American Museum of Natural History

Have you ever seen the corsac fox? It inhabits the steppes & semi- deserts of central Asia. To avoid predators & harsh weather, it makes its dens in marmot burrows, sometimes living with other foxes in what are known as “corsac cities.” It's also been seen hunting in small packs.

Happy Caturday! Meet the fishing cat. Found in parts of Southeast Asia, this critter prefers to inhabit areas near bodies of water, like mangroves, marshes, & swamps. It's a specialized fish-hunter, sometimes dunking its head below the surface to catch food in its mouth.

Which bird has the longest bill in the world? At 1.2 ft (36 cm) long, it’s the Australian Pelican. This species is also one of the largest flying birds, with a wingspan of ~8.2 ft (2.5 m) & a weight of ~15 lbs (6.8 kg).

Get to know the largest member of the dog family in South America: the maned wolf. Standing about 3 ft (0.9 m) tall at the shoulder, this critter dines on small mammals, fish, reptiles, & birds. It communicates with deep, gruff roar-like barks.

Why so shaggy? The sloth bear’s scruffy appearance isn’t just for looks. It’s for protection! When this animal goes after termites, a key food source, longer hair helps prevent bites.

Craving a ripe tomato? This frog can’t help. 🍅 Despite resembling a juicy fruit, the tomato frog wouldn’t taste very good. Its bright red hue is an example of aposematic coloring—a signal that means “don’t touch!” If bothered, it can secrete sticky, mildly toxic goo.

It's Trilobite Tuesday! This fossil, from the Rochester Shale Quarry, is a snapshot of life during the Silurian. A 5-in- (12.7-cm-) long Arctinurus trilobite rests next to a Dimerocrinites crinoid. Crinoids are marine animals that use their arms to catch drifting food particles.

Here’s a mushroom you won’t find at the grocery spore: the rosy veincap! This species, which is considered inedible, is the only fungus in its taxon. It has a wide range & can be spotted worldwide, including in parts of N. America, Africa, Europe, & Asia. Have you ever seen one?

Whistle, click, chirp, or sing your way through the weekend with the beluga whale! Known as the “canary of the sea,” this social animal uses sound to communicate & navigate the open ocean. Since it's so reliant on sound, noise pollution is one of its greatest threats.

Mood? The Fennec fox. It’s the smallest canid of all, typically reaching weights of only 3 lbs (1.4 kg)! It also has the largest ears (relative to body size) of any canine. They disperse heat & help this mammal hear prey moving under the sand.

It's Trilobite Tuesday! Trimerus is among the most widely dispersed trilobite genera. This specimen is from England’s Wren’s Nest locale. Though complete specimens of Trimerus are a rare find, fully-articulated examples measuring ~7.1 in (18 cm) in length have been uncovered.

The Lilac-breasted Roller is always dressed for spring. This monogamous bird mates for life, with courtship rituals that include swooping, diving, and rolling through the air. Lilac-breasted Rollers are so at home in the sky that they also breed in flight!

Meet Prestosuchus chiniquensis. It lived in what’s now Brazil some 210 million years ago. Although it was a large animal with big claws & a huge head with sharp-toothed jaws, it wasn't a dinosaur—it's actually a close relative of crocodylomorphs.

Scared of the dentist? Things could be worse: You could be a babirusa. This wild pig’s canine teeth (tusks) never stop growing— reaching lengths of 11+ in (27.9 cm). If they aren’t worn down by regular activity, they can curve backward into the babirusa’s skull!

Meet blue-ringed octopuses, members of the genus Hapalochlaena. They inhabit coral reefs in the Indian and Pacific oceans. Though they usually measure less than 8 in (20.3 cm), they're among the world's deadliest cephalopods. Their venomous bite can paralyze or kill a human.

The plains spadefoot is toadally cute. This stout amphibian, which inhabits arid regions of western North America, is an “explosive” breeder: Individuals gather en masse after warm, heavy rains to breed. The resulting tadpoles can mature after just 13 days.

Have you seen the "otter cat?" The jaguarundi is a highly adaptable feline with a diet that includes birds, reptiles, mammals, & fish. Unlike many cats, it's highly vocal. The jaguarundi has up to 13 unique calls including purring, whistling, and chattering!

This #FossilFriday, meet Tupuxuara leonardii. This flying reptile had a wingspan of ~15 ft (4.5 m) & a huge fan-shaped crest. Scientists think that pterosaurs could have used their headgear to steer during flight, to recognize members of the same species, or to attract mates.

Just how giant is the giant armadillo? Unlike other armadillos—which can roll up to defend themselves from foes—this species’ is too big to hide inside its carapace. It can reach lengths of 3.9 ft (1.2 m) and weights of ~110 lbs (50 kg)!

Meet the world’s smallest bear. Weighing in around 103 lbs (47 kg), the sun bear is about half the size of an American black bear! It's an excellent climber, sometimes building nests in the treetops as much as 128 ft (40 m) from the ground, where it can snooze in peace.