# WARN Wildlife Guides

491 sourced species and companion-animal guides — facts, IUCN status, and conservation context. Every numeric claim is attributable to IUCN Red List, CITES, WWF, BirdLife, Smithsonian or peer-reviewed sources (see each guide's Sources section). Per-guide Markdown: https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/llm/wildlife-guides/<slug>.md

- [Orangutan](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/orangutan) — Critically Endangered: Orangutans are Critically Endangered great apes found only in Borneo and Sumatra; all three species — Bornean, Sumatran, and Tapanuli — face extinction driven mainly by habitat loss from palm oil and logging, plus the illegal pet trade.
- [Macaw](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/macaw) — Varies by species: Least Concern to Extinct in the Wild (several Critically Endangered): Macaws are large, long-tailed tropical parrots native to Central and South America; status varies by species, with several — including the blue-throated and Spix's macaws — Critically Endangered or Extinct in the Wild due to the illegal pet trade and deforestation.
- [Pangolin](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/pangolin) — Threatened (Vulnerable–Critically Endangered): Pangolins are the world's most heavily trafficked wild mammals; all eight species are threatened by illegal trade in their keratin scales, used in traditional medicine across Asia, with the Chinese and Sunda pangolins now Critically Endangered.
- [Slow Loris](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/slow-loris) — Threatened (Vulnerable–Critically Endangered): Slow lorises are small nocturnal primates from South and Southeast Asia; every species is threatened with extinction — ranging from Vulnerable to Critically Endangered — largely because of the illegal pet trade, which is fuelled in part by viral social media videos.
- [Sun Bear](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/sun-bear) — Vulnerable: Sun bears are the world's smallest bears, native to Southeast Asia, and are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN; they are threatened by deforestation, the pet trade, and the bear bile industry, in which bears are caged for years and milked for bile used in traditional medicine.
- [Spectacled Bear](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/spectacled-bear) — Vulnerable: The spectacled bear is South America's only bear species and the last surviving short-faced bear; the IUCN lists it as Vulnerable, threatened by deforestation, conflict with farmers, and the illegal wildlife trade.
- [Elephant](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/elephant) — Three living species — Endangered to Critically Endangered (IUCN): Elephants are three living species, not one. Asian and African savanna elephants are Endangered; African forest elephants are Critically Endangered. Gestation is about 22 months. WARN funds Asian elephant work in Indonesia and Malaysia, not African ivory patrols. Asian elephants have two trunk-tip fingers; African savanna elephants have one.
- [Street Dog](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/street-dog) — Domesticated — Not Evaluated (IUCN): An estimated 200 million street dogs live worldwide; they are the same species as pet dogs (Canis lupus familiaris), and WHO-endorsed Catch-Neuter-Vaccinate-Return programmes are the proven humane way to reduce their numbers and control rabies, whereas culling does not work.
- [Tiger](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/tiger) — Species Endangered (IUCN 2022); Sumatran and Malayan tigers Critically Endangered: A tiger (Panthera tigris) is the largest living cat, listed Endangered by the IUCN in 2022. Sumatran and Malayan tigers are Critically Endangered. Fewer than 600 Sumatran tigers and about 80–120 mature Malayan tigers remain. Tigers are not lions. They are solitary forest hunters, not social like African lions.
- [Markhor](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/markhor) — Near Threatened (IUCN, 2015) — a conservation comeback: A markhor (Capra falconeri) is a large wild goat native to the mountains of Central and South Asia, famous for the males' long, twisting corkscrew horns; it is Pakistan's national animal and is currently listed by the IUCN as Near Threatened.
- [Snow Leopard](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/snow-leopard) — Vulnerable (downlisted from Endangered in 2017) — but fewer than 3,400 mature adults remain: A snow leopard (Panthera uncia) is a large wild cat native to the high mountains of Central and South Asia, recognised by its pale grey rosette-patterned coat and very long tail, and listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
- [Jaguar](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/jaguar) — Near Threatened globally — but Endangered or Critically Endangered across most regional populations outside Amazonia: A jaguar (Panthera onca) is a large spotted big cat native to the Americas — the largest cat on the continent and the third-largest in the world — known for the strongest bite of any big cat and a habit of killing prey by piercing the skull.
- [Komodo Dragon](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/komodo-dragon) — Endangered (IUCN, 2021) — fewer than ~1,400 mature individuals: A Komodo dragon (Varanus komodoensis) is the world's largest living lizard, a venomous monitor species native to a few islands in eastern Indonesia that can grow to about 3 metres long and 70-90 kilograms.
- [Borneo Pygmy Elephant](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/borneo-pygmy-elephant) — Endangered (subspecies, 2024) — ~1,000 left: A Borneo pygmy elephant is the smallest subspecies of Asian elephant (Elephas maximus borneensis), native to the island of Borneo in Sabah, Malaysia and Kalimantan, Indonesia; the IUCN listed it as Endangered in 2024 with about 1,000 left in the wild.
- [Pink River Dolphin](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/pink-river-dolphin) — Endangered (IUCN, 2018) — assessed as one species with three subspecies: A pink river dolphin (Inia geoffrensis), also called the boto or Amazon river dolphin, is a freshwater toothed whale native to the Amazon and Orinoco river systems of South America. It is the largest river dolphin, named for the pink colouring adults often develop, and is classed as Endangered by the IUCN.
- [Hyacinth Macaw](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/hyacinth-macaw) — Vulnerable (IUCN) — locally reassessed as Endangered in Brazil after the 2020 Pantanal fires: A Hyacinth Macaw is the world's largest flying parrot — a roughly one-metre-long, cobalt-blue bird from central South America, especially Brazil's Pantanal, that uses its powerful beak to crack hard palm nuts; it is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN.
- [Sloth](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/sloth) — Mixed across species: most Least Concern; maned sloth Endangered; pygmy three-toed sloth Critically Endangered: A sloth is a slow-moving, leaf-eating mammal that lives hanging upside down in the trees of Central and South American rainforests. There are six living species in two groups, the three-toed sloths (Bradypus) and two-toed sloths (Choloepus), and they are the slowest mammals on Earth.
- [Capybara](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/capybara) — Least Concern (IUCN, 2016) — but locally hunted and traded: A capybara is the world's largest rodent, a semi-aquatic, plant-eating mammal native to South America that can weigh up to about 65 kilograms (140 pounds) and lives in social groups near rivers, lakes and wetlands.
- [Proboscis Monkey](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/proboscis-monkey) — Endangered (IUCN, 2020) - CITES Appendix I: A proboscis monkey is a large, reddish-brown Old World monkey found only on the island of Borneo (in Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei), famous for the male's oversized hanging nose and for living in coastal mangrove and riverside forests; the IUCN classes it as Endangered.
- [Sumatran Rhino](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/sumatran-rhino) — Critically Endangered — fewer than ~50 left: A Sumatran rhino is the smallest, hairiest living rhinoceros — a two-horned, rainforest-dwelling species of Indonesia and the only surviving member of the genus Dicerorhinus, now Critically Endangered with fewer than roughly 50 individuals left.
- [Indus River Dolphin](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/indus-river-dolphin) — Endangered (IUCN, 2021) — fewer than ~2,000 mature individuals: The Indus River dolphin (Platanista minor), or bhulan, is a small, nearly blind freshwater dolphin found only in the Indus River system of Pakistan; it is the national mammal of Pakistan and is classified as Endangered, with fewer than about 2,000 mature individuals remaining.
- [Working Donkey](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/working-donkey) — Domesticated — Not Evaluated (wild ancestor Critically Endangered): A working donkey is a domesticated donkey (Equus africanus asinus) used to carry loads, pull carts, or turn mills; it descends from the Critically Endangered African wild ass, and while the species itself is not threatened, individual working donkeys in regions such as Pakistan commonly suffer from overloading, ill-fitting harnesses, and limited veterinary access.
- [Harpy Eagle](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/harpy-eagle) — Vulnerable (IUCN, 2021) — declining: A Harpy Eagle (Harpia harpyja) is the largest and most powerful bird of prey in the Americas, a rainforest eagle that hunts tree-dwelling mammals such as sloths and monkeys from the canopy of Central and South America; the IUCN classifies it as Vulnerable.
- [Giant Otter](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/giant-otter) — Endangered (IUCN, 2021) — locally extinct or Critically Endangered across much of its former range: A giant otter (Pteronura brasiliensis) is the world's longest otter, a fish-eating, highly social mammal of South American rivers that grows up to 1.8 metres long and lives in family groups; it is classified as Endangered by the IUCN.
- [Malayan Tapir](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/malayan-tapir) — Endangered (IUCN) — fewer than 2,500 mature adults and declining: A Malayan tapir is a large, plant-eating mammal native to the rainforests of Sumatra and Peninsular Malaysia. It is the biggest of the five tapir species and the only tapir found in Asia, recognisable by its black-and-white "saddle" coat and short, flexible snout.
- [Rhinoceros Hornbill](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/rhinoceros-hornbill) — Vulnerable (IUCN 2018) — uplisted from Near Threatened: A Rhinoceros Hornbill is a large black-and-white rainforest bird (Buceros rhinoceros) native to Southeast Asia, named for the big curved orange casque above its bill; the IUCN classes it as Vulnerable.
- [Clouded Leopard](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/clouded-leopard) — Vulnerable (both species) — island subspecies assessed Endangered: A clouded leopard is a medium-sized arboreal wild cat native to the forests of Asia, recognised by its cloud-shaped coat patches and famous for having the longest canine teeth relative to body size of any living cat; two species exist, the mainland (Neofelis nebulosa) and Sunda (Neofelis diardi) clouded leopards, both listed as Vulnerable.
- [Humpback Whale](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/humpback-whale) — Least Concern globally (recovering) — but several subpopulations remain Endangered: A humpback whale (Megaptera novaeangliae) is a large filter-feeding baleen whale found in oceans worldwide, known for its long pectoral fins, acrobatic breaching, and the complex songs sung by males during the breeding season.
- [Golden Lion Tamarin](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/golden-lion-tamarin) — Endangered (conservation comeback): A golden lion tamarin (Leontopithecus rosalia) is a small, endangered New World monkey with a bright reddish-gold coat and a lion-like mane, native only to the Atlantic Forest of southeastern Brazil.
- [Golden Snub-Nosed Monkey](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/golden-snub-nosed-monkey) — Endangered (IUCN, 2015): The golden snub-nosed monkey (Rhinopithecus roxellana) is an Endangered Old World monkey of central China's mountain forests, famous for its golden fur, pale blue face and upturned nose; it lives in large social groups and is protected under CITES Appendix I.
- [Green Anaconda](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/anaconda) — Least Concern (IUCN 2021) — but newly split species means parts of its range are unassessed: A Green Anaconda (Eunectes murinus) is a large, non-venomous, semi-aquatic constrictor snake from tropical South America that is the heaviest snake in the world, killing prey by coiling and squeezing rather than biting.
- [Himalayan Brown Bear](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/himalayan-brown-bear) — Not separately Red-Listed; locally Critically Endangered in Pakistan: A Himalayan brown bear (Ursus arctos isabellinus) is a high-altitude subspecies of brown bear native to the western Himalayas of Pakistan, India and Nepal, recognisable by its sandy to reddish-brown coat and considered Critically Endangered within Pakistan even though the wider brown bear species is listed as Least Concern globally.
- [Maned Wolf](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/maned-wolf) — Near Threatened (IUCN, 2015) — declining Cerrado habitat: A maned wolf is the tallest wild canid in the world, a long-legged, reddish-coated omnivore native to the grasslands of central South America — especially Brazil's Cerrado — that despite its name is neither a true wolf nor a fox but the only species in the genus Chrysocyon.
- [Dugong](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/dugong) — Vulnerable globally — but Critically Endangered in East Africa and Japan's Nansei Islands, and Endangered in New Caledonia: A dugong is a large, plant-eating marine mammal of the order Sirenia (the "sea cows"), reaching about 3 metres long, that lives entirely in warm coastal seas and feeds almost exclusively on seagrass.
- [Dog](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/dog) — Domesticated — Not Evaluated (IUCN): A dog (Canis lupus familiaris) is a domesticated mammal descended from the grey wolf, kept worldwide as a companion, working and assistance animal. Every breed is the same species. The IUCN does not assess dogs for extinction risk. Street dogs are the same species as pets.
- [Cat](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cat) — Domesticated — Not Evaluated (IUCN): A cat (Felis catus) is a small domesticated carnivorous mammal descended from the African wildcat, kept worldwide as a companion. Every breed is the same species. The IUCN does not assess cats for extinction risk. Community cats are the same species as pets.
- [Lion](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/lion) — Vulnerable (IUCN 2023): A lion (Panthera leo) is a wild cat listed Vulnerable by the IUCN in 2023, with about 23,000 lions in Africa and about 670 in India. Lions live in prides. They are not domesticated and not tigers. The population is decreasing.
- [Shark](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/shark) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Critically Endangered): Sharks are more than 500 species of cartilaginous fish, not one species. The IUCN does not give sharks a single extinction badge. About one-third of sharks, rays and chimaeras are threatened, mainly by overfishing. The great white shark is listed Vulnerable.
- [Horse](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/horse) — Domesticated — Not Evaluated (IUCN): A horse (Equus ferus caballus) is a domesticated mammal kept worldwide for work, sport and companionship. Every breed is the same subspecies. The IUCN does not assess horses for extinction risk. Working horses are the same species as riding horses.
- [Grey Wolf](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/grey-wolf) — Least Concern globally (locally Endangered or extirpated in many regions): The grey wolf (Canis lupus) is the largest wild dog and the ancestor of the domestic dog; it is listed as Least Concern globally with an estimated 200,000–250,000 in the wild, but remains locally endangered or extinct across much of its former range.
- [Red Fox](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/fox) — Least Concern (IUCN, 2016) — population stable: The red fox (Vulpes vulpes) is the world's most widely distributed wild carnivore, living across the Northern Hemisphere; the IUCN lists it as Least Concern with a stable population.
- [Zebra](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/zebra) — Varies by species (Near Threatened to Endangered): A zebra is a striped African member of the horse genus Equus; there are three species — plains, mountain, and Grevy's — ranging from Near Threatened to the Endangered Grevy's zebra, of which fewer than about 2,000 mature animals survive.
- [Giant Panda](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/giant-panda) — Vulnerable: The giant panda (Ailuropoda melanoleuca) is a bamboo-eating bear native only to China, listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List with roughly 1,800 to 1,900 mature individuals in the wild as of the 2016 assessment.
- [Giraffe](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/giraffe) — 2016 Red List: Vulnerable as one species — four species recognised August 2025; species-level assessments underway: Giraffes are four species of African giraffid (IUCN SSC GOSG, August 2025), not one livestock breed. The 2016 Red List listed the then-single species Vulnerable. Species-level assessments are underway. GCF 2025 compiles about 140,000 animals across Africa — an estimate, not a census. WARN does not run giraffe programmes.
- [Penguin](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/penguin) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Critically Endangered): Penguins are flightless seabirds of the family Spheniscidae with 18 living species, found almost entirely in the Southern Hemisphere; their conservation status ranges from Least Concern to Critically Endangered, with the African penguin now Critically Endangered and the emperor penguin uplisted to Endangered in 2026.
- [Koala](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/koala) — Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List; listed Endangered under Australian federal law in Queensland, New South Wales and the ACT (2022): The koala is a Vulnerable eucalyptus-eating marsupial native only to Australia, where habitat loss, disease and bushfire have made its eastern populations Endangered under national law as of 2022.
- [Kangaroo](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/kangaroo) — Varies by species (most Least Concern; one species Near Threatened): A kangaroo is a large hopping marsupial native to Australia and the world's biggest marsupial, carrying its young, called a joey, in a pouch; the main kangaroo species are widespread and assessed as Least Concern.
- [Cheetah](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cheetah) — Vulnerable: The cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is the fastest land animal, reaching roughly 100-120 km/h (about 60-75 mph) in short bursts, and is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, with the Asiatic cheetah in Iran listed as Critically Endangered.
- [Hippopotamus](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/hippopotamus) — Vulnerable: The hippopotamus (Hippopotamus amphibius) is a large semi-aquatic African mammal listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, with roughly 115,000-130,000 individuals remaining and a declining population driven by habitat loss and demand for its tooth ivory.
- [Sea Turtle](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/sea-turtle) — Varies by species (Vulnerable to Critically Endangered): Sea turtles are a group of seven species of large, long-lived marine reptiles whose conservation status ranges from Least Concern to Critically Endangered, with most species threatened by fishing bycatch, egg poaching, plastic pollution and coastal development.
- [Saltwater Crocodile](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/saltwater-crocodile) — Least Concern globally (IUCN, 2021) — locally depleted in parts of Southeast Asia: The saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is the world's largest living reptile, found in the estuaries and mangroves of Southeast Asia and Australasia; it is listed as Least Concern globally by the IUCN, though some local populations remain depleted.
- [Owl](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/owl) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Critically Endangered): An owl is a nocturnal bird of prey in the order Strigiformes, made up of about 250 species across two families, distinguished by forward-facing eyes, near-silent flight and the ability to rotate its head up to 270 degrees.
- [Deer](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/deer) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Extinct in the Wild): Deer are antlered, hoofed ruminant mammals of the family Cervidae, comprising about 50 species worldwide; most are Least Concern, but several, including Père David's deer (Extinct in the Wild) and the hog deer, are threatened.
- [Rabbit](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/rabbit) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Critically Endangered): Rabbits are small herbivorous mammals of the family Leporidae (over 70 species); most are common, but a few wild species such as the riverine and volcano rabbits are Critically Endangered or Endangered, and pet and farmed rabbits raise real welfare concerns.
- [Squirrel](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/squirrel) — Varies by species (most Least Concern; some island and high-elevation species Endangered to Critically Endangered): A squirrel is a small-to-medium rodent in the family Sciuridae, a group of more than 280 species worldwide that includes tree squirrels, ground squirrels and gliding flying squirrels; most are common and Least Concern, though some island species are endangered.
- [Octopus](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/octopus) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Data Deficient); the order as a whole is not assessed: An octopus is a soft-bodied, eight-armed marine mollusc in the order Octopoda (about 300 species) that is highly intelligent and has three hearts and blue, copper-based blood.
- [Frog](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/frog) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Critically Endangered): A frog is a tailless amphibian of the order Anura, a group of over 7,700 species worldwide that begins life as an aquatic tadpole and is widely used as a bioindicator of environmental health.
- [Bat](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/bat) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Critically Endangered): Bats (order Chiroptera) are the only mammals capable of true flight, with around 1,400 species worldwide that mostly navigate by echolocation and provide vital pest control, pollination, and seed dispersal.
- [Peacock](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/peacock) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Endangered): A peacock is the male of the peafowl, a large ground-dwelling pheasant whose shimmering, eyespotted tail train is fanned out to attract mates; the Indian peafowl is Least Concern, but the green peafowl is Endangered.
- [Flamingo](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/flamingo) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Vulnerable) — not one family badge: Flamingos are six species of filter-feeding phoenicopterid birds, not one livestock breed. Pink comes from carotenoids in algae and brine shrimp (Smithsonian National Zoo). Greater flamingo is Least Concern; Andean is Vulnerable. There is no family IUCN badge. WARN does not run flamingo programmes.
