World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/sloth-how-slow-is-a-sloth): How Slow Is a Sloth? The Science Behind the World's Slowest Mammal.

## Briefing
How slow is a sloth, really? Sloths are the slowest mammals on Earth, and the numbers are striking. On the ground a sloth covers only about three metres per minute, slower than most people can walk in a single second. But slowness in a sloth is not laziness; it is an exquisitely tuned response to a diet of leaves that yield very little energy. Our sloth species guide sets out the full biology, while this explainer focuses on the speed question people search for most. The speed, in numbers Ground speed: roughly 3 metres per minute, the slowest of any mammal. Metabolism: only about 40 to 45% of the rate expected for an animal of their size. Digestion: a single leaf can take up to around 30 days to pass through their multi-chambered, fermenting stomach. Bathroom breaks: sloths climb down to defecate only about once a week. Why being slow keeps sloths alive A sloth's main predators, including harpy eagles and big cats, hunt largely by detecting motion. By barely moving, a sloth becomes extremely hard to notice, an effect reinforced by the green algae that grows in its fur and breaks up its outline against the canopy. Low movement also means low energy use, which matters enormously when your food is hard-to-digest foliage. Sloths reinforce this by running cooler body temperatures and digesting slowly, squeezing every possible calorie from each leaf. The exception: sloths are surprisingly fast swimmers Slowness on land does not mean slowness everywhere. In water a sloth can move about three times faster than it crawls on land, using its long arms in a steady stroke. It can also slow its heart rate to hold its breath for a remarkably long stretch, an ability that helps it cross rivers and flooded forest in its range. So the honest answer to "how fast is a sloth" is: almost stationary on land, but a capable swimmer when it has to be. When slowness becomes a danger A sloth's slow pace is perfect for the treetops but leaves it badly exposed where rainforest has been broken up by roads and power lines. Animals that come down to cross a gap can be hit by vehicles or electrocuted, and slow, trusting sloths are easy to grab for the illegal pet trade. Partner-funded shelters in countries such as Brazil and Colombia rescue and rehabilitate these animals, and you can support that work through our donation page if you'd like to help. Read the full Sloth wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/sloth-how-slow-is-a-sloth): How Slow Is a Sloth? The Science Behind the World's Slowest Mammal.

## How fast can a sloth move?
On the ground a sloth travels only about three metres per minute, the slowest speed of any mammal. It moves a little faster up in the trees and noticeably faster in water, where it can swim around three times quicker than it crawls on land.

## Why are sloths so slow?
Sloths eat mainly leaves, which give very little energy and are slow to digest. Moving as little as possible conserves that energy, and it also makes sloths almost invisible to predators that hunt by detecting movement.

## How long does it take a sloth to digest food?
Very long: a single leaf can take up to around 30 days to pass through a sloth's multi-chambered, fermenting stomach, one of the slowest digestion rates recorded in any mammal.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/sloth-two-toed-vs-three-toed-differences): Two-Toed vs Three-Toed Sloth: What's the Difference?

## Summary
Two-toed sloths (Choloepus) have two front claws, are more omnivorous and mostly nocturnal, while three-toed sloths (Bradypus) have three front claws, eat mainly leaves and are mostly active by day; both groups have three hind toes, and the most threatened sloths are three-toed species.

## Excerpt
They look alike hanging in the trees, but two-toed and three-toed sloths differ in claws, diet, behaviour and conservation status. Here's how to tell them apart.

## Takeaway
All sloths have three hind toes; the difference is front claws, three in Bradypus and two in Choloepus.

## Takeaway
Three-toed sloths are mainly leaf-eating and active by day; two-toed sloths are more omnivorous and largely nocturnal.

## Takeaway
Two-toed sloths are usually a bit larger (about 4-9 kg) and have longer gestation (about 10-12 months) than three-toed sloths.

## Takeaway
Both two-toed species are Least Concern; the most threatened sloths are the three-toed maned (Endangered) and pygmy (Critically Endangered) species.

## Takeaway
Shared threats include habitat loss, the pet trade, roads and power-line electrocution.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/sloth-two-toed-vs-three-toed-differences): Two-Toed vs Three-Toed Sloth: What's the Difference?

## Briefing
Two-toed vs three-toed sloth: the key differences The word "sloth" covers six living species in two quite different groups: the three-toed sloths (genus Bradypus , four species) and the two-toed sloths (genus Choloepus , two species). They share the famous slow lifestyle but differ in their claws, what they eat, when they are active and how threatened they are. Our sloth species guide covers the whole family; this comparison zooms in on the two groups people most often mix up. Count the front claws, not the toes The names are misleading. Every sloth, in both groups, has three toes on its hind feet. The difference is on the forelimbs: three-toed sloths have three claws on each front limb, while two-toed sloths have two. That front-claw count is the single most reliable way to tell the groups apart, since both can look similar at a glance in the canopy. Diet and daily rhythm Three-toed sloths are almost pure leaf-eaters, browsing a narrow range of foliage. Two-toed sloths are more omnivorous, adding fruit and, occasionally, small animals to their leaves. Their daily clocks differ too: three-toed sloths are mainly active by day, whereas two-toed sloths are largely nocturnal, which is one reason the two-toed species are seen less often by visitors. Two-toed sloths also tend to be a little larger and heavier, generally around 4 to 9 kg against roughly 3.5 to 6 kg for three-toed sloths. Reproduction and lifespan Gestation is markedly longer in two-toed sloths, at about 10 to 12 months, compared with roughly 6 months in three-toed sloths; both usually raise a single cub at a time. Two-toed sloths also tend to do better in human care, where some have lived into their 30s and 40s, with one recorded near 50. Conservation: where the real difference lies Most sloths are still widespread. Both two-toed species are currently Least Concern. Among the three-toed sloths the picture is more mixed and includes the family's most threatened members: the maned sloth of Brazil's Atlantic Forest is Endangered, and the pygmy three-toed sloth, found on a single small island off Panama, is Critically Endangered with only a few hundred to a few thousand individuals. Across both groups, habitat loss, the illegal pet trade, road traffic and power-line electrocution are the recurring threats, especially in fragmented forest in countries such as Brazil and Colombia. Partner-funded shelters there rescue sloths of both kinds, and you can help quietly through our donation page . Read the full Sloth wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/sloth-two-toed-vs-three-toed-differences): Two-Toed vs Three-Toed Sloth: What's the Difference?

## What is the main difference between two-toed and three-toed sloths?
The number of claws on their front limbs: two-toed sloths have two front claws and three-toed sloths have three. Both groups actually have three toes on their hind feet, so the names refer only to the forelimbs.

## Which sloth is more endangered, two-toed or three-toed?
Three-toed sloths include the family's most threatened members, the Endangered maned sloth and the Critically Endangered pygmy three-toed sloth. Both two-toed (Choloepus) species are currently assessed as Least Concern.

## Are two-toed and three-toed sloths closely related?
They are both sloths in the suborder Folivora but belong to separate genera and families, and they are not as closely related as their similar looks suggest, a result of evolution producing the same slow, tree-hanging lifestyle twice.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/markhor-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Markhor, the Corkscrew-Horned Wild Goat.

## Summary
The markhor (Capra falconeri) is the world's largest wild goat, famous for the males' corkscrew horns of up to around 160 cm; it is Pakistan's national animal and was downlisted by the IUCN from Endangered to Near Threatened in 2015 after community-led conservation reversed its decline.

## Excerpt
From spiral horns longer than a person is tall to one of conservation's rare comeback stories, here are 12 standout facts about the markhor.

## Takeaway
The markhor is the world's largest wild goat and the national animal of Pakistan.

## Takeaway
Males grow corkscrew horns of up to around 160 cm; females have much shorter horns of up to about 25 cm.

## Takeaway
There are three recognised subspecies, ranging from northern Pakistan to Tajikistan.

## Takeaway
The IUCN downlisted the markhor from Endangered to Near Threatened in 2015 after community-led conservation.

## Takeaway
The total population is still only an estimated 5,000–6,000 animals, so protection must continue.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/markhor-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Markhor, the Corkscrew-Horned Wild Goat.

## Briefing
The markhor is one of the most striking animals in the mountains of Central and South Asia — a wild goat with twisting horns, a flowing winter coat and a conservation backstory that rarely gets told. Here are twelve facts that explain why this remarkable mountain goat has become a symbol of hope for wildlife recovery. 1. It is the world's largest wild goat No wild goat is bigger. Males can stand up to roughly 115 cm at the shoulder and weigh around 80–110 kg, dwarfing the smaller females. 2. Its corkscrew horns are the headline act Mature males grow spiralling, screw-shaped horns that can reach about 160 cm — longer than many adults are tall. Females carry far shorter horns of up to around 25 cm. 3. The name hints at a legend "Markhor" is often linked to Persian words meaning "snake-eater," tied to old folklore about the animal killing snakes. In reality the markhor is a strict herbivore. 4. It is Pakistan's national animal The markhor stands as a national symbol of Pakistan's mountain wilderness, appearing in emblems and conservation campaigns. 5. It climbs cliffs that stop predators With cloven, rubbery-soled hooves, markhor cross near-vertical rock faces that most hunters cannot follow, using sheer terrain as a defence. 6. Males and females live apart for much of the year Females and young gather in herds of roughly nine animals, while mature males are largely solitary outside the winter rut. 7. They change their diet with the seasons In spring and summer markhor graze on grasses; in autumn and winter they browse leaves, twigs and shrubs, sometimes rearing onto their hind legs to reach branches. 8. There are three recognised subspecies The Astor (Kashmir), Kabul (straight-horned) and Bukharan markhor differ mainly in horn shape and range, from northern Pakistan to Tajikistan. 9. It feeds the snow leopard As one of the few large prey animals in its range, the markhor helps sustain predators including the endangered snow leopard. 10. It was once classed as Endangered Unregulated hunting, poaching for horns, livestock competition and disturbance pushed several subpopulations toward collapse by the late 20th century. 11. Community conservation turned it around From the 1990s, a tightly regulated, science-quota model channelled most permit revenue back to mountain villages, giving them a stake in protecting the herds. Poaching fell and numbers rose. 12. The IUCN downlisted it in 2015 After numbers stabilised and grew — the Chitral subpopulation now exceeds 1,000 mature animals — the IUCN moved the markhor from Endangered to Near Threatened. The total is still only an estimated 5,000–6,000 animals, so protection remains ongoing. WARN's funded partners in Pakistan support that local work; backing them helps keep it going. Read the full Markhor wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/markhor-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Markhor, the Corkscrew-Horned Wild Goat.

