100 Full Size Animals

- U P TO 7 . 9 I N

BEAR SUN

AL

AY AN

7.7 IN

LONG TONGUES

M

AT E R – 2

GIRAFFE - O VER 1

T ANTE FT

The Okapi uses its blue tongue to clean its nose and ears.

GIAN

The purple tongue of the giraffe is able to easily tear off acacia leaves without getting stung with the huge thorns.

Despite having an omnivorous diet, the Malayan Sun Bear has a long tongue, useful for catching insects inside the cracks of tree trunks.

One of the smallest species of chameleon, the Rosette-nosed Chameleon (Rampholeon spinosus) has a tongue two and a half times its body length and an eversion rate much greater than that of larger species.

The tongue of the woodpecker can reach the same length as its body; in resting position, it cannot be contained inside its mouth and remains rolled up inside a special channel, which starts from the beak and goes back into the head, around the skull and returns to the beak on the opposite side.

R KE C E DP O WO

O PT U -

I 5.9

N

ROSETTE-NOSED CHAMELEON – 5 IN

1

IN 3.3

The small Tube-Lipped Nectar Bat (Anoura fistulata), which rarely reaches 2.5 inches in length, has a tongue longer than its body that it uses to feed mainly on nectar and pollen.

– AT RB TA NEC

8

K

–

T

IN

PED -LIP TUBE

O

I AP

O AB

U

7 7.

To eat up to 35,000 ants and termites a day, the Giant Anteater, toothless, uses its tongue, by far the longest of any animal in the animal kingdom.

9

- U P TO 7 . 9 I N

BEAR SUN

AL

AY AN

7.7 IN

LONG TONGUES

M

AT E R – 2

GIRAFFE - O VER 1

T ANTE FT

The Okapi uses its blue tongue to clean its nose and ears.

GIAN

The purple tongue of the giraffe is able to easily tear off acacia leaves without getting stung with the huge thorns.

Despite having an omnivorous diet, the Malayan Sun Bear has a long tongue, useful for catching insects inside the cracks of tree trunks.

One of the smallest species of chameleon, the Rosette-nosed Chameleon (Rampholeon spinosus) has a tongue two and a half times its body length and an eversion rate much greater than that of larger species.

The tongue of the woodpecker can reach the same length as its body; in resting position, it cannot be contained inside its mouth and remains rolled up inside a special channel, which starts from the beak and goes back into the head, around the skull and returns to the beak on the opposite side.

R KE C E DP O WO

O PT U -

I 5.9

N

ROSETTE-NOSED CHAMELEON – 5 IN

1

IN 3.3

The small Tube-Lipped Nectar Bat (Anoura fistulata), which rarely reaches 2.5 inches in length, has a tongue longer than its body that it uses to feed mainly on nectar and pollen.

– AT RB TA NEC

8

K

–

T

IN

PED -LIP TUBE

O

I AP

O AB

U

7 7.

To eat up to 35,000 ants and termites a day, the Giant Anteater, toothless, uses its tongue, by far the longest of any animal in the animal kingdom.

9

IGH

V

AB

– 1 .1 I N

O

SH

.4

KIW

I–

RD – 0 IN

IN

BO U

T

2.

2

ARK – 4.7 IN

S O N G TH RU

IN HUM VA M R E

GBI

UT

IN 4.7

IN

The winner of the largest egg is the ostrich with its egg weighing up to 3.3 pounds, equal to the size of 25 chicken eggs. In reality, compared to the size of the mother, it is actually the smallest egg.

The Vervain Hummingbird holds the record for the smallest egg with a length of 0.4 inches and a weight that does not reach even 1/16 ounce.

The female Horn Shark lays about 25 eggs of a bizarre, unusual spiral shape, which can reach up to 4.7 inches in length.

HORN SH

The female of the Kiwi lays a single egg, gigantic compared to the size of the adult.

It can weigh up to a quarter of the weight of the mother, who, in the days before laying it, cannot even feed anymore.

EGGS

O ST R I C H – 7 . 1 I N H

CHICKEN - A

RO YA L

PY TH O

N –

4I

The female Royal Python is the only snake that curls up on top of the eggs it lays, raising their temperature to keep them warm and “nesting.”

The Song Thrush lays dark blueturquoise eggs with dark-colored stains on them, well-camouflaged in the nest among the leaves of the trees.

GA LÁ

P AG O

ST O

R

E–

The Galápagos Tortoise, the largest species of tortoise, lays 40-50 eggs in a hole dug into the sand.

If the temperature is particularly high, only males will be born.

2.4 IN

CO M M O N LO O N

The Common Loon nests on the shore of lakes and ponds.

Its eggs hatch after about a month of being in the nest.

IS

-G

RE

AT E

R

N

2.75 IN

TO

16

T

N HA

17

IGH

V

AB

– 1 .1 I N

O

SH

.4

KIW

I–

RD – 0 IN

IN

BO U

T

2.

