This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The American burying beetle, aka giant carrion beetle, is not only carnivorous, it feeds on carrion (dead animals) and needs carrion to breed. These beetles are among the few known to exhibit parental care. They are threatened by habitat loss and destruction; habitat fragmentation; the reduction of carrion; and competition […]

Thanks for reading! Follow Critterman for more updates and insights.

This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The vulture bee, aka carrion bee, is closely related to the South American stingless bee. Unlike honey bees, these bees feast on rotting flesh. These critters also produce a substance from the meat they eat. They prefer rainforests and jungles found throughout South America and Mexico. Vulture bees are not […]

Thanks for reading! Follow Critterman for more updates and insights.

This article was originally published on Critter Science.

When the king vulture arrives at the scene, other birds will literally step aside and let the king eat. Considered to be the largest and arguably one of the prettiest of the vulture species, the brilliant coloration on their head is actually skin. See, vultures tend to not have any […]

Thanks for reading! Follow Critterman for more updates and insights.

This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The south polar skua, aka jaeger, is a seabird that can be found in Africa, Antarctica, Asia, North America, Oceania, and South America. They use the snow-free areas of Antarctic coasts to breed during warmer months, and spend the cooler months at sea, in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans. […]

Thanks for reading! Follow Critterman for more updates and insights.

This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The giant petrel is a sea bird that hails from Antarctica up into the subtropical areas of South America, Australia, and Africa. They may look a little like an albatross but when they fly, they have a slight hunchback. Giant petrels are a perfect example of an opportunistic feeder. They […]

Thanks for reading! Follow Critterman for more updates and insights.

This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The hooded vulture is closely related to eagles and hawks. They are old world vultures (those hailing from Africa and Asia). Hooded vultures call Kenya, Sub-Saharan Africa, Uganda, Tanzania, and other countries their home. These birds prefer savannas, grasslands, semi-deserts, forests, coastal lowlands, and open woodlands. The hooded vulture is […]

Thanks for reading! Follow Critterman for more updates and insights.

This article was originally published on Critter Science.

With its strong bill, the marabou stork pulls apart chunks of meat from the carcasses of dead animals. It’s a nasty and dirty job, but someone’s gotta do it. It is a tough life being nature’s janitor! It’s also a tough life in the harshness of Africa, with so much […]

Thanks for reading! Follow Critterman for more updates and insights.

This article was originally published on Critter Science.

Oops! Left the door open again and here comes the housefly. Typically not 1 but many. These creatures have been around for about 65 million years. They aren’t going anywhere any time soon. As long as there are animals and humans around. Yet, as annoying as they are, they are […]

Thanks for reading! Follow Critterman for more updates and insights.

This article was originally published on Critter Science.

They are the largest living lizard species on earth, they rob human graves, and can kill with a single agonizing bite. Enter the Komodo dragon. These giants are very clever, strong swimmers, and can even give birth via a method called parthenogenesis. Komodos live on 4 islands in Indonesia: Komodo, […]

Thanks for reading! Follow Critterman for more updates and insights.

This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The California condor is the largest wild bird in all of North America. Their population plummeted during the 20th century due to habitat destruction, poaching, and lead poisoning from bullets in the dead animals they eat. People would shoot animals, leave them for dead, the condors would eat the carrion […]

Thanks for reading! Follow Critterman for more updates and insights.