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Plush ExplorerNatural history of plush · est. 1847

Worlds Adventure Log Bestiary Catalogue Puzzles Society Field Journal

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Outside the Society's story

Wonders of the real world

Every specimen in the collection has a real cousin out there. These are the true stories, each fact checked against its source.

Wonders of badgersBadgers have short legs for digging and a bite that grips hard, and some hunt beside coyotes. True facts about badgers and three remarkable kinds.One kind so far: European badger Wonders of bearsOnly eight species of bear are alive today. Bears have an excellent sense of smell, and their cubs are born blind and helpless.2 kinds so far: brown bear, teddy bear Wonders of camelsCamels store fat in their humps, can close their nostrils against sand and rarely sweat. True facts about camels and their cousins, each sourced.One kind so far: Bactrian camel Wonders of cattleCattle can see 330 degrees around them, chew the cud and sleep about 4 hours a day. True facts about cattle and the aurochs, their wild ancestor.One kind so far: Highland cow Wonders of crabsMost crabs have ten legs, usually walk sideways and live in the sea, in fresh water and on land. Some hermit crabs even queue to swap shells.One kind so far: shore crab Wonders of dogsDogs come from wolves and were the first animal people domesticated. Newborn puppies cannot open their eyes. True facts about real dogs.2 kinds so far: dachshund, sheepdog Wonders of real dragonsDragons in stories are not real, but the Komodo dragon, the leafy seadragon and gliding Draco lizards are. True facts about real dragons.Wonders of ducksDucks live on every continent except Antarctica. Most kinds do not quack, and mandarin ducklings leap from tree nests soon after hatching.Wonders of foxesTwelve kinds of fox are true foxes, and foxes live on every continent except Antarctica, from the Sahara to the sea ice of the far north.One kind so far: red fox Wonders of the real frogThe common frog breathes through its skin all winter, and a glass frog hides its blood to sleep unseen. True frog facts, each with its source.One kind so far: rain frog Wonders of haresJackrabbits are really hares, baby hares are born furred with open eyes, and hares can run at up to 80 km an hour. True facts about real hares.One kind so far: black-tailed jackrabbit Wonders of hedgehogsThere are 17 kinds of hedgehog in Europe, Asia and Africa. See how they roll up and froth at new smells, and meet three remarkable kinds.One kind so far: European hedgehog Wonders of monkeysOld World monkeys live in Africa and Asia, New World monkeys in Mexico, Central and South America. Meet their babies and hear how they talk.Wonders of octopusesThree hearts, bluish blood and soft bodies that squeeze through tiny gaps. True facts about octopuses and three remarkable kinds.One kind so far: common octopus Wonders of ottersOtters live on every continent except Australia and Antarctica, and nobody knows why they juggle stones. True facts about otters and three kinds.3 kinds so far: Eurasian otter, North American river otter, sea otter Wonders of owlsOwls live almost everywhere on Earth. They cannot move their eyes, so they turn their heads, and most of them can fly almost silently. True owl facts.One kind so far: great horned owl Wonders of penguinsPenguins cannot fly but are excellent swimmers, and they can drink salt water. True facts about penguins and three remarkable kinds.Wonders of puffinsPuffins are three kinds of small seabird. They beat their wings up to 400 times a minute, and a puffin chick is called a puffling.One kind so far: Atlantic puffin Wonders of rabbitsAll of a rabbit's teeth keep growing, it can see nearly all the way round, and it eats some droppings twice. True facts about real rabbits.Wonders of sealsTrue seals have ear holes but no outer ears, and fur seal mothers find their pups by their calls. True facts about seals and three kinds.One kind so far: harbour seal Wonders of squirrelsSquirrels are named for their shady tails. There are some 285 kinds, and a tree squirrel can climb down a tree headfirst. True squirrel facts.One kind so far: red squirrel Wonders of wolvesMany animals are called wolves. The grey, Ethiopian and African wolves are all in the genus Canis, part of the dog family. Meet some remarkable ones.One kind so far: grey wolf