- [Hedgehog](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/hedgehog) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Endangered); the widespread European hedgehog is now Near Threatened: A hedgehog is a small spiny insectivorous mammal of the subfamily Erinaceinae; there are 17 species across Europe, Asia and Africa, and the widespread European hedgehog was listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List in 2024 after sharp declines.
- [Gorilla](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/gorilla) — Critically Endangered (both species): A gorilla is the largest living primate, a ground-dwelling, mostly plant-eating great ape native to the forests of equatorial Africa. There are two Critically Endangered species — the Western and Eastern gorilla — and gorillas share roughly 98% of their DNA with humans.
- [Chimpanzee](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/chimpanzee) — Endangered (IUCN); CITES Appendix I: A chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) is a great ape from the forests and woodlands of equatorial Africa. Along with the bonobo, it is humans' closest living relative, sharing roughly 98-99% of our DNA. Famous for tool use, complex societies and culture, it is classified as Endangered.
- [Axolotl](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/axolotl) — Critically Endangered (IUCN, 2020) in the wild: An axolotl (Ambystoma mexicanum) is a neotenic salamander from the Xochimilco canals near Mexico City that stays aquatic and larval-looking for life, keeping external gills. Famous for regenerating limbs, organs and brain tissue, it is Critically Endangered in the wild yet common in captivity.
- [Meerkat](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/meerkat) — Least Concern (IUCN): A meerkat (Suricata suricatta) is a small, highly social mongoose native to the arid Kalahari and southern Africa. It lives in cooperative groups of up to about thirty, posts sentinels to watch for predators, and feeds mainly on insects, scorpions and other small prey.
- [Platypus](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/platypus) — Near Threatened (IUCN, 2016): A platypus is a semi-aquatic, egg-laying mammal (a monotreme) native to eastern Australia and Tasmania. It has a duck-like bill, webbed feet and a beaver-like tail, hunts underwater using electroreception, and males carry venomous ankle spurs. It is listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.
- [Chameleon](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/chameleon) — Varies by species; many threatened: A chameleon is an arboreal lizard of the family Chamaeleonidae, with around 200 species, about half found only in Madagascar. They are known for independently moving eyes, a fast projectile tongue, gripping feet, a prehensile tail and colour change used mainly for communication and temperature control.
- [Wild Turkey](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/turkey) — Least Concern (IUCN): A wild turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) is a large North American ground bird and the wild ancestor of the domestic turkey. Males have iridescent feathers, a bare red-and-blue head and a fan-shaped tail, and produce a loud gobble that carries up to a mile.
- [Hummingbird](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/hummingbird) — Varies by species; most Least Concern, some Critically Endangered (IUCN): A hummingbird is a very small, nectar-feeding bird in the family Trochilidae, found only in the Americas. With more than 360 species, they are the world's smallest birds and the only ones able to hover and fly backwards, beating their wings up to around 50 or more times a second.
- [Crow](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/crow) — Varies by species; common crows Least Concern (IUCN): A crow is a medium-to-large, mostly black bird of the genus Corvus, part of the corvid family that includes ravens and jays. Found on most continents, crows are among the world's most intelligent birds — using tools, solving problems and recognising individual human faces.
- [Blue Jay](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/blue-jay) — Least Concern (IUCN): A blue jay (Cyanocitta cristata) is a bold, crested blue songbird of eastern and central North America, and a member of the corvid family alongside crows and ravens. Known for mimicking hawk calls and caching acorns, it is common, intelligent, and listed as Least Concern by the IUCN.
- [Pelican](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/pelican) — Varies by species; most Least Concern, some Near Threatened (IUCN): A pelican is a large waterbird of the family Pelecanidae, recognised by its long bill and the expandable skin pouch beneath it, which it uses to scoop up fish. There are eight species in the genus Pelecanus, living on coasts and inland waters across every continent except Antarctica.
- [Vulture](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/vulture) — Varies; many Old World vultures Critically Endangered: A vulture is a large scavenging bird of prey that feeds mainly on carrion. There are two unrelated groups: Old World vultures of Africa, Asia and Europe, and New World vultures of the Americas, which evolved similar features independently. Most have a bald head and soar to find food.
- [Seagull (Gull)](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/seagull) — Varies by species; most Least Concern (IUCN): A seagull is any of around 50 species of gull, seabirds in the family Laridae. Typically white and grey with black wingtips and webbed feet, gulls are adaptable, intelligent coastal birds that scavenge, fish and increasingly thrive in towns and cities worldwide.
- [Woodpecker](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/woodpecker) — Varies by species; most Least Concern: A woodpecker is a tree-climbing bird of the family Picidae, with around 240 species worldwide. It uses a chisel-like bill to drum and excavate wood, aided by a shock-absorbing skull, gripping zygodactyl feet, a stiff propping tail and a long, barbed tongue for extracting insects.
- [Toucan](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/toucan) — Varies by species; most Least Concern, several Near Threatened or Vulnerable (IUCN): A toucan is a brightly coloured, fruit-eating rainforest bird of the family Ramphastidae, native to Central and South America. Around 40 species exist, all recognised by an enormous yet lightweight bill used for feeding, display and heat regulation. They are important seed dispersers in tropical forests.
- [Swan](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/swan) — Most species Least Concern (IUCN): A swan is a large, long-necked waterbird of the genus Cygnus and the biggest member of the duck and goose family. There are six living species worldwide. Swans feed mainly on aquatic plants, form strong, often lifelong pair bonds, and are renowned for their graceful appearance.
- [Ostrich](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/ostrich) — Least Concern (IUCN) — common ostrich; the separate Somali ostrich is Vulnerable: An ostrich (Struthio camelus) is the world's largest and heaviest living bird, a flightless African species standing over two metres tall. Built for running rather than flight, it is the fastest bird on land at around 70 km/h and lays the biggest eggs of any living bird.
- [Emu](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/emu) — Least Concern (IUCN): An emu (Dromaius novaehollandiae) is a large flightless bird native to Australia. The country's tallest bird and the second-tallest living bird after the ostrich, it reaches about 1.9 metres, runs nearly 50 km/h, and is unusual in that males incubate the eggs and raise the chicks.
- [Albatross](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/albatross) — Varies; most albatross species are threatened: An albatross is a large oceanic seabird of the family Diomedeidae, comprising about 22 species. Albatrosses have the longest wingspan of any living bird — up to around 3.5 metres in the wandering albatross — and glide vast distances over the Southern Ocean and North Pacific, coming ashore only to breed.
- [European Robin](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/robin) — Least Concern (IUCN): A European robin (Erithacus rubecula) is a small Eurasian songbird with a distinctive orange-red face and breast, brown upperparts and a pale belly. Common in gardens, woods and hedgerows, it is famously territorial, sings year-round and is widely associated with British winters and Christmas.
- [Common Kestrel](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/kestrel) — Least Concern (IUCN): A common kestrel (Falco tinnunculus) is a small falcon of Europe, Asia and Africa, famous for hovering in mid-air to hunt voles, mice and large insects. Reddish-brown above with pointed wings, it can detect ultraviolet light reflected by rodent urine trails. The IUCN lists it as Least Concern.
- [Red Kite](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/red-kite) — Least Concern (IUCN, 2020); formerly Near Threatened: A red kite (Milvus milvus) is a medium-large European bird of prey with rufous-brown plumage, long angled wings and a distinctive deeply forked tail. Mainly a scavenger feeding on carrion, it is famous in Britain for its dramatic recovery from near-extinction through legal protection and reintroduction.
- [Magpie](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/magpie) — Least Concern (IUCN): A magpie is a large black-and-white bird in the crow family (Corvidae). The Eurasian magpie, Pica pica, is famous for its long iridescent tail, loud chattering call and exceptional intelligence — it is one of the few non-mammals known to recognise itself in a mirror.
- [Blue Tit](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/blue-tit) — Least Concern (IUCN): A blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus) is a small European songbird with a blue cap and wings, white cheeks and a yellow breast. Weighing about 11 grams, it is a common, acrobatic garden-feeder visitor across Britain, Ireland and much of Europe, and an IUCN Least Concern species.
- [Common Starling](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/starling) — Least Concern (IUCN) globally; UK Red List of conservation concern: The common starling (Sturnus vulgaris) is a stocky, glossy black songbird native to Eurasia and North Africa, famous for vast swirling winter flocks called murmurations and for skilled vocal mimicry. Globally common and rated Least Concern, it has declined sharply in Britain and is UK Red-listed.
- [Common Buzzard](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/buzzard) — Least Concern (IUCN): A common buzzard (Buteo buteo) is a medium-large, broad-winged bird of prey and Britain's most common and widespread raptor. It soars in slow circles, gives a distinctive cat-like mewing call, and hunts small mammals, earthworms and carrion across farmland, woodland and moorland.
- [Common Kingfisher](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/kingfisher) — Least Concern (IUCN); not CITES-listed: A kingfisher is a small, brilliantly coloured bird that hunts by diving headfirst into water for fish. The common kingfisher (Alcedo atthis) of Europe, Asia and North Africa is electric-blue above and orange below, with a long, dagger-like bill, and nests in tunnels dug into riverbanks.
- [Grey Heron](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/heron) — Least Concern (IUCN): A heron is a long-legged, long-necked wading bird that hunts in shallow water; the grey heron (Ardea cinerea) is the familiar tall grey species of UK and European rivers, lakes and garden ponds, standing up to a metre high and catching fish and amphibians with its sharp bill.
- [Duck](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/duck) — Varies; common species Least Concern: A duck is a waterbird in the family Anatidae — smaller and shorter-necked than its relatives the geese and swans. Ducks have a broad flat bill, webbed feet and waterproof feathers, live on fresh and salt water worldwide, and feed by dabbling at the surface or diving underwater.
- [Goose](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/goose) — Varies; common species Least Concern (IUCN): A goose is a large, social grazing waterfowl in the family Anatidae, split mainly into grey and white geese (Anser) and black geese (Branta). Bigger than ducks, geese feed on grass, form lifelong pair bonds and migrate long distances in energy-saving V-formations.
- [Atlantic Puffin](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/puffin) — Vulnerable (IUCN, 2021): A puffin is a small North Atlantic seabird of the auk family, best known as the Atlantic puffin (Fratercula arctica). Nicknamed the "sea parrot" for its large, colourful striped bill, it nests in clifftop burrows in summer and spends the winter alone far out at sea.
- [Virginia Opossum](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/opossum) — Least Concern (IUCN): An opossum (Didelphis virginiana, the Virginia opossum) is North America's only native marsupial — a cat-sized, pouched mammal with a pointed snout, grasping prehensile tail and grey-white fur. It is famous for "playing dead", eating ticks and pests, and resisting many snake venoms.
- [Groundhog](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/groundhog) — Least Concern (IUCN): A groundhog (Marmota monax) is a large North American ground squirrel, or marmot, in the squirrel family. A stout, powerful burrower and true hibernator weighing up to about 6 kilograms, it lives across the eastern United States and Canada and is famous for Groundhog Day.
- [Camel](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/camel) — Domestic camels not threatened; the wild Bactrian camel (Camelus ferus) is Critically Endangered: A camel is a large, hump-backed desert mammal of the genus Camelus. The one-humped dromedary and two-humped Bactrian are domesticated; the wild Bactrian camel is rare. Humps store fat, not water, and remarkable adaptations let camels endure extreme heat and long stretches without drinking.
- [Armadillo](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/armadillo) — Varies; nine-banded armadillo Least Concern (IUCN): An armadillo is a small to medium New World mammal of the order Cingulata, protected by a distinctive shell of bony plates covered in leathery skin. Around 20 species live across the Americas, digging burrows and feeding mainly on insects, grubs and other invertebrates.
- [Porcupine](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/porcupine) — Varies by species; most Least Concern (IUCN): A porcupine is a large herbivorous rodent covered in sharp quills — stiffened, modified hairs that defend it from predators. About 30 species exist in two distantly related families: Old World porcupines of Africa, Asia and Europe, and tree-climbing New World porcupines of the Americas.
- [Walrus](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/walrus) — Vulnerable (IUCN, 2021): A walrus (Odobenus rosmarus) is a huge Arctic pinniped, or fin-footed marine mammal, famous for its long ivory tusks and bristly whiskered snout. It hauls out on sea ice and dives to the seabed to feed on clams, using sensitive whiskers to find shellfish in dark water.
- [Lemur](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/lemur) — Varies; lemurs are the most endangered mammal group: A lemur is a primate native only to Madagascar and nearby islands, forming the group Lemuriformes. More than 100 species exist, from tiny mouse lemurs to the familiar ring-tailed lemur. Most are tree-dwelling, and lemurs are the most endangered mammal group on Earth.
- [Ferret](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/ferret) — Domesticated; not a threatened species: A ferret (Mustela furo) is a domesticated member of the weasel family, bred from the European polecat about 2,500 years ago. Long-bodied, playful and carnivorous, it has long been used to hunt rabbits and is today a popular household pet, typically living seven to ten years.
- [Chinchilla](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/chinchilla) — Wild chinchillas Endangered; common as pets: A chinchilla is a small, soft-furred rodent of the genus Chinchilla, native to the Andes mountains of South America. Famous for the densest fur of any land mammal, both wild species are Endangered, yet chinchillas are also bred and kept worldwide as long-lived, dust-bathing pets.
- [Water Vole](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/water-vole) — Least Concern globally; rapidly declining in the UK: A water vole (Arvicola amphibius) is a large, semi-aquatic rodent found along rivers, ditches and reed beds across Europe and western Asia. With chestnut fur, a blunt muzzle and a furry tail, it is a true vole — not a rat — and the inspiration for "Ratty" in The Wind in the Willows.
- [Pine Marten](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/pine-marten) — Least Concern (IUCN): A pine marten (Martes martes) is a cat-sized, tree-climbing member of the weasel family native to European and western Asian woodland. Chestnut-brown with a cream throat bib and bushy tail, it is rare in much of Britain but recovering, and is globally classed as Least Concern by the IUCN.
- [Hazel Dormouse](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/dormouse) — Least Concern globally; protected and declining in the UK: The hazel dormouse (Muscardinus avellanarius) is a small golden-brown European rodent, weighing about 17-20 g, that lives in woodland and hedgerows. Nocturnal and arboreal, it eats flowers, fruit, nuts and insects, and hibernates for roughly half the year, from autumn until spring.
- [Weasel](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/weasel) — Least Concern (IUCN, 2016 assessment): A weasel (Mustela nivalis), or least weasel, is the world's smallest carnivorous mammal: a slim, agile, short-legged hunter with a brown back and pale belly. Found across Europe, Asia and North America, it preys mainly on mice and voles, chasing them into their own burrows.
- [Shrew](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/shrew) — Varies by species; most Least Concern (IUCN): A shrew is a small insect-eating mammal of the family Soricidae, with a long pointed snout, tiny eyes and velvety fur. Though mouse-like, shrews are not rodents but relatives of moles and hedgehogs, and are known for their extremely high metabolism and near-constant feeding.
- [European Mole](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/mole) — Least Concern (IUCN): The European mole (Talpa europaea) is a small, burrowing insectivorous mammal with velvety fur, tiny eyes and powerful spade-like forepaws. It lives almost entirely underground, hunting earthworms in self-dug tunnels across Europe and western Asia, and is best known for the molehills it pushes to the surface.
- [Brown Rat](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/rat) — Least Concern (IUCN): A brown rat (Rattus norvegicus) is a large, adaptable rodent that lives alongside humans worldwide. Native to Asia, it has spread to every continent except Antarctica. Highly intelligent and social, it is the wild ancestor of both pet "fancy rats" and laboratory rats, and is listed as Least Concern.
- [House Mouse](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/mouse) — Least Concern (IUCN): A house mouse (Mus musculus) is a small grey-brown rodent in the family Muridae, typically 7.5–10 cm long with a long tail and large ears. Native to Asia, it now lives worldwide alongside humans, breeds prolifically, and is the ancestor of pet and laboratory mice.
- [Iguana](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/iguana) — Least Concern (green iguana); other iguana species threatened: An iguana is a large, mostly herbivorous, tree-dwelling lizard of the Americas. The familiar green iguana (Iguana iguana) reaches about 1.7 metres including its long tail, sports a spiny crest and throat dewlap, and is listed as Least Concern, though several other iguana species are endangered.
- [Adder](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/adder) — Least Concern (IUCN, 2021); declining and legally protected in the UK: An adder (Vipera berus) is a small venomous snake of Europe and Asia, identified by a dark zigzag stripe along its back. It is Britain's only venomous snake, hunts small mammals and lizards, and is shy, biting humans only in defence.
- [Common Toad](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/toad) — Least Concern (IUCN), but declining in parts of the UK: A toad is a tail-less amphibian, typified by the common toad (Bufo bufo), with dry, warty skin, short legs and toxin-secreting parotoid glands behind the eyes. Unlike frogs, toads usually walk rather than leap, live mostly on land, and return to ponds each spring to breed.
- [Newt](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/newt) — Most species Least Concern; the great crested newt is protected in the UK: A newt is a small semi-aquatic salamander in the subfamily Pleurodelinae. Newts alternate between water and land, breeding in ponds in spring and feeding on insects and other invertebrates. They are famous for regenerating lost limbs and organs, and many produce defensive skin toxins.
- [Slow Worm](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/slow-worm) — Least Concern (IUCN); legally protected in the UK: A slow worm (Anguis fragilis) is a legless lizard native to Britain and Europe. Though snake-like, it is a true lizard: it can blink with movable eyelids and shed its tail to escape predators. It lives in gardens and grassland, eating slugs, snails and worms.
- [Grass Snake](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/grass-snake) — Least Concern (IUCN); protected in the UK: A grass snake is a large, harmless, non-venomous snake of Europe and western Asia (Natrix helvetica and Natrix natrix). It is Britain's largest snake, lives near water, swims well, eats mostly amphibians, and is recognised by a yellow-and-black collar behind the head.
- [Stingray](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/stingray) — Varies by species; many threatened by overfishing: A stingray is a flat-bodied cartilaginous fish in the order Myliobatiformes, related to sharks. Its broad pectoral fins form a disc that flaps for swimming, and most species carry a venomous, barbed tail spine used only for defence. Most are bottom-dwelling ambush predators of shellfish.
- [Starfish (Sea Star)](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/starfish) — Varies; most Not Evaluated (some, e.g. the sunflower sea star, Critically Endangered): A starfish, or sea star, is a marine invertebrate in the class Asteroidea (about 1,900 species). It is an echinoderm, not a fish, with radial symmetry, a central disc and usually five arms lined with tube feet. Many can regenerate lost arms and feed by everting their stomach.
- [Crab](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/crab) — Most species Not Evaluated (IUCN): A crab is a ten-legged crustacean of the infraorder Brachyura, with a hard exoskeleton, a short broad body, a pair of front pincers and a sideways walk. About 7,000 species live in the oceans, in fresh water and on land worldwide.
- [Lobster](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/lobster) — Not a threatened group; some species data deficient: A lobster is a large clawed marine crustacean of the family Nephropidae, including the American and European lobsters. It grows by moulting its hard shell, can regenerate lost claws, has blue copper-based blood, and may live an estimated 45 to 50 years in the wild.
