Did you know that …

… the bee hummingbird is the smallest bird in the world? Even with its beak, it is only 2 inches or 5 centimeters long.

… the male African elephant has the largest ears in the animal kingdom? More than 3 feet or 1 meter wide.

… the tongue of a chameleon can be longer than the length of its body?

… Do Arctic Terns make the longest migration of all animals? In summer, they live and breed in the Arctic. They then fly to Antarctica for the winter, before returning to the Arctic.

… there are more chickens than people in the world?

… the Saint Bernard is one of the heaviest dogs? Typically weighs more than 200 pounds or 91 kilograms.

… the strongest insect is the rhinoceros beetle? Also known as the Hercules beetle, it can lift more than 800 times its weight.

… an electric eel can produce a discharge of up to 650 volts?

… the female of the Black Widow is one of the most poisonous animals in the world? One bite can cause dizziness, terrible pain, and even death.

… sailfish is the fastest fish on Earth? With a speed of up to 68 miles or 109 kilometers per hour.

… the Australian box jellyfish, also known as the sea wasp, is the most poisonous marine animal in the world? Its sting is excruciatingly painful and its venom can be fatal to humans, causing death within minutes.

… Are ostriches the largest birds on Earth? They can be over 8 feet or 2 meters tall and can weigh up to 300 pounds or 136 kilograms.

… humpback whales create the loudest sound of any living creature?

The 5 best pets

The fish is by far the most popular pet in the world. In the United States alone, people own more fish than any other animal. Here are the most abundant pets.

1. Fish: 149 million in property

2. Cats: 91 million in property

3. Dogs: 74 million in property

4. Small animals (rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, etc.): 18 million owned

5. Birds: 17 million in property

Top 10 Dog Breeds

(Source: American Kennel Club, 2008)

1. Labrador Retrievers: position n. 1 (1998)

2. Yorkshire Terrier: ranked number 9 (1998)

3. German Shepherd – ranked # 3 (1998)

4. Golden Retriever – ranked # 2 (1998)

5. Beagle – # 6 (1998)

6. Boxer – rank # 12 (1998)

7. Dachshund – ranked number 5 (1998)

8. Bulldog – rank # 23 (1998)

9. Poodle – ranked # 7 (1998)

10. Shih Tzu – ranked # 11 (1998)

Top 10 cat breeds

(Source: Cat Hobbyists Association, 2008)

1. Persian

2. Maine Coon

3. Exotic

4. Abyssinian

5. Siamese

6. Ragdoll

7. Sphynx

8. Burmese

9. American Shorthair

10. Oriental

The 5 oldest animals

In 2007, scientists dredging north of Iceland found a clam that is estimated to be at least 405 years old. These are the animals that live the longest and oldest known age for each.

1. Quahog clam – up to 400 years

2. Giant tortoise: up to 200 years

3. Humans: up to 122 years

4. Sturgeon fish: up to 100 years

5. Blue whale and golden eagle: up to 80 years