2

ARK – 4.7 IN

S O N G TH RU

IN HUM VA M R E

GBI

UT

IN 4.7

IN

The winner of the largest egg is the ostrich with its egg weighing up to 3.3 pounds, equal to the size of 25 chicken eggs. In reality, compared to the size of the mother, it is actually the smallest egg.

The Vervain Hummingbird holds the record for the smallest egg with a length of 0.4 inches and a weight that does not reach even 1/16 ounce.

The female Horn Shark lays about 25 eggs of a bizarre, unusual spiral shape, which can reach up to 4.7 inches in length.

HORN SH

The female of the Kiwi lays a single egg, gigantic compared to the size of the adult.

It can weigh up to a quarter of the weight of the mother, who, in the days before laying it, cannot even feed anymore.

EGGS

O ST R I C H – 7 . 1 I N H

CHICKEN - A

RO YA L

PY TH O

N –

4I

The female Royal Python is the only snake that curls up on top of the eggs it lays, raising their temperature to keep them warm and “nesting.”

The Song Thrush lays dark blueturquoise eggs with dark-colored stains on them, well-camouflaged in the nest among the leaves of the trees.

GA LÁ

P AG O

ST O

R

E–

The Galápagos Tortoise, the largest species of tortoise, lays 40-50 eggs in a hole dug into the sand.

If the temperature is particularly high, only males will be born.

2.4 IN

CO M M O N LO O N

The Common Loon nests on the shore of lakes and ponds.

Its eggs hatch after about a month of being in the nest.

IS

-G

RE

AT E

R

N

2.75 IN

TO

16

T

N HA

17

The Tufted Ground Squirrel lives only in Borneo and is famous for its tail, about 1 foot long and much wider and fluffier than its thin body. It is believed that its gray, bushy tail has primarily a defensive function and is used to completely hide the animal while jumping, making it also look much bigger.

TU

20

FT

ED

GR O

UN

D

SQ U

IRR

EL-

ABO

UT

1 FT

The Tufted Ground Squirrel lives only in Borneo and is famous for its tail, about 1 foot long and much wider and fluffier than its thin body. It is believed that its gray, bushy tail has primarily a defensive function and is used to completely hide the animal while jumping, making it also look much bigger.

TU

20

FT

ED

GR O

UN

D

SQ U

IRR

EL-

ABO

UT

1 FT

BE

AR

– 1 FT T

–

G

C AT – 1

.5

IN

H

BE

N KA

20

UN RO

DHOG – 2.3

CAN ELEPHAN

– 7 IN

LA

IN

I AFR

IN

OC

–

G

EROS – 10

O POTA M U S

R WHITE

ZEBRA -3.5 IN

ER

I

V

OON – 5 B AB .5

P HIP

FOLLOW the TRACKS

IN

N

IN SE – 2 .1 OU

R

22

TH A N 1 0 I

M

PO R TER A E

I F RA

FE – 7 IN

A

N

GAROO

IN

G

23

BE

AR

– 1 FT T

–

G

C AT – 1

.5

IN

H

BE

N KA

20

UN RO

DHOG – 2.3

CAN ELEPHAN

– 7 IN

LA

IN

I AFR

IN

OC

–

G

EROS – 10

O POTA M U S

R WHITE

ZEBRA -3.5 IN

ER

I

V

OON – 5 B AB .5

P HIP

FOLLOW the TRACKS

IN

N

IN SE – 2 .1 OU

R

22

TH A N 1 0 I

M

PO R TER A E

I F RA

FE – 7 IN

A

N

GAROO

IN

G

23

ST R

A

U

At 1 foot in length, the Australian Flying Fox is one of the largest in the bat family. It lives in colonies in Australia and in some tropical Asian areas. Thanks to its incredible wingspan, it can fly for miles in search of flowers and fruits.

AL

IA

N

FL YI

N

G

FO X

-W

IN

GS

PA

N

5F

T

NO

CT U

LE

BA T–

NG

SP

AN

IN

The Greater Noctule Bat, whose body measures about 3.5 inches long, is the largest of the European family of bats.

UP

TO

16

IN

N5

WI

–W

AN

IN

SPA WING

BU M B L E B E E 24

AT E R

.1 IN

GRE

B AT –

LORDS of the NIGHT

VA

AT MPIRE B

P GS

15

The Vampire Bat lives in South America and feeds on the blood of animals. In spite of its name and its somewhat disturbing eating habits, it is only 3.5 inches long!

The Bumblebee Bat, the smallest bat in the world, lives in Asia. It measures less than 1 inch in length and weighs around 0.07 ounces. It feeds on small insects.

