Observations by skylerlee

Trinomial Name:Gallus gallus domesticus

This specimen was observed in captivity.

The Domestic Chicken is found in nearly all places on earth. There are many speculations to their original origins, the most popular of which is South China.

In the wild chickens are omnivores. They eat seed, vegetation, insects and in some cases small lizards and snakes.

Chickens live together in flocks and have a strong social hierarchy or "pecking order."

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Galliformes

Family: Phasianidae

Subfamily: Phasianinae

Genus: Gallus

Species: G. gallus

Subspecies: G. g. domesticus

Binomial Name: Paracheirodon axelrodi

The Cardinal Tetra is native to the rivers of South America. It's striking neon colors occur naturally. Because these fish were previously difficult to breed in captivity, many fishermen were employed in catching them for the fish tank trade.

The Cardinal Tetra is predatory and feeds upon small insects in the water and microscopic organisms. They thrive in slow moving, warm waters.

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Characiformes

Family: Characidae

Genus: Paracheirodon

Species: P. axelrodi

Binomial Name: Rattus norvegicus

This specimen was observed in captivity.

The Norway rat is believed to have originated in Asia and is one of the most common rat breeds in the world. They likely spread across the world in the middle ages through trade routs and shipping vessels. They thrive in damp environments. In the wild they make their home near riverbanks. However most of the species now lives in close proximity to humans.

They are considered to be more aggressive and less skittish than other rat breeds. They are omnivores and will eat a large range of food.

Many keep the domesticated version of this species as pets or use them as test subjects in scientific studies.

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Subphylum: Vertebrata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Rodentia

Family: Muridae

Subfamily: Murinae

Genus: Rattus

Species: R. norvegicus

Binomial Name: Cavia porcellus

The Domestic Guinea Pig originates from the Andes. They are thought to be decedents of the wild cavy, a rodent indigenous to the region. They do not exist naturally in the wild. It was traditionally bred for food and is still bred for this purpose in many countries.

In the US they are most renown for their position in the pet industry.

They feed primarily on vegetables, fruits and grain pellets.

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Rodentia

Suborder: Hystricomorpha

Infraorder: Hystricognathi

Parvorder: Caviomorpha

Family: Caviidae

Subfamily: Caviinae

Genus: Cavia

Species: C. porcellus

Trinomial Name: Trachemys scripta elegans

The Red-eared slider is naturally native to North America, particularly the Mississippi river and the Gulf of Mexico. They thrive in still, warm water. They climb out of the water on rocks or plants to sun themselves frequently throughout the day.

They are considered omnivores. Their diet consists of vegetation, insects and small fish.

Escaped pets have become invasive species in many parts of the world.

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Reptilia

Subclass: Anapsida

Order: Testudines

Family: Emydidae

Genus: Trachemys

Species: T. scripta

Subspecies: T. s. elegans

Binomial Name: Phodopus roborovskii

The Desert Hamster is native to much of the Middle East including China, Mongolia and Kazakhstan. As their name implies, they thrive is desert landscapes with sand and little vegetation. They live in burrows and are able to conserve water very efficiently.

The Dessert Hamster is omnivorous. It mostly eats seeds, grains and plant matter. However, on occasion it will eat insects.

During the winter they stock pile food into their burrows and stay underground for the entirety of the season.

They are most known for being popular pets and are sold at most pet stores.

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Rodentia

Family: Cricetidae

Subfamily: Cricetinae

Genus: Phodopus

Species: P. roborovskii

Binomial Name: Serinus canaria domestica

The domesticated canary can trace it's origins to the Macaronesian Islands. It was first domesticated from its wild counterparts there in the 17th century.

The canary lives up to 10-15 years if cared for properly.

Canaries have been bred to include a variety of colors over the centuries.

Their diet consists of mostly seeds and grains. They are considered herbivores.

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Passeriformes

Family: Fringillidae

Genus: Serinus

Species: S. canaria

Subspecies: S. c. domestica

Binomial Name: Oryctolagus cuniculus

The domesticated rabbit was first bred in the Middle Ages for food and fir. Today domesticated rabbits are gaining traction in the pet industry.

Domesticated rabbits most often eat similarly to their wild counterparts. It is advised that they have lots of leafy greens and vegetables along with some pellets.

They come in various breeds with different colored fur and shaped ears. For the most part they are a docile species but may become slightly aggressive around breeding season.

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Lagomorpha

Family: Leporidae

Genus: Oryctolagus
Lilljeborg, 1873

Species: O. cuniculus

Binomial Name: Melopsittacus undulatus

The Melopsittacus undulatus is native to Australia. Their natural habitat is the grasslands and woodlands. They usually band together in small flocks and migrate to wherever there is food and water.

Their natural diet is composed primarily of seeds and wheat.

They are very common pets throughout the world.