- [Squid](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/squid) — Varies; most Least Concern / Not Evaluated: A squid is a fast-swimming cephalopod mollusc of the order Teuthida, related to octopuses and cuttlefish, with eight arms, two longer feeding tentacles, jet propulsion, ink defence and colour-changing skin; the order includes around 300 species, from tiny pygmy squid to the deep-sea giant squid.
- [Alligator](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/alligator) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Critically Endangered): Alligators are broad-snouted crocodilians with two living species — the recovered American alligator of the US South-east and the Critically Endangered Chinese alligator of the Yangtze — both vital wetland predators whose status ranges from Least Concern to Critically Endangered.
- [Seal](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/seal) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Endangered): Seals are earless marine mammals (family Phocidae) with about 19 species worldwide — expert divers of polar and temperate seas whose conservation status ranges from abundant to Endangered depending on species and region.
- [Parrot](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/parrot) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Critically Endangered): Parrots are tropical and subtropical Psittaciformes — about 400 species including macaws, cockatoos and budgerigars — known for intelligence and longevity; many are threatened by habitat loss and illegal trade, with status ranging from Least Concern to Critically Endangered.
- [Red Panda](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/red-panda) — Endangered: The red panda (Ailurus fulgens) is an Endangered Himalayan forest mammal unrelated to giant pandas — a bamboo-eating specialist threatened by deforestation, poaching and road deaths across Nepal, India, Bhutan, China and Myanmar.
- [Cockatoo](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cockatoo) — Varies by species (Vulnerable to Critically Endangered): Cockatoos are crested parrots (family Cacatuidae) with 21 species across Australasia — intelligent and long-lived birds threatened by illegal trapping for the pet trade, with several Indonesian species Critically Endangered.
- [Budgerigar](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/budgerigar) — Least Concern (IUCN): The budgerigar (Melopsittacus undulatus) is a small Australian parrot — Least Concern in the wild — famous in captivity but naturally a nomadic flocking bird of the Outback, related to macaws and cockatoos within the parrot order.
- [Orca](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/orca) — Data Deficient (IUCN global assessment, 2017): An orca (Orcinus orca), also called a killer whale, is the largest oceanic dolphin, not a baleen whale. The IUCN listed the species Data Deficient in 2017 because the name likely covers more than one taxon. Globally there are at least tens of thousands of mature animals; some regional populations, including US Southern Residents, are Endangered. WARN does not run orca programmes.
- [Blue Whale](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/blue-whale) — Endangered: The blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) is the Endangered largest animal on Earth — a krill-filtering baleen whale found in all oceans, recovering slowly after twentieth-century whaling.
- [Manatee](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/manatee) — Varies by species (Vulnerable to Endangered): Manatees are plant-eating sirenians with three species in the Americas and West Africa — slow-moving mammals threatened by boat collisions, habitat loss and pollution, with IUCN status from Vulnerable to Endangered.
- [Sea Otter](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/sea-otter) — Endangered: The sea otter (Enhydra lutris) is an Endangered North Pacific keystone predator that maintains kelp forests by controlling sea urchins — insulated by the densest fur of any mammal, not blubber.
- [Sea Lion](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/sea-lion) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Endangered): Sea lions are eared seals (family Otariidae) with visible ear flaps and land agility — about 16 species on Pacific and southern coasts whose IUCN status ranges from Least Concern to Endangered.
- [Manta Ray](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/manta-ray) — Endangered: Manta rays are Endangered filter-feeding elasmobranchs — giant and reef species with wingspans up to seven metres — threatened globally by bycatch, gill-plate trade and fisheries.
- [Jellyfish](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/jellyfish) — No single IUCN badge — most species unassessed; not a bloom census: Jellyfish are medusozoan cnidarians, not fish. Most species have no IUCN assessment. The Portuguese man o’ war is a siphonophore, not a true jelly. Comb jellies are ctenophores. Turritopsis dohrnii can revert to a polyp but can still be eaten. WARN does not run jellyfish programmes.
- [Seahorse](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/seahorse) — Varies by species (Vulnerable to Endangered): Seahorses are upright coastal fish (genus Hippocampus) with ~46 species — males carry eggs in a pouch; many are Vulnerable or Endangered due to habitat loss and huge dried trade for traditional medicine.
- [Narwhal](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/narwhal) — Least Concern (IUCN 2017) — CITES Appendix II; COSEWIC Not at Risk (2024); ice and noise still matter: A narwhal (Monodon monoceros) is an Arctic toothed whale. The tusk is a left canine tooth, not a horn. IUCN listed it Least Concern in 2017. CITES Appendix II. NOAA cites dives deeper than 1,800 metres. Least Concern is not a collecting permit for ivory. WARN does not run narwhal programmes.
- [Sperm Whale](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/sperm-whale) — Vulnerable (IUCN): The sperm whale (Physeter macrocephalus) is a Vulnerable deep-diving toothed whale — the largest brain of any animal — hunting squid in abyssal depths after centuries of commercial whaling depletion.
- [Dolphin](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/dolphin) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Endangered): Oceanic dolphins (family Delphinidae) include the common bottlenose and common dolphin — social toothed whales of seas worldwide, distinct from river dolphins; IUCN status ranges from Least Concern to Critically Endangered by species.
- [Snake](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/snake) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Critically Endangered): Snakes are about 3,900 species of legless reptiles, not one animal. Most are not venomous. The IUCN does not give snakes a single extinction badge. WHO treats snakebite envenoming as a neglected tropical disease. This hub is not the grass-snake guide.
- [Python](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/python) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Endangered): Pythons are egg-laying constrictors (family Pythonidae) with ~40 species in Africa, Asia and Australia — non-venomous snakes threatened by skin trade, exotic pet demand and habitat loss.
- [Cobra](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cobra) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Vulnerable): Cobras are hooded venomous elapid snakes of Africa and Asia — including true cobras (Naja) and the king cobra — neurotoxic predators vital for rodent control but threatened by persecution and habitat loss.
- [Rattlesnake](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/rattlesnake) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Endangered): Rattlesnakes are American pit vipers (~36 species) with tail rattles and heat-sensing pits — venomous rodent controllers whose status varies from Least Concern to Endangered.
- [Gecko](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/gecko) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Critically Endangered): Geckos are gekkotan lizards with ~1,500 species worldwide — nocturnal climbers often with adhesive toe pads and vocal calls — ecologically valuable insect predators threatened locally by habitat loss and trade.
- [Monitor Lizard](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/monitor-lizard) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Endangered): Monitor lizards (genus Varanus) comprise ~80 species including the Komodo dragon — intelligent predatory reptiles of Africa, Asia and Australasia threatened by trade, hunting and habitat loss.
- [Cougar](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cougar) — Least Concern (IUCN, 2014): The cougar (Puma concolor) — also known as puma or mountain lion — is a large solitary cat native to the Americas, listed as Least Concern by the IUCN; it is the most widespread wild cat in the Western Hemisphere but faces habitat loss and human conflict in many regions.
- [Bobcat](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/bobcat) — Least Concern (IUCN, 2016): The bobcat (Lynx rufus) is a medium-sized North American wild cat listed as Least Concern by the IUCN; it is the continent's most widespread and adaptable felid, recognised by its tufted ears, spotted coat and short tail.
- [Lynx](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/lynx) — Least Concern (IUCN, 2014): The Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) is Europe's largest wild cat, listed as Least Concern by the IUCN; it inhabits boreal and temperate forests across Eurasia and has recovered in several western European countries after decades of persecution.
- [Ocelot](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/ocelot) — Least Concern (IUCN, 2014): The ocelot (Leopardus pardalis) is a spotted wild cat of the Americas, listed as Least Concern by the IUCN but declining locally due to habitat loss and historical over-trapping; a small population persists in southern Texas.
- [Polar Bear](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/polar-bear) — Vulnerable: The polar bear (Ursus maritimus) is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, with an estimated 22,000–31,000 individuals; climate change and the loss of Arctic sea ice are the primary threats to its survival.
- [Grizzly Bear](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/grizzly-bear) — Least Concern brown bear; threatened in parts of USA: The grizzly bear (Ursus arctos horribilis) is a North American brown bear subspecies; the brown bear is Least Concern globally, but grizzlies in the contiguous United States are protected under the Endangered Species Act with roughly 1,900 individuals south of Canada.
- [Black Bear](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/black-bear) — Least Concern (IUCN, 2016): The American black bear (Ursus americanus) is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN, with an estimated 800,000+ individuals across North America — the continent's most common and widespread bear species.
- [Gibbon](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/gibbon) — Varies by species (Endangered to Critically Endangered): Gibbons are tailless lesser apes of South-east Asian rainforest, brachiating through the canopy in monogamous family groups; most species are Endangered or Critically Endangered due to habitat loss and the illegal pet trade.
- [Tarsier](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/tarsier) — Varies by species (Vulnerable to Endangered): Tarsiers are tiny nocturnal primates of South-east Asian islands, with the largest eyes relative to body size of any mammal; most species are Vulnerable to Endangered due to habitat loss and the pet trade.
- [Baboon](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/baboon) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Near Threatened): Baboons are large Old World monkeys of the genus Papio, living in complex social troops across African savanna and desert; most species are Least Concern but face habitat loss and conflict with agriculture.
- [Hyena](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/hyena) — Least Concern (IUCN, 2014) — spotted hyena: The spotted hyena (Crocuta crocuta) is Africa's most common large carnivore, living in matriarchal clans on the savanna; listed as Least Concern, it is a skilled hunter — not merely a scavenger — facing persecution and habitat loss.
- [Wildebeest](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/wildebeest) — Least Concern (IUCN, 2016): The blue wildebeest (Connochaetes taurinus) is a gregarious grazing antelope of African savanna, central to the Great Migration of over a million animals between Serengeti and Maasai Mara; listed as Least Concern but declining outside protected areas.
- [Impala](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/impala) — Least Concern (IUCN, 2016): The impala (Aepyceros melampus) is Africa's most widespread medium-sized antelope, listed as Least Concern; it inhabits savanna woodland across eastern and southern Africa and is a keystone prey species for major predators.
- [Warthog](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/warthog) — Least Concern (IUCN, 2016): The common warthog (Phacochoerus africanus) is a grazing wild pig of African savanna, listed as Least Concern; recognisable by facial warts and tusks, it kneels to graze and shelters in burrows when threatened.
- [Gazelle](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/gazelle) — Least Concern (IUCN, 2016) — Thomson's gazelle: Gazelles are small swift antelopes of Africa and Asia; Thomson's gazelle (Eudorcas thomsonii) of East Africa is Least Concern with roughly 500,000 individuals and is the cheetah's primary prey.
- [Antelope](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/antelope) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Critically Endangered): Antelope are horned ruminants of the family Bovidae — roughly 90 species across Africa and Asia; African savanna antelope form the prey base for the continent's great predators, with conservation status ranging from abundant to Critically Endangered.
- [Binturong](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/binturong) — Vulnerable: The binturong (Arctictis binturong) is a Vulnerable tree-dwelling viverrid of South-east Asian rainforest, the only Old World mammal with a fully prehensile tail; it is threatened by deforestation and the illegal pet trade.
- [Civet](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/civet) — Least Concern (IUCN, 2015) — African civet: Civets are nocturnal viverrids of Africa and Asia; the African civet (Civettictis civetta) is Least Concern and widespread across sub-Saharan Africa, though Asian species face habitat loss and civet musk farming raises welfare concerns.
- [Aardvark](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/aardvark) — Least Concern (IUCN, 2016): The aardvark (Orycteropus afer) is the only living species of its order, a nocturnal insectivore of sub-Saharan Africa listed as Least Concern; it digs for termites and its burrows shelter dozens of other species.
- [Gharial](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/gharial) — Critically Endangered: The gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) is a Critically Endangered fish-eating crocodilian of India and Nepal with fewer than 900 mature individuals remaining; river damming, sand mining and pollution are the primary threats.
- [Ibex](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/ibex) — Least Concern (IUCN, 2015) — Alpine ibex: Ibex are wild mountain goats of the genus Capra; the Alpine ibex (Capra ibex) is Least Concern after recovery from near extinction, with males carrying curved horns up to a metre long on cliffs across Europe and Asia.
- [Alpaca](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/alpaca) — Domesticated — wild ancestor vicuña Least Concern: The alpaca (Vicugna pacos) is a domesticated Andean camelid kept for its fine fleece; descended from the vicuña, it has been farmed for over 6,000 years in Peru, Bolivia and neighbouring countries.
- [Llama](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/llama) — Domesticated — wild ancestor guanaco Least Concern: The llama (Lama glama) is a domesticated Andean camelid bred for 5,000+ years as a pack animal and fibre source; descended from the guanaco, roughly seven million llamas support highland communities in Peru and Bolivia.
- [Hawk](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/hawk) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Critically Endangered): Hawks are birds of prey in the family Accipitridae — roughly 250 species worldwide; they hunt by sight using talons and hooked beaks, with conservation status ranging from abundant to Critically Endangered depending on species.
- [Falcon](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/falcon) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Critically Endangered): Falcons are birds of prey in the family Falconidae — roughly 65 species including the peregrine, the fastest animal on Earth at over 320 km/h; most species recovered from DDT declines and are now Least Concern.
- [Osprey](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/osprey) — Least Concern (IUCN, 2015): The osprey (Pandion haliaetus) is a Least Concern fish-eating raptor found worldwide, the only member of family Pandionidae; it recovered from DDT declines and hunts by plunging feet-first into water to catch fish.
- [Eagle](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/eagle) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Critically Endangered): Eagles are large birds of prey in the family Accipitridae — roughly 60 species worldwide; they are apex raptors with powerful talons and keen eyesight, with conservation status ranging from recovered (bald eagle) to Critically Endangered (Philippine eagle).
- [Rhino](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/rhino) — Varies by species (Near Threatened to Critically Endangered): Rhinoceroses are five living species of horned megaherbivores in Africa and Asia; all are threatened by poaching for keratin horn, with three species Critically Endangered including the Sumatran rhino with fewer than 50 individuals.
- [Bear](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/bear) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Vulnerable): Bears are eight living species in family Ursidae, not one species. The IUCN does not give bears a single extinction badge. Polar, sun, sloth and spectacled bears are Vulnerable. Giant pandas recovered to Vulnerable. American black bears are abundant. WARN funds moon-bear and Andean programmes, not polar tagging.
- [Whale](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/whale) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Critically Endangered): Whales are cetacean mammals (~90 species) including baleen and toothed forms — from the blue whale to sperm whales and orcas; status ranges from recovering humpbacks to Critically Endangered vaquita and North Atlantic right whale.
- [Wolf](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/wolf) — Least Concern globally (IUCN); regional populations vary: The grey wolf (Canis lupus) is a Least Concern pack-hunting canid of the Northern Hemisphere and wild ancestor of dogs — regionally extirpated in much of Europe and North America but recovering where reintroduced.
- [Turtle](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/turtle) — Varies by species (many Vulnerable to Critically Endangered): Turtles (order Testudines) are ~360 species of shelled reptiles — sea turtles, freshwater terrapins and land tortoises — many Vulnerable to Critically Endangered from trade, bycatch and habitat loss.
- [Otter](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/otter) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Endangered): Otters are 13 species of aquatic mustelids worldwide — from the Endangered giant otter of South America to the recovering sea otter of the Pacific; status ranges from Least Concern to Endangered.
- [Leopard](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/leopard) — Varies by species (Vulnerable to Endangered): Leopards are spotted Panthera cats of Africa and Asia — Vulnerable (Panthera pardus) — plus clouded leopards and snow leopards as distinct species covered in separate WARN guides.
- [Crocodile](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/crocodile) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Critically Endangered): Crocodilians are ~26 species of large aquatic reptiles — crocodiles, alligators, caimans and gharials — with status from Least Concern to Critically Endangered; WARN covers saltwater crocodile and alligator in detail.
- [Donkey](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/donkey) — Domestic species; wild ancestor Critically Endangered: Donkeys (Equus asinus) are domestic equids used worldwide for transport and companionship — their wild ancestor is Critically Endangered; millions are killed yearly for the ejiao skin trade.
- [Tapir](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/tapir) — Endangered to Vulnerable (all four species threatened): Tapirs are four threatened species of forest herbivore in Asia and the Americas — all Endangered or Vulnerable — serving as seed dispersers; WARN covers the Malayan tapir in detail.
- [Panther](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/panther) — Not a single species — see cougar, jaguar and leopard guides: 'Panther' is a colloquial term — not one species — referring to melanistic leopards or jaguars, cougars (including Florida panther) or large cats generally; WARN covers cougar, jaguar and leopard in dedicated guides.
- [Guinea Pig](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/guinea-pig) — Domesticated — not assessed; wild Cavia aperea Least Concern: The guinea pig (Cavia porcellus) is a domesticated South American rodent that must live with companions, needs daily vitamin C and spacious enclosures — not solitary confinement in small hutches.
- [Hamster](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/hamster) — Wild Syrian hamster Vulnerable; dwarf species vary — pets are domestic lines: Hamsters are nocturnal cricetine rodents — Syrian hamsters must live alone; dwarf species may tolerate pairs. Wild Syrian hamsters are Vulnerable; pet welfare requires large enclosures, deep bedding and wheels with a straight back.
- [Chicken](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/chicken) — Domesticated — wild red junglefowl Least Concern (IUCN): Chickens (Gallus gallus domesticus) descend from Least Concern red junglefowl — the world's commonest bird, raised for meat and eggs; backyard companions need space, dust baths and predator-safe housing unlike industrial systems.
- [Goldfish](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/goldfish) — Domesticated — feral populations invasive; wild Carassius species Least Concern: Goldfish (Carassius auratus) are domesticated East Asian carp relatives needing filtered tanks of 150+ litres per fancy fish — not bowls; released fish become invasive ecosystem pests.
- [Betta](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/betta) — Vulnerable (IUCN, 2011) — wild populations in Thailand threatened: Betta splendens is a Vulnerable labyrinth fish of South-east Asian rice paddies — males are territorial; pet bettas need heated filtered tanks of at least 15–20 litres, not unheated bowls or vases.
- [Koi](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/koi) — Wild common carp Vulnerable in native range; koi are domestic ornamental lines: Koi are ornamental domestic carp bred for pond display — wild Cyprinus carpio is Vulnerable; koi need large filtered ponds, quarantine and never release into wild waterways.
- [Guppy](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/guppy) — Least Concern (IUCN, 2019) — widespread in native and introduced range: Guppies (Poecilia reticulata) are Least Concern livebearing fish of South America — popular aquarium species needing heated filtered tanks, not overcrowded cups; males harass females without adequate cover.
- [Cow](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cow) — Domesticated — wild aurochs (Bos primigenius) extinct since 1627: Cattle (Bos taurus) are domesticated descendants of extinct aurochs — social herd animals raised for milk and meat; industrial systems impose calf separation, repeated pregnancy and early culling despite natural lifespans of 15–20 years.
- [Sheep](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/sheep) — Domesticated — wild mouflon (Ovis gmelini) Near Threatened: Sheep (Ovis aries) are flock livestock domesticated from wild mouflon — social prey animals needing companions; commercial wool and lamb systems impose tail docking, transport stress and predator culls.
