Environment

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Red-Tailed Hawk Facts: Animals of North America

These birds of prey make up for a slower flight speed with incredibly high intelligence and adaptability.

April 25, 2017 12:31

Hen Harrier Facts - Animals of North America

Hen harriers are at risk of losing much of their natural habitats to human activities in Eurasia and North America alike.

April 25, 2017 12:31

An adult Least Bittern in a wetland environment.

Least Bittern Facts: Animals of North America

The Least Bittern (Ixobrychus exilis) is a tiny New World heron.

April 25, 2017 12:31

Short-Eared Owl perched atop a fence post.

Short-Eared Owl Facts: Animals of North America

The "ears" of owls are actually tufts of feathers, and the short-eared owl (Asio flammeus) is differentiated from its cousins by its shorter "ear" length.

April 25, 2017 12:31

The American Golden Eagle (Aquila chrysaetos canadensis) sits atop the food chain throughout much of the North American Pacific West Coast.

Golden Eagle Facts: Animals of North America

The golden eagle is one of the largest and most impressive of North American birds, especially when seen soaring in the sky

April 25, 2017 12:31

The Black-footed cat (Felis nigripes) is one of the world's smallest felines.

Black-Footed Cat Facts: Animals of Africa

Among the different breeds of wild cats in the world, the black footed cat is the smallest.

April 25, 2017 12:31

A Common Warthog boar, with its sets of iconic tusks, stands upon the Zimbabwean savannah.

Common Warthog Facts: Animals of Africa

This wild African pig has two sets of fiercesome looking tusks.

April 25, 2017 12:31

Note the ribbed texture of the horns on these Wild Asian buffaloes in India's Kaziranga National Park. Males of this species can weigh up to 2,650 pounds.

Water Buffalo Facts: Animals of Asia

Wild Asian (Water) buffaloes (Bubalus arnee) are distinct from the domesticated Asian (Water) buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), and the African buffalo (Syncerus caffer).

April 25, 2017 12:31

A Lemming feeds in the Swedish mountains.

Lemming Facts: Animals of the Arctic

Populations of lemmings fluctuate dramatically, from massive herds to near extinction which help perpetuate a myth that they are suicidal.

April 25, 2017 12:31

A Guanaco stands by the waterside in the Patagonian steppes of Chile.

Guanaco Facts: Animals of South America

Unlike domesticated llamas, Guanacos are typically wild.

April 25, 2017 12:31

From apperances in Aesop's Fables to Alice in Wonderland, the European Hare's widespread range has made it into a cultural icon throughout many nations.

European Hare Facts: Animals of Europe

Lepus europaeus is a member of the rabbit family (Leporidae), and is found native throughout much of Europe, as well as elsewhere as an introduced species.

April 25, 2017 12:31

Satellite image of the New Caledonia Barrier Reef, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Countries With The Most Protected Lands (Percentage Of Area As Reserves)

Excluding marine and inter-tidal areas conserved as such, these countries have the highest percentages of their respective terrestrial spaces protected as reserves.

April 25, 2017 12:31

Leading Countries By Recycling Rate

Nearly half of the waste generated in South Korea, Singapore and Hong Kong is recycled.

April 25, 2017 12:31

The CalEnergy Salton Sea Geothermal plant. Though one of the largest in the world, it is still second in the U.S. state of California.

Largest Geothermal Power Plants In The World

Ranked in terms of electricity generation capacity, these plants make the best of the earth's warm subterranean gifts.

April 25, 2017 12:31

Three Gorges Dam along the Yangtze River in the Chinese Province of Hubei. It has the largest installed hydroelectric generation capacity of any dam in the world.

Largest Hydroelectric Power Plants In The World

Ranked in terms of installed electricity generation capacity, China has 4 of the top 10.

April 25, 2017 12:31

Polluted seas, rivers, wetlands, and coastlines don't bode well for the threatened fish species of our planet.

Countries With The Most Threatened Fish Species

With the US and Mexico at 1st and 3rd, respectively, much work needs to be done to ensure the integrity of North America's aquatic ecosystems.

April 25, 2017 12:31

Deforestation-related habitat loss due to human activities, shown here on Borneo, is a major threat to mammals across Indonesia.

Countries With The Most Threatened Mammal Species

Human population growth and reckless economic development activities have left Indonesia well ahead of the rest of the world in this field.

April 25, 2017 12:31

As in most parts of the world listed herein, Ecuador's flora is most threatened by human activities.

Countries With The Most Threatened Plant Species

As human activities come into conflict with biodiversity both on the mainland and on islands, Ecuador now has 1,848 threatened plant species, per IUCN data.

April 25, 2017 12:31