## Why is the markhor called the screw-horn goat?
Because mature males grow long, spiralling horns that twist like a corkscrew or screw, sometimes reaching around 160 cm in length.

## Is the markhor endangered?
It was classified as Endangered, but in 2015 the IUCN downlisted it to Near Threatened after community-based conservation in Pakistan helped numbers recover. It still numbers only an estimated 5,000–6,000 animals.

## What does the markhor eat?
Markhor are herbivores. They graze on grasses in spring and summer and browse on leaves, twigs and shrubs in autumn and winter, sometimes standing on their hind legs to reach branches.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/markhor-how-big-size-horns-weight): How Big Is a Markhor? Size, Weight and Those Giant Corkscrew Horns.

## Summary
A markhor is the world's largest wild goat: head-and-body length is roughly 132–186 cm, shoulder height about 65–115 cm, males weigh around 80–110 kg, and males' corkscrew horns can reach about 160 cm.

## Excerpt
The markhor is the largest wild goat on Earth. Here is exactly how big it gets — height, weight and the record-setting spiral horns.

## Takeaway
The markhor is the world's largest wild goat species.

## Takeaway
Head-and-body length is roughly 132–186 cm, with a shoulder height of about 65–115 cm.

## Takeaway
Males weigh around 80–110 kg; females are much smaller at about 32–50 kg.

## Takeaway
Males' corkscrew horns can reach about 160 cm — longer than many adults are tall.

## Takeaway
Female horns are far shorter, reaching up to around 25 cm.

## Briefing
If you have ever wondered just how big the markhor really is, the short answer is: bigger than any other wild goat on the planet. But the numbers behind that claim — and the horns that go with them — are worth a closer look. Here is the full size picture for this spectacular mountain goat . How tall and long is a markhor? Markhor have a head-and-body length of roughly 132–186 cm and stand about 65–115 cm at the shoulder. That puts a large male at around waist-to-chest height on a person — substantial for a goat, and well suited to the steep terrain it calls home. How much does a markhor weigh? There is a big gap between the sexes. Males typically weigh around 80–110 kg, while the smaller females weigh roughly 32–50 kg. That difference helps males compete during the winter rut, when they clash horns to win mates. How long are a markhor's horns? The horns are the markhor's signature feature. In mature males the spiralling, corkscrew-shaped horns can reach about 160 cm — longer than many adult humans are tall. Females also grow horns, but theirs are far shorter, up to around 25 cm. The horns are used for fighting rivals, not for attacking people. Why is the markhor the largest wild goat? Across the genus Capra, the markhor stands out for its combination of body mass and horn size. Its bulk and powerful build let it survive harsh mountain winters between roughly 600 and 3,600 metres, where it moves up and down the slopes with the seasons. How does its size help it survive? A heavy, muscular body and broad, rubbery-soled hooves let the markhor cross cliffs that deter predators, while its size makes it an important prey animal for the snow leopard. That ecological role is one reason its recovery matters beyond the species itself — and why WARN's local partners in Pakistan focus on keeping mountain wildlife protected. If that work speaks to you, you can support it here . Read the full Markhor wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/markhor-how-big-size-horns-weight): How Big Is a Markhor? Size, Weight and Those Giant Corkscrew Horns.

## How big do markhor get?
Markhor are the largest wild goats. Head-and-body length is roughly 132–186 cm, shoulder height about 65–115 cm, with males weighing around 80–110 kg and females about 32–50 kg.

## How long are a male markhor's horns?
A mature male's spiral, corkscrew-shaped horns can reach about 160 cm in length, while females have much shorter horns of up to around 25 cm.

## Is the markhor bigger than an ibex?
Yes. The markhor is generally regarded as the largest wild goat species, typically heavier and taller than ibex, and it carries distinctive spiralling horns rather than the ibex's backward-curving sweep.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/markhor-vs-ibex-differences): Markhor vs Ibex: How to Tell These Wild Mountain Goats Apart.

## Summary
The key difference is the horns and the size: the markhor (Capra falconeri) is the largest wild goat and grows spiralling, corkscrew-shaped horns up to around 160 cm, while ibex are generally smaller with long, backward-curving, ridged horns that sweep up and back rather than twisting.

## Excerpt
Both are wild mountain goats with impressive horns, but the markhor and the ibex differ in size, horn shape and range. Here's how to tell them apart.

## Takeaway
The clearest difference is horn shape: markhor horns spiral like a corkscrew, while ibex horns curve backward in a ridged arc.

## Takeaway
The markhor is the largest wild goat species; ibex are generally smaller and more compact.

## Takeaway
Male markhor horns can reach about 160 cm; ibex horns are long but sweep back rather than twisting.

## Takeaway
The markhor's stronghold is northern Pakistan, where it is the national animal; ibex range across much of Eurasia and Africa.

## Takeaway
The markhor was downlisted from Endangered to Near Threatened in 2015 but still numbers only an estimated 5,000–6,000 animals.

## Briefing
The markhor and the ibex are often confused — both are wild goats of the genus Capra, both live on steep mountain terrain, and both males carry dramatic horns. But once you know what to look for, the two are easy to tell apart. Here is a clear comparison, with the markhor side drawn from our full markhor species guide . Horn shape: the fastest way to tell them apart This is the giveaway. A male markhor's horns spiral and twist like a corkscrew or screw, which is why it is nicknamed the screw-horn goat. Ibex horns, by contrast, are long and curve backward in a single sweeping arc, marked by prominent ridges along the front. If the horns twist, you are looking at a markhor. Size and build The markhor is the largest wild goat species, with males weighing around 80–110 kg and standing up to roughly 115 cm at the shoulder. Ibex are typically smaller and more compact. The markhor also grows a notably long, shaggy winter coat, and males develop a flowing ruff around the neck and chest. Horn length Markhor horns can reach about 160 cm in males. Ibex horns can also be long, but they grow in that distinctive backward curve rather than the markhor's spiral, so even at a glance the silhouette is different. Range and habitat Markhor are concentrated in the mountains of Central and South Asia, with the species' stronghold in northern Pakistan, where it is the national animal. Ibex species are spread more widely across Eurasia and parts of Africa, occupying many separate mountain ranges. Their ranges overlap in parts of Central Asia, which is part of why people mix them up. Conservation status The markhor was once Endangered and was downlisted by the IUCN to Near Threatened in 2015 after community-led conservation in Pakistan reversed its decline; the total is still only an estimated 5,000–6,000 animals. Ibex conservation status varies by species. WARN's funded partners in Pakistan work to keep markhor and other mountain wildlife protected, and you can support that effort if you'd like to help. Read the full Markhor wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/markhor-vs-ibex-differences): Markhor vs Ibex: How to Tell These Wild Mountain Goats Apart.

## What is the main difference between a markhor and an ibex?
The horns. A markhor's horns spiral and twist like a corkscrew, while an ibex's horns are long and curve backward in a single ridged arc. The markhor is also the largest wild goat species.

## Is a markhor a type of ibex?
No. Both are wild goats in the genus Capra, but the markhor (Capra falconeri) is a distinct species with its own spiralling horns and three recognised subspecies, separate from the various ibex species.

## Which is bigger, a markhor or an ibex?
The markhor is generally regarded as the largest wild goat species, typically heavier and taller than ibex, with males weighing around 80–110 kg.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/snow-leopard-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Snow Leopard, the Ghost of the Mountains.

## Summary
The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is an elusive high-altitude big cat of Central and South Asia that cannot roar, has a tail nearly as long as its body, can leap up to roughly 15 metres, and is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.

## Excerpt
From a tail nearly as long as its body to leaps of up to 15 metres, here are 12 verified facts about the elusive snow leopard of Central and South Asia.

## Takeaway
The snow leopard (Panthera uncia) lives above 3,000 m across 12 Central and South Asian nations, including northern Pakistan.

## Takeaway
Its tail (80–100 cm) is almost as long as its body and serves as both balance aid and cold-weather scarf.

## Takeaway
It cannot roar; it chuffs, mews and growls instead.

## Takeaway
It can leap up to about 15 m and kill prey up to three times its own weight.

## Takeaway
The IUCN lists it as Vulnerable, with fewer than about 3,400 mature breeding adults remaining.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/snow-leopard-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Snow Leopard, the Ghost of the Mountains.

## Briefing
Few big cats are harder to find than the snow leopard ( Panthera uncia ). Pale, silent and built for thin mountain air, it has earned the nickname "ghost of the mountains" from the herders who share its valleys. Here are 12 facts about this remarkable predator, drawn from authoritative wildlife sources. 12 facts about the snow leopard 1. It is built for the world's highest mountains Snow leopards live among bare rock and snow, often above 3,000 metres, and have been recorded hunting as high as roughly 5,500 metres. Their range spans 12 mountain nations of Central and South Asia, including the northern peaks of Pakistan. 2. Its tail is almost as long as its body An adult's head-and-body length is around 90–120 cm, with a tail of 80–100 cm. That tail aids balance on cliffs and wraps around the body like a built-in scarf in sub-zero cold. 3. It cannot roar Unlike lions and tigers, the snow leopard's throat anatomy does not allow a true roar. Instead it chuffs, mews, hisses and growls. 4. It is a phenomenal jumper Powerful hind legs let a snow leopard cover up to about 15 metres (roughly 50 feet) in a single leap across mountain terrain, according to wildlife authorities. 5. It can take down prey three times its own size Despite weighing only about 25–55 kg, a snow leopard regularly kills wild sheep and goats far heavier than itself, ambushing them from above on steep ground. 6. Its paws work like snowshoes Wide, fur-covered paws spread the cat's weight across deep snow and protect the pads from cold rock. 7. It breathes warmed air An enlarged nasal cavity warms the freezing, oxygen-poor air before it reaches the lungs. 8. It is a solitary, twilight hunter Snow leopards are mostly crepuscular, hunting at dawn and dusk, and range alone over territories that can span hundreds of square kilometres where prey is sparse. 9. It is not really a leopard Though it shares the name, the snow leopard is its own species and not a high-altitude form of the common leopard ( Panthera pardus ). 10. It is harmless to people There are no reliable records of snow leopards preying on humans. Conflict with people is almost always about livestock, not attacks. 11. Cubs are born in litters of one to three After a gestation of about 90–100 days, a mother raises her cubs through their first winter before they strike out alone. 12. Fewer than 3,400 breeding adults may remain The IUCN lists the snow leopard as Vulnerable, with a decreasing population and an estimated 2,710–3,386 mature adults across its vast, under-surveyed range. Want the full profile, taxonomy and conservation data? Read our snow leopard species guide . In northern Pakistan, helping herding families coexist with these cats is some of the most valuable work being done, and you can support partner-funded mountain conservation if it moves you. Read the full Snow leopard wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/snow-leopard-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Snow Leopard, the Ghost of the Mountains.