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Psittaciformes

Superfamily: Psittacoidea

Family: Psittaculidae

Subfamily: Loriinae

Tribe: Melopsittacini

Genus: Melopsittacus
Gould, 1840

Species: M. undulatus

Binomial Name: Betta splendens

The Betta or Siamese Fighting Fish is native to Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand. Their natural habitat is the standing water of canals and rice patties. They are currently listed as a vulnerable species.

Betta fish are very aggressive. When housed together they have been known to kill one another.

In the wild Betta feed upon Zoo plankton and small insects they find in the water.

Bettas are popular household pets.

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Osteichthyes

Subclass: Actinopterygii

Superorder: Acanthopterygii

Order: Perciformes

Family: Osphronemidae

Subfamily: Macropodusinae

Genus: Betta

Species: B. splendens

Binomial Name: Tenebrio obscurus

The Dark Mealworm is about 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch. They are found worldwide but most commonly in North America.

The worms eventually transform into larvae and complete their life cycle as little black beetles.

They most often feed on grains and are considered by many to be a pest.

They are widely recognized as feeder worm in the reptile pet industry.

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Coleoptera

Family: Tenebrionidae

Genus: Tenebrio

Species: T. obscurus

Scientific Name: Paracanthurus hepatus

This specimen was observed in captivity.

The regal tang is found in most places in the Indo-Pacific. Their natural habitat is the reef system. They often stay together in small schools.

As an adult fish the regal tang feeds on both algae and plankton, classifying it as omnivorous.

These organisms are important to reef health as they stop the algae from over populating.

They are not considered endangered and are very common in aquariums across the world.

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Perciformes

Family: Acanthuridae

Genus: Paracanthurus
Bleeker

Species: P. hepatus

Scientific Name: Eublepharis macularius

This specimen was observed in captivity.

The Eublepharis macularius is most often found in Asia, Pakistan and some parts of India. They thrive in rocky, dry, dessert areas. During the winter they go into a state of semi-hybernation.

In order to grow, they often shed skin. Leopard gecko's are unique in that they have movable eyelids.

Leopard geckos are nocturnal and will hunt for insects and other prey at night. Certain geckos can grow large enough to consume pinkie mice and other very small rodents. They store fat in their tails.

When grabbed by a predator leopard geckos are able to detach from their tails and thus escape unscathed. The tails grow back slowly and will not be the same as the original tail.

They are not known to be social creatures and almost always live alone in the wild.

They are very popular pets and are commonly kept in captivity.

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Reptilia

Order: Squamata

Suborder: Lacertilia

Family: Eublepharidae

Genus: Eublepharis

Species: E. macularius

Scientific Name: Nymphicus hollandicus

This specimen was observed in captivity.

Cockatiel birds are native to Australia. They are the smallest parrot of the Cockatoo family. In the wild they are most comfortable in wetlands or bush lands.

The cockatiel's crest communicates its emotional status. If threatened the cockatiel flattens it's crest.

Cockatiels tend to band together in pairs or in small flocks.

Their diet generally consists of seeds and some vegetation.

They are the second most popular captive bird of the parrot family.

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Aves

Order: Psittaciformes

Superfamily: Cacatuoidea

Family: Cacatuidae

Subfamily: Nymphicinae

Genus: Nymphicus

Species: N. hollandicus

This specimen was observed in captivity.

The Scarlet Cleaner Shrimp is part of the reef system and is most often found in the Red Sea and in the tropical Indo-Pacific.

These omnivores feed off of parasites and dead tissue. They perform a symbiotic service to the fish of the reef system by cleaning them of their parasites. They are known to scavenge off of dead organism as well.

Similar to Clown fish, all Scarlet cleaner shrimp start as males and then develop both male and female organs. They are classified as hermaphrodites.

These shrimp are usually peaceful in fish communities as well as beneficial. This makes them ideal for salt water aquariums.

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Subphylum: Crustacea

Class: Malacostraca

Order: Decapoda

Infraorder: Caridea

Family: Hippolytidae

Genus: Lysmata

Species:L. amboinensis

Scientfic Name: Lysmata amboinensis

This specimen was captive in an aquarium.

The False Clown Anemonefish (Ocellaris Clownfish) is a relatively small fish which grows to about 11cm.

It is most often found in the eastern Indian Ocean and in the western Pacific Ocean. Although they have been known to live in northern Australia, southeast Asia and Japan.

They are primarily found in coral reefs or isolated slopes of no more the 15 meters from the surface. This species has a symbiotic relationship with three types of anemones: Heteractis magnifica, Stichodactyla gigantea and Stichodactyla mertensii

The False Clown Anemonefish (Ocellaris Clownfish) feeds on plankton and algae. It is classified as an omnivore.

These fish have a very complex social and reproductive hierarchy. All fish are born as males however, some undergo a sex change due to dominance and the need for females in the community. The female fish is the larger of the two genders and is considered dominant.

Clownfish are kept as pets across the globe. They are hardy creatures and easy to bread.

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Actinopterygii

Order: Perciformes

Family: Pomacentridae

Subfamily: Amphiprioninae

Genus: Amphiprion

Species: A. ocellaris