Beetles belong to the largest order in the animal kingdom. These insects can be recognized by their armorlike wings, called elytra. Beetles are found almost everywhere and feed on all sorts of plant and animal material. They are known to eat...
With its dramatic coloring and infamous reputation, the striped skunk is probably one of the most easily recognizable animals in North America. This nocturnal animal is omnivorous in nature and spends much of its time searching for its diet of...
The copperhead snake is the most common venomous snake it the eastern United States. This animal gets its name from the brownish, copper color of it head. The striking pattern on this animal’s body provides excellent camouflage on the leaf and...
This fossil sea urchin looks “irregular” because it’s base is flat and upper parts are domed. Like today's urchins, it was covered in spines, sometimes so small the animal looked like it was covered in velvet. Sea urchins are still alive...
Petoskey Stones are actually coral that lived during the Devonian Period, about 350 million years ago. This particular species is only found between the areas of Petoskey, Michigan and Traverse City, Michigan. Each “cell” is actually a tube...
Crinoids were prehistoric animals that looked like flowers. Their bodies were pear shaped and covered with plates. Attached to the top of this body were feeding arms that waved in water currents to grab food particles that floated by. These...
This animal is about two feet wide and three feet tall, with a concave middle. Basically, it looks like a vase, and that is where it gets its name. It can be found from Florida to Mexico, in the Bahamas, and West Indies, anchored to rock...
This predator is found In Europe, Asia, the USA, and has been introduced into New Zealand, living in forested areas. Its main diet is rodents and rabbits, which it kills with an accurate and powerful bite to the back of the neck. While mostly a...
Anubis (Egyptian deity); Egypt -- Social life and customs -- To 332 B.C.; Egypt -- Civilization -- To 332 B.C.; Egypt -- Antiquities
Ancient Egyptians believed in an elaborate set of Gods, all interrelated in complex stories and events. These Gods often appeared in human form with characteristics of a specific animal or in half human/half animal form. They also had the power to...
Isis (Egyptian deity); Egypt -- Social life and customs -- To 332 B.C.; Egypt -- Civilization--To 332 B.C.; Egypt -- Antiquities
Ancient Egyptians believed in an elaborate set of Gods, all interrelated in complex stories and events. These Gods often appeared in human form with characteristics of a specific animal or in half human/half animal form. They also had the power to...
Osiris (Egyptian deity); Egypt -- Social life and customs -- To 332 B.C.; Egypt -- Civilization --To 332 B.C.; Egypt -- Antiquities
Ancient Egyptians believed in an elaborate set of Gods, all interrelated in complex stories and events. These Gods often appeared in human form with characteristics of a specific animal or in half human/half animal form. They also had the power to...
Aztecs; Aztecs -- Social life and customs; Storage Jars; Pottery
The Aztecs were the last great civilizations of Mesoamerica, the region from Mexico south to Guatemala and Honduras. The Aztecs lived in central Mexico during the 14th, 15th, and 16th Centuries. Ceramics were very important to the Aztec culture....
China; Zodiac -- Folklore; Animals -- Folklore; Folklore -- China; Astrology, Chinese; Calendar, Chinese
The zodiac, the stars in the heavens divided into twelve main groups, originated in China. Sometimes referred to as the Asian Zodiac, or Chinese Zodiac, it is divided into 12 years, instead of the Western Zodiac of 12 months. According to Chinese...
Mexico; Mexico -- Social life and customs; Masks; Jaguar; 1970s
Animals are very important in Mexican culture. It's believed that each human being has an animal guardian or soul companion, called a tona (or tono). Jaguars, known as "tigres" in Mexico, are very symbolic. The most revered and feared of...
Mirrors; China; China -- Social life and customs; China -- History -- Ming dynasty, 1368-1644
Over the past 3,000 years, mirrors have become more than just a grooming aid in the Chinese culture. Mirrors, through the years, were also used as tokens of love, political gifts, and burial items for the afterlife. They were usually owned by the...
China; China -- History -- Han dynasty, 202 B.C.-220 A.D.; Lions; Lions in art; Sculpture
Chinese lions may not look much like actual lions from Africa, but they share many characteristics with mythical lions found in folklore traditions around the world. According to Chinese belief, lions chase away evil spirits and bring good luck,...
Zulu (African people); Zulu (African people) -- Social life and customs; Trays; Implements, utensils, etc.; Food habits; Manners and customs
The Zulu serving trays, or izingqoko, are used to carry meat portions that are cut during a ceremonial slaughter and then used to serve family members within a homestead. The women hang the serving trays on a fence so only the bottom would be...
With its aggressive nature and loud “barking” call, the Eastern Chipmunk is quite an easy animal to identify. This small member of the squirrel family can be seen in deciduous forests, brushy areas, and often in suburban and rural yards.
Manatees; West Indian manatee -- Florida; Aquatic animals; Skull; Temporomandibular joint; Marine mammals; Marine animals
The Florida Manatee is a large marine mammal that can be found in coastal waterways, bays, and estuaries. This peaceful animal is completely herbivorous and spends as much as 5 hours per day among the seagrass beds consuming aquatic plants. A...
This pig-like animal is found among the forests and riverbeds of the Sula Islands of Indonesia. Elusive animals by nature, the babirussa prefers to live in dense cover near water. The upper tusks of the babirussa are unusual in that they grow...
