Animal Guides / Conservation and reference
Animal and conservation FAQ
Short, clear answers to common questions about animals, endangered species, wildlife encounters and pets.
Animals and records
What is the largest animal ever? The blue whale is the largest animal known to have ever lived, larger than any known dinosaur. See blue whale.
What is the fastest animal? In a hunting dive, the peregrine falcon is the fastest animal. On land, the cheetah is fastest over short sprints. See peregrine falcon and cheetah.
What is the toughest animal? Tardigrades can survive extreme cold, drying out and radiation in a dormant state. See tardigrades.
Are birds really dinosaurs? Yes. Birds evolved from theropod dinosaurs and are considered living dinosaurs by most scientists. See taxonomy explained.
What is the difference between venomous and poisonous? Venomous animals inject toxins by biting or stinging, like the king cobra. Poisonous animals are harmful to touch or eat, like poison dart frogs.
Endangered species
What does endangered mean? In everyday speech it means at risk. On the IUCN Red List, Endangered is a specific category between Vulnerable and Critically Endangered. See IUCN categories.
What is the biggest threat to wildlife? Habitat loss and degradation is the leading threat for most species, followed by overexploitation, invasive species, pollution, disease and climate change.
Has conservation ever worked? Yes. Species such as the bald eagle and some whale populations have recovered thanks to legal protection and reduced threats. See bald eagle.
What can one person do? Plant native plants, make windows bird-safe, keep cats indoors, join citizen science, avoid wildlife products and support conservation groups. See how to help wildlife.
Wildlife encounters
How close can I get to wild animals? Follow local rules, and if the animal changes its behavior, you are too close. See watching wildlife responsibly.
Should I feed wild animals? No. Feeding can make animals sick, cause them to lose their fear of people and lead to dangerous conflicts.
I found a baby bird out of its nest. What should I do? Many fledglings leave the nest before they can fly well, and their parents still feed them nearby. If the bird is injured or clearly in danger, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator for advice.
Are sharks dangerous? Shark bites on people are rare. Most sharks pose little or no threat, and many shark species are themselves threatened. See great white shark.
Treat all wild animals as unpredictable. Keep your distance and never try to handle them.
Pets
What is the easiest pet? No pet is truly easy. Every animal has specific needs. See choosing a pet.
Can I keep a wild animal as a pet? It is often illegal and almost always bad for the animal. Choose domesticated or captive-bred species from responsible sources.
What foods are dangerous for dogs and cats? Chocolate, grapes and raisins, xylitol, onions and garlic are among the most common. See foods dangerous to pets.
Pet answers are general education only. Always ask a veterinarian about your own animal.
About our facts
Where do your facts come from? We check trusted public sources such as the IUCN Red List, natural history museums, zoological societies and published research. Sizes, speeds and lifespans vary between individuals, so we give typical ranges. If you spot something out of date, let us know through our YouTube channel.