## Why is the snow leopard called the ghost of the mountains?
Its pale, rosette-marked coat blends into rock and snow, and it is solitary, silent and active mainly at dawn and dusk, so it is rarely seen even where it lives. Herders nicknamed it the ghost of the mountains for this elusiveness.

## Can snow leopards roar?
No. A snow leopard's throat anatomy does not produce a true roar. It communicates with chuffs, mews, hisses and growls, and marks territory by scent rather than by roaring.

## How far can a snow leopard jump?
Wildlife authorities report leaps of up to about 15 metres (roughly 50 feet) across mountain terrain, powered by the cat's strong hind legs and used to ambush prey on steep slopes.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/snow-leopard-how-big-fast-strong): How Big, Fast and Strong Is a Snow Leopard? The Numbers Behind a Mountain Hunter.

## Summary
A snow leopard weighs about 25–55 kg with a 90–120 cm body and an 80–100 cm tail; it can leap up to roughly 15 metres and kill prey up to three times its own weight, though it is not built for fast open-ground chases.

## Excerpt
A snow leopard weighs only 25–55 kg yet leaps up to 15 metres and kills prey three times its size. Here are the verified size, speed and strength figures.

## Takeaway
Snow leopards weigh about 25–55 kg (55–120 lb) with a head-and-body length of 90–120 cm — smaller than a tiger or lion.

## Takeaway
Their 80–100 cm tail is nearly as long as the body, among the longest relative to body size of any cat.

## Takeaway
They can leap up to about 15 m in a single bound across mountain terrain.

## Takeaway
They can kill prey up to three times their own body weight, mainly wild sheep and goats.

## Takeaway
Despite their strength, they are not dangerous to humans — there are no reliable records of attacks on people.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/snow-leopard-how-big-fast-strong): How Big, Fast and Strong Is a Snow Leopard? The Numbers Behind a Mountain Hunter.

## Briefing
For such a famous predator, the snow leopard ( Panthera uncia ) is surprisingly compact. Its reputation rests not on bulk but on agility, leaping power and the ability to overpower prey far heavier than itself. Here is what the numbers actually say. How big is a snow leopard? Adults weigh roughly 25–55 kg (about 55–120 lb), with a head-and-body length of around 90–120 cm. That makes the snow leopard smaller than a tiger, lion or jaguar, and broadly comparable to a common leopard. Males are typically larger than females. That famous tail Add a tail of 80–100 cm — nearly as long as the body itself — and the snow leopard owns one of the longest tails, relative to body size, of any cat. It is a counterbalance on knife-edge ridges and a wraparound scarf in the cold. How fast and how agile is a snow leopard? Snow leopards are not built for long chases across open ground; their world is broken cliff and scree. Their signature is the leap: powerful hind legs can carry them up to about 15 metres (roughly 50 feet) in a single bound across mountain terrain, according to wildlife authorities. Wide, fur-covered paws act like snowshoes for grip and traction on snow and loose rock. How strong is a snow leopard? This is where the small cat punches well above its weight. A snow leopard can ambush and kill prey up to three times its own body mass — typically wild mountain sheep and goats such as blue sheep, ibex, markhor and argali. A single large kill can sustain one cat for days. Smaller prey like marmots, pikas, hares and game birds fill the gaps. Adapted for thin, freezing air Strength on the mountain is also physiology: dense pale fur, an enlarged nasal cavity that warms freezing air before it reaches the lungs, and compact, muscular build all help the cat hunt where oxygen is scarce and temperatures plunge. How does it compare with people and other cats? A snow leopard is roughly the weight of a large adult human but vastly stronger pound-for-pound on steep ground, and far more agile. Crucially, it poses no danger to people: there are no reliable records of snow leopards hunting humans. For the full size chart, taxonomy and conservation status, see our snow leopard species guide . Keeping wild prey abundant in northern Pakistan is part of how partner-funded teams help these cats thrive, and you can back that work if you'd like to. Read the full Snow leopard wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/snow-leopard-how-big-fast-strong): How Big, Fast and Strong Is a Snow Leopard? The Numbers Behind a Mountain Hunter.

## How big is a snow leopard compared with a tiger?
Much smaller. A snow leopard weighs about 25–55 kg, while a wild tiger can weigh well over 150 kg. The snow leopard is closer in size to a common leopard and relies on agility and leaping power rather than bulk.

## How strong is a snow leopard for its size?
Exceptionally strong. Despite weighing only 25–55 kg, it can ambush and kill prey up to three times its own body mass, such as adult blue sheep and ibex, by attacking from above on steep terrain.

## How far can a snow leopard leap?
Wildlife sources report leaps of up to about 15 metres (roughly 50 feet) across mountain slopes, driven by powerful hind legs and balanced by the cat's very long tail.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/snow-leopard-vs-common-leopard-differences): Snow Leopard vs Common Leopard: 6 Key Differences and How to Tell Them Apart.

## Summary
Snow leopards (Panthera uncia) and common leopards (Panthera pardus) are separate species: snow leopards are pale grey high-mountain cats with very long tails that cannot roar, while common leopards are golden, lowland-to-hill generalists that can roar.

## Excerpt
They share a name but are separate species. Coat, habitat, tail and even the ability to roar set the snow leopard apart from the common leopard.

## Takeaway
Snow leopards and common leopards share a genus (Panthera) but are separate species, not variants of each other.

## Takeaway
Snow leopards are pale grey with large open rosettes; common leopards are golden with smaller, tighter rosettes.

## Takeaway
Snow leopards specialise in high mountains above ~3,000 m; common leopards range across lowland forests, savanna and scrub.

## Takeaway
The snow leopard's tail is nearly as long as its body, and unlike the common leopard it cannot roar.

## Takeaway
Both are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, though the common leopard's status varies by subspecies.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/snow-leopard-vs-common-leopard-differences): Snow Leopard vs Common Leopard: 6 Key Differences and How to Tell Them Apart.

## Briefing
The snow leopard ( Panthera uncia ) and the common leopard ( Panthera pardus ) share a name and a genus, but they are distinct species adapted to very different worlds. Here is how to tell them apart. Are snow leopards and leopards the same animal? No. Despite the shared name, the snow leopard is not a high-altitude variety of the common leopard. Both belong to the genus Panthera , but they are separate species with different ranges, body plans and behaviour. 6 key differences 1. Coat colour and pattern Snow leopards have pale smoke-grey to whitish fur with large, open rosettes that help them vanish against rock and snow. Common leopards wear a golden-buff coat with smaller, tighter rosettes suited to dappled forest and savanna. 2. Habitat and altitude The snow leopard is a specialist of high mountains, typically above 3,000 metres. The common leopard is a generalist found across forests, grassland and scrub from the lowlands upward, ranging across much of Africa and Asia. 3. Tail The snow leopard's tail is exceptionally long and thick — almost as long as its body — for balance on cliffs and warmth in the cold. The common leopard's tail is long but proportionally shorter and slimmer. 4. The roar A common leopard can roar; a snow leopard cannot. The snow leopard's throat anatomy limits it to chuffs, mews and growls. 5. Build and adaptations Snow leopards have wide fur-covered paws like snowshoes and an enlarged nasal cavity for warming thin, cold air. Common leopards are powerful tree-climbers known for hauling kills into branches, an adaptation to competition from other predators. 6. Range overlap In Pakistan, the two barely meet: snow leopards hold the high northern mountains, while common leopards occupy lower hills and forests. Both are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, though the common leopard's status varies by subspecies. Quick reference Snow leopard: pale grey, high mountains, very long tail, cannot roar. Common leopard: golden coat, varied lowland-to-hill habitats, slimmer tail, can roar. For a deeper profile of the high-mountain species, including taxonomy and conservation data, read our snow leopard species guide . In northern Pakistan, partner-funded teams help herding communities live alongside snow leopards — you can support that coexistence work if you'd like to help. Read the full Snow leopard wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/snow-leopard-vs-common-leopard-differences): Snow Leopard vs Common Leopard: 6 Key Differences and How to Tell Them Apart.

## Is a snow leopard just a leopard that lives in the snow?
No. The snow leopard is a distinct species (Panthera uncia), not a cold-climate form of the common leopard (Panthera pardus). They differ in coat, habitat, tail proportions, vocalisations and adaptations, though both belong to the genus Panthera.

## What is the easiest way to tell a snow leopard from a common leopard?
Coat and setting. A snow leopard is pale smoke-grey with large open rosettes and lives among high mountain rock and snow, while a common leopard is golden-buff with smaller, tighter rosettes and lives in forests, savanna and scrub. The snow leopard's tail is also notably longer and thicker.

## Can both snow leopards and common leopards roar?
Only the common leopard can roar. The snow leopard's throat anatomy does not allow a true roar, so it communicates with chuffs, mews, hisses and growls instead.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/komodo-dragon-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Komodo Dragon, the World's Largest Lizard.

## Summary
The Komodo dragon is the world's largest living lizard - a venomous monitor reaching about 3 metres and up to 166 kg, found wild only on a few Indonesian islands and listed as Endangered since 2021.

