Buzzle

Animals & Pets

Explore the animal kingdom and the pets in it — species facts, behavior explained, and practical care guides for dogs, cats, birds, fish and more.

Animals hold our attention like almost nothing else. A dog that tilts its head at a siren, a cat that brings home things you never asked for, an octopus that unscrews a jar from the inside: every one of them is running on instincts and abilities we only partly understand. This section covers both sides of that fascination, the animals that share your home and the wilder ones you will only ever meet through a screen or on a trail.

For pet owners, the emphasis is practical. You will find care guides for dogs, cats, birds, fish, reptiles and small mammals, covering the decisions that actually come up: what a species eats, how much space and exercise it needs, which behaviors are normal and which deserve a vet visit, and how to read the body language your pet uses instead of words. Breed profiles go deeper on temperament, health tendencies and grooming, which matters most in the months before you commit to an animal that may live with you for fifteen years.

The wild side of the section trades advice for explanation. Species profiles look at habitats, diets, mating and migration, and the strange adaptations that let a camel go weeks without water or a hummingbird sleep through a cold night by slowing its own heart. Some articles answer a single sharp question, like why zebras have stripes or how bees find their way home. Others take on whole groups, from big cats to backyard songbirds, and lay out what separates one species from its nearest lookalike.

A good starting point is whatever animal is currently in your house or your head. The featured guides above collect our deepest coverage on a topic in one place, and the article grid below runs from the newest pieces backward, so recent answers surface first. If a specific question brought you here, the search page will usually get you to the exact article faster than browsing. However you wander through, the goal is the same: to leave you knowing an animal a little better than you did, whether it sleeps on your couch or on the floor of a rainforest.

Featured Guides

Easy small pets
Types of geckos
Types of pet snakes
Angelfish facts
Amphibians as pets
Aquarium setup and care
House rabbit care
Guinea pig facts
Betta fish care
Best pet reptiles for beginners
Goldfish facts
Keeping exotic animals as pets
Pet rats essentials
Hamster care
Aquarium invertebrates
Lizards as pets
Tropical fish identification

All Articles

A dark vulture with tan feathered wings perched on a branch

Turkey Vulture Facts

Turkey vultures are one of amazing birds that are found in America and are known for some really interesting habits and characteristics. Find out some important turkey vulture facts with this article. Turkey Vulture Facts.

Illustrated dogs in yellow, black, white, and brown representing different breeds

Top 15 Pet-friendly Dog Breeds

If you already have a pet at home and want to add another one, you would want to choose a breed that gets along well with other pets. This Buzzle article enlists 15 such great pet-friendly dog breeds that will get on very well with the other pets.

Stylized illustration of a fox’s face with amber eyes

Meanings and Symbolism Associated with a Fox

The fox is one such creature that has earned more dishonor than respect. Yes, it is sly, very much cunning, but the poor animal is only trying to survive in a world full of predators! This Buzzle article is all about interpreting the different symbolic meanings of a fox, that’ll perhaps help you see this creature in a different light.

Hamster illustrated in a laboratory setting

Cancer in Hamsters

Hamsters may be “easy” pets, but they are susceptible to cancer. Know the signs and symptoms ahead of time, so you can quickly recognize when something is going wrong. Quicker diagnosis leads to better outcomes, and it isn’t necessarily a death sentence.

Illustrated collection of various animals including primates, antelope, and deer

10 Monogamous Animals that Mate for Life

The animal kingdom is filled with the most unique and awe-inspiring creatures; it never ceases to amaze us. One such aspect is monogamy. This Buzzle article provides a list of animals that mate for life.

Two roosters with black, white, and orange plumage illustrated side by side

Difference between Barred Rock and Dominique Chickens

The Barred Rock and Dominique are the two popular heritage chickens of America. At first glance, they appear strikingly similar, but they are actually different. To get a clear idea of the differences, read this Buzzle article.

