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The school shark, aka tope, tope shark, snapper shark, and soupfin shark, is a species of houndshark that can be found off the coastlines of nearly every continent, sans Antarctica. Sadly, due to overfishing and over harvesting these sharks are listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. Their remaining populations […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The coastal giant salamander can be found in the Pacific Northwest. These are the largest known salamander in North America. There are 3 known related species in the same family: the California giant salamander, Cope’s giant salamander, and the Idaho giant salamander. These sallies can be found in the U.S. […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The dusky dolphin, aka Fitzroy’s dolphin, can be found off the coasts of South-Western Africa, New Zealand, and South America, in the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans. They can tolerate both cool and warm temperate water. These dolphins lack the characteristic dolphin beak. This dolphin species is closely related to the […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The African penguin, aka jackass penguin, is nicknamed for their donkey-like bray. These penguins are an indicator species that has represented an overall decline in numbers due to overfishing of lesser-valued species such as sardines & anchovies, and has shown the negative effects of climate change. They can be found […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

Getting their name from the black tips on their fins, the blacktip reef shark is a commonplace in many coral reefs, beaches, bays, and can even be seen in estuaries. They like the waters just off the coast of Pacific regions, like Japan, New Caledonia, northern Australia. Philippines, and Thailand. […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The California newt, aka the orange bellied newt, is the largest native salamander species found in the Santa Monica Mountains. These newts are native to California. The species occurs throughout the coast and coastal range mountains from San Diego County to Mendocino County. They prefer chaparral, oak woodlands, and grasslands. […]

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This article was originally published on Critter Science.

The slow moving, gentle dugong is the only strict oceanic mammalian herbivore (eats only plants). These beautifully odd creatures are on the brink of extinction due to several factors, including hunting, pollution, drowning fatalities from fishing nets, and environmental decline. They also may have been the inspiration for tales of […]

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