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	<title>protected &#8211; Critter Science</title>
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	<title>protected &#8211; Critter Science</title>
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	<item>
		<title>The Kerry Slug</title>
		<link>https://critter.science/the-kerry-slug/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=the-kerry-slug</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Critterman]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Thu, 09 Oct 2025 09:00:23 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Daily Critter Facts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gastropod Facts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[eggs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[gastropod]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hermaphrodite]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Ireland]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kerry slug]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Kerry spotted slug]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Portugal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[protected]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[slug]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[slugs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Spain]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[species]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[unique]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://critter.science/?p=22422</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<a href="https://critter.science/the-kerry-slug/" title="The Kerry Slug" rel="nofollow"><img width="300" height="130" src="https://critter.science/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ks1a-300x130.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="Kerry slug" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="1" decoding="async" srcset="https://critter.science/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ks1a-300x130.jpg 300w, https://critter.science/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ks1a-800x347.jpg 800w, https://critter.science/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ks1a-scaled.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a><p>This article was originally published on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://critter.science">Critter Science</a>.</p>
<p>The Kerry slug, aka Kerry spotted slug, is a medium-to-large sized, air-breathing land slug that hails from the family of roundback slugs, Arionidae. Even though these critters are found in south-western Ireland&#x2014;including County Kerry, they are more widespread in northwestern Spain and central-to-northern Portugal. They face the threats of habitat [&#x2026;]</p>
<p>Thanks for reading! Follow <a rel="nofollow" href="https://critter.science/author/cee0ea80615b8bda2caf6c626c2b91f1/">Critterman</a> for more updates and insights.</p>
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		<title>The Smooth-Coated Otter</title>
		<link>https://critter.science/the-smooth-coated-otter/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=the-smooth-coated-otter</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Critterman]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Mon, 15 Sep 2025 09:00:47 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Daily Critter Facts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Land Mammal Facts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mustelid Facts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Asia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fur]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hunter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mustelid]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mustelids]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[otter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[otters]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[predator]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[protected]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pup]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pups]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[smooth-coated otter]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[southeast Asia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[vulnerable]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[water]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://critter.science/?p=22296</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<a href="https://critter.science/the-smooth-coated-otter/" title="The Smooth-Coated Otter" rel="nofollow"><img width="300" height="130" src="https://critter.science/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/sco1a-300x130.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="smooth-coated otter" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="1" decoding="async" srcset="https://critter.science/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/sco1a-300x130.jpg 300w, https://critter.science/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/sco1a-800x347.jpg 800w, https://critter.science/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/sco1a-scaled.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a><p>This article was originally published on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://critter.science">Critter Science</a>.</p>
<p>The smooth-coated otter has, as you can tell from its namesake, very smooth fur that is actually shorter than other otter species. They hail from southern and southeastern Asia. These otters prefer large rivers, lakes, wetlands, and mangrove swamps, typically requiring good bankside vegetation for shelter, resting, and denning. Unfortunately, [&#x2026;]</p>
<p>Thanks for reading! Follow <a rel="nofollow" href="https://critter.science/author/cee0ea80615b8bda2caf6c626c2b91f1/">Critterman</a> for more updates and insights.</p>
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		<title>The Kaluga Sturgeon</title>
		<link>https://critter.science/the-kaluga-sturgeon/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=the-kaluga-sturgeon</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Critterman]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 18 Jul 2025 09:00:18 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Daily Critter Facts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fish Facts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Asia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Asian]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[caviar]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[China]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fish]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[freshwater]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Japan]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kaluga]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[kaluga sturgeon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[migrate]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[migratory]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ocean]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[protected]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[river]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[roe]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Russia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[saltwater]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sturgeon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[sturgeons]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://critter.science/?p=22052</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<a href="https://critter.science/the-kaluga-sturgeon/" title="The Kaluga Sturgeon" rel="nofollow"><img width="300" height="130" src="https://critter.science/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/ks1a-300x130.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="kaluga sturgeon" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="1" decoding="async" srcset="https://critter.science/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/ks1a-300x130.jpg 300w, https://critter.science/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/ks1a-800x347.jpg 800w, https://critter.science/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/ks1a-scaled.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a><p>This article was originally published on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://critter.science">Critter Science</a>.</p>
<p>The kaluga sturgeon, aka river beluga, is the 2nd largest sturgeon after the beluga sturgeon. These giants can be found in the Amur River basin from Russia to China and near Hokkaido in Japan. These giants face the threats of overfishing and over harvesting of their roe (eggs); habitat loss [&#x2026;]</p>