A mystery snail with its spiral shell resting on a leafy green in a simple aquarium

Ridiculously Useful Tips on How to Take Care of Mystery Snails

Mystery snails love to eat blanched green vegetables such as spinach, lettuce, and kale. Some of the species such as the Golden mystery snail also like to eat fish food such as shrimp pellets. As far as the aquarium settings are concerned, they are comfortable in alkaline water.

A black piranha with a red eye swimming past rocks and a plant in an aquarium

Ridiculously Useful Tips to Take Care of a Black Piranha

Black piranhas, also called redeye piranhas, are carnivorous sea dwellers mostly found in South America (Amazon and Orinoco basins). Hobbyist and enthusiasts are really keen to tame this species due to its unique temperament and physical characteristics. In case you are one such enthusiast, Buzzle's got some tips for you on black piranha care. Take a look!

A goldfish swimming near pondweed, a larva, and flakes of food, the varied diet it eats

What Do Goldfish Eat? Their Diet Might Surprise You

Just like humans, a goldfish thrives on a varied diet, that is apparently closer to what they must be consuming in the wild. They are extremely flexible when it comes to their palate and will eat just about anything which is slippery, fuzzy, crunchy, and, slimy.

A bearded dragon resting on a rock, in black and white

Is a Bearded Dragon's Bite Dangerous to Humans?

Bearded dragons have become quite popular as pets, even among children. However, many are still confused about whether these lizards can bite and about how dangerous they can be. This article provides some information on the same.

A crow in flight low over open ground, carrying food in its beak

Is it Wise to Keep Crows as Pets? Know Why or Why Not

If you are an individual who loves to observe wild crows, eventually you will feel like keeping one as a pet. But hold your thoughts there, mate! Crows and ravens are wild animals and you certainly can't treat them the same way you treat cats, dogs, and, parrots. However if you are still juggling in your mind, first learn about pros and cons of keeping crows as pets.

A yellow tang fish swimming near live rock in a reef aquarium

How to Take Care of a Yellow Tang Fish

Yellow tang fish are a popular choice as aquarium fish because of their bright yellow color. If you're planning to get one, Buzzle lists out some important points about yellow tang fish care.

A groundhog foraging beside a stone wall

Is it Really Wise to Keep Groundhogs as Pets?

Groundhogs can be extremely cuddly adorable little creatures to look at, but do they make good pets? This Buzzle article has got the lowdown on whether it is wise to keep groundhogs as pets.

A black and white tegu lizard walking across grass

Facts About the Tegu You Can't Afford to Miss

Tegus are large lizards, mainly found in South America. They can be as much as 1.23 m in length and weigh up to 15 lb. Buzzle brings you some fascinating facts about these reptiles.

A betta fish resting motionless against an aquarium leaf, fins relaxed in a sleeping pose

Do Betta Fish Sleep? When and How? Find Out Right Here

Betta fish are pretty active during the day. Do they sleep or not? When and how do they sleep? While providing answers to these questions, Buzzle also presents some interesting facts about these beautiful fish.

Illustration of a pig-nosed turtle with its fleshy snout and paddle-like flippers swimming through freshwater

Important Tips to Care for Your Cute Pig-nosed Turtle

With its unique appearance and graceful swimming movements, the pig-nosed turtle is a popular pet for many experienced turtle keepers. In this Buzzle article, we shall discuss the requirements and care needed for this turtle in captivity, such as its preferred habitat, food, and maintenance.

A kinkajou perched on a branch, its prehensile tail curled beneath it

Utterly Striking Facts About Kinkajous

Many tend to relate kinkajous with primates due to their various similar attributes. However, they are not related. We'll help you get rid of this confusion, and gives you some interesting facts about this animal.

Illustration of a Djungarian dwarf hamster with its signature dorsal stripe, sitting in soft bedding with sunflower seeds

Useful Tips on How to Care for Your Pet Djungarian Hamster

If you have a hamster or if you are thinking of bringing home a hamster as your pet, then this Buzzle post is for you. While providing some useful tips on how to care for Djungarian hamsters, it also provides information about their diet, breeding, health problems, and lifespan.