- [Goat](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/goat) — Domesticated — wild bezoar (Capra aegagrus) Near Threatened: Goats (Capra hircus) are intelligent browsing livestock domesticated from Near Threatened bezoar ibex — need companions, climbing enrichment and hoof care; tethering and solitary keeping cause severe welfare harm.
- [Raccoon](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/raccoon) — Least Concern (IUCN): The raccoon (Procyon lotor) is a Least Concern omnivorous procyonid native to the Americas, famous for its eye mask, ringed tail and dexterous paws; it thrives in wild and urban habitats and has been introduced to Europe.
- [Beaver](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/beaver) — Least Concern (IUCN): Beavers are Least Concern rodents of the genus Castor — the Eurasian and American species build dams and lodges that create wetlands supporting fish, birds and amphibians; Eurasian beavers recovered from near extinction through reintroduction.
- [Badger](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/badger) — Least Concern (IUCN): The European badger (Meles meles) is a Least Concern mustelid of European and Asian woodlands, living in social groups in extensive underground setts and feeding on earthworms, fruit and small vertebrates.
- [Jackal](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/jackal) — Least Concern (IUCN): The golden jackal (Canis aureus) is a Least Concern wild canid ranging from Africa through the Middle East to Pakistan and Nepal — an adaptable omnivore of savanna, scrub and farmland.
- [Mongoose](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/mongoose) — Least Concern (IUCN, 2016) — small Asian mongoose; family Herpestidae: Mongooses are small carnivorans of family Herpestidae — roughly 34 species across Africa and Asia; the small Asian mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) is Least Concern and native from Pakistan to Indonesia, famous for hunting snakes.
- [Wild Boar](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/wild-boar) — Least Concern (IUCN): The wild boar (Sus scrofa) is a Least Concern suid native across Europe, Asia and North Africa — ancestor of the domestic pig, widespread from Pakistan to Indonesia and increasing across Europe.
- [Sloth Bear](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/sloth-bear) — Vulnerable: The sloth bear (Melursus ursinus) is a Vulnerable myrmecophagous bear of India, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Bhutan — adapted for eating ants and termites with long claws and a tube-like muzzle, threatened by habitat loss and conflict.
- [Buffalo](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/buffalo) — Near Threatened: The African buffalo (Syncerus caffer) is a Near Threatened bovid of sub-Saharan Africa — a 900 kg herd grazer and formidable prey for lions, with roughly 400,000 individuals; Asian wild water buffalo is a separate Endangered species.
- [Yak](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/yak) — Vulnerable: The wild yak (Bos mutus) is a Vulnerable high-altitude bovid of the Tibetan Plateau and Himalayas — ancestor of the domestic yak, threatened by hunting, hybridisation and habitat disturbance; remnant populations persist in Pakistan and Nepal.
- [Gaur](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/gaur) — Vulnerable: The gaur (Bos gaurus) is a Vulnerable forest bovid — the largest wild cattle species, ranging from India through Malaysia; threatened by habitat loss, bushmeat hunting and agricultural encroachment.
- [Pigeon](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/pigeon) — Least Concern (IUCN, 2016) — wild rock pigeon: The rock pigeon (Columba livia) is a Least Concern columbid native to Europe, North Africa and western Asia, now feral in cities worldwide; it is the wild ancestor of domestic racing and homing pigeons.
- [Dove](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/dove) — Vulnerable: The European turtle dove (Streptopelia turtur) is a Vulnerable migratory columbid of European woodland and farmland, declining by roughly 80% since 1970 due to habitat loss, hunting and agricultural intensification.
- [Sparrow](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/sparrow) — Least Concern (IUCN, 2018) — steep decline in parts of Europe: The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) is a Least Concern passerine found on every continent except Antarctica; globally abundant but declined by over 70% in urban Britain since the 1970s.
- [Raven](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/raven) — Least Concern (IUCN, 2018): The common raven (Corvus corax) is a Least Concern corvid of the Northern Hemisphere — the largest passerine, renowned for intelligence, tool use and deep cultural significance.
- [Salamander](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/salamander) — Near Threatened: Salamanders are tailed amphibians of order Caudata; the fire salamander (Salamandra salamandra) is Near Threatened in Europe, threatened by Bsal fungus linked to the pet trade, while many species face habitat loss and overharvesting.
- [Eel](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/eel) — Critically Endangered: The European eel (Anguilla anguilla) is a Critically Endangered catadromous fish spawning in the Sargasso Sea; populations have declined over 90% since the 1970s from dams, pollution, fisheries and illegal trade.
- [Pufferfish](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/pufferfish) — Varies by species — Chinese puffer Critically Endangered; many Data Deficient: Pufferfish (Tetraodontidae) are roughly 200 species of toxic, inflatable fish worldwide; IUCN status varies — Chinese puffer Critically Endangered — threatened by overfishing, habitat loss and bycatch.
- [Clownfish](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/clownfish) — Least Concern (IUCN 2021) — reef- and anemone-dependent; not a hatchery free-for-all: The ocellaris clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) is an Indo-Pacific anemonefish listed Least Concern by IUCN in 2021. About 30 Amphiprion species exist. They live in host anemones, change sex from male to female, and depend on reefs. Least Concern is not a wild-collection permit. WARN does not run clownfish programmes.
- [Salmon](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/salmon) — Least Concern globally (IUCN, 2018) — Endangered in parts of range: The Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) is Least Concern globally but Endangered in much of its southern range; anadromous fish threatened by dams, aquaculture, sea lice, overfishing and river pollution.
- [Tuna](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/tuna) — Least Concern (IUCN, 2021) — Southern bluefin Endangered: Atlantic bluefin tuna (Thunnus thynnus) is Least Concern after stock recovery (IUCN, 2021); Southern bluefin is Endangered. Global tuna fisheries face overfishing, bycatch of sharks and turtles, and IUU fishing.
- [Swordfish](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/swordfish) — Least Concern (IUCN, 2021) — overfished in parts of range: The swordfish (Xiphias gladius) is a Least Concern billfish of global oceans, managed in the Atlantic but overfished in the Mediterranean; longline fisheries cause shark and turtle bycatch.
- [Marlin](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/marlin) — Vulnerable: The blue marlin (Makaira nigricans) is a Vulnerable billfish of tropical oceans, declining from longline bycatch and overfishing; white and striped marlin face similar pressures.
- [Angelfish](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/angelfish) — Domesticated aquarium fish; wild type widespread in the Amazon basin: Angelfish (Pterophyllum scalare) are tall Amazonian cichlids kept worldwide in aquariums; the many 'varieties' are line-bred colour and fin forms of one species, needing a tall planted tank of 110+ litres and calm tankmates.
- [Cockatiel](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cockatiel) — Least Concern (IUCN) — wild cockatiel; abundant across Australia: The cockatiel (Nymphicus hollandicus) is a small Australian parrot — the smallest cockatoo, Least Concern in the wild — kept worldwide as a gentle pet; its colour 'varieties' are captive-bred mutations of one species.
- [Leopard Gecko](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/leopard-gecko) — Least Concern (IUCN) — wild leopard gecko: The leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius) is a hardy, ground-dwelling South Asian lizard — Least Concern in the wild — and a popular beginner pet; its many 'morphs' are captive-bred colour and pattern lines of one species.
- [Ball Python](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/ball-python) — Least Concern (IUCN) but heavily traded; CITES Appendix II: The ball python (Python regius) is a small, docile African snake — Least Concern but heavily traded (CITES Appendix II) — and the world's most popular pet snake; its thousands of 'morphs' are captive-bred colour and pattern forms of one species.
- [Monarch Butterfly](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/monarch-butterfly) — Migratory monarch (D. p. plexippus) assessed Vulnerable; the species as a whole is Least Concern: The monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) is an orange-and-black North American butterfly whose migratory population travels up to 4,000 km to overwinter in Mexican fir forests; the migratory subspecies is listed Vulnerable, and it breeds only on milkweed.
- [Butterfly](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/butterfly) — Group page — status varies by species, from Least Concern to Critically Endangered: Butterflies are day-flying insects of the superfamily Papilionoidea — about 19,000 species — that develop through complete metamorphosis from egg to caterpillar to chrysalis to adult, and are widely used as indicators of habitat health.
- [Honey Bee](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/honey-bee) — Managed livestock in most of its range; not a threatened species: The honey bee (Apis mellifera) is a social bee living in perennial colonies of tens of thousands with a single queen; it is managed as livestock worldwide, is not a threatened species, and is distinct from the wild solitary bees that face the greatest decline.
- [Ladybird](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/ladybird) — Family page — most species unassessed; some native species declining regionally: Ladybirds (family Coccinellidae) are beetles — around 6,000 species — whose adults and larvae are mostly predators of aphids and scale insects; spot number indicates species, not age, and the invasive harlequin ladybird is displacing natives in Europe and North America.
- [Praying Mantis](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/praying-mantis) — Order page — most species unassessed; a few narrow-range species are threatened: Praying mantises are ambush-predator insects of the order Mantodea — about 2,400 species — with stereoscopic 3D vision, a head that rotates roughly 180 degrees, and spined forelegs that snap shut on prey in around 50–70 milliseconds.
- [Scorpion](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/scorpion) — Order page — most species unassessed; several cave and island endemics are threatened: Scorpions are arachnids of the order Scorpiones — about 2,500 species — that have existed for over 430 million years, fluoresce under ultraviolet light, and give birth to live young; only around 25 species have venom dangerous to humans.
- [Snail](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/snail) — Group page — includes some of the most extinction-prone animals on record: Snails are shelled gastropod molluscs living on land, in fresh water and in the sea; they move on a single muscular foot, feed with a toothed radula, and land snails account for more documented modern extinctions than any other animal group.
- [Moth](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/moth) — Group page — status varies by species; steep declines documented in several regions: Moths are the roughly 160,000 lepidopteran species that are not butterflies; most fly at night, they carry out substantial unrecorded pollination, and their caterpillars are the primary food for nestling birds.
- [Wasp](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/wasp) — Group page — the vast majority of species are solitary, tiny and unassessed: Wasps are hymenopteran insects — over 100,000 species — of which the great majority are tiny solitary parasitoids; social wasps such as yellowjackets are a small minority that act as major predators of pest insects and as pollinators.
- [Barn Owl](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/barn-owl) — Least Concern globally; locally declining across intensively farmed landscapes: The barn owl (Tyto alba) is a pale, heart-faced owl found on every continent except Antarctica; it hunts almost entirely by sound, using asymmetric ear openings and a facial disc to locate prey it cannot see, and flies almost silently.
- [Snowy Owl](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/snowy-owl) — Vulnerable — reassessed in 2017 after population estimates were revised sharply downward: The snowy owl (Bubo scandiacus) is a large, mainly white Arctic owl that hunts by day and is nomadic rather than territorial; its breeding success tracks lemming abundance, and it was reclassified as Vulnerable in 2017.
- [Bald Eagle](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/bald-eagle) — Least Concern — recovered from near-extirpation in the contiguous United States: The bald eagle (Haliaeetus leucocephalus) is a large North American fish eagle that recovered from roughly 400 nesting pairs in the contiguous United States in the 1960s to tens of thousands today, after DDT was banned and legal protection was strengthened.
- [Kakapo](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/kakapo) — Critically Endangered — every living bird is individually named and monitored: The kākāpō (Strigops habroptilus) is the world's only flightless parrot and the heaviest, a nocturnal New Zealand species now confined to predator-free offshore islands where every individual bird is named, microchipped and monitored.
- [Kea](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/kea) — Endangered — the world's only alpine parrot: The kea (Nestor notabilis) is the world's only alpine parrot, native to New Zealand's South Island mountains; it is highly intelligent and inventive, and is listed as Endangered largely because of introduced predators, lead poisoning and human conflict.
- [Stork](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/stork) — Family page — status ranges from Least Concern to Endangered by species: Storks are large wading birds of the family Ciconiidae — 19 species — that soar on thermals rather than flapping, and most of which are effectively voiceless, communicating by clattering their bills.
- [Honey Badger](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/honey-badger) — Least Concern — widespread but persecuted and declining locally: The honey badger (Mellivora capensis) is a stocky African and Asian mustelid with exceptionally thick, loose skin that lets it twist within its own hide when gripped, a partial tolerance to snake venom, and well-documented problem-solving and escape ability.
- [Fennec Fox](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/fennec-fox) — Least Concern (IUCN 2015) — CITES Appendix II; pet-trade capture is a local pressure: A fennec fox (Vulpes zerda) is a small Saharan canid, listed Least Concern by the IUCN in 2015 and on CITES Appendix II. Oversized ears shed heat and find prey under sand. It can live without drinking free water. Least Concern is not a licence to keep one as a house pet. WARN does not run fennec programmes.
- [Arctic Fox](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/arctic-fox) — Least Concern globally; the Scandinavian population remains critically small: The Arctic fox (Vulpes lagopus) has the warmest coat of any mammal, does not begin shivering until around −40°C, and changes from a brown-grey summer coat to thick white winter fur; its main modern threat is the red fox expanding north.
- [Okapi](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/okapi) — Endangered — restricted entirely to the rainforests of the DRC: The okapi (Okapia johnstoni) is the giraffe's only living relative, a solitary rainforest herbivore found exclusively in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, with striped hindquarters for camouflage and a long dark prehensile tongue.
- [Kinkajou](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/kinkajou) — Least Concern (IUCN 2016) — CITES Appendix III (Honduras); pet-trade capture is a local pressure: A kinkajou (Potos flavus) is a nocturnal Neotropical procyonid, not a primate or a bear. IUCN listed it Least Concern in 2016. It has a fully prehensile tail and a diet about 90% fruit. Least Concern is not a licence to keep one as a house pet. WARN does not run kinkajou programmes.
- [Whale Shark](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/whale-shark) — Endangered — the largest fish alive, and a filter feeder: The whale shark (Rhincodon typus) is the largest fish on Earth at up to around 18 metres, a filter feeder that eats plankton and small fish, and is listed as Endangered.
- [Tiger Shark](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/tiger-shark) — Near Threatened — a genuine generalist predator: The tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier) is a large generalist predator whose uniquely notched, heavily serrated teeth can cut through sea turtle shell, and which is listed as Near Threatened.
- [Basking Shark](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/basking-shark) — Endangered — the second-largest fish, and harmless: The basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) is the second-largest fish on Earth at around 10 metres, an entirely harmless filter feeder that strains plankton at the surface, and is listed as Endangered.
- [Sawfish](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/sawfish) — Critically Endangered — among the most threatened marine fish on Earth: Sawfish are rays with a long tooth-lined rostrum used to sense and strike prey; all five species are threatened and most are Critically Endangered, largely because the rostrum entangles in fishing nets.
- [Mantis Shrimp](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/mantis-shrimp) — Order page — most species unassessed: Mantis shrimp are stomatopod crustaceans whose raptorial strike is fast enough to vaporise water and produce a cavitation shockwave, and whose eyes carry up to sixteen photoreceptor types plus polarised-light vision.
- [Ocean Sunfish](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/ocean-sunfish) — Vulnerable — the heaviest bony fish alive: The ocean sunfish (Mola mola) is the heaviest bony fish alive at over two tonnes, has no true tail fin, feeds largely on gelatinous plankton, and grows to around 60 million times its larval weight.
- [Porpoise](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/porpoise) — Family page — includes the vaquita, the most endangered marine mammal: Porpoises are a separate family from dolphins, with blunt beakless heads, triangular dorsal fins and spade-shaped teeth; the family includes the vaquita, the most endangered marine mammal in the world.
- [Gray Whale](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/gray-whale) — Least Concern overall; the western Pacific population is Critically Endangered: The gray whale migrates up to around 20,000 km a year between Arctic feeding grounds and Mexican calving lagoons, and is the only baleen whale that feeds mainly by rolling on the seabed to filter sediment.
- [Blobfish](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/blobfish) — Not Evaluated — deep-sea species, taken as trawl bycatch: The blobfish (Psychrolutes marcidus) is a deep-sea fish living 600–1,200 m down off Australia and New Zealand; it looks like a normal pinkish sculpin at that depth, and the famous droopy appearance is decompression damage that occurs only when a specimen is hauled to the surface.
- [Poison Dart Frog](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/poison-dart-frog) — Varies by species — several Endangered or Critically Endangered: Poison dart frogs are around 200 species of small brightly coloured frogs in the family Dendrobatidae, found in Central and South American rainforests; their toxins are absorbed from a diet of alkaloid-carrying invertebrates, so captive-bred individuals are entirely harmless.
- [Tree Frog](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/tree-frog) — Varies by species — many Least Concern, some Critically Endangered: Tree frogs are over 800 species of arboreal frogs, mainly in the family Hylidae, that climb using adhesive toe pads which work by wet adhesion — a thin layer of mucus creating surface tension against the surface rather than suction.
- [Galápagos Tortoise](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/galapagos-tortoise) — Vulnerable — recovered from ~3,000 animals to around 60,000: The Galápagos tortoise is the world's largest tortoise, reaching over 400 kg and living beyond 100 years; hunted from an estimated 200,000 animals down to about 3,000 by the 1970s, captive breeding and invasive-species removal have since recovered the population to around 60,000.
- [Leatherback Turtle](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/leatherback-turtle) — Vulnerable globally — Pacific subpopulations Critically Endangered: The leatherback is the world's largest turtle at up to 700 kg, the only sea turtle without a hard shell, and the deepest-diving reptile at over 1,200 m; it feeds almost entirely on jellyfish and is Vulnerable globally, with Pacific subpopulations Critically Endangered.
- [Tuatara](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/tuatara) — Least Concern (IUCN 2019) — CITES Appendix I; survives only where introduced mammals are kept out: A tuatara (Sphenodon punctatus) is a New Zealand reptile, the only living rhynchocephalian, not a lizard. IUCN listed it Least Concern in 2019. It survives on predator-free islands and in fenced sanctuaries. CITES Appendix I. Least Concern is not a clean bill of health. WARN does not run tuatara programmes.
- [Skink](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/skink) — Varies by species — several island endemics Critically Endangered: Skinks are over 1,700 species of lizards in the family Scincidae, found on every continent except Antarctica; they are recognisable by smooth overlapping scales and reduced limbs, and limb loss has evolved independently many times within the family.
- [Snapping Turtle](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/snapping-turtle) — Common snapping turtle Least Concern; alligator snapping turtle Vulnerable: Snapping turtles are two North American freshwater species — the common snapping turtle and the larger alligator snapping turtle, which lures fish with a worm-shaped appendage on its tongue; both are far less dangerous than their reputation, with bite forces well below those of a large dog.
- [Reindeer](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/reindeer) — Least Concern — some subpopulations declining; caribou and reindeer are the same species: Reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) are Arctic and subarctic deer in which both sexes grow antlers; the Eurasian name reindeer and the North American name caribou refer to the same species, with some Eurasian populations herded and most North American ones wild.
- [Pallas's Cat](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/pallas-cat) — Least Concern — secretive, patchily distributed and poorly surveyed: Pallas's cat (Otocolobus manul) is a small, densely furred wild cat of Central Asian steppe and semi-desert, with a flat round face, circular pupils and an ambush-hunting lifestyle focused on pikas and small rodents.