<p>Thanks for reading! Follow <a rel="nofollow" href="https://critter.science/author/cee0ea80615b8bda2caf6c626c2b91f1/">Critterman</a> for more updates and insights.</p>
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		<title>The Tufted Puffin</title>
		<link>https://critter.science/the-tufted-puffin/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=the-tufted-puffin</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Critterman]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jun 2025 09:00:40 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Bird Facts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Daily Critter Facts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Asia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bird]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[birds]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Canada]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[egg]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Pacific Ocean]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[protected]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[puffin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[puffins]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[puffling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[pufflings]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[seabird]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[seabirds]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[species]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tufted]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[tufted puffin]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[United States]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://critter.science/?p=21906</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<a href="https://critter.science/the-tufted-puffin/" title="The Tufted Puffin" rel="nofollow"><img width="300" height="130" src="https://critter.science/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/tp1a-300x130.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="tufted puffin" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="1" decoding="async" srcset="https://critter.science/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/tp1a-300x130.jpg 300w, https://critter.science/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/tp1a-800x347.jpg 800w, https://critter.science/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/tp1a-scaled.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a><p>This article was originally published on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://critter.science">Critter Science</a>.</p>
<p>The tufted puffin, aka crested puffin, is a medium-sized pelagic (open water) seabird in the auk family that is found throughout the north Pacific Ocean. They are but 1 of 3 species of puffins. These seabirds face the threats of overfishing; over harvesting; recreational activities that interrupt their breeding grounds; [&#x2026;]</p>
<p>Thanks for reading! Follow <a rel="nofollow" href="https://critter.science/author/cee0ea80615b8bda2caf6c626c2b91f1/">Critterman</a> for more updates and insights.</p>
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		<title>The Coastal Giant Salamander</title>
		<link>https://critter.science/the-coastal-giant-salamander/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=the-coastal-giant-salamander</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Critterman]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Wed, 01 May 2024 09:00:38 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Amphibian Facts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Daily Critter Facts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Salamander Facts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[British Columbia]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[california]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Canada]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[coastal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[coastal giant salamander]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[giant]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[giant salamander]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[large]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[largest]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[north america]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Oregon]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[protected]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[salamander]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Washington]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://critter.science/?p=19421</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<a href="https://critter.science/the-coastal-giant-salamander/" title="The Coastal Giant Salamander" rel="nofollow"><img width="300" height="155" src="https://critter.science/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/cgs1a-300x155.jpeg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="coastal giant salamander" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="1" decoding="async" srcset="https://critter.science/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/cgs1a-300x155.jpeg 300w, https://critter.science/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/cgs1a-800x414.jpeg 800w, https://critter.science/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/cgs1a-1536x795.jpeg 1536w, https://critter.science/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/cgs1a-2048x1060.jpeg 2048w, https://critter.science/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/cgs1a-scaled.jpeg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a><p>This article was originally published on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://critter.science">Critter Science</a>.</p>
<p>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&#x2019;s giant salamander, and the Idaho giant salamander. These sallies can be found in the U.S. [&#x2026;]</p>
<p>Thanks for reading! Follow <a rel="nofollow" href="https://critter.science/author/cee0ea80615b8bda2caf6c626c2b91f1/">Critterman</a> for more updates and insights.</p>
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		<title>The Red-Tailed Hawk</title>
		<link>https://critter.science/the-red-tailed-hawk/?utm_source=rss&#038;utm_medium=rss&#038;utm_campaign=the-red-tailed-hawk</link>
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		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Critterman]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 27 Sep 2019 09:56:55 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Daily Critter Facts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Bird Facts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Predatory Bird Facts]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[America]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[bird]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[eggs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[fly]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hawk]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[nest]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[predator]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[protected]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[raptor]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[red-tailed]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[red-tailed hawk]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://critter.science/?p=8333</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<a href="https://critter.science/the-red-tailed-hawk/" title="The Red-Tailed Hawk" rel="nofollow"><img width="300" height="142" src="https://critter.science/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/rth1a-300x142.jpg" class="webfeedsFeaturedVisual wp-post-image" alt="red-tailed hawk" style="display: block; margin-bottom: 5px; clear:both;max-width: 100%;" link_thumbnail="1" decoding="async" srcset="https://critter.science/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/rth1a-300x142.jpg 300w, https://critter.science/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/rth1a-800x379.jpg 800w, https://critter.science/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/rth1a-scaled.jpg 900w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a><p>This article was originally published on <a rel="nofollow" href="https://critter.science">Critter Science</a>.</p>
<p>The red-tailed hawk, aka the chicken hawk, is a raptor that is comfortable making their home anywhere from scrublands, deserts, roadsides, grasslands, fields, pastures, to parks, and even in tropical rain forests. They are very adaptable and can be found from Alaska all the way down to Central America. As [&#x2026;]</p>
<p>Thanks for reading! Follow <a rel="nofollow" href="https://critter.science/author/cee0ea80615b8bda2caf6c626c2b91f1/">Critterman</a> for more updates and insights.</p>
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