25

ST R

A

U

At 1 foot in length, the Australian Flying Fox is one of the largest in the bat family. It lives in colonies in Australia and in some tropical Asian areas. Thanks to its incredible wingspan, it can fly for miles in search of flowers and fruits.

AL

IA

N

FL YI

N

G

FO X

-W

IN

GS

PA

N

5F

T

NO

CT U

LE

BA T–

NG

SP

AN

IN

The Greater Noctule Bat, whose body measures about 3.5 inches long, is the largest of the European family of bats.

UP

TO

16

IN

N5

WI

–W

AN

IN

SPA WING

BU M B L E B E E 24

AT E R

.1 IN

GRE

B AT –

LORDS of the NIGHT

VA

AT MPIRE B

P GS

15

The Vampire Bat lives in South America and feeds on the blood of animals. In spite of its name and its somewhat disturbing eating habits, it is only 3.5 inches long!

The Bumblebee Bat, the smallest bat in the world, lives in Asia. It measures less than 1 inch in length and weighs around 0.07 ounces. It feeds on small insects.

25

S P A N 1 FT - W I N WING G HE

I G HT

8.3

IN

The male of the Queen Alexandra Butterfly species, shown here, is smaller than the female whose 11-inch wingspan makes it the largest day butterfly in the world. It lives in Papua New Guinea and is in grave danger of extinction.

.2

GS P

AN

10

IN

–

W

IN W I N GS P A N

I

10

IN

The short tail of the female Hercules Moth cannot compete in beauty with the long ones found on the male.

Its size, however, makes it a spectacular inhabitant of the forests of Australia and New Guinea.

G

HE

T GH

W

RECORD-breaking BUTTERFLIES

AN 11 IN – WI NG HEIGHT 7 IN W INGSP

The White Witch, an elegant, mimetic moth, possesses very long, very thin wings.

It lives in the forests of South America.

28

The Atlas or Cobra Moth is an Asian moth, the largest of the Lepidoptera family. The adult lives for a few days, during which it does not feed: its only purpose is to lay eggs, which can number as many as 200 at a time.

1 FT – W I N G H E I G HT 6 I N 29

S P A N 1 FT - W I N WING G HE

I G HT

8.3

IN

The male of the Queen Alexandra Butterfly species, shown here, is smaller than the female whose 11-inch wingspan makes it the largest day butterfly in the world. It lives in Papua New Guinea and is in grave danger of extinction.

.2

GS P

AN

10

IN

–

W

IN W I N GS P A N

I

10

IN

The short tail of the female Hercules Moth cannot compete in beauty with the long ones found on the male.

Its size, however, makes it a spectacular inhabitant of the forests of Australia and New Guinea.

G

HE

T GH

W

RECORD-breaking BUTTERFLIES

AN 11 IN – WI NG HEIGHT 7 IN W INGSP

The White Witch, an elegant, mimetic moth, possesses very long, very thin wings.

It lives in the forests of South America.

28

The Atlas or Cobra Moth is an Asian moth, the largest of the Lepidoptera family. The adult lives for a few days, during which it does not feed: its only purpose is to lay eggs, which can number as many as 200 at a time.

1 FT – W I N G H E I G HT 6 I N 29

FROGS and TOADS

In 1935, the Cane Toad was introduced to Australia to try to limit the large spread of cockroaches. The result was not that which was hoped for and the toad reproduced in an exceptional way, becoming a predator for smaller species, thanks to the powerful poison produced by the glands positioned on the sides of the head.

CA

NE

TO A

D–

15 IN

CO M M O N TO A D - U P TO 8 I N

Female Common Toads can reach up to 8 inches in length and are the largest toads in Europe. They can lay up to 7,000 eggs which hatch into black tadpoles.

The Pelobates fuscus or Spade Toad is a strange toad with vertical pupils which spends most of its time buried in the sand.

Its tadpole is a giant that can reach up to 7 inches, a size far greater than that of the adult, which reaches a maximum of 3.1!

FRO G O L I ATH

The Paedophryne amauensis is the smallest vertebrate in the world.

The miniature little toads hatch directly from the eggs and are never tadpoles!

0.3 I N

PE

LO B

AT ES F

U S CU S - U P TO 3 . 1 I

N

G–1

FT

The Goliath Frog lives in Africa. It is the largest frog in the world and its weight can exceed 6.6 pounds.

The male does not have vocal pockets which serve to amplify its croaking. It is in danger of extinction.

31

FROGS and TOADS

In 1935, the Cane Toad was introduced to Australia to try to limit the large spread of cockroaches. The result was not that which was hoped for and the toad reproduced in an exceptional way, becoming a predator for smaller species, thanks to the powerful poison produced by the glands positioned on the sides of the head.

CA

NE

TO A

D–

15 IN

CO M M O N TO A D - U P TO 8 I N

Female Common Toads can reach up to 8 inches in length and are the largest toads in Europe. They can lay up to 7,000 eggs which hatch into black tadpoles.