- [Sand Cat](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/sand-cat) — Least Concern — poorly known and difficult to survey in desert habitat: The sand cat (Felis margarita) is a small pale desert felid of the Sahara, Arabian Peninsula and Central Asia, adapted to extreme aridity with fur-covered footpads, large ears for heat dissipation and the ability to survive without drinking free water.
- [Fishing Cat](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/fishing-cat) — Vulnerable — wetland loss is the primary threat across South and Southeast Asia: The fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) is a Vulnerable wetland felid of South and Southeast Asia that swims and dives to catch fish, with partially webbed toes and a stocky build adapted to marsh, mangrove and reedbed habitat.
- [Saiga Antelope](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/saiga-antelope) — Near Threatened — recovered from Critically Endangered (2023); still vulnerable to mass die-offs: The saiga antelope (Saiga tatarica) is a Central Asian steppe ungulate with a distinctive trunk-like nose, downlisted to Near Threatened in 2023 after recovery from Critically Endangered, with Kazakhstan holding around 1.9 million animals but remaining vulnerable to mass disease die-offs.
- [Arabian Oryx](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/arabian-oryx) — Vulnerable — restored from Extinct in the Wild; wild population still small: The Arabian oryx (Oryx leucoryx) is a desert antelope of the Arabian Peninsula that was Extinct in the Wild by the 1970s and restored through captive breeding and reintroduction; it is now Vulnerable with a growing but still small wild population.
- [European Bison](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/european-bison) — Near Threatened — restored from ~54 captive animals in 1927 to 6,800+ wild: The European bison (Bison bonasus) is Europe's largest land mammal, restored from around fifty-four captive animals when the last wild individual died in 1927 to more than 6,800 wild bison today through captive breeding and reintroduction.
- [Dhole](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/dhole) — Endangered — declining across South and Southeast Asia: The dhole (Cuon alpinus) is an Endangered wild canid of South and Southeast Asian forests that hunts deer and wild pig in coordinated packs, communicates with whistles rather than barks, and is declining across most of its range.
- [Stoat](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/stoat) — Least Concern — widespread; white winter coat prized as ermine fur: The stoat (Mustela erminea) is a small mustelid of Eurasia and North America that turns white in winter except for a black-tipped tail, hunts prey far larger than itself including rabbits, and was introduced to New Zealand where it is now a major invasive predator.
- [Naked Mole-Rat](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/naked-mole-rat) — Least Concern — eusocial mammal with exceptional pain and cancer resistance: The naked mole-rat (Heterocephalus glaber) is a eusocial East African rodent that lives in insect-like colonies with a breeding queen, tolerates extreme hypoxia and carbon dioxide, shows negligible ageing, resists cancer, and lacks normal acid pain sensation.
- [Bushbaby](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/bushbaby) — Least Concern — nocturnal primate with enormous eyes and powerful hind-leg leaps: Bushbabies (family Galagidae) are small nocturnal primates of sub-Saharan Africa; the Senegal bushbaby (Galago senegalensis) weighs under 300 g, has eyes roughly the size of its brain, and can leap six metres between branches.
- [Swallow](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/swallow) — Least Concern — widespread migrant; long-term declines linked to farmland and insect loss: The barn swallow (Hirundo rustica) is a long-distance migrant that breeds across the Northern Hemisphere and winters in Africa, South Asia or South America; in Britain it nests in mud cups under eaves and barns and feeds entirely on flying insects caught in agile aerial pursuit.
- [Blackbird](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/blackbird) — Least Concern — abundant in gardens; nests suffer heavy predation from cats: The Eurasian blackbird (Turdus merula) is a common British garden thrush; males are black with an orange bill, females are brown, and pairs nest in hedges and shrubs while feeding on worms, insects and berries — with domestic cats among the main causes of nest failure.
- [Wren](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/wren) — Least Concern — Britain's commonest breeding bird by territory count; vulnerable to hard winters: The Eurasian wren (Troglodytes troglodytes) is a tiny insectivorous bird and Britain's most numerous breeding species by territory; it sings at extraordinary volume from dense cover, nests in cavities and small nest boxes, and suffers heavy mortality in hard winters without sheltered feeding.
- [Goldfinch](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/goldfinch) — Least Concern — increasing in British gardens where nyjer and sunflower feeders are provided: The European goldfinch (Carduelis carduelis) is a seed-eating finch with a red face and yellow wing bars; in Britain it has increased in gardens where nyjer and sunflower feeders are provided, nesting high in trees while feeding in sociable flocks at specialist seed feeders.
- [Pheasant](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/pheasant) — Least Concern — native to Asia; introduced to Britain as a gamebird; millions released annually for shooting: The common pheasant (Phasianus colchicus) is a large Asian gamebird introduced to Britain for shooting; males are brightly coloured with a long barred tail, females are mottled brown, and millions are released annually — making road deaths, cat predation on chicks and fence entanglement common in rural gardens and lanes.
- [Jay](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/jay) — Least Concern — shy woodland corvid; acorn caching shapes oak regeneration: The Eurasian jay (Garrulus glandarius) is a pink-brown woodland corvid with a blue wing patch, known for its harsh screech, secretive habits and autumn acorn caching that helps regenerate oak woodland across Britain and temperate Eurasia.
- [Nuthatch](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/nuthatch) — Least Concern — the bird that walks head-first down tree trunks: The Eurasian nuthatch (Sitta europaea) is a compact woodland bird that climbs tree trunks in any direction including head-first, nests in tree holes often narrowed with mud, and visits garden feeders where mature trees lie near deciduous woodland.
- [Thrush](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/thrush) — Family overview — status varies by species; song thrush Red-listed in Britain, blackbird abundant: Thrushes are medium-sized birds in the family Turdidae; British garden members include blackbird, song thrush, mistle thrush and winter-visiting redwing and fieldfare — ground feeders that hunt worms and berries, with conservation status varying from abundant to Red-listed.
- [Finch](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/finch) — Family overview — status varies; greenfinch declined from trichomonosis, chaffinch and goldfinch remain common: Finches are seed-eating birds in the family Fringillidae with conical bills adapted for husking seeds; British garden species include chaffinch, goldfinch, greenfinch and bullfinch, with population trends varying from abundant to disease-affected.
- [Chaffinch](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/chaffinch) — Least Concern — Britain's commonest finch; feeder spillage specialist: The chaffinch (Fringilla coelebs) is Britain's commonest finch — a pink-breasted male in spring, brown female year-round, feeding on invertebrates in summer and seed beneath garden feeders in winter, with a loud cascading song from treetops.
- [Bullfinch](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/bullfinch) — Least Concern — shy garden visitor; orchard bud-feeding brings local conflict: The bullfinch (Pyrrhula pyrrhula) is a shy, rosy-pink finch with a broad bill adapted for clipping fruit-tree buds in late winter; it visits gardens near scrub and orchards locally rather than abundantly, and orchard bud damage brings historical conflict with fruit growers.
- [Dunnock](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/dunnock) — Least Concern — the quiet hedge bird with complicated breeding behaviour: The dunnock (Prunella modularis) is a small streaky brown hedge bird that forages on the ground beneath garden shrubs, sings a thin reeling warble, and is known for complex breeding arrangements — multiple males or females sharing territories — while depending on dense cover and cat-safe hedges.
- [Wagtail](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/wagtail) — Family overview — pied and grey wagtails common; yellow wagtail declined as breeding bird: Wagtails are slender insect-eating birds that constantly pump their long tails; British species include the black-and-white pied wagtail on lawns and rooftops, the yellow-bellied grey wagtail beside water, and the declining yellow wagtail of wet grassland.
- [Gull](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/gull) — Family overview — no species called 'seagull'; several UK species Red-listed including kittiwake: Gulls belong to the family Laridae — there is no species called 'seagull'; British gulls include herring, lesser black-backed, black-headed and kittiwake, with several Red-listed or declining while remaining common in urban and coastal settings.
- [Tern](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/tern) — Family overview — common tern widespread; Arctic tern makes longest migration of any bird: Terns are fork-tailed seabirds that plunge-dive for fish; British species include common, Arctic, little, sandwich and rare roseate tern — with Arctic tern undertaking the longest migration of any bird from breeding grounds to Antarctic winter.
- [Cormorant](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cormorant) — Least Concern — fish-eating diver; conflict with fisheries but populations recovering in Europe: The great cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo) is a large black fish-eating bird that dives underwater, dries its wings after swimming, nests in tree or cliff colonies, and is widespread on British coasts and inland waters — with local conflict over fish consumption.
- [Gannet](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/gannet) — Least Concern — North Atlantic plunge-diver; large colonies on British cliffs: The northern gannet (Morus bassanus) is a large white North Atlantic seabird that plunge-dives from height to catch fish; Britain holds major cliff colonies including Bass Rock and Bempton, with breeding success linked to sandeel and pelagic fish availability.
- [Cuckoo](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cuckoo) — Least Concern globally — Red-listed in Britain after steep breeding decline: The common cuckoo (Cuculus canorus) is a brood-parasitic migrant whose male's two-note call marks British spring; females lay in other birds' nests, and British breeding numbers have declined steeply — Red-listed — linked to caterpillar loss and migration pressures.
- [Swift](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/swift) — Least Concern globally — Amber-listed in Britain; screaming parties over rooftops: The common swift (Apus apus) spends almost its entire life on the wing, nesting in cavities under eaves and screaming over rooftops in summer; British numbers have declined as building renovation seals nest holes — Amber-listed.
- [Quail](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/quail) — Family overview — common quail is a scarce British breeder and summer visitor; Japanese quail domesticated: Quails are small cryptic gamebirds; the common quail (Coturnix coturnix) is a scarce British summer visitor heard calling from arable crops, while the Japanese quail is domesticated for eggs and meat — both in family Phasianidae with grouse and pheasant.
- [Grouse](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/grouse) — Family overview — red grouse widespread on UK moors; black grouse and capercaillie declined: Grouse are moorland and forest gamebirds; Britain holds red grouse on heather moors, declining black grouse with lek displays, and capercaillie in Scottish pine forest — status ranges from shooting-abundant to Critically Endangered as British breeders.
- [Curlew](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/curlew) — Near Threatened globally — Red-listed in Britain after catastrophic breeding decline: The Eurasian curlew (Numenius arquata) is a large wader with a long downcurved bill and bubbling call, breeding on moor and wet grassland; British numbers have fallen catastrophically — Red-listed — and the species is Near Threatened globally.
- [Lapwing](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/lapwing) — Near Threatened globally — Red-listed in Britain after steep farmland breeding decline: The northern lapwing (Vanellus vanellus) is a crested farmland wader with peewit call and tumbling display; British breeding numbers have fallen steeply — Red-listed — as wet meadows drained and spring nesting habitat vanished, and the species is Near Threatened globally.
- [Hornbill](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/hornbill) — Family overview — status varies; several species Vulnerable to Critically Endangered from forest loss: Hornbills are tropical forest birds of Africa and Asia with massive casqued bills; females seal themselves in tree-cavity nests, species disperse forest seeds, and family status ranges from Least Concern to Critically Endangered through logging, hunting and casque trade.
- [Spider](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/spider) — Order page — most species unassessed; a few narrow-range cave and island species are threatened: Spiders (order Araneae) are arachnids — not insects — with more than 50,000 described species, all producing silk and most acting as ambush or trap predators; only a small fraction of species have venom medically significant to humans.
- [Bee](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/bee) — Group page — most wild bee species unassessed; many show regional declines: Bees (superfamily Apoidea) comprise roughly 20,000 species — mostly solitary nesters, not honey-bee-style colonies — and are essential pollinators; wild bee declines are a separate and often more urgent concern than managed honey bee colony losses.
- [Beetle](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/beetle) — Order page — most species unassessed; many narrow-range and island species are threatened: Beetles (order Coleoptera) are the most species-rich animal order — more than 400,000 described species with hardened forewings (elytra) and complete metamorphosis — filling roles from pollinator and pest controller to forest pest and decomposer.
- [Mantis](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/mantis) — Family page — most species unassessed; narrow-range tropical species face habitat loss: Mantids (family Mantidae) are the largest mantis family — roughly 2,300 ambush-predator species with spined raptorial forelegs — and the group most people mean when they say 'praying mantis'; WARN's praying mantis page covers the full order Mantodea.
- [Stick Insect](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/stick-insect) — Order page — most species unassessed; island endemics among the most threatened insects: Stick insects (order Phasmatodea) are phytophagous insects with more than 3,000 species, most mimicking twigs or leaves; many reproduce parthenogenetically, and island endemics are among the most threatened insects.
- [Krill](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/krill) — Least Concern — E. superba assessed; fishing pressure and climate change are active concerns: Krill (order Euphausiacea) are small crustaceans whose Antarctic species Euphausia superba underpins the Southern Ocean food web; the species is Least Concern but faces fishing pressure and climate-driven sea-ice loss.
- [Viper](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/viper) — Family page — status varies; many species Least Concern, some island endemics threatened: Vipers (family Viperidae) are roughly 350 species of venomous snake with hinged solenoglyph fangs and ambush hunting — including adders, rattlesnakes and fer-de-lance — responsible for a major share of global snakebite envenomation.
- [Mamba](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/mamba) — Least Concern — black mamba assessed; all four species widespread in suitable habitat: Mambas (genus Dendroaspis) are four species of fast African elapid snake with potent neurotoxic venom; the black mamba is the largest venomous snake in Africa despite its name referring to mouth colour, not skin.
- [Sea Snake](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/sea-snake) — Group page — most species unassessed; some face bycatch and habitat degradation: Sea snakes (subfamily Hydrophiinae) are roughly 70 species of fully marine venomous elapid with paddle tails and salt-excreting glands — among the most venomous snakes, generally inoffensive to humans, and vulnerable to trawl bycatch.
- [Lionfish](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/lionfish) — Least Concern in native range — invasive Atlantic populations are a major ecological case study: Lionfish (genus Pterois) are venomous Indo-Pacific reef fish whose red lionfish and devil firefish became invasive in the Atlantic from the 1980s — unchecked by predators, they devastate native reef fish communities.
- [Roe Deer](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/roe-deer) — Least Concern — widespread and expanding in much of Europe: The roe deer (Capreolus capreolus) is a small European deer with short antlers, delayed implantation after a summer rut, and solitary fawns hidden in vegetation — Least Concern and expanding across much of its range.
- [Red Deer](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/red-deer) — Least Concern globally — some island subspecies threatened; wapiti often split as C. canadensis: The red deer (Cervus elaphus) is a large Eurasian cervid — stags with branched antlers, autumn rut, Least Concern globally — closely related to North American elk and widely introduced outside native range.
- [Muskox](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/musk-ox) — Least Concern — recovered from near extinction; climate change threatens Arctic habitat: The muskox (Ovibos moschatus) is an Arctic bovid with a shaggy coat, curved horns and defensive circle formation — recovered from near extinction and now Least Concern, but vulnerable to rapid Arctic climate change.
- [Sugar Glider](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/sugar-glider) — Least Concern — widespread in Australia; heavily traded as exotic pet outside native range: The sugar glider (Petaurus breviceps) is a small nocturnal marsupial of Australia and New Guinea that glides on a skin membrane between trees — Least Concern in the wild but widely kept as an exotic pet with frequent welfare failures.
- [Prairie Dog](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/prairie-dog) — Varies by species — Utah and black-tailed prairie dogs Least Concern; white-tailed and Gunnison's Near Threatened or Vulnerable: Prairie dogs (genus Cynomys) are five species of social North American ground squirrel whose colony burrows keystone the Great Plains prairie — reduced to a fraction of historic range by poisoning, plague and habitat loss.
- [Lemming](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/lemming) — Least Concern for Norway lemming — no reliable global population estimate; numbers boom and crash on a multi-year cycle: Lemmings are small Arctic rodents in the family Cricetidae whose populations boom and crash on a roughly three-to-four-year cycle; they do not commit mass suicide — the famous cliff-dive footage was staged for Disney's 1958 film White Wilderness.
- [Daddy Longlegs](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/daddy-longlegs) — Not Evaluated as a group — most species unassessed; common cellar spiders and harvestmen are widespread: Daddy longlegs is a shared common name for cellar spiders (Pholcidae), harvestmen (Opiliones) and sometimes crane flies; none is the world's most venomous spider — harvestmen have no venom, cellar-spider venom is not medically significant to humans, and crane flies have none.
- [Grey Cuscus](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/grey-cuscus) — Least Concern — but heavily hunted across much of its range: The grey cuscus (Phalanger orientalis) is a slow, nocturnal, tree-dwelling marsupial of New Guinea and nearby islands; it is a possum rather than a primate, and archaeological evidence shows people were deliberately moving it between islands around 20,000 years ago.
- [King Bird-of-Paradise](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/king-bird-of-paradise) — Least Concern — but the family is defined by its history of plume hunting: The king bird-of-paradise (Cicinnurus regius) is the smallest of the roughly 45 bird-of-paradise species at about 16 cm, found in the lowland forests of New Guinea and nearby islands; the crimson male displays by fanning iridescent flank plumes and hanging upside down from a branch.
- [Tree Kangaroo](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/tree-kangaroo) — Varies by species — several Endangered or Critically Endangered: Tree kangaroos are around 14 species of marsupial in the genus Dendrolagus that live in the rainforest canopies of New Guinea and far north Queensland; they descend from ground-dwelling kangaroos that returned to the trees, and several species are Endangered or Critically Endangered.
- [Palm Cockatoo](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/palm-cockatoo) — Least Concern globally — Australian population declining and of concern: The palm cockatoo (Probosciger aterrimus) is a large black parrot of New Guinea and Cape York that manufactures drumsticks from branches and beats them rhythmically against hollow trees in display — the only known non-human animal to make a tool for producing music.
- [Victoria Crowned Pigeon](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/victoria-crowned-pigeon) — Near Threatened — hunted for meat and plumes: The Victoria crowned pigeon (Goura victoria) is the world's largest pigeon at around 74 cm and 2.5 kg, found on the forest floor of northern New Guinea; it belongs to the same subfamily as the dodo, making it one of that species' closest living relatives, and is listed as Near Threatened.
- [Raggiana Bird-of-Paradise](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/raggiana-bird-of-paradise) — Least Concern — but lowland forest loss and plume demand continue: The Raggiana bird-of-paradise (Paradisaea raggiana) is Papua New Guinea's national bird, a lowland species in which males gather at shared display trees in leks and spread long crimson flank plumes; it is listed as Least Concern but faces lowland forest loss.
- [Superb Bird-of-Paradise](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/superb-bird-of-paradise) — Least Concern — the 'superb' name now covers several split species: The superb bird-of-paradise (Lophorina superba complex) is a small black bird-of-paradise whose male transforms into a floating oval with an iridescent blue 'face' during display; genetic and behavioural work has split the complex into several species with distinct displays and ranges.
- [Greater Bird-of-Paradise](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/greater-bird-of-paradise) — Least Concern — the 'footless' name records a trade artefact, not biology: The greater bird-of-paradise (Paradisaea apoda) is a large lek-displaying species of southwestern New Guinea whose name means 'footless' because traders removed the feet from exported skins; it was among the species most depleted by the plume trade and is listed Least Concern.
