocene ungulatesfrom which elephants and sea cows are thought to have developed. Some of thesesimilarities include: males testes within the abdomen; female mammary glandsbetween the front legs; and tusks developed from incisors, rather than canines;resemblance in dentition and foot structure. Verbal communication consists of avariety of different calls, but most startling are the territory and defensecalls. Some scientists have likened them to a woman screaming! Face-to-facemeetings with a direct stare are apt to provoke low-level threat with aretracted upper lip and raised dorsal hair. This can escalate to growling andthen chasing, snapping and biting. The tusks can inflict fatal wounds. To avoidconfrontations, feeding or huddling hyraxes will face slightly away from eachother in a fan pattern and will back into a huddle or den.

List of Animals English Globe