## Excerpt
Venomous bites, virgin births, tree-dwelling babies and a range of just a few islands - the wildest true facts about the world's largest living lizard.

## Takeaway
The Komodo dragon is the largest living lizard, reaching ~3 m and up to 166 kg.

## Takeaway
Its bite delivers venom from lower-jaw glands that prevents clotting and lowers blood pressure.

## Takeaway
Females can occasionally reproduce without a mate, producing all-male clutches.

## Takeaway
It lives only on a few Indonesian islands and was reclassified as Endangered by the IUCN in 2021.

## Takeaway
Fewer than about 1,400 mature individuals are thought to survive in the wild.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/komodo-dragon-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Komodo Dragon, the World's Largest Lizard.

## Briefing
Meet the planet's heavyweight lizard The Komodo dragon ( Varanus komodoensis ) looks like something that wandered out of the age of dinosaurs, and in conservation terms it is just as fragile. It lives in only one place on Earth, carries a venomous bite, and can occasionally reproduce without a male. Here are twelve genuinely surprising things worth knowing about it - and why its future is far from guaranteed. For the full picture, see our Komodo dragon species guide . 1. It is the largest lizard alive today Adults can reach about 3 metres (roughly 10 feet) long. The heaviest reliably recorded individual tipped the scales at around 166 kilograms, though most wild adults weigh closer to 70-90 kg. 2. Its bite is genuinely venomous For decades the dragon's deadly bite was blamed on "dirty mouth" bacteria. Research published in 2009 instead identified venom glands in the lower jaw that release toxins which stop blood clotting and lower blood pressure, helping fell prey far larger than the dragon itself. 3. Females can have fatherless babies Through a process called facultative parthenogenesis, a female can occasionally produce fertile eggs with no male involved. Because of how the dragon's sex chromosomes work, those fatherless clutches hatch out entirely male. 4. Baby dragons live in trees Hatchlings emerge at roughly 40 cm long and promptly climb into the canopy. Spending their early years aloft keeps them away from hungry adults, which will happily eat smaller dragons. 5. It smells with its tongue That flicking forked tongue collects scent particles, letting a dragon detect carrion from kilometres away. 6. It lives on just a handful of islands The entire wild population is confined to a few Indonesian islands - Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Motang and Nusa Kode - and nowhere else on the planet. 7. It can sprint - briefly In short bursts a Komodo dragon can run around 20 km/h, fast enough to ambush deer and wild boar before they react. 8. It is now Endangered In 2021 the IUCN moved the species from Vulnerable to Endangered, citing a small, fragmented population and climate-driven habitat loss. 9. Fewer than ~1,400 mature adults remain That is the current estimate for breeding-age dragons in the wild, with no single island subpopulation thought to hold more than about 500. 10. They can eat enormous meals A dragon can consume a huge proportion of its body weight in one sitting, then go weeks before needing to hunt again. 11. Clutches are large but slow Females lay around 20 eggs that incubate for roughly seven to eight months before hatching. 12. Climate change is its biggest long-term threat Rising seas and warming are projected to shrink the low-lying coastal savanna the dragon depends on - and because it is marooned on islands, it cannot simply move somewhere new. Why it matters A species found in only one corner of the world has no second home if that corner is lost. Our network helps fund local partners across Indonesia working on habitat stewardship and wildlife care; if you want to help, you can support habitat protection for the islands these dragons call home. Read the full Komodo dragon wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/komodo-dragon-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Komodo Dragon, the World's Largest Lizard.

## Is the Komodo dragon really venomous?
Yes. Research published in 2009 identified venom glands in the dragon's lower jaw that release anticoagulant toxins, causing bitten prey to bleed heavily and go into shock. This replaced the older belief that bacteria alone made its bite deadly.

## How can a Komodo dragon reproduce without a male?
Females can use facultative parthenogenesis, developing fertile eggs without fertilisation. Because of the dragon's sex-chromosome system, every hatchling from such a clutch is male.

## Where do Komodo dragons live in the wild?
Only in eastern Indonesia, across a few islands - Komodo, Rinca, Flores, Gili Motang and Nusa Kode. They exist nowhere else on Earth.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/komodo-dragon-how-big-fast-strong): How Big, Fast and Strong Is a Komodo Dragon?

## Summary
A Komodo dragon grows to about 3 metres and up to 166 kg, can sprint around 20 km/h in short bursts, and kills with a venomous, slicing bite rather than crushing force - making it the largest and most powerful living lizard.

## Excerpt
Up to 3 metres long, 166 kg at its heaviest, capable of 20 km/h sprints and armed with a venomous bite - here is what the world's largest lizard can really do.

## Takeaway
Komodo dragons reach about 3 m long, the largest of any living lizard.

## Takeaway
Typical wild adults weigh 70-90 kg, with a verified maximum near 166 kg.

## Takeaway
They can sprint roughly 20 km/h in short bursts to ambush prey.

## Takeaway
Their kill strategy relies on venom and slicing teeth, not crushing bite force.

## Takeaway
Wild lifespan is around 30 years; some in care have lived into their fifties.

## Briefing
The short answer A Komodo dragon is the largest living lizard on Earth, reaching about 3 metres (10 feet) in length, weighing up to 166 kilograms at the documented extreme, sprinting around 20 km/h in short bursts, and bringing down prey with a venomous bite rather than brute force alone. Below, each of those numbers in context - and you can find the full profile in our Komodo dragon species guide . How big is a Komodo dragon? Wild adults commonly run between 2 and 3 metres long. The largest verified specimen measured roughly 3.13 metres. That makes the Komodo the undisputed heavyweight of the world's lizards - longer and far bulkier than any other living monitor. How much does one weigh? Most wild adults weigh around 70-90 kg. The heaviest reliably recorded individual reached about 166 kg, though figures that high are exceptional and often include a dragon that has just gorged on a large meal. A Komodo can swallow a remarkable share of its own body weight at a single sitting. How fast is a Komodo dragon? Despite their bulk, dragons can briefly run at around 20 km/h (about 13 mph). They are ambush specialists, not endurance runners - the speed is for the sudden lunge that catches a Timor deer or wild boar off guard, not a long chase. How strong is its bite? Here the dragon plays a clever game. Its skull is relatively lightly built, so it does not rely on crushing force the way a crocodile does. Instead, serrated backward-curving teeth open deep, ragged wounds, and venom glands in the lower jaw flood those wounds with toxins that stop blood from clotting and drop the victim's blood pressure. Prey that escapes the initial bite can still weaken and die, allowing the dragon - guided by its scent-tracking tongue - to follow and finish the job. How long do they live? Wild Komodo dragons are thought to live around 30 years, and individuals in managed care have reached their fifties. Power, but not invincibility For all its size and weaponry, the Komodo dragon is one of the most range-restricted large predators alive, confined to a few Indonesian islands and listed as Endangered. Being big has not made it safe. Readers who want to help can support habitat protection across the dragon's island range. Read the full Komodo dragon wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/komodo-dragon-how-big-fast-strong): How Big, Fast and Strong Is a Komodo Dragon?

## What is the biggest Komodo dragon ever recorded?
The largest reliably verified individual measured about 3.13 metres and weighed around 166 kg, though most wild adults are smaller, around 2-3 metres and 70-90 kg.

## Can a human outrun a Komodo dragon?
Over distance, yes - dragons can sprint near 20 km/h only briefly. Their danger comes from ambush, so the safest approach is keeping well back and following trained guides, which is required throughout their range.

## Is a Komodo dragon stronger than a crocodile?
A crocodile has a far more powerful crushing bite. The Komodo instead relies on slicing teeth and venom that causes bleeding and shock, so its lethality comes from chemistry and persistence rather than raw jaw strength.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/komodo-dragon-vs-monitor-lizard-crocodile): Komodo Dragon vs Monitor Lizard vs Crocodile: Key Differences.

## Summary
A Komodo dragon is the world's largest monitor lizard, far heavier than relatives like the Asian water monitor and unrelated to crocodiles, which are a separate reptile lineage that kills by crushing rather than by the dragon's venomous, slicing bite.

## Excerpt
A Komodo dragon is a giant monitor lizard - not a crocodile. Here is how to tell these confusable reptiles apart by size, family, range and how they hunt.

## Takeaway
A Komodo dragon is the largest monitor lizard, not a crocodile - crocodilians are a separate lineage closer to birds.

## Takeaway
Komodos dwarf other monitors in weight: ~70-90 kg versus around 20 kg for an Asian water monitor of similar length.

## Takeaway
Venom glands occur across the monitor genus, so the Komodo's bulk and island isolation set it apart, not venom alone.

## Takeaway
Crocodiles kill with a crushing bite; Komodos use slicing teeth and venom that causes bleeding and shock.

## Takeaway
Only the Komodo is Endangered and confined to a few Indonesian islands; the Asian water monitor is Least Concern and widespread.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/komodo-dragon-vs-monitor-lizard-crocodile): Komodo Dragon vs Monitor Lizard vs Crocodile: Key Differences.