- [Queen Alexandra's Birdwing](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/queen-alexandras-birdwing) — Endangered — restricted range and the only butterfly on CITES Appendix I: Queen Alexandra's birdwing (Ornithoptera alexandrae) is the largest butterfly in the world, with females reaching a wingspan of around 28 cm; it is known from lowland rainforest in northern Oro Province, Papua New Guinea, listed Endangered, and is the only butterfly on CITES Appendix I.
- [Goliath Birdwing](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/goliath-birdwing) — Least Concern — but habitat loss and collection pressure continue: The goliath birdwing (Ornithoptera goliath) is the second-largest butterfly in the world, with females reaching a wingspan of around 25 cm; its caterpillars sequester toxins from Aristolochia vines in the same way poison-dart frogs store alkaloids from their diet.
- [Maleo](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/maleo) — Endangered — nesting grounds lost to development and egg collecting: The maleo (Macrocephalon maleo) is an Endangered megapode of Sulawesi that buries a single large egg in geothermal or sun-heated sand and abandons it; the chick hatches fully developed and flies the same day without any parental care.
- [Spotted Cuscus](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/spotted-cuscus) — Least Concern — but hunted across much of New Guinea lowland forest: The spotted cuscus (Spilocuscus maculatus) is a nocturnal marsupial possum of New Guinea and northern Australia in which males are white with dark spots and females are plain grey or brown; it is listed Least Concern but is heavily hunted across accessible lowland forest.
- [Long-beaked Echidna](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/long-beaked-echidna) — Critically Endangered — Attenborough's echidna unrecorded for decades until 2023: Long-beaked echidnas (genus Zaglossus) are egg-laying monotreme mammals of New Guinea highland forest; Attenborough's long-beaked echidna was not recorded for roughly sixty years until camera-trap images in 2023, and the genus is Critically Endangered.
- [Bandicoot](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/bandicoot) — Genus-level overview — IUCN status varies by species; several threatened or extinct: Bandicoots are small marsupials of the order Peramelemorphia with gestation as short as about twelve days, a unusually advanced marsupial placenta, and a rearward-opening pouch; the name covers many species across Australia, New Guinea and Wallacea with varying IUCN status.
- [Anoa](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/anoa) — Endangered — both species declining on Sulawesi: Anoa are dwarf buffalo endemic to Sulawesi, Indonesia — the smallest wild cattle at roughly 90 cm shoulder height — with lowland and mountain species both listed Endangered and declining through hunting and forest loss.
- [Babirusa](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/babirusa) — Vulnerable — hunting and forest loss across Sulawesi: Babirusas are forest pigs of Sulawesi and Wallacea whose males grow upper canines that pierce the snout roof and curve upward; they are listed Vulnerable, threatened by hunting and forest loss.
- [Spectral Tarsier](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/spectral-tarsier) — Vulnerable — forest loss on Sulawesi: The spectral tarsier (Tarsius tarsier) is a tiny nocturnal primate of Sulawesi with eyes larger than its brain, head rotation of nearly 180 degrees, and ultrasonic vocalisations; it is listed Vulnerable as forest is lost across Wallacea.
- [Crested Black Macaque](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/black-macaque) — Critically Endangered — fewer than expected remain on Sulawesi: The crested black macaque (Macaca nigra) is a Critically Endangered all-black monkey endemic to northeastern Sulawesi, threatened by hunting and forest loss; it became famous through 2011 selfie photographs, but copyright law does not protect the species from decline.
- [Helmeted Hornbill](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/helmeted-hornbill) — Critically Endangered — hunted for solid casque 'red ivory' traded across Southeast Asia and China: The helmeted hornbill (Rhinoplax vigil) is a Critically Endangered hornbill of Borneo and Sumatra whose almost solid casque is carved and traded as 'red ivory'; it was uplisted in one step in 2015 and depends on old-growth forest being cleared for oil palm, pulpwood and mining.
- [Colugo](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/colugo) — Least Concern — but forest conversion across Sundaland removes gliding habitat: The Sunda colugo (Galeopterus variegatus) is a nocturnal gliding mammal of Borneo and Sumatra with the most extensive gliding membrane of any mammal; it is not a lemur and cannot fly, and its closest living relatives are primates.
- [Siamang](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/siamang) — Endangered — loud duets and throat sacs on forests being cleared for plantations: The siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus) is the largest gibbon, Endangered across Sumatra and the Malay Peninsula, known for paired morning duets amplified by an inflatable throat sac; oil palm, pulpwood and mining drive forest loss across its range.
- [Banteng](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/banteng) — Endangered — first endangered species cloned in 2003; wild herds shrink as forest converts: The banteng (Bos javanicus) is an Endangered wild cattle of Southeast Asia; the first Endangered species cloned successfully in 2003, it continues to decline as oil palm, pulpwood, mining and hunting remove forest across Sundaland.
- [Chevrotain](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/chevrotain) — Varies by species — silver-backed chevrotain rediscovered in Vietnam 2019 after decades without records: Chevrotains are tiny Tragulidae hoofed mammals called mouse-deer but not related to deer; the silver-backed chevrotain was rediscovered in Vietnam in 2019 on camera trap after decades without confirmed records.
- [Paradise Flying Snake](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/paradise-flying-snake) — Least Concern — glides between trees on forests fragmented by plantations and mining: The paradise flying snake (Chrysopelea paradisi) glides between trees by flattening its body into a concave aerofoil and undulating mid-air; it is Least Concern but loses connectivity as Sundaland forest converts for oil palm, pulpwood and mining.
- [Atlas Moth](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/atlas-moth) — Not Evaluated — widespread but dependent on forest trees amid Sundaland conversion: The atlas moth (Attacus atlas) is one of the world's largest moths, with snake-head wingtips and no functional adult mouthparts — it lives one to two weeks on larval fat while Sundaland forest conversion removes host trees.
- [Sunda Clouded Leopard](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/sunda-clouded-leopard) — Vulnerable — separate species since 2006; longest canines relative to skull among living cats: The Sunda clouded leopard (Neofelis diardi) is a Vulnerable tree-dwelling cat of Borneo and Sumatra, a separate species since 2006, with the longest canines relative to skull among living cats; oil palm, pulpwood, mining and snaring drive losses.
- [Bornean Bearded Pig](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/bornean-bearded-pig) — Vulnerable — mass migrations collapsed after African swine fever since 2020: The Bornean bearded pig (Sus barbatus) is a Vulnerable wild pig of Borneo known for mass migrations; populations collapsed after African swine fever spread from around 2020, on top of oil palm, pulpwood and mining-driven forest loss.
- [Sifaka](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/sifaka) — Varies by species — several Critically Endangered, others Vulnerable or Endangered: Sifakas are nine species of lemur in the genus Propithecus, found only in Madagascar, famous for sideways bipedal hopping on the ground; several species are Critically Endangered as an estimated 80–90% of the island's original forest has been lost to tavy, charcoal production and the pet trade.
- [Fossa](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/fossa) — Vulnerable — Madagascar's largest native carnivore, declining as forest fragments: The fossa (Cryptoprocta ferox) is Madagascar's largest native carnivore and apex predator, cat-like in appearance but a euplerid mongoose relative; it hunts lemurs in the canopy, is listed Vulnerable, and declines as an estimated 80–90% of Madagascar's original forest has been lost.
- [Tenrec](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/tenrec) — Varies by species — the lowland streaked tenrec is Least Concern but the family shows extreme adaptive radiation: Tenrecs are around 30 species of mammal in the family Tenrecidae, an adaptive radiation endemic to Madagascar; the lowland streaked tenrec is the only mammal known to stridulate with quills, and the family persists as an estimated 80–90% of Madagascar's original forest has been lost.
- [Panther Chameleon](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/panther-chameleon) — Least Concern — but heavily collected for the pet trade from wild populations: The panther chameleon (Furcifer pardalis) is a large colourful chameleon of northern Madagascar whose males display vivid geographic colour morphs; colour change is driven by mood and signalling via nanocrystal structural colour, not camouflage, and the species is heavily traded despite Least Concern listing.
- [Leaf-Tailed Gecko](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/leaf-tailed-gecko) — Critically Endangered — several Uroplatus species at risk; all CITES Appendix II: Leaf-tailed geckos (genus Uroplatus) are around 20 species of gecko endemic to Madagascar, camouflaged as dead leaves with a skin fringe that eliminates shadow; several are Critically Endangered, and the pet trade adds pressure as an estimated 80–90% of the island's original forest has been lost.
- [Tomato Frog](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/tomato-frog) — Near Threatened — Dyscophus antongilii; threatened by habitat loss and collection: The tomato frog (Dyscophus antongilii) is a bright red microhylid frog endemic to north-eastern Madagascar that secretes a glue-like defensive substance to immobilise predators' mouths; it is listed Near Threatened as an estimated 80–90% of the island's original forest has been lost.
- [Giraffe Weevil](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/giraffe-weevil) — Least Concern — restricted to Madagascar but not currently assessed as threatened: The giraffe weevil (Trachelophorus giraffa) is a beetle endemic to Madagascar whose male has a neck two to three times longer than the female's, used for fighting and for rolling leaves into nest tubes; it is Least Concern but loses forest to tavy and charcoal production as an estimated 80–90% of Madagascar's original cover has been lost.
- [Comet Moth](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/comet-moth) — Critically Endangered — restricted range and ongoing forest loss: The comet moth (Argema mittrei) is Madagascar's largest silk moth, with hindwing tails up to 15 cm; adults have no mouthparts, live four to five days without eating, and the species is Critically Endangered as an estimated 80–90% of Madagascar's original forest has been lost.
- [Madagascar Hissing Cockroach](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/madagascar-hissing-cockroach) — Least Concern — common in Madagascar forest; widely kept in captivity worldwide: The Madagascar hissing cockroach (Gromphadorhina portentosa) is a large wingless cockroach endemic to Madagascar that hisses by forcing air through spiracles and gives birth to live young; it is Least Concern but loses forest floor habitat as an estimated 80–90% of the island's original forest has been lost.
- [Moon Bear](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/moon-bear) — Vulnerable — and the species that overwhelmingly fills bile-farming cages across Asia: The moon bear (Ursus thibetanus), or Asiatic black bear, is a Vulnerable forest bear of South and East Asia recognised by a white chest V or crescent; it is the species overwhelmingly kept on bile farms in tiny cages for gallbladder extraction, though synthetic substitutes make farmed bile medically unnecessary.
- [Tardigrade](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/tardigrade) — Not Evaluated at phylum level — most of the roughly 1,300 known species lack individual Red List assessments: A tardigrade is a microscopic invertebrate in the phylum Tardigrada, typically 0.3–0.5 mm long, that survives extreme drying, freezing and vacuum by entering cryptobiosis — a reversible shutdown of metabolism — and individuals exposed to open space on a 2007 orbital experiment were revived afterward.
- [Coelacanth](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/coelacanth) — Critically Endangered (West Indian Ocean coelacanth) — the Indonesian species is Vulnerable: The coelacanth is a lobe-finned deep-sea fish in the genus Latimeria, known from fossils and assumed extinct until a living specimen was landed off South Africa on 22 December 1938; two species survive in the western Indian Ocean and Indonesia and are listed as Critically Endangered and Vulnerable respectively.
- [Lyrebird](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/lyrebird) — Least Concern (superb lyrebird) — but habitat loss and fire reshape local abundance: The lyrebird (Menura) is a large Australian songbird and one of the world's most accomplished vocal mimics, with males combining elaborate tail displays on forest-floor mounds with songs that accurately copy other birds and human-made sounds such as chainsaws and camera shutters.
- [Secretary Bird](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/secretary-bird) — Endangered: The secretary bird (Sagittarius serpentarius) is an Endangered African raptor that hunts on foot across savanna, killing snakes and other prey with rapid stamping blows delivered in about 15 milliseconds at force several times its body weight.
- [Quetzal](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/quetzal) — Near Threatened: The resplendent quetzal (Pharomachrus mocinno) is a Near Threatened cloud-forest trogon of Central America whose males carry iridescent green plumage and long tail streamers; revered in Maya and Aztec culture, it is difficult to maintain in captivity but has been bred successfully in modern facilities.
- [Peacock Spider](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/peacock-spider) — Not Evaluated — most Maratus species are narrow-range endemics with no formal assessment: Peacock spiders (genus Maratus) are tiny Australian jumping spiders, typically a few millimetres long, whose males display an iridescent abdominal fan and waved legs during courtship; they are harmless to humans and most species have no IUCN assessment.
- [Wolf Spider](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/wolf-spider) — Family page — most species unassessed; widespread generalists are common: Wolf spiders (family Lycosidae) are fast ground-hunting spiders with over 2,900 described species worldwide; females carry egg sacs on their spinnerets and then carry spiderlings on their backs, and their eyes reflect torchlight at night.
- [Huntsman Spider](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/huntsman-spider) — Not Evaluated — common house species are widespread; island endemics may be threatened: Huntsman spiders (family Sparassidae) are large, flat, fast-running tropical and subtropical spiders that hunt without webs; common house species such as Heteropoda venatoria are widespread, alarming in appearance, and not medically significant to healthy humans.
- [Millipede](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/millipede) — Class page — most species unassessed; cave and island endemics may be threatened: Millipedes (class Diplopoda) are slow detritivorous myriapods with two pairs of legs on most body segments; they break down dead plant material in soil and leaf litter, and differ from predatory centipedes, which have one leg pair per segment and run fast.
- [Termite](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/termite) — Not Evaluated as a group — eusocial detritivores; a few narrow-range species may be threatened: Termites are eusocial cockroach relatives (Blattodea: Isoptera) that digest cellulose with symbiotic microbes or cultivated fungus; they build elaborate nests including ventilated mounds, and are ecologically vital decomposers though some species damage wooden buildings.
- [Locust](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/locust) — Not Evaluated — pest swarms are a phase, not a separate species; desert locust has no global Red List entry: A locust is a grasshopper (family Acrididae) in its gregarious phase — triggered by crowding, it changes colour, shape and behaviour and forms swarms; the desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria) can devastate crops across Africa, the Middle East and southern Asia.
- [Slug](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/slug) — Group page — shell loss evolved repeatedly; some island snails are Critically Endangered while common slugs are widespread: Slugs are shell-reduced gastropod molluscs — relatives of snails that move on a muscular foot and rasp food with a radula; shell loss evolved independently in many lineages, and common garden slugs are among the invertebrates gardeners query most.
- [Glow-worm](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/glow-worm) — Not Evaluated — European glow-worm declining in parts of Britain; New Zealand cave species locally protected: Glow-worm is not one animal: in Britain and Europe it usually means the beetle Lampyris noctiluca, whose larviform female glows green to attract mates; in New Zealand it means the fungus gnat Arachnocampa luminosa, whose larvae glow in caves to lure prey into silk traps.
- [Silkworm](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/silkworm) — Domesticated — Not Evaluated; cannot survive without human husbandry: The silkworm (Bombyx mori) is the domesticated larva of a flightless silk moth bred for millennia in sericulture; it eats mulberry leaves, spins a silk cocoon, and cannot survive without human husbandry — one of only two fully domesticated insects alongside the honey bee.
- [Sea Urchin](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/sea-urchin) — Class page — some species Least Concern; others threatened by overfishing; red sea urchin exceptionally long-lived: Sea urchins (class Echinoidea) are spiny echinoderms that graze algae on rocky seabeds worldwide; some species such as the red sea urchin live more than 100 years with little measurable senescence, while others drive kelp forest loss when predators are removed.
- [Nautilus](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/nautilus) — Vulnerable (IUCN 2018) — chambered nautilus; threatened by shell trade and slow reproduction: The chambered nautilus (Nautilus pompilius) is a nocturnal Indo-Pacific cephalopod with an external coiled shell and pinhole eyes; it adjusts buoyancy with gas-filled chambers, is listed Vulnerable due to shell trade and slow reproduction, and represents an ancient nautiloid lineage.
- [Numbat](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/numbat) — Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List since July 2026 — still Endangered under Australian federal law: The numbat (Myrmecobius fasciatus) is a diurnal marsupial of south-western Australia that eats almost exclusively termites using a long sticky tongue; after falling to roughly 300 animals in the 1970s, recovery efforts have raised numbers to an estimated 2,000–3,000 and the IUCN downlisted it to Near Threatened in 2026.
- [Bilby](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/bilby) — Vulnerable — fewer than 10,000 mature individuals; lost from most of its former range: The greater bilby (Macrotis lagotis) is a Vulnerable, nocturnal, burrowing marsupial of arid Australia with long ears and silky fur; fewer than 10,000 mature individuals remain after foxes, cats and habitat loss removed it from most of its former range across the mainland.
- [Marmoset](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/marmoset) — Varies by species — pygmy marmoset Vulnerable; many callitrichids threatened by pet trade and habitat loss: Marmosets are small New World monkeys in the family Callitrichidae of Central and South America; the pygmy marmoset (Cebuella) at about 100 g is the smallest monkey alive, and the group is heavily traded as pets despite complex social and dietary needs.
- [Flying Squirrel](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/flying-squirrel) — Varies by species — North American Glaucomys species Least Concern; some Asian giants threatened: Flying squirrels are over 50 species of nocturnal gliding rodents with a skin membrane between wrists and ankles; they cannot truly fly, and a 2019 study found that all three North American Glaucomys species fluoresce pink under ultraviolet light.
- [Mink](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/mink) — Least Concern in native North America — invasive and ecologically destructive across much of Europe: The American mink (Neogale vison) is a semi-aquatic mustelid listed Least Concern in native North America but invasive across Europe after fur-farm escapes, where it devastated water vole populations and displaced the Critically Endangered European mink.
- [Muskrat](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/muskrat) — Least Concern natively — invasive and EU-listed across much of Europe: The muskrat (Ondatra zibethicus) is a large semiaquatic rodent native to North American wetlands and listed Least Concern there; introduced to Europe from 1905 for fur farming, it burrows into dikes and river banks and is an EU-listed invasive species.
- [Nutria](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/nutria) — Least Concern in native South America — among the world's worst invasive mammals elsewhere: The nutria or coypu (Myocastor coypus) is a large semiaquatic rodent Least Concern in native South America but listed among the world's worst invasive species after fur-farm escapes — it destroys wetlands, undermines banks and was eradicated from Britain by 1989.
- [Frigatebird](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/frigatebird) — Least Concern — but around a third of all seabird species are threatened, and frigatebirds share their pressures: The magnificent frigatebird (Fregata magnificens) is a large tropical seabird with the greatest wing-loading ratio of any bird, able to stay continuously airborne for weeks; males inflate a scarlet throat pouch in display, and the birds steal much of their food from other seabirds in flight.
- [Hoatzin](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/hoatzin) — Least Concern — but confined to Amazon and Orinoco wetlands that are being cleared: The hoatzin (Opisthocomus hoazin) is a pheasant-sized bird of Amazon and Orinoco wetlands that digests leaves through foregut fermentation like a ruminant; chicks bear functional wing claws for climbing, and adults are weak fliers tied to riverside forest.
- [Nightingale](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/nightingale) — Least Concern globally — but red-listed and steeply declining in Britain: The common nightingale (Luscinia megarhynchos) is a small brown migratory songbird of European and western Asian scrub, famous for one of the richest avian songs; it winters in sub-Saharan Africa and is steeply declining in Britain despite a Least Concern global listing.
