The red-footed tortoise is found throughout South America and on the Caribbean islands of Trinidad and Barbados. These long-lived tortoises have bright red, yellow or orange patches on their legs, tail and head.
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The plecostomus, or suckermouth catfish, is found in fresh and brackish waters and prefers fast-flowing streams and rivers with pebbly substrate. Its appearance varies based on its surroundings and environment. These catfish are sometimes referred to as „janitor fish“ for their ability to clean tank algae.
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The highly toxic emperor newt (also called the Mandarin or Yunnan newt) lives only in the mountains along a handful of rivers in western China. These newts face threats from over-harvesting and habitat destruction.
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Beautiful but shy, this cinnamon-colored forest dove can be seen throughout the tropical regions of the Americas. It can be identified by a light stripe that runs underneath its eye.
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Also called sengis, elephant shrews are more closely related to elephants than to true shrews. Their name comes from their long, flexible, highly sensitive snouts. Of the 17 living species of elephant shrews, the short-eared elephant shrew is the smallest.
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The silver arowana (or arawana) is a freshwater fish native to the floodplains of the Amazon. It has a long body covered in large, pearly-silver scales. Large dorsal and anal fins extend down its body to the tail, and two barbels extend from the tip of its lower jaw.
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Chameleon forest dragons have green or brown bodies with orange and tan markings. Despite their name, they are not true chameleons but can still change color to blend into their habitat.
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Koi fish are colorful, ornamental versions of the common carp. Modern Japanese koi are believed to date back to early 19th-century Japan where wild, colorful carp were caught, kept and bred by rice farmers. The word “koi” comes from the Japanese word for “carp.”
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Lesser Madagascar tenrecs, also called lesser hedgehog tenrecs, are small, nocturnal animals covered in spines. Though sometimes confused with hedgehogs, lesser tenrecs are actually members of a different order.
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Chilean rose tarantulas are calm, docile spiders native to desert scrub habitats in South America. They have dark bodies with rose-hued hair. These active predators use their body size to subdue prey.
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