## Briefing
Same continent of confusion, very different animals Big, scaly, low to the ground and toothy, the Komodo dragon is often muddled with crocodiles and with its own close cousins, the other monitor lizards. In fact a Komodo is a monitor - the biggest one - and it is not a crocodile at all. Here is how to keep them straight. Our Komodo dragon species guide has the full profile. Komodo dragon vs other monitor lizards The Komodo dragon belongs to the genus Varanus , the monitor lizards, alongside relatives such as the Asian water monitor ( Varanus salvator ) and the crocodile monitor ( Varanus salvadorii ). The headline difference is sheer mass. A Komodo reaches about 3 metres and 70-90 kg, while a water monitor of similar length tops out around 20 kg, and the crocodile monitor - despite its very long tail - is similarly lightweight. Venom glands, it turns out, are found across the monitor genus, so that is not what makes the Komodo special; its bulk and island isolation are. Range also separates them sharply: water monitors are widespread across South and Southeast Asia and listed as Least Concern, the crocodile monitor lives in New Guinea, while the Komodo clings to just a few Indonesian islands and is Endangered. Komodo dragon vs crocodile This is the bigger misconception. Crocodiles are not lizards at all - they belong to a completely separate reptile lineage (the crocodilians) and are more closely related to birds than to monitors. Practical tell-tales: a crocodile is semi-aquatic with a long flattened snout and eyes and nostrils set high for lurking in water, and it kills with one of the most powerful crushing bites in the animal kingdom. A Komodo dragon is a land animal with a more lizard-like head, walks on splayed limbs, flicks a long forked tongue to smell, and kills with slicing teeth plus venom rather than bite force. If it is in the water with a snout like a log, it is a crocodile; if it is striding across dry savanna tasting the air, it is a dragon. Quick comparison Family: Komodo and water monitor are lizards (Varanidae); crocodiles are crocodilians - not lizards. Size: Komodo ~3 m / up to 166 kg; water monitor ~2-3 m but only ~20 kg; large crocodiles can far exceed both in weight. Range: Komodo - a few Indonesian islands; water monitor - across South & Southeast Asia; crocodiles - across many tropical regions worldwide. Killing style: Komodo - slicing bite plus venom; crocodile - crushing bite and death roll. Status: Komodo dragon is Endangered; the Asian water monitor is Least Concern. Why the distinction matters Lumping the Komodo in with common crocodiles or widespread water monitors hides just how rare it is. Only one of these reptiles lives in a single small corner of the world with fewer than ~1,400 breeding adults - the dragon. You can help protect its islands by choosing to support habitat protection . Read the full Komodo dragon wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/komodo-dragon-vs-monitor-lizard-crocodile): Komodo Dragon vs Monitor Lizard vs Crocodile: Key Differences.

## Is a Komodo dragon a type of crocodile?
No. Komodo dragons are lizards in the monitor family (Varanidae), while crocodiles belong to a separate reptile group, the crocodilians, which are actually more closely related to birds. They only look superficially similar.

## What is the difference between a Komodo dragon and a water monitor?
Both are monitor lizards, but the Komodo is far heavier - about 70-90 kg versus roughly 20 kg for an Asian water monitor of comparable length. The water monitor is widespread and Least Concern, while the Komodo is restricted to a few Indonesian islands and Endangered.

## Which is more dangerous, a Komodo dragon or a crocodile?
Large crocodiles have a far more powerful bite and cause more human fatalities globally. Komodo dragon attacks on people are rare. Both warrant caution, and visitors in the dragon's range are always accompanied by trained guides.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/orangutan-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Orangutan, the Red Ape of the Asian Rainforest.

## Summary
Orangutans are the only great apes native to Asia and the largest tree-dwelling mammals on Earth, with three Critically Endangered species, a new sleeping nest built every night, and a birth roughly once every eight years.

## Excerpt
From nightly tree-top nests to a birth every eight years, here are 12 surprising, science-backed facts about the only great ape native to Asia.

## Takeaway
There are three orangutan species — Bornean, Sumatran and Tapanuli — and all are Critically Endangered.

## Takeaway
The Tapanuli orangutan, described only in 2017, is the rarest great ape on Earth, with fewer than 800 individuals.

## Takeaway
Orangutans are the largest tree-dwelling mammals and build a fresh sleeping nest in the canopy every night.

## Takeaway
Females breed roughly once every eight years, the longest interbirth interval of any primate.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/orangutan-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Orangutan, the Red Ape of the Asian Rainforest.

## Briefing
The red ape that rarely touches the ground Orangutans are the unmistakable rust-coloured great apes of the Southeast Asian rainforest, sharing about 96.4% of their DNA with us. They are also the only great apes that live in Asia, and the only ones that spend nearly their whole lives high in the trees. Here are twelve facts that show just how unusual they are. For the full reference profile, see our orangutan species guide . 12 amazing orangutan facts There are three species, not one. The Bornean ( Pongo pygmaeus ), Sumatran ( Pongo abelii ) and Tapanuli ( Pongo tapanuliensis ) orangutans are all distinct species. One was discovered in 2017. The Tapanuli orangutan was formally described that year, making it the most recently recognised great ape on the planet. The Tapanuli is the rarest great ape alive. Fewer than 800 survive, all confined to the Batang Toru forest of North Sumatra. They are the largest tree-dwelling animals on Earth. An adult male can weigh around 90 kg yet still travels through the canopy. Their arm span is longer than they are tall. A male's reach can stretch to roughly 2 metres from fingertip to fingertip. They build a new bed every night. Each evening an orangutan bends and weaves branches into a fresh sleeping nest, sometimes adding a leafy roof, and rarely reuses an old one. They are mostly fruit-eaters. Fruit fills roughly 60% of their foraging time, topped up with leaves, bark, flowers, honey and insects. They plant the forest. By swallowing and scattering large seeds, orangutans act as keystone seed dispersers, earning the nickname "gardeners of the forest." They have the slowest breeding of any primate. Females give birth only once every 7.6 to 8 years on average. Mothers are devoted teachers. A young orangutan stays with its mother for seven to eight years, learning hundreds of foods and skills. They are the loners of the ape world. Orangutans are semi-solitary, never forming the tight troops seen in chimpanzees or gorillas. All three species are Critically Endangered. The IUCN lists every Pongo species at the highest risk category, each with a decreasing trend. Why their slow lives matter Because a female raises only four or five young in her entire lifetime, orangutan populations recover painfully slowly once forest is lost. Our rehabilitation partners in Indonesia and Malaysia give orphaned infants the years of forest-school training they need before release. If their story moves you, you can support orangutan rescue work . Read the full Orangutan wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/orangutan-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Orangutan, the Red Ape of the Asian Rainforest.

## How many species of orangutan are there?
Three: the Bornean orangutan (Pongo pygmaeus), the Sumatran orangutan (Pongo abelii) and the Tapanuli orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis), which was only described as a separate species in 2017. All three are listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

## Why do orangutans build a new nest every night?
Orangutans construct a fresh nest from bent branches and leaves each evening for safe, comfortable sleep high in the canopy, sometimes adding a leafy roof or pillow. Building anew rather than reusing old nests helps them stay away from parasites and predators.

## What makes orangutans different from other great apes?
They are the only great apes native to Asia, the most arboreal and the most solitary. They also breed more slowly than any other primate, which makes their populations especially vulnerable to habitat loss.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/orangutan-how-big-strong-arm-span): How Big and Strong Is an Orangutan? Size, Weight and Arm Span Explained.

## Summary
Male orangutans reach around 90 kg in the wild with an arm span up to about 2 metres — longer than their standing height — while females weigh roughly 37–50 kg; their arms are powerfully built for a life spent climbing through the canopy.

## Excerpt
A flanged male orangutan can weigh 90 kg with a two-metre arm span and call across a mile of rainforest. Here is how the numbers break down.

## Takeaway
Male orangutans reach about 90 kg in the wild; females weigh roughly 37–50 kg, around half the size.

## Takeaway
A male's arm span can reach about 2 metres — longer than his standing height of 1.2–1.4 metres.

## Takeaway
Their arms and shoulders are built for powerful climbing and hanging, not for fighting.

## Takeaway
Only dominant males grow cheek-pad 'flanges' and can broadcast a long call across about a mile of forest.

## Briefing
How big does an orangutan get? Orangutans are the largest animals that live primarily in trees, and the difference between the sexes is dramatic. Adult males reach roughly 90 kg in the wild, and considerably more in captivity, while females typically weigh about 37 to 50 kg — close to half a male's size. Standing height is around 1.2 to 1.4 metres, but the headline figure is the reach: a big male's arm span can stretch to about 2 metres from fingertip to fingertip, longer than he is tall. Our orangutan species guide sets out the full measurements. How strong is an orangutan? An orangutan's body is engineered for hanging, hauling and climbing. Long, hook-like hands, mobile shoulder joints and dense arm muscle let an adult support its whole weight from a single branch and move deliberately through the canopy. That same build gives them considerable pulling strength relative to their size — strength they use for foraging and travel rather than aggression, since orangutans are generally slow-moving and not confrontational by nature. What are the cheek pads on male orangutans? The broad facial discs on dominant males are called flanges. They are pads of fibrous and fatty tissue whose growth is driven by testosterone, and only fully mature, dominant males develop them. Flanges make a male look larger and, together with his throat sac, help project the booming "long call" — a roar that can carry across roughly a mile of forest to attract females and keep rival males at a distance. Remarkably, some males stay unflanged for years and can develop the pads later if they rise in status. How does their size compare with other great apes? Orangutans are heavier than most chimpanzees but far lighter than gorillas, whose silverback males can exceed 200 kg. What sets orangutans apart is not raw mass but proportion: no other great ape combines this body size with such a sweeping arm span and such a fully arboreal lifestyle. Why their build matters for survival That specialised body ties orangutans tightly to tall, connected forest. When canopy is fragmented by clearance, these heavy climbers are forced to the ground and into danger. Our rehabilitation partners help displaced and orphaned orangutans relearn canopy life before release; you can help fund that work if you would like to. Read the full Orangutan wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/orangutan-how-big-strong-arm-span): How Big and Strong Is an Orangutan? Size, Weight and Arm Span Explained.

## How much does an orangutan weigh?
In the wild, adult males weigh around 90 kg (more in captivity), while females weigh roughly 37 to 50 kg. Males are therefore about twice the size of females, one of the largest size gaps between the sexes among the great apes.

## How long is an orangutan's arm span?
A large male's arm span can reach about 2 metres from fingertip to fingertip, which is longer than his standing height of roughly 1.2 to 1.4 metres. This long reach is an adaptation for moving through the forest canopy.

## Are orangutans dangerous to people?
Orangutans are powerful but generally shy and non-aggressive, far less confrontational than some other great apes. They avoid people where possible, and conflict usually arises only when their forest is destroyed and they are forced into closer contact with humans.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/orangutan-vs-chimpanzee-gorilla-differences): Orangutan vs Chimpanzee vs Gorilla: Key Differences Between the Great Apes.

## Summary
Orangutans are the only Asian great apes — tree-dwelling, reddish-brown and largely solitary — while chimpanzees and gorillas are African, more ground-based and highly social, living in groups orangutans never form.

## Excerpt
Same family, very different lives. Here is how orangutans differ from chimpanzees and gorillas in habitat, behaviour, size and where they live.

## Takeaway
Orangutans are the only great apes native to Asia; chimpanzees and gorillas are African.

## Takeaway
Orangutans are the most tree-dwelling and most solitary great ape, forming no lasting social groups.

## Takeaway
Gorillas are far heavier than orangutans, while chimpanzees are roughly similar in weight to orangutans.

## Takeaway
Orangutans breed about once every eight years, the slowest of any primate, making them especially vulnerable to habitat loss.

## Briefing
Same family, different continents Orangutans, chimpanzees and gorillas all belong to the great ape family Hominidae, but they live very different lives. The clearest dividing line is geography: orangutans are the only great apes native to Asia, found solely in Borneo and Sumatra, whereas chimpanzees and gorillas are African. For the full orangutan profile, see our orangutan species guide . How orangutans differ from chimpanzees and gorillas Where they live. Orangutans inhabit the rainforests of Borneo and Sumatra; chimpanzees and gorillas range across equatorial Africa. Tree versus ground. Orangutans are the most arboreal great ape, spending nearly all their time in the canopy. Gorillas are largely terrestrial knuckle-walkers, and chimpanzees split their time between trees and the ground. Solitary versus social. Orangutans are semi-solitary and form no lasting groups. Chimpanzees live in large, dynamic communities, and gorillas live in cohesive family troops led by a silverback. Colour. Orangutans are reddish-brown; chimpanzees are black-haired and gorillas are brown to black. Size. Male orangutans reach around 90 kg and chimpanzees are broadly similar, but gorillas are far heavier, with silverbacks exceeding 200 kg. Breeding pace. Orangutans breed once every 7.6 to 8 years, the slowest of any primate, while chimpanzees and gorillas reproduce more frequently. Are orangutans monkeys? No. Orangutans are apes, not monkeys. Like all great apes they lack a tail, have larger brains relative to body size and show advanced problem-solving and tool use. Their reddish hair and Asian range, however, set them apart from every other ape. Why the differences matter for conservation An orangutan's solitary, slow-breeding, tree-bound life makes it uniquely fragile when forest is cleared, because populations cannot regroup or rebound the way more social, faster-breeding apes might. All three orangutan species are Critically Endangered. Our partners run the multi-year rehabilitation that orphaned orangutans need; you can back that effort if you wish. Read the full Orangutan wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/orangutan-vs-chimpanzee-gorilla-differences): Orangutan vs Chimpanzee vs Gorilla: Key Differences Between the Great Apes.

## What is the main difference between an orangutan and a chimpanzee?
Orangutans are reddish-brown, Asian, tree-dwelling and largely solitary, while chimpanzees are black-haired, African and highly social, living in large communities. Orangutans also breed far more slowly than chimpanzees.

## Is an orangutan stronger than a gorilla?
Gorillas are much larger and heavier overall, with silverbacks exceeding 200 kg compared with around 90 kg for a male orangutan, so a gorilla is generally the more powerful animal. Orangutans, however, have exceptional pulling and gripping strength suited to climbing.

## Are orangutans monkeys or apes?
Orangutans are apes, not monkeys. Like other great apes they have no tail, large brains relative to their bodies and notable intelligence, but they are unique in being the only great apes that live in Asia.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/macaw-10-amazing-facts): 10 Amazing Facts About Macaws, the Rainbow Giants of the Parrot World.

## Summary
Macaws are large, long-tailed Neotropical parrots famous for vivid colours, powerful nut-cracking beaks, decades-long lifespans, lifelong pair bonds, and a clay-eating habit called geophagy; they are also the most heavily trafficked group of birds in the world.

## Excerpt
From nut-cracking beaks strong enough to split a coconut to clay banks that act as a forest pharmacy, here are ten true things that make macaws extraordinary.

## Takeaway
Macaws are the largest parrots on Earth, with the hyacinth macaw reaching about one metre long.

## Takeaway
Their beaks can crack palm nuts and coconuts that defeat most other animals.

## Takeaway
Large macaws commonly live 30-50 years in the wild and 50-60 in captivity.

## Takeaway
Parrots, including macaws, are the most heavily trafficked birds in the illegal wildlife trade.

## Takeaway
Conservation can work: Lear's macaw recovered from about 60 birds in 1983 to over 2,500 in 2024.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/macaw-10-amazing-facts): 10 Amazing Facts About Macaws, the Rainbow Giants of the Parrot World.

## Briefing
Ten things that make macaws extraordinary Macaws are the showpieces of the parrot family: long-tailed, loud, intensely social and dressed in some of the most vivid colours in nature. The name covers roughly 18 living species across six genera in the tribe Arini, ranging from the cobalt giant of Brazil's wetlands to small green species of the western Amazon. Here are ten verified facts that capture why these birds fascinate biologists and bird-lovers alike. For the full picture, see our macaw species guide . 1. They include the largest parrots on Earth The hyacinth macaw ( Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus ) reaches about one metre from bill to tail tip, making it the longest parrot of all. Only the flightless kakapo outweighs it. 2. Their beaks can crack what a hammer can't A large macaw's bill can split rock-hard palm nuts and even coconuts. The hyacinth macaw specialises on acuri and bocaiuva palm nuts that almost no other animal can open. 3. They can live for decades In the wild, big macaws commonly reach 30 to 50 years; in captivity, 50 to 60 years is typical, with exceptional birds passing 70. 4. They eat soil on purpose In the western Amazon, macaws gather at exposed riverbank clay licks to eat clay, a behaviour called geophagy that is thought to buffer plant toxins and supply scarce sodium. 5. They mate for life Macaws are generally monogamous, flying and roosting in bonded pairs that stay together year after year. 6. Their tongues have a bone inside A macaw's dry, scaly-looking tongue contains a bone and is used to tap, manipulate and taste food with surprising delicacy. 7. One species is Extinct in the Wild The IUCN declared the Spix's macaw Extinct in the Wild in 2019. Captive-bred birds have been released into the Caatinga of Bahia, Brazil, since June 2022. 8. Another came back from about 60 birds Lear's macaw recovered from roughly 60 individuals in 1983 to more than 2,500 counted in 2024, a landmark conservation success. 9. They are the most trafficked birds in the world Parrots, including macaws, are the most heavily trafficked group of birds, with tens of thousands entering illegal trade each year according to CITES and trade-monitoring data. 10. Poachers often fell whole trees for one nest Because macaws nest in cavities high in old hollow trees, poachers sometimes cut down an entire tree to reach a single clutch of chicks. Our partner-funded reception centres in macaw range countries help rehabilitate confiscated birds; you can support that work if it moves you. Read the full Macaw wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/macaw-10-amazing-facts): 10 Amazing Facts About Macaws, the Rainbow Giants of the Parrot World.

## What is the most amazing fact about macaws?
Many people are struck that macaws include the largest parrots on Earth, with the hyacinth macaw reaching about one metre long and wielding a beak powerful enough to crack hard palm nuts and even coconuts. They are also strikingly long-lived, often reaching 50 years or more.

## Why do macaws eat clay?
In parts of the western Amazon, macaws gather at exposed clay banks and eat soil, a behaviour called geophagy. The leading explanations are that the clay helps neutralise toxins in the seeds and unripe fruit they eat and supplies sodium, a mineral that is scarce in inland tropical forests.

## How long do macaws live?
Large macaws are long-lived. In the wild they typically reach about 30 to 50 years, and in captivity 50 to 60 years is common, with exceptional individuals recorded at 70 or more.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/macaw-how-big-is-the-largest): How Big Is the Largest Macaw? The Hyacinth Macaw's Size and Bite, Explained.

## Summary
The largest macaw is the hyacinth macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus), the world's longest parrot at about one metre from bill to tail and the heaviest flying parrot at roughly 1.2-1.7 kg, with a beak powerful enough to crack hard palm nuts and coconuts.

## Excerpt
At about a metre from bill to tail, the hyacinth macaw is the longest parrot on Earth, with a beak strong enough to crack a coconut. Here are the numbers.

## Takeaway
The hyacinth macaw is the largest macaw and the longest parrot in the world, at about one metre from bill to tail.

## Takeaway
It weighs roughly 1.2-1.7 kg, making it the heaviest flying parrot; only the flightless kakapo is heavier overall.

## Takeaway
Its wingspan is commonly around 120-140 cm.

## Takeaway
Its beak can exert several hundred PSI of pressure, cracking palm nuts and even coconuts.

## Takeaway
The IUCN lists it as Vulnerable, with around 4,300 mature individuals and a decreasing trend.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/macaw-how-big-is-the-largest): How Big Is the Largest Macaw? The Hyacinth Macaw's Size and Bite, Explained.

## Briefing
How big is the largest macaw? The largest macaw, and the largest parrot in the world by length, is the hyacinth macaw ( Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus ). From the tip of its bill to the end of its tail it measures roughly one metre, about 95 to 100 centimetres. That tail is doing a lot of the work, but even so this is a genuinely large bird with a presence to match its cobalt-blue plumage. For the wider family picture, see our macaw species guide . How much does a hyacinth macaw weigh? Adults typically weigh between about 1.2 and 1.7 kilograms. That makes the hyacinth the heaviest flying parrot in the world; only the chunky, flightless kakapo of New Zealand outweighs it overall. What is a macaw's wingspan? Hyacinth macaws have a wingspan commonly reported in the range of about 120 to 140 centimetres, broad enough to carry that heavy body in strong, direct flight across open palm savanna. How strong is a macaw's beak? This is where the hyacinth macaw really stands out. Its beak is built to crack the rock-hard nuts of acuri and bocaiuva palms, a food source almost no competitor can exploit. Estimates of its bite pressure run to several hundred pounds per square inch, enough to split nuts and even coconuts that would resist a machete. Despite that power, the bird uses its bone-cored tongue to handle and taste food with real delicacy. Is it the largest macaw by every measure? By length and weight, yes. Wingspan can overlap with other big macaws, but no parrot is longer. The scarlet and green-winged macaws are large and dramatic, but the hyacinth is in a class of its own. Why size matters for conservation Being big and slow-breeding is a vulnerability. The IUCN lists the hyacinth macaw as Vulnerable, with roughly 4,300 mature individuals in its headline estimate and a decreasing trend, pressured by habitat loss, fire and historic trapping. Our partner-funded work in Brazil supports the reception centres that rehabilitate confiscated macaws; you can help keep that capacity open if you wish. Read the full Hyacinth macaw wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/macaw-how-big-is-the-largest): How Big Is the Largest Macaw? The Hyacinth Macaw's Size and Bite, Explained.

