Size: Height: 1.5-3.0 m – Weight 120-700 kg – Longevity: 30 years – Class: Mammalia – Order: Carnivora – Family: Ursidae – Genus: Ursus – Species: Ursus arctos – Distribution: Europe – Habitat: Coniferous forests, deciduous forests and mountains – Social structure: Solitary – Gestation: 56 days – Number of offspring: 1-4 – Diet: Omnivore – IUCN conservation status: LC, least concern, but threatened by: hunting, habitat destruction, global warming

ANECDOTE 

Kinder, our female bear born on 10 January 2010, was named after the Kinder surprise. Both her parents were thought to be infertile and were not expected to have offspring. Bernie, our male bear born in 2012, comes from a park in Switzerland and was named after the Swiss capital, Bern.

Size: Height at the withers: 1.1-1.6 m Length: 1.3-2.1 m – Weight: 80-300 kg – Longevity: 20 years – Class: Mammalia – Order: Artiodactyla – Family: Cervidae – Genus: Cervus – Species: Cervus Elaphus – Distribution: Europe, Asia – Habitat: Deciduous forests, coniferous forests, plains – Social structure: Herd – Gestation: 8 months – Number of offspring: 1 – Diet: Herbivore – IUCN conservation status: LC, least concern

ANECDOTE 

Deer shed their antlers at the same time each year. These grow back larger a few months later. The rutting season for deer is known as the bellowing season. It takes place every year in September/October and is a game of intimidation between the males, with the strongest becoming the leader and breeder of the herd.

Size: Height: 60-90 cm Length: 1-1.5 m – Weight: 25-60 kg – Longevity: 10 years – Class: Mammalia – Order: Carnivora – Family: Canidae – Genus: Canis – Species: Canis lupus occidentalis – Distribution: North America – Habitat: Coniferous forests, boreal forests – Social structure: Pack – Gestation: 63-68 days – Number of offspring: 1-8 – Diet: Carnivore – IUCN conservation status: Not endangered

ANECDOTE 

Canadian wolves can be completely black, a variety of grey colours or, more rarely, entirely white.

Size: Height: 60-80 cm Length: 1-1.5 m – Weight: 20-60 kg – Longevity: 14 years – Class: Mammalia – Order: Carnivora – Family: Canidae – Genus: Canis – Species: Canis lupus – Distribution: Europe – Habitat: Natural areas – Social structure: Pack – Gestation: 63 days – Number of offspring: 1-8 – Diet: Carnivore – IUCN conservation status: LC, least concern

ANECDOTE 

Among wolves, there’s always a dominant pair called the ALPHA pair. Wolves are often demonised in stories and legends, even though they are no more dangerous than any other animal.

Size: Height: 60-75 cm Length: 80 cm-1.35 m – Weight: 9-35 kg – Longevity: 15-20 years – Class: Mammalia – Order: Carnivora – Family: Felidae – Genus: Lynx – Species: lynx lynx – Distribution: Europe, Asia – Habitat: Forest and woodlands – Social structure: Solitary – Gestation: 60-75 days – Number of offspring: 1-4 – Diet: Carnivore – IUCN conservation status: LