Did you know that emperor penguins are a type of bird that can’t fly? They are also the largest type of penguin. In late 2022, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service announced that emperor penguins should be protected by law because Antarctic ice, where the penguins raise their young, is being threatened by climate change.
Cheetahs, as many people know, are the fastest land animal in the world. They can reach speeds of up to 61 miles per hour, and their stride length reaches an incredible 23 feet. Now that there are just 7,000 cheetahs left in the wild, the U.S. Endangered Species Act by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service has listed cheetahs as endangered.
By Anya Rothman, age 11
A study published by the Ecological Society of America found that beaver dams cooled streams in northwestern Washington by more than 4 degrees Fahrenheit during certain times of the year.
Hippopotamuses, which are native to Africa, are semi-aquatic animals, meaning that they live both in water and on land. An adult male hippo can weigh up to 9,000 pounds, but they are still very good swimmers. Hippo populations have been dropping due to habitat loss caused by climate change and hunting. As hippos are reliant on freshwater systems, they are often threatened by drought and the loss of grazing areas.
By Charlotte Osoria, age 9
Did you know there are over 255 species of bumblebee around the world, 49 of which live in North America? One such species is the American bumblebee.
By June Fink, age 10
So far this year, more than 841 manatees have already died in Florida, according to the Associated Press. That’s 11 more than the previous record high in 2013, which was for the whole year.
By Esteban Guerra, age 9
Wolves play a big role in keeping our ecosystems healthy. Gray wolves are found in many parts of the United States, including Alaska, northern Michigan, northern Wisconsin, western Montana, northern Idaho, northeast Oregon and the Yellowstone area of Wyoming.
The population of the Irrawaddy dolphin in Laos is down to five. The World Wildlife Fund is calling for an end to illegal fishing and strict regulation of boat traffic in the area.
Recognized for its beautiful feathers, the green peacock is one of the most beautiful animals in the world.
The Hispaniolan hutia (Plagiodontia aedium) is also known as the “zagouti” or “jutía” in Spanish. It is the only species of hutia still alive and can be found on the island of Hispaniola, which is shared by the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