## What is the biggest macaw in the world?
The hyacinth macaw (Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus) is the biggest macaw and the longest parrot in the world, reaching about one metre from bill to tail tip. It is also the heaviest flying parrot at up to roughly 1.7 kg; only the flightless kakapo is heavier overall.

## How strong is a hyacinth macaw's bite?
A hyacinth macaw's beak is built to crack the hardest palm nuts and is estimated to exert several hundred pounds per square inch of pressure, enough to split nuts and even coconuts that would defeat most tools. It is among the strongest bites of any bird.

## What is the wingspan of a macaw?
The hyacinth macaw, the largest species, has a wingspan commonly reported between about 120 and 140 centimetres, which it uses for powerful, direct flight across the open palm savannas of central South America.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/macaw-scarlet-vs-hyacinth-differences): Scarlet Macaw vs Hyacinth Macaw: 6 Key Differences.

## Summary
The scarlet macaw is a red, yellow and blue parrot of Least Concern ranging from Mexico to the Amazon, while the hyacinth macaw is a larger, cobalt-blue palm-nut specialist of central South America that the IUCN lists as Vulnerable; they differ in colour, size, range, diet and status.

## Excerpt
Both are giant Neotropical parrots, but they differ in colour, size, range, diet and, crucially, conservation status. Here's how to tell them apart.

## Takeaway
The scarlet macaw is red, yellow and blue with a white face; the hyacinth macaw is uniform cobalt blue with yellow eye-rings.

## Takeaway
The hyacinth macaw is larger (about 95-100 cm) and is the world's longest parrot; the scarlet is around 81-96 cm.

## Takeaway
Scarlet macaws range from Mexico to the Amazon; hyacinth macaws centre on Brazil's Pantanal.

## Takeaway
The hyacinth is a hard-palm-nut specialist; the scarlet macaw is a dietary generalist.

## Takeaway
The scarlet macaw is IUCN Least Concern, while the hyacinth macaw is Vulnerable with a decreasing trend.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/macaw-scarlet-vs-hyacinth-differences): Scarlet Macaw vs Hyacinth Macaw: 6 Key Differences.

## Briefing
Scarlet macaw vs hyacinth macaw: how to tell them apart The scarlet macaw ( Ara macao ) and the hyacinth macaw ( Anodorhynchus hyacinthinus ) are two of the most recognisable parrots on the planet, and people often group them together as simply "macaws." But they sit in different genera and differ in colour, size, range, diet and conservation status. Here are six key differences. For the full family overview, see our macaw species guide . 1. Colour The scarlet macaw is unmistakable: a vivid red body with bands of bright yellow and blue across the wings and a bare white face. The hyacinth macaw is a uniform deep cobalt blue, set off by a vivid yellow ring around the eye and a yellow marking at the base of the lower beak. 2. Size The hyacinth is the larger bird and the longest parrot in the world, at roughly 95 to 100 centimetres. The scarlet macaw is large too, but typically shorter overall at around 81 to 96 centimetres including the tail. 3. Range Scarlet macaws have a broad range from southern Mexico through Central America and into the Amazon basin of South America. Hyacinth macaws live in central South America, with the main stronghold in Brazil's Pantanal wetlands and smaller populations in the Cerrado and along the southern Amazon. 4. Diet Both eat seeds, nuts, fruit and flowers, but the hyacinth macaw is a specialist on extremely hard palm nuts such as acuri and bocaiuva, which its massive beak is uniquely built to crack. The scarlet macaw has a more generalist diet across a wider range of forest foods. 5. Conservation status This is the most important difference. The scarlet macaw is listed by the IUCN as Least Concern, with a large wild population. The hyacinth macaw is listed as Vulnerable, with roughly 4,300 mature individuals in the headline estimate and a decreasing trend. 6. Beak Both have powerful beaks, but the hyacinth's is the heavyweight, capable of exerting several hundred pounds per square inch to open nuts that defeat almost everything else. Whichever species draws you in, both are targeted by the illegal pet trade. Our partner-funded reception centres in Colombia and Brazil rehabilitate confiscated macaws, and you can support that work if it speaks to you. Read the full Scarlet macaw wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/macaw-scarlet-vs-hyacinth-differences): Scarlet Macaw vs Hyacinth Macaw: 6 Key Differences.

## What is the difference between a scarlet macaw and a hyacinth macaw?
The scarlet macaw is a red, yellow and blue bird with a bare white face, native from Mexico to the Amazon and listed as Least Concern. The hyacinth macaw is larger and uniform cobalt blue with yellow eye-rings, centred on Brazil's Pantanal, specialises on hard palm nuts, and is listed as Vulnerable.

## Which is bigger, a scarlet macaw or a hyacinth macaw?
The hyacinth macaw is bigger. At roughly 95 to 100 centimetres it is the longest parrot in the world, while the scarlet macaw typically measures about 81 to 96 centimetres including its long tail.

## Are scarlet and hyacinth macaws endangered?
Their statuses differ sharply. The scarlet macaw is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN with a large wild population, while the hyacinth macaw is listed as Vulnerable, with around 4,300 mature individuals and a decreasing trend driven by habitat loss, fire and historic trapping.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/pangolin-12-astonishing-facts): 12 Astonishing Facts About the Pangolin, the World's Only Scaly Mammal.

## Summary
Pangolins are the world's only scale-covered mammals: toothless, ant-eating creatures with a tongue anchored near the pelvis, keratin scales making up roughly a fifth of their weight, and the unwanted title of the most heavily trafficked wild mammals on Earth.

## Excerpt
From a tongue anchored near its pelvis to scales that weigh a fifth of its body, the pangolin is one of nature's strangest mammals. Here are 12 facts that explain why.

## Takeaway
Pangolins are the only scale-covered mammals; the scales are keratin and can be about 20% of body weight.

## Takeaway
There are eight species — four Asian, four African — and all are declining.

## Takeaway
They are toothless and eat roughly 200,000 ants and termites a day using a tongue anchored near the pelvis.

## Takeaway
A baby pangolin is a pangopup, usually born one at a time.

## Takeaway
Pangolins are widely described as the world's most heavily trafficked wild mammals.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/pangolin-12-astonishing-facts): 12 Astonishing Facts About the Pangolin, the World's Only Scaly Mammal.

## Briefing
The pangolin looks like an animal a child invented: a walking pine cone with claws, a tongue longer than its own body, and not a single tooth in its head. Yet every detail is real, and most of them are adaptations to a single obsessive habit — eating ants and termites. Here are 12 facts that capture how genuinely odd, and how quietly endangered, this creature is. 12 facts about the pangolin It is the only mammal covered in scales. Those overlapping plates are made of keratin, the same protein as your fingernails and hair, and they can account for around a fifth of the animal's body weight. There are eight species. Four live in Asia (genus Manis ) and four in Africa ( Smutsia and Phataginus ), ranging from roughly 1.6 kg to about 33 kg. Pangolins have no teeth. They swallow small stones and keratin spines that sit in a muscular stomach and grind up insects — a built-in food processor. The tongue is anchored near the pelvis. Rather than rooting in the mouth, it attaches deep in the chest near the last pair of ribs, and in large species it can be longer than the body. They eat enormous numbers of insects. A single pangolin can consume on the order of 200,000 ants and termites in a day. They curl into a ball. The name comes from the Malay penggulung , meaning "one that rolls up" — armour that defeats leopards but, tragically, not human hands. A baby is a pangopup. Females usually bear a single pup, which rides on the base of the mother's tail for months. They are their own genetic branch. Pangolins are the only living members of the order Pholidota; despite the resemblance, they are not closely related to anteaters or armadillos. Some climb, some dig. Africa's tree pangolins use a prehensile tail to climb, while ground species are powerful burrowers. They are mostly nocturnal and solitary. This, plus dense habitat, is why no one has a reliable global population count. They are the most trafficked wild mammals on Earth. An estimated one million or more were taken from the wild over a recent decade. Every species is declining. The Chinese and Sunda pangolins are now Critically Endangered. For the full conservation picture, taxonomy and species table, see our pangolin species guide . WARN's partner-funded teams focus on protecting wild pangolins at source, because no program has yet bred and released them at meaningful scale. Read the full Pangolin wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/pangolin-12-astonishing-facts): 12 Astonishing Facts About the Pangolin, the World's Only Scaly Mammal.

## Are pangolin scales really made of the same stuff as fingernails?
Yes. Pangolin scales are made of keratin, the same structural protein found in human fingernails, hair and rhino horn. They have no scientifically proven medicinal value, despite being sold in some traditional-medicine markets.

## How many insects can a pangolin eat?
A single pangolin can eat on the order of 200,000 ants and termites in a day. It has no teeth and instead uses a long, sticky tongue and a muscular, stone-filled stomach to grind up its prey.

## What is a baby pangolin called?
A baby pangolin is called a pangopup. Females usually give birth to a single pup, which rides on the base of the mother's tail for several months.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/pangolin-how-big-and-how-long-is-its-tongue): How Big Is a Pangolin — and How Long Is Its Tongue?

## Summary
Pangolins range from about 1.6 kg to 33 kg and 30–90 cm in body length depending on species, and their tongue — anchored near the last ribs and pelvis — can reach 25–40 cm, longer than the entire body in the largest species.

## Excerpt
Pangolins range from house-cat size to over 30 kg, and the largest have a tongue longer than their entire body. Here are the real numbers.

## Takeaway
Pangolin head-and-body length ranges from about 30 to 90 cm, plus a long tail.

## Takeaway
Weight spans roughly 1.6 kg (black-bellied) to about 33 kg (giant ground pangolin).

## Takeaway
The tongue can reach 25–40 cm and, in big species, is longer than the body; it anchors near the last ribs and pelvis.