- [Archerfish](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/archerfish) — Least Concern — mangrove and estuary habitats under pressure across Southeast Asia: The banded archerfish (Toxotes jaculatrix) is a brackish-water fish of Indo-Pacific mangroves that knocks down aerial prey by spitting a targeted water jet, compensating for optical refraction at the surface; it grows to about 20–30 cm and is listed as Least Concern.
- [Mudskipper](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/mudskipper) — Not Evaluated for most species — mangrove specialists tied to habitat under clearance pressure: Mudskippers (Periophthalmus and related genera) are intertidal fish that walk on pectoral fins, breathe air through skin and mouth lining, and live on mangrove mudflats in the Indo-Pacific; they spend most of active life out of water and are not assessed as a group on the IUCN Red List.
- [Stag Beetle](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/stag-beetle) — Near Threatened in Europe — Britain's largest beetle and a dead-wood specialist: The stag beetle (Lucanus cervus) is Europe's largest lucanid beetle at up to about 75 mm, with males bearing branched mandibles for wrestling; larvae live for years in rotting wood, adults emerge briefly in summer, and the species is Near Threatened.
- [Goliath Beetle](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/goliath-beetle) — Not Evaluated — among the heaviest insects alive; rainforest habitat under logging pressure: The goliath beetle (Goliathus goliatus) is a large African scarab among the heaviest insects alive at up to about 100 g and 10 cm, with larvae developing in rotting wood; most Goliathus species are not individually assessed on the IUCN Red List.
- [Bombardier Beetle](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/bombardier-beetle) — Not Evaluated as a group — chemical defence studied in detail; most species unassessed: Bombardier beetles (Brachinus and related carabids) spray predators with a hot, irritating benzoquinone jet produced by an instantaneous chemical reaction in a specialised abdominal chamber, reaching temperatures near 100 °C; they are ground beetles found worldwide and mostly unassessed on the IUCN Red List.
- [Camel Spider](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/camel-spider) — Not Evaluated — an order, not one IUCN taxon; internet myths outrun the animals: Camel spiders are solifugids (order Solifugae) — desert arachnids that are not true spiders, do not spin silk, and lack spider-style venom glands. About 1,200 species are described. Viral claims of dinner-plate size, human sprint speed and flesh-melting venom are false. WARN does not run camel-spider programmes.
- [Orb-Weaver](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/orb-weaver) — Family page — most species unassessed; garden orb-weavers are widespread and harmless: Orb-weaver spiders (family Araneidae) build the classic circular wagon-wheel webs, include the European garden spider Araneus diadematus, rebuild webs frequently, and are harmless to humans — over 3,000 species worldwide, most not individually assessed on the IUCN Red List.
- [Mayfly](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/mayfly) — Not Evaluated as a group — sensitive to water quality; adult stage lasts hours to days: Mayflies (order Ephemeroptera) are freshwater insects whose nymphs live underwater for months to years and whose winged adults typically survive only hours to a few days; they are the only insects that moult after gaining wings and are indicators of clean rivers.
- [Leech](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/leech) — Not one IUCN badge — Hirudo medicinalis is Near Threatened (2014); most leech species are unassessed: Leeches are segmented annelid worms (Hirudinea), not insects. Many hunt invertebrates; some take blood. The European medicinal leech Hirudo medicinalis is Near Threatened (IUCN 2014) and on CITES Appendix II. Hospitals still use farmed leeches after microsurgery. WARN does not run leech programmes.
- [Assassin Bug](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/assassin-bug) — Not Evaluated as a family — predatory bugs; some species bite painfully: Assassin bugs (family Reduviidae) are predatory true bugs that stab prey with a curved rostrum and inject digestive saliva; over 7,000 species exist worldwide, some stacking ant corpses on their backs for camouflage, and most are not individually assessed on the IUCN Red List.
- [Velvet Worm](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/velvet-worm) — Not Evaluated — ancient lineage on its own phylum; habitat specialists in moist forest litter: Velvet worms (phylum Onychophora) are soft-bodied terrestrial animals neither worms nor insects, numbering about 200 species in moist southern hemisphere forests; they capture prey by firing adhesive slime jets from oral papillae and are mostly unassessed on the IUCN Red List.
- [Weta](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/weta) — Varies by species — several giant weta are threatened; heaviest insects by mass: Giant weta (Deinacrida and related New Zealand genera) are among the heaviest insects at up to about 35 g, flightless orthopterans endemic to New Zealand; introduced mammals devastated populations and several species are threatened though not all are individually assessed.
- [Sea Slug](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/sea-slug) — Not Evaluated as a group — shell-less molluscs; some steal chloroplasts or stinging cells from prey: Sea slugs, especially nudibranchs (order Nudibranchia), are shell-less marine molluscs with over 3,000 colourful species; some steal chloroplasts from algae for photosynthesis and others store stinging cells from jellyfish prey, and most are not individually assessed on the IUCN Red List.
- [Spider Monkey](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/spider-monkey) — Threatened (Vulnerable–Critically Endangered, varies by species): Spider monkeys are large, long-limbed monkeys of the genus Ateles found in Central and South American rainforests, distinguished by a fully prehensile tail used as a fifth limb and hands that lack a functional thumb. All seven species are threatened, and two — the brown and black-headed spider monkeys — are Critically Endangered.
- [White Tiger](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/white-tiger) — Not a species or subspecies — a captive-bred colour morph with no conservation status: A white tiger is not a separate species or subspecies but a Bengal tiger with a recessive mutation in the SLC45A2 pigmentation gene. All white tigers today are captive, nearly all descend from one male captured in 1951, and producing them requires sustained inbreeding that causes cleft palate, spinal deformity, crossed eyes and immune problems. It has no conservation value.
- [Monkey](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/monkey) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Critically Endangered): Monkeys are tailed simian primates of the Americas, Africa and Asia — roughly 260+ species with forward-facing eyes, grasping hands and complex social groups. They are distinct from tailless apes; status ranges from Least Concern to Critically Endangered, and most species are protected from international trade.
- [Tarantula](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/tarantula) — Varies by species — most Not Evaluated; some Critically Endangered (IUCN): Tarantulas are large, hairy spiders of the family Theraphosidae, with over 1,180 species found worldwide; while most are not individually evaluated by the IUCN, species such as Poecilotheria tarantulas from India and Sri Lanka are listed as Critically Endangered due to habitat loss and the illegal pet trade.
- [Bearded Dragon](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/bearded-dragon) — Least Concern (IUCN): The central bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps) is a Least Concern lizard native to the arid scrublands of eastern and central Australia, renowned for its darkening throat pouch and unique ability to have sex determined by either chromosomes or incubation temperature.
- [Moose](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/moose) — Least Concern (IUCN): The moose (Alces alces) is the world's largest deer, standing up to 2.1 m (7 ft) at the shoulder and weighing up to 771 kg (1,700 lb), found across the boreal forests of North America, Northern Europe, and Russia.
- [American Bison](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/bison) — Near Threatened: The American bison is the largest land mammal in North America, listed as Near Threatened by the IUCN with an estimated 15,000 truly wild individuals remaining after a dramatic near-extinction in the 19th century.
- [Quokka](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/quokka) — Vulnerable: The quokka is a Vulnerable marsupial found only in south-western Western Australia, best known for its photogenic "smile" but facing serious threats from feral predators, habitat loss, and climate change.
- [Uakari](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/uakari) — Least Concern (IUCN 2024) — varies by species: The bald uakari (Cacajao calvus) is a short-tailed, crimson-faced primate found exclusively in the seasonally flooded forests of the western Amazon; its fiery red face signals health to potential mates and makes it one of the most distinctive monkeys in South America.
- [Urial](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/urial) — Vulnerable: The urial (Ovis vignei) is a Vulnerable wild sheep of Central and South Asia, with around 30,000 individuals remaining and populations declining across most of its range due to poaching, habitat loss, and livestock competition.
- [Vaquita](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/vaquita) — Critically Endangered: The vaquita (Phocoena sinus) is the world's rarest marine mammal, a small porpoise found only in Mexico's Gulf of California, with fewer than ten individuals remaining as of 2025 due to drowning in illegal gillnets.
- [Xerus (African Ground Squirrel)](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/xerus) — Least Concern (IUCN) — all four species: Xerus are African ground squirrels — small, sociable, burrowing rodents found across sub-Saharan Africa that are famous for using their bushy tails as portable parasols to stay cool in scorching heat; all four species are currently Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.
- [Wombat](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/wombat) — Varies by species: Common Wombat — Least Concern (IUCN 2024); Northern Hairy-nosed Wombat — Critically Endangered (IUCN 2015): Wombats are stocky Australian marsupials in the family Vombatidae; the common wombat is Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, while the northern hairy-nosed wombat is Critically Endangered with fewer than 400 individuals surviving in Queensland.
- [Chipmunk](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/chipmunk) — Least Concern (IUCN) — most species; Peñasco subspecies Endangered (US ESA, 2024): Chipmunks are small striped rodents of the subtribe Tamiina — found across North America and in one Asian species — that are mostly Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, though one New Mexico subspecies was listed as Endangered under the US Endangered Species Act in December 2024.
- [Skunk](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/skunk) — Least Concern (IUCN): The skunk (family Mephitidae) is a small-to-medium omnivorous mammal found throughout the Americas, best known for its powerful sulphur-compound defensive spray, which it can aim accurately at threats up to six metres away.
- [Coyote](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/coyote) — Least Concern (IUCN): The coyote (Canis latrans) is a highly adaptable wild canid found across North and Central America — from Alaska to Panama — where it plays a vital role controlling rodent populations and is classified as Least Concern by the IUCN with a stable and expanding population.
- [Hare](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/hare) — Least Concern — most species (IUCN); some regional populations declining: Hares (genus Lepus, ~32 species) are large, fast-running lagomorphs found across Europe, Asia, Africa, and the Americas, most classified as Least Concern by the IUCN, though European hare populations have declined significantly since the 1960s due to agricultural intensification.
- [Caracal](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/caracal) — Least Concern (IUCN 2016) — CITES I in Asia, II in Africa; nationally listed CR in Pakistan and Morocco: A caracal (Caracal caracal) is a medium wild cat of Africa and western Asia, not a true lynx. IUCN listed it Least Concern in 2016. Asian populations are CITES Appendix I; African populations are Appendix II. Least Concern is not a licence to keep one as a pet. WARN does not run caracal programmes.
- [Serval](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/serval) — Least Concern (IUCN): The serval is a medium-sized African wild cat (Leptailurus serval) renowned for having the largest ears relative to body size of any cat species, a hunting success rate near 50 percent, and the longest legs relative to body size of any wild felid.
- [Giant Anteater](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/anteater) — Vulnerable: The giant anteater is a large, toothless mammal of Central and South America listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, with populations declining by at least 30% over the past three generations due to habitat loss, fire, and road mortality.
- [Echidna](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/echidna) — Least Concern (IUCN): The short-beaked echidna is an egg-laying mammal native to Australia and New Guinea, recognisable by its sharp spines, elongated snout, and extraordinary ability to sense prey through electric fields — making it one of the most evolutionarily ancient and biologically unique mammals alive today.
- [Tasmanian Devil](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/tasmanian-devil) — Endangered: The Tasmanian devil (Sarcophilus harrisii) is an Endangered carnivorous marsupial found only in Tasmania, Australia, whose wild population has plummeted by around 80% since the 1990s due to a transmissible facial cancer called Devil Facial Tumour Disease (DFTD).
- [Wallaby](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/wallaby) — Varies by species — most Least Concern (IUCN); some Near Threatened, Vulnerable or Endangered: Wallabies are small-to-medium marsupials native to Australia and New Guinea, closely related to kangaroos, with more than 30 species ranging from common and widespread to Near Threatened, Vulnerable or Endangered depending on the species.
- [Dingo](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/dingo) — Vulnerable (historical IUCN 2008; removed from Red List 2019): The dingo is Australia's native wild dog and apex predator, historically classified as Vulnerable due to widespread persecution and hybridisation with domestic dogs — though it was removed from the IUCN Red List in 2019 following taxonomic reclassification, and new genomic research suggests pure dingoes are more numerous than previously feared.
- [Wolverine](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/wolverine) — Least Concern (IUCN): The wolverine (Gulo gulo) is a large, powerful member of the weasel family found across boreal and Arctic regions of North America and Eurasia, classified as Least Concern globally by the IUCN but facing serious pressure from climate-driven snowpack loss, trapping, and habitat fragmentation.
- [Elk (Wapiti)](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/elk) — Least Concern (IUCN): The elk (Cervus canadensis) is a Least Concern deer species numbering over one million in North America, renowned for its towering antlers, powerful bugle call, and remarkable recovery from near-extinction in the early twentieth century.
- [Beluga Whale](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/beluga) — Least Concern (IUCN): The beluga whale is a small, all-white Arctic cetacean renowned for its extraordinary vocal range, flexible neck and ability to navigate beneath sea ice, currently assessed as Least Concern overall by the IUCN but with several regional populations in serious decline.
- [Marmot](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/marmot) — Varies by species — most Least Concern (IUCN); Vancouver Island marmot Critically Endangered; Mongolian marmot Endangered: Marmots are large, burrowing ground squirrels of the genus Marmota found across mountain and steppe habitats in North America and Eurasia; most of the 15 species are Least Concern, though the Vancouver Island marmot is Critically Endangered and the Mongolian marmot is Endangered.
- [Pika](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/pika) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Endangered — IUCN): Pikas (genus Ochotona) are small, round-eared alpine mammals related to rabbits that live on cold, rocky mountain slopes across Asia and western North America, where they are threatened by rising temperatures that their heat-sensitive bodies cannot tolerate.
- [Condor](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/condor) — Varies by species: Andean Condor — Vulnerable (IUCN); California Condor — Critically Endangered (IUCN): Condors are the largest flying land birds in the Western Hemisphere: the Andean condor (Vultur gryphus) is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN with roughly 6,700 mature individuals remaining, while the California condor (Gymnogyps californianus) is Critically Endangered but recovering, with approximately 607 birds alive as of 2025 thanks to an intensive captive-breeding and reintroduction programme that saved it from a low of just 22 birds in 1982.
- [Kiwi](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/kiwi) — Varies by species: Vulnerable to Near Threatened (IUCN): The kiwi is a flightless, nocturnal bird unique to New Zealand — all five species are threatened, with an estimated 68,000 individuals remaining and unmanaged populations declining at roughly 2 percent per year.
- [Cassowary](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cassowary) — Least Concern (IUCN) — Southern; varies by species: The cassowary is a large, flightless bird native to the rainforests of New Guinea and north-eastern Australia, renowned for its bony head casque, vivid neck colouring, and critical role as a seed disperser for hundreds of tropical plant species.
- [Kookaburra](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/kookaburra) — Least Concern (IUCN): The laughing kookaburra (Dacelo novaeguineae) is the world's largest kingfisher, native to eastern Australia, and is famous for its loud, cackling territorial call often described as human laughter.
- [Roadrunner](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/roadrunner) — Least Concern (IUCN): The Greater Roadrunner (Geococcyx californianus) is a swift, ground-dwelling cuckoo of the southwestern United States and Mexico, classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List with an estimated 1.4 million mature individuals and an increasing global population trend.
- [Crane](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/crane) — Varies by species (Critically Endangered to Least Concern): Cranes are a family (Gruidae) of 15 large, long-lived wading birds found on every continent except South America and Antarctica; the family spans conservation statuses from Least Concern (Common Crane, over 700,000 birds) to Critically Endangered (Siberian Crane, roughly 6,500–7,000 birds), making them collectively one of the most threatened bird groups in the world.
- [Caiman](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/caiman) — Least Concern (IUCN) — varies by species: Caimans are freshwater crocodilians native to Central and South America, with the spectacled caiman being the world's most numerous crocodilian — estimated at over one million mature individuals by the IUCN and listed as Least Concern.
- [Tortoise](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/tortoise) — Varies by species — many Critically Endangered (IUCN): Tortoises (family Testudinidae) are fully terrestrial reptiles found across warm regions worldwide; over 86% of species are threatened or extinct, driven by illegal trade, habitat loss, and the pet industry.
- [Gila Monster](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/gila-monster) — Near Threatened: The Gila monster is a heavy, slow-moving venomous lizard of the American Southwest, classified as Near Threatened by the IUCN due to habitat loss, road mortality, and climate-driven changes to its desert home.
- [Black Mamba](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/black-mamba) — Least Concern (IUCN): The black mamba (Dendroaspis polylepis) is the longest venomous snake in Africa, capable of speeds up to 19 km/h, with a potent neurotoxic venom that is nearly 100% fatal if untreated — yet it is listed as Least Concern by the IUCN and remains ecologically important as a predator of rodents and small mammals across sub-Saharan Africa.
- [Piranha](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/piranha) — Least Concern (IUCN) — species-level status varies across the genus: The piranha is a freshwater fish native to South American river systems, most abundant in the Amazon basin, where it serves as both predator and scavenger; the red-bellied piranha (Pygocentrus nattereri) is rated Least Concern by the IUCN but faces growing pressure from deforestation, dam construction, and mercury pollution across its range.
- [Sturgeon](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/sturgeon) — Varies by species — majority Critically Endangered (IUCN): Sturgeons (family Acipenseridae) are ancient, armoured freshwater and anadromous fish of the Northern Hemisphere; they are the most endangered group of animals on Earth, with 17 of 26 surviving species listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List, driven to the brink by poaching for caviar, dams that block migration, and widespread habitat loss.
- [Shoebill](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/shoebill) — Vulnerable (IUCN, 2018): The shoebill (Balaeniceps rex) is a Vulnerable African swamp bird famous for its massive shoe-shaped bill and motionless hunting posture; roughly 5,000–8,000 individuals remain in Central and East African wetlands.
- [American Bullfrog](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/bullfrog) — Least Concern: The American bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) is North America's largest frog, reaching 9 to 20 cm in body length and weighing up to about 0.5 kg. It lives in and around ponds, lakes, marshes and slow streams, where the male's deep, resonant call carries far across the water.
- [Cane Toad](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cane-toad) — Least Concern: The cane toad is a large, warty terrestrial toad native to the Americas, reaching up to 1 kg (2.2 lb). It secretes a powerful toxin from glands on its shoulders and is famous as a destructive invasive species in Australia, where it was introduced in 1935.
- [Goliath Frog](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/goliath-frog) — Endangered: The Goliath frog is the largest living frog, growing up to 32 cm (13 in) long and weighing as much as 3.3 kg (7.3 lb). It lives only in fast-flowing rivers of Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea in West Africa.
- [Glass Frog](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/glass-frog) — Least Concern: Glass frogs are small tree frogs of Central and South American rainforests, famous for the translucent skin on their bellies that reveals their internal organs and beating heart. They are nocturnal, arboreal, and care for their eggs on leaves above streams.
- [Hellbender](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/hellbender) — Vulnerable: The hellbender is the largest salamander in North America, reaching up to 74 cm (29 in) long. It is fully aquatic, living its whole life in clean, fast-flowing streams where it breathes mainly through the wrinkled folds of its skin.
- [African Clawed Frog](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/african-clawed-frog) — Least Concern: The African clawed frog is a fully aquatic frog from sub-Saharan Africa, named for the small dark claws on its hind feet. It has a flat body, no tongue or visible eardrum, and uses sensitive fingers and a lateral-line system to find food in murky water.
