How to Tell Tangled Animal Pairs From Each Other
The world is filled with animals of all shapes and sizes, and too many of these critters are difficult to distinguish from their kin. Whether you are watching a documentary, looking out of a window, or hiking, you may not know which creature you just spotted.
Consider this your quick and dirty guide to identifying similar animal pairs correctly. Whether you are going outside or coloring children about animals, your knowledge is sure to impress.
Rabbits vs hares
Rabbits hide from predators. Hares have longer ears and will try to escape from predators.
Alligators vs crocodiles
The alligator’s muzzle is U-shaped. The crocodile’s muzzle is long and V-shaped.
Bonus: if it’s in fresh water, it’s an alligator. If it’s in salt water, it’s a crocodile.
Moths versus butterflies
Butterflies have thin antennae with a slightly larger rounded end. Butterflies have feathery or pointed antennae.
Dolphins vs. Porpoises
Dolphins have pointed muzzles and curved dorsal (upper) fins. Porpoises have a rounded muzzle and triangular dorsal fins.
Cheetahs vs. Leopards vs. Jaguars
Cheetahs have a slender body, long tail, evenly spaced spots and black lines running from nose to mouth. Leopards are larger and stockier than cheetahs, and their spots are clustered rather than evenly distributed. Jaguars have a broad head, and there are dots within their dotted clusters.
Bonus: leopards and jaguars can be black instead of spotted , so keep their body shape clues in mind.
Cougars against mountain lions
It is a trap! These are two names for the same cat. They are solid brown or reddish brown in color with a white belly.
Bonus : “Panther” is a general term for cats with coats of the same color (no spots).
Llamas against alpacas
Llamas can weigh up to 400 pounds and have long, curved ears. Alpacas weigh up to 175 pounds and have short ears. If you don’t have a scale on hand, stick with the ear indicators.
Seals against sea lions
Sea lions have visible earplugs and hang out in the crowd. Seals don’t have protruding ears and just want to be alone.
Turtles vs Turtles
Turtles dangle in the water. They have webbed feet or flippers. Turtles hang out on land and have short, sturdy legs.
Mules vs donkeys
Mules have longer ears than horses. They are as tall as horses. The ears of a donkey are even longer than those of a mule and are dark at the edges. Their tails only have long hair at the end.
Bonus fun fact: mules are actually half horses, half donkeys.
Bees vs wasps
The bees are fuzzy and stocky. Wasps have an hourglass shape, they are smooth and can get away from me.
Frogs vs toads
Frogs have smooth skin and huge eyes. Toads have bumpy skin and shorter legs.
Crows against crows
Ravens gather in crowds and have fan-shaped tails. Ravens have a wedge-shaped tail and are seriously huge. They travel in pairs. This is cute.
Bonus: Ravens have sleek feathers on their necks, while ravens have textured feathers that look tousled.