Fact Files

Beluga – The Happy White Whale

beluga fins out

 

Belugas are a species of the water mammal, the whale. They’re also known as the white whale and due to their unusual white coloring they are one of the most recognizable and easily distinguishable of all whales on Earth. In comparison to other whales they are quite a small species. They range from 13 to 20 feet (4-6 m) in length and they have rounded foreheads and no dorsal fins.

 

Tarantula – Big, Hairy, Scary Spider

tarantula up close

 

A tarantula is a common large hairy arachnid often considered a spider and often kept as an exotic pet. They terrify many people due to their huge hairy bodies and eight creepy legs. These spiders are completely harmless to mankind aside from a painful bite and some of them have a mild venom that can’t even compete with the sting of the common bumble bee.

 

Ocean Sunfish – Mola Mola, Head with Fins

ocean sunfish

 

The ocean sunfish, also known as the mola mola is the heaviest bony fish on the planet. The average adult weight of this fish is approximately 2,200 lb (1000 kg). The species lives in tropical and warm waters around the globe.

Appearance-wise the ocean sunfish looks literally like just a fish’s head with a tail, its body is completely flattened and they can appear extremely tall or long as they have long dorsal and ventral fins.

 

Sunda Scops Owl – Brown-Eyed, Screeching, Populous Oriental Owl

sunda scops up close

 

The sunda scops owl (latin name otus lempiji) is a small to medium-sized member of the owl family which is sandy brown in color, speckled with black and gray patches and spots. It’s streaked underneath and has a pale collar and generally quite dark brown eyes. There are six sub species of this bird found across the Malay Peninsula.