- [Oriental Fire-bellied Toad](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/fire-bellied-toad) — Least Concern: The Oriental fire-bellied toad is a small, semi-aquatic amphibian from East Asia, recognized by its green and black back and its vivid red-and-black underside. When threatened, it arches its body to flash the bright belly, warning predators that its skin is toxic.
- [Caecilian](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/caecilian) — Least Concern: Caecilians are a group of limbless, worm-like amphibians that live mostly hidden in damp soil and leaf litter across the tropics of Africa, Asia, and the Americas. They range from a few centimeters to over 1.5 m (5 ft) long, have tiny or skin-covered eyes, and rely on a pair of sensory tentacles to find prey underground.
- [Golden Eagle](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/golden-eagle) — Least Concern: The golden eagle (Aquila chrysaetos) is one of the largest and fastest birds of prey, found across the mountains, open hills, and tundra of the Northern Hemisphere. It weighs around 4.5 kg with a wingspan of 1.8 to 2.3 m, and in a hunting dive it can exceed 240 km/h (150 mph).
- [Great Horned Owl](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/great-horned-owl) — Least Concern: The great horned owl is a large, powerful owl found throughout the Americas, named for the tufts of feathers on its head that look like horns or ears. A fierce nocturnal predator with crushing talons, it hunts a wide range of prey, even skunks and other raptors.
- [Peregrine Falcon](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/peregrine-falcon) — Least Concern: The peregrine falcon (Falco peregrinus) is a crow-sized bird of prey found on every continent except Antarctica, making it one of the most widespread birds in the world. It hunts other birds in mid-air and is the fastest animal on the planet, reaching over 380 km/h (240 mph) in a hunting dive.
- [Ibis](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/ibis) — Least Concern: An ibis is a long-legged wading bird with a distinctive long, down-curved bill used to probe mud and shallow water for food. The sacred ibis was revered in ancient Egypt.
- [Anglerfish](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/anglerfish) — Least Concern: The anglerfish is a deep-sea fish named for the glowing, fishing-rod-like lure that grows from its head and attracts prey in the darkness. The familiar deep-sea females have huge mouths and needle-like teeth, and their light comes from glowing bacteria living in the lure.
- [Blue Tang](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/blue-tang) — Least Concern: The blue tang (Paracanthurus hepatus) is a vivid royal-blue reef fish with black markings and a bright yellow tail, best known as the character Dory from Finding Nemo. It lives on coral reefs across the Indo-Pacific, where it grazes mainly on algae.
- [Hammerhead Shark](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/hammerhead-shark) — Critically Endangered: Hammerhead sharks are a family of coastal and open-ocean sharks (Sphyrnidae) instantly recognised by the flattened, hammer-shaped head, or cephalofoil, that spreads their eyes and sensory organs wide apart. Species range from under a metre to more than 6 m long, with large individuals weighing around 230 kg.
- [Bull Shark](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/bull-shark) — Vulnerable: The bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas) is a stocky, aggressive coastal shark famous for swimming far up rivers and into freshwater lakes. It grows up to about 3.5 m (11 ft) long and 130 kg (290 lb), and hunts a wide range of prey in warm seas, rivers, and estuaries.
- [Electric Eel](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/electric-eel) — Least Concern: The electric eel (Electrophorus electricus) is a freshwater fish of South America famous for generating powerful electric shocks to stun prey and defend itself. Despite the name it is not a true eel but a knifefish, growing up to 2.5 m long and weighing around 20 kg.
- [Great White Shark](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/great-white-shark) — Vulnerable: The great white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) is a large predatory fish found in cool and temperate coastal waters worldwide. It grows to around 4 to 4.6 m (13 to 15 ft), with some individuals exceeding 6 m, and can weigh up to 1,100 kg (2,400 lb).
- [Ant](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/ant) — Least Concern: Ants are small social insects of the family Formicidae, found almost everywhere on Earth except the far polar regions. Ranging from 1 to 13 mm depending on species, they live in highly organised colonies of dozens to millions of individuals, each with a queen, workers, and cooperative roles.
- [Dragonfly](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/dragonfly) — Least Concern: Dragonflies are fast, agile flying insects with long bodies, huge eyes, and two pairs of transparent wings. They are skilled aerial predators that catch other insects in mid-air, and they spend most of their lives as aquatic larvae before becoming adults.
- [Grasshopper](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/grasshopper) — Least Concern: Grasshoppers are plant-eating insects famous for their powerful hind legs, which let them leap many times their own body length. They live in grasslands and fields, where they feed on leaves and stems, and many produce a chirping sound by rubbing body parts together.
- [Firefly](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/firefly) — Least Concern: Fireflies are winged beetles of the family Lampyridae, famous for the cold, glowing light they flash to attract mates on warm summer nights. Most measure about 1 to 2.5 cm long and fly slowly over meadows, woodland edges, marshes and gardens.
- [Cockroach](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cockroach) — Least Concern: Cockroaches are flattened, fast-moving insects known for their toughness and ability to thrive in many environments. Most of the thousands of species live in the wild, but a few have become common household pests.
- [Cricket](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cricket) — Least Concern: Crickets are jumping insects closely related to grasshoppers, best known for the chirping sound males make to attract mates. They are mostly active at night and feed on plants, fungi, and small insects.
- [Bumblebee](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/bumblebee) — Least Concern: The buff-tailed bumblebee (Bombus terrestris) is a large, fuzzy, black-and-yellow bee found in meadows, gardens, and farmland. Measuring about 1.5 to 2.5 cm (0.6 to 1 in) long, it flies at up to around 24 km/h (15 mph) and feeds on nectar and pollen, making it one of the most important pollinators in temperate regions.
- [Asian Giant Hornet](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/hornet) — Least Concern: The Asian giant hornet (Vespa mandarinia) is the world's largest hornet, with queens reaching up to 5 cm long and a wingspan close to 7.5 cm. Native to the forests and low mountains of East and Southeast Asia, it is a powerful predator that hunts other insects and can fly at up to 40 km/h.
- [Dung Beetle](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/dung-beetle) — Least Concern: Dung beetles are beetles that feed on animal droppings, and many are famous for rolling dung into balls and pushing them away to bury as food or a brood chamber. They are remarkably strong for their size and play a vital role in recycling waste, improving soil, and reducing pests.
- [Cicada](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cicada) — Least Concern: Cicadas are large sap-feeding insects of the family Cicadidae, famous for the loud song of the males and for spending most of their lives underground. Adults are 2 to 5 cm (0.8 to 2 in) long, fly on clear membranous wings, and feed on plant sap.
- [Housefly](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/housefly) — Least Concern: The housefly (Musca domestica) is a small grey fly, about 6 to 7 mm long, found almost everywhere people live. It feeds by sponging up liquids and decaying matter, flies at up to around 8 km/h (5 mph), and completes its entire life cycle from egg to adult in a week or two.
- [Flea](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/flea) — Least Concern: Fleas are tiny, wingless insects that live as parasites on the bodies of mammals and birds, feeding on their blood. They are renowned for their jumping ability, able to leap many times their own body length thanks to powerful hind legs and a spring-like protein.
- [Hermit Crab](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/hermit-crab) — Least Concern: Hermit crabs are crustaceans that protect their soft, spiraled abdomens by living inside empty snail shells. As they grow, they leave their old shell and move into a larger one, sometimes lining up to swap shells in sequence.
- [Earthworm](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/earthworm) — Least Concern: Earthworms are segmented worms that burrow through soil, eating organic matter and recycling nutrients as they go. They breathe through their moist skin, have no eyes or lungs, and are hermaphrodites.
- [Giant Clam](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/giant-clam) — Vulnerable: The giant clam is the largest living bivalve mollusk, growing over 1.2 m (4 ft) wide and weighing more than 200 kg (440 lb). It lives anchored to coral reefs in the warm Indo-Pacific, where it feeds partly by filtering water and partly through algae living in its colorful tissue.
- [Cuttlefish](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cuttlefish) — Least Concern: The common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) is a soft-bodied marine mollusc found over sandy seabeds and seagrass in coastal seas of the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean. Despite its name it is not a fish but a cephalopod, related to octopuses and squid, and it can transform its colour and skin texture in a fraction of a second.
- [Blue Crab](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/blue-crab) — Least Concern: The blue crab (Callinectes sapidus) is a swift swimming crab of the western Atlantic, abundant in the brackish estuaries of the United States east coast and Gulf of Mexico. It has a broad shell up to about 23 cm (9 in) across and a pair of flattened rear legs that let it swim sideways through the water.
- [Atlantic Horseshoe Crab](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/horseshoe-crab) — Vulnerable: The Atlantic horseshoe crab (Limulus polyphemus) is an ancient marine arthropod, more closely related to spiders and scorpions than to true crabs. It has a domed horseshoe-shaped shell, a long spike-like tail, and reaches about 60 cm (24 in) including the tail.
- [Centipede](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/centipede) — Least Concern: Centipedes (class Chilopoda) are fast, venomous invertebrate predators recognised by their long, flattened bodies and many legs, one pair per body segment. Found in soil, leaf litter, and damp places worldwide, they range from a few millimetres to over 30 cm (12 in) long and run swiftly on their many legs to catch insects, spiders, and other small animals.
- [Black Widow Spider](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/black-widow-spider) — Least Concern: The southern black widow (Latrodectus mactans) is a small, glossy black spider famous for the red hourglass marking on the underside of the female's abdomen. It shelters in dark, undisturbed spots such as sheds, woodpiles and field debris, where it builds a tangled web to trap insects.
- [Jumping Spider](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/jumping-spider) — Least Concern: Jumping spiders (family Salticidae) are small, sharp-eyed hunters found on sunny walls, plants, and woodlands worldwide. Most are just 1 to 2 cm (0.4 to 0.8 in) including their legs, yet they have superb vision and can leap many times their body length to pounce on prey.
- [Coral](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/coral) — Least Concern: Corals are tiny colonial animals of the class Anthozoa that build the vast limestone structures we call reefs. Each coral is a colony of soft-bodied polyps, only millimetres wide, that secrete a hard calcium-carbonate skeleton and live fixed in place in warm, shallow tropical seas.
- [Coconut Crab](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/coconut-crab) — Vulnerable: The coconut crab (Birgus latro) is the world's largest land-living arthropod, a giant terrestrial hermit crab found on tropical islands across the Indo-Pacific. Adults reach a leg span of about 1 m (3 ft) and weigh up to roughly 4 kg (9 lb).
- [Giant House Spider](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/giant-house-spider) — Least Concern: The giant house spider (Eratigena atrica) is one of Britain's largest spiders, a fast-moving but harmless funnel-weaver often seen indoors in autumn. Females reach a body length of up to about 7.5 cm across the legs, with a leg span reaching around 12 cm, and adults live for around three years.
- [Boa Constrictor](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/boa-constrictor) — Least Concern: The boa constrictor (Boa constrictor) is a large, heavy-bodied, non-venomous snake native to tropical forests, savannas, and deserts across Central and South America. It typically reaches 2 to 3 m and weighs around 10 to 15 kg, killing prey not with venom but by coiling around it and squeezing until it can no longer breathe.
- [Corn Snake](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/corn-snake) — Least Concern: The corn snake (Pantherophis guttatus) is a gentle, colourful North American rat snake and one of the most popular pet snakes in the world. Native to the fields, woodlands and farmland of the southeastern United States, it grows to around 1.4 m (up to about 1.8 m) and is a non-venomous constrictor that hunts rodents.
- [Frilled Lizard](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/frilled-lizard) — Least Concern: The frilled lizard (Chlamydosaurus kingii) is a tree-dwelling reptile of northern Australia and southern New Guinea, famous for the wide, leathery frill it snaps open around its neck when threatened. It grows up to about 0.9 m (3 ft) long including the tail and weighs around 0.5 kg (1.1 lb).
- [Garter Snake](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/garter-snake) — Least Concern: The garter snake is one of the most common and widespread snakes in North America, found in meadows, marshes, woodlands, and gardens from Canada to Mexico. It is a slender snake, typically 0.5 to 1.3 m long and about 150 g, usually striped in yellow or green along a darker body.
- [African Wild Dog](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/african-wild-dog) — Endangered: The African wild dog is a lean, long-legged carnivore of sub-Saharan Africa, famous for its mottled coat of black, tan, and white patches. Weighing 20 to 30 kg and standing about 1.1 m in body length, it is one of the world's most efficient pack hunters, chasing prey at up to 60 km/h.
- [Aye-aye](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/aye-aye) — Endangered: The aye-aye is a large nocturnal lemur found only in Madagascar, easily recognised by its bushy tail, rodent-like teeth and long, spindly middle finger. It weighs 2 to 3 kg (4.4 to 6.6 lb) and forages alone at night for insect larvae, fruit, nectar and fungi.
- [Howler Monkey](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/howler-monkey) — Least Concern: The howler monkey is a large, leaf-eating New World primate famous for having one of the loudest calls of any land animal in the Americas. Living in the tropical forests of Central and South America, it weighs around 5 to 10 kg and spends almost its whole life high in the canopy.
- [Capuchin Monkey](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/capuchin) — Least Concern: The capuchin is a small, highly intelligent New World monkey found in the tropical forests of Central America and northwest South America. Weighing about 3 to 4 kg and measuring roughly half a metre in body length, it is an agile tree-dweller that uses its prehensile tail for balance.
- [Northern Elephant Seal](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/elephant-seal) — Least Concern: The northern elephant seal (Mirounga angustirostris) is a huge deep-diving seal of the eastern Pacific, breeding on beaches in California and Mexico and feeding far offshore. Bulls are enormous, reaching around 3.5 m long and weighing anywhere from 400 to 2,300 kg, far heavier than females.
- [Grey Seal](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/grey-seal) — Least Concern: The grey seal (Halichoerus grypus) is a large North Atlantic seal named for its long, horse-like muzzle. It swims after fish, squid, and crustaceans along rocky coasts, islands, and ice edges, and a big bull can weigh up to 230 kg.
- [Hawksbill Sea Turtle](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/hawksbill-turtle) — Critically Endangered: The hawksbill is a small sea turtle of tropical coral reefs worldwide, named for its narrow, bird-like beak. It grows to about 0.9 m (3 ft) and 45 to 90 kg, feeds mainly on sponges, and can swim at up to 24 km/h (15 mph).
- [Eastern Box Turtle](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/box-turtle) — Vulnerable: The eastern box turtle (Terrapene carolina) is a small, land-dwelling turtle of the eastern United States, known for the hinged shell it can close like a box for protection. It lives in woodlands, meadows, and wetlands, eating insects, fruit, mushrooms, and carrion.
- [Brown Bear](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/brown-bear) — Least Concern: The brown bear is one of the world's largest land carnivores, found across North America, Europe, and Asia. Adults typically weigh 130–360 kg (290–800 lb), run up to 56 km/h (35 mph), and hibernate through winter in dens.
- [Bonobo](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/bonobo) — Endangered: Bonobos are great apes found only in the Democratic Republic of Congo, closely related to chimpanzees but generally less aggressive, with female-led social bonds and extensive use of social behaviour to resolve conflict. Listed Endangered, they weigh 30–50 kg and face habitat loss and bushmeat hunting.
- [Black Rhinoceros](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/black-rhino) — Critically Endangered: The black rhinoceros is a large African rhino with a hooked upper lip for browsing shrubs, weighing 800–1,400 kg (1,750–3,100 lb) despite its name referring to soil colour, not hide. Critically endangered from poaching for horn, fewer than 6,500 remain across scattered eastern and southern African reserves.
- [Fin Whale](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/fin-whale) — Vulnerable: The fin whale is the second-largest animal on Earth after the blue whale, reaching 25 m (82 ft) and 70 tonnes with an asymmetric jaw colouring. A fast baleen whale capable of 40 km/h bursts, it filters krill and small fish and is listed Vulnerable after decades of commercial whaling.
- [Channel Catfish](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/catfish) — Least Concern: The channel catfish is one of the most popular sport and farmed fish in North America, recognised by barbels ('whiskers'), smooth scaleless skin, and a forked tail. Native to central and eastern rivers and lakes, it grows to 10–25 kg (22–55 lb), tastes mild, and uses taste buds across its body to find food.
- [Javan Rhino](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/javan-rhino) — Critically Endangered: The Javan rhinoceros is the rarest of all rhino species, with roughly 70 individuals surviving in a single national park on Java, Indonesia. Smaller than the Indian rhino at 900–2,300 kg (2,000–5,000 lb), it has a single horn and nearly hairless grey skin, and is Critically Endangered from historic hunting and tiny range.
- [Largemouth Bass](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/bass) — Least Concern: The largemouth bass is a top predator in North American lakes and rivers, named for a jaw extending past the eye. Prized by anglers worldwide, it strikes lures aggressively, grows to 10 kg (22 lb) in rich waters, and has been stocked on every continent except Antarctica for sport fishing.
- [Atlantic Cod](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/cod) — Vulnerable: Atlantic cod is a cold-water groundfish that shaped the economies of Newfoundland, Iceland, and New England for centuries before overfishing collapsed many stocks. Growing to 40 kg (88 lb) and living 25 years, it supports fisheries where recovered and remains Vulnerable in the northwest Atlantic.
- [Canary](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/canary) — Domesticated species: Canaries are domesticated songbirds descended from wild Atlantic canaries of the Canary Islands, Madeira, and the Azores. Bred for centuries for colour and song, they weigh 15–25 g (0.5–0.9 oz) and are kept in millions of households — while wild populations on their native islands remain Least Concern.
- [Bed Bug](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/bed-bug) — Not Evaluated: The common bed bug is a small flat insect that feeds exclusively on blood, mainly from humans at night while they sleep. Roughly 5 mm long and reddish-brown, it hides in mattress seams and furniture, resists many pesticides, and has resurged globally in hotels and homes — listed Not Evaluated by IUCN.
- [Brown Recluse Spider](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/brown-recluse-spider) — Not Evaluated: The brown recluse is a small venomous spider named for a violin-shaped mark on its cephalothorax and its shy, reclusive habits. Found mainly in the central and southern United States, it bites rarely but can cause necrotic skin lesions.
- [Indri](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/indri) — Critically Endangered: The indri is the largest living lemur, endemic to eastern Madagascar and listed Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List (2020, decreasing). It lives in monogamous family groups, sings across the canopy, and has never been kept successfully in captivity, so survival depends on protecting remaining forest — not on zoo breeding.
- [Macaque](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/macaque) — Varies by species (Least Concern to Critically Endangered): Macaques are a genus of about 23 Old World monkey species native to Asia and North Africa. Conservation status varies from Least Concern to Critically Endangered: lion-tailed, Barbary and Celebes crested macaques are Endangered, while rhesus macaques remain widespread. Habitat loss, the pet and research trades, and urban conflict are the main pressures — not a single genus-wide collapse.
- [Mandrill](https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/wildlife-guides/mandrill) — Vulnerable: The mandrill is the world’s largest monkey (Mandrillus sphinx), native to rainforests of Cameroon, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea and Congo, and listed Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List because of commercial bushmeat hunting and logging-road access. It is not a baboon. WARN does not run Central African patrols; this page is an educational guide, not a field-programme claim.