The Pelobates fuscus or Spade Toad is a strange toad with vertical pupils which spends most of its time buried in the sand.

Its tadpole is a giant that can reach up to 7 inches, a size far greater than that of the adult, which reaches a maximum of 3.1!

FRO G O L I ATH

The Paedophryne amauensis is the smallest vertebrate in the world.

The miniature little toads hatch directly from the eggs and are never tadpoles!

0.3 I N

PE

LO B

AT ES F

U S CU S - U P TO 3 . 1 I

N

G–1

FT

The Goliath Frog lives in Africa. It is the largest frog in the world and its weight can exceed 6.6 pounds.

The male does not have vocal pockets which serve to amplify its croaking. It is in danger of extinction.

31

in MINIATURE

The Etruscan Pygmy Shrew, which hardly reaches 2 inches long including its tail, weighs just under 0.07 ounces and is the smallest mammal, along with the Bumblebee Bat. It is a shrew, not a rodent, and therefore eats insects like hedgehogs and moles.

The Etruscan Pygmy Shrew is a dangerous predator of spiders and insects: to keep its body temperature constant, it must eat a quantity of animals at least equal to its weight daily.

When prey is scarce, or in colder periods of the year, it stiffens and enters into a sort of lethargic state for several hours more than once a day.

ET RU S

C

AN

PYG MY S H R

EW

– 2 IN 34

35

in MINIATURE

The Etruscan Pygmy Shrew, which hardly reaches 2 inches long including its tail, weighs just under 0.07 ounces and is the smallest mammal, along with the Bumblebee Bat. It is a shrew, not a rodent, and therefore eats insects like hedgehogs and moles.

The Etruscan Pygmy Shrew is a dangerous predator of spiders and insects: to keep its body temperature constant, it must eat a quantity of animals at least equal to its weight daily.

When prey is scarce, or in colder periods of the year, it stiffens and enters into a sort of lethargic state for several hours more than once a day.

ET RU S

C

AN

PYG MY S H R

EW

– 2 IN 34

35

ID

–D

IA

ME

TE

R

G

R

to see the WORLD better

TS QU

E AT A TH

N 10

IN

R ES

HAR

IAM

RA

2.

GIAN

RE

BIG

TH EYE

S HER

D K–

E ET

UT BO

N 4I

The Giant Squid has the largest eyes of any living animal!

They exceed 10 inches in diameter.

Its eyes are so large to allow it to perceive the faint light of the sea depths and the bioluminescence of the inhabitants of the abysses.

The eyes of the shark are able to reflect the poor light of the sea floor and it can see even in the darkest waters.

E–

DIA

ME

TE

The Tarsier, a small nocturnal primate, has huge eyes fixed in their sockets. To overcome the limitations imposed by this feature, however, it can rotate its head by more than 180 degrees.

R 0.

7I N

The eyes of the eagle are endowed with a large number of visual cells giving it vision that is 6 or 7 times more acute than humans.

RS TA IER – DIAMETE

ER

R

NAKE – DIAMET

0.

3 IN

IN

S TLE R AT

0.6

The rattlesnake can capture “warm-blooded” prey at night because its eyes see in infrared.

« 38-39

E AG L

The Blue Whale, over 110 feet long, is the largest animal that has ever existed.

In order to withstand the high pressures of the ocean depths, its pupils, however, measure only 5.9 inches in diameter, as you can see on the next page.

37

ID

–D

IA

ME

TE

R

G

R

to see the WORLD better

TS QU

E AT A TH

N 10

IN

R ES

HAR

IAM

RA

2.

GIAN

RE

BIG

TH EYE

S HER

D K–

E ET

UT BO

N 4I

The Giant Squid has the largest eyes of any living animal!

They exceed 10 inches in diameter.

Its eyes are so large to allow it to perceive the faint light of the sea depths and the bioluminescence of the inhabitants of the abysses.

The eyes of the shark are able to reflect the poor light of the sea floor and it can see even in the darkest waters.

E–

DIA

ME

TE

The Tarsier, a small nocturnal primate, has huge eyes fixed in their sockets. To overcome the limitations imposed by this feature, however, it can rotate its head by more than 180 degrees.

R 0.

7I N

The eyes of the eagle are endowed with a large number of visual cells giving it vision that is 6 or 7 times more acute than humans.

RS TA IER – DIAMETE

ER

R

NAKE – DIAMET

0.

3 IN

IN

S TLE R AT

0.6

The rattlesnake can capture “warm-blooded” prey at night because its eyes see in infrared.

« 38-39

E AG L

The Blue Whale, over 110 feet long, is the largest animal that has ever existed.

In order to withstand the high pressures of the ocean depths, its pupils, however, measure only 5.9 inches in diameter, as you can see on the next page.

37