## Takeaway
Pangolins are completely toothless and grind food with swallowed grit in a muscular stomach.

## Takeaway
Captive lifespan reaches about 20 years; wild lifespan is unknown.

## Briefing
"How big is a pangolin?" has no single answer, because the eight species span a remarkable range — from an animal you could hold in two hands to one the size of a large dog. And the question people really want answered is the tongue: yes, in the biggest species it really is longer than the body. Here are the measurements that matter. How big is a pangolin? Across the eight species, head-and-body length runs roughly 30 to 90 cm, with a long tail on top of that. Weight is where the species diverge most: the smallest, Africa's black-bellied (long-tailed) pangolin, is around 1.6 kg, while the giant ground pangolin of Central Africa can reach about 33 kg. The Asian species most affected by trafficking — the Chinese and Sunda pangolins — sit in the middle, typically a few kilograms to around 10 kg. How long is a pangolin's tongue? This is the headline feature. A pangolin's tongue can extend to roughly 25 to 40 cm, and in the largest species it is longer than the animal's own head and body combined. The trick is the anchor point: instead of rooting in the mouth, the tongue's base runs deep into the chest, attaching near the last pair of ribs and the pelvis. That gives it the length to probe deep into ant and termite nests. What about teeth and jaws? There are none. Pangolins are completely toothless. They swallow grit and small keratin spines that collect in a muscular stomach and grind up the insects — letting them process the roughly 200,000 ants and termites a single animal can eat in a day. How long do pangolins live? Lifespan in the wild is essentially unknown, because pangolins are nocturnal, solitary and hard to track. In captivity, individuals have been recorded living up to about 20 years, though pangolins are notoriously difficult to keep alive in human care. For a full species-by-species table of size, range and status, see our pangolin species guide . Because these animals can't be reliably bred and returned to the wild, WARN's partner work concentrates on protecting the ones still out there. Read the full Pangolin wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/pangolin-how-big-and-how-long-is-its-tongue): How Big Is a Pangolin — and How Long Is Its Tongue?

## Is a pangolin's tongue really longer than its body?
In the largest species, yes. A pangolin's tongue can extend roughly 25 to 40 cm and, because it is anchored deep in the chest near the last pair of ribs and the pelvis rather than in the mouth, it can be longer than the animal's head and body combined.

## What is the biggest pangolin species?
The giant ground pangolin (Smutsia gigantea) of Central and West Africa is the largest, reaching around 33 kg. The smallest is the black-bellied or long-tailed pangolin, at roughly 1.6 kg.

## How long do pangolins live?
Lifespan in the wild is unknown because pangolins are so hard to study, but captive individuals have lived up to about 20 years. They are very difficult to keep alive in captivity.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/pangolin-why-endangered-and-whats-being-done): Why Are Pangolins Endangered — and What's Being Done to Save Them?

## Summary
Pangolins are endangered primarily because of the illegal trade in their keratin scales and meat — an estimated million-plus taken from the wild in a decade — and the most effective response is protecting wild animals at source through anti-poaching patrols and enforcement, backed since 2017 by a global CITES commercial-trade ban.

## Excerpt
An estimated million-plus pangolins were stripped from the wild in a decade for their keratin scales. Here's why it happened, where the trade moved, and what actually helps.

## Takeaway
Pangolins are endangered chiefly because of the illegal trade in their keratin scales and meat.

## Takeaway
An estimated one million or more were taken from the wild over a recent decade.

## Takeaway
Chinese and Sunda pangolins are Critically Endangered; all eight species are declining.

## Takeaway
All eight species gained CITES Appendix I protection, banning commercial trade from January 2017.

## Takeaway
Because pangolins can't be reliably bred and released, protecting wild animals at source is the priority.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/pangolin-why-endangered-and-whats-being-done): Why Are Pangolins Endangered — and What's Being Done to Save Them?

## Briefing
No mammal has been hauled out of the wild in greater numbers than the pangolin. The reason is bleak and simple: a shy, ant-eating animal that rolls into a ball when frightened is effortless to pick up — and its scales, though medically worthless, command high prices in illegal markets. Here is why pangolins are endangered, and what is genuinely making a difference. Why are pangolins endangered? The driver is the illegal wildlife trade. An estimated one million or more pangolins were taken from the wild over a recent decade, chiefly to supply black markets in China and Vietnam, where the keratin scales are used in traditional medicine and the meat is sold as a luxury. The animal's main defence — curling into an armoured ball — protects it from leopards but makes it trivial for a poacher to collect by hand. Are all eight species equally threatened? No, and this is an important nuance. The Chinese and Sunda pangolins are Critically Endangered; the Indian and Philippine pangolins are Endangered; and the four African species are Vulnerable. But every one of the eight is declining. At its 2019 assessment, the IUCN projected the Chinese pangolin could decline by more than 80% over three generations. Why did the trade move to Africa? As Asian populations collapsed, criminal networks pivoted to Africa's four species, which are now poached at industrial scale and shipped to Asian markets through multiple transshipment points using falsified paperwork. Multi-tonne scale seizures have been recorded — each representing thousands of dead animals. What's being done to save pangolins? The single biggest legal step came in 2016, when all eight species were uplisted to CITES Appendix I, banning commercial international trade from 2 January 2017. In 2020, China removed pangolin scales from its official pharmacopoeia. The hard part is enforcement in source countries, which remains inconsistent. There is no easy rescue route, either: pangolins are specialist feeders, easily stressed, and no program has yet bred and released them at meaningful scale. That is exactly why protection at source matters most. WARN's partner-funded work supports anti-poaching patrols, community reporting networks and faster seizure response in its pangolin range countries — stopping trafficking before it starts. You can read the full story in our pangolin species guide , or quietly back that frontline work via the Pangolin Appeal . Read the full Pangolin wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/pangolin-why-endangered-and-whats-being-done): Why Are Pangolins Endangered — and What's Being Done to Save Them?

## Why are pangolins the most trafficked mammal?
Demand for their keratin scales in traditional medicine and their meat as a luxury, combined with how easy they are to catch — they curl into a ball rather than flee — has made pangolins the most heavily trafficked wild mammals, with an estimated one million-plus taken from the wild over a recent decade.

## Is it legal to trade pangolins?
No. All eight pangolin species were uplisted to CITES Appendix I, the highest protection level, with the ban on commercial international trade in force from 2 January 2017. China also removed pangolin scales from its official pharmacopoeia in 2020. Black-market trade continues because enforcement in source countries remains inadequate.

## What is the best way to help pangolins?
Because pangolins can't be reliably bred and released to the wild, protecting them at source is most effective. Supporting groups that fund anti-poaching patrols and seizure response in range countries, never buying scale or meat products, and reporting suspected wildlife trafficking all help.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/slow-loris-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Slow Loris, the World's Only Venomous Primate.

## Summary
Slow lorises are small nocturnal primates of South and Southeast Asia and the only known venomous primates; there are around nine species, every one threatened with extinction and protected from international trade under CITES Appendix I.

## Excerpt
From a venomous bite to those enormous night-vision eyes, here are 12 surprising, science-backed facts about one of the planet's most trafficked primates.

## Takeaway
Slow lorises are the only known venomous primates, producing a two-part venom from a gland near the elbow.

## Takeaway
The 'arms raised' pose seen in viral videos is a fear response, not enjoyment.

## Takeaway
There are about nine species — eight in Nycticebus plus the pygmy slow loris, reclassified as Xanthonycticebus in 2022.

## Takeaway
Every assessed species is declining and threatened, from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered (IUCN).

## Takeaway
All slow lorises have been on CITES Appendix I since 2007, banning commercial international trade.


World Animal Rescue Network (https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/newsroom/slow-loris-12-amazing-facts): 12 Amazing Facts About the Slow Loris, the World's Only Venomous Primate.

## Briefing
Meet the slow loris: small, slow, and astonishingly strange Slow lorises are small, big-eyed primates that move through the night-time canopies of South and Southeast Asia with a deliberate, hand-over-hand crawl. Cute as they look in viral clips, the reality of their biology — and their plight — is far more remarkable, and far more troubling. Here are twelve things worth knowing, every one of them grounded in the science. 1. They are the only venomous primates on Earth No other primate produces venom. A slow loris draws a secretion from a gland near its elbow, mixes it with saliva, and can deliver a bite toxic enough to cause severe reactions in people. 2. The venom comes from the elbow The brachial gland on the inside of each arm produces an oily secretion. When a loris licks it, the two-part venom is armed and ready in the mouth. 3. Raised arms mean fear, not joy The famous "arms up" pose shared as a tickle reaction is actually a defensive posture — the animal is reaching for its venom gland because it feels threatened. 4. There are around nine species Eight sit in the genus Nycticebus , and in 2022 the pygmy slow loris was moved into its own genus, Xanthonycticebus pygmaeus . 5. They are not monkeys Slow lorises are strepsirrhine primates — closer kin to lemurs and bushbabies than to monkeys. 6. Their eyes glow in torchlight A reflective layer behind the retina, the tapetum lucidum, amplifies dim light and shines back at a flashlight — which is exactly how poachers freeze them at night. 7. They are gum specialists Tree gum and sap form a major part of the diet, supplemented with nectar, fruit, insects and the occasional small vertebrate. This makes them exudativores and notoriously hard to feed in captivity. 8. They move in slow motion for a reason Their unhurried, non-leaping climb helps them stay invisible to predators in the dark. 9. Mothers "paint" their babies with venom Females coat their infants in the gland secretion, an apparent deterrent to predators while the young are parked on branches. 10. They can live around two decades in care Lifespans of up to roughly 20 years have been recorded in human care, with the pygmy slow loris averaging around 17. 11. Every species is threatened According to the IUCN Red List, all assessed slow lorises are declining — ranging from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered. 12. International trade has been banned since 2007 All slow lorises sit on CITES Appendix I, so commercial international trade is illegal. Read the full slow loris species guide for the complete conservation picture. WARN's partners in Indonesia and Malaysia care for confiscated lorises through months of dental treatment and dietary recovery. If these animals move you, a quiet way to help is the slow loris appeal . Read the full Slow loris wildlife guide for the facts, IUCN status and conservation context — or donate to WARN to help fund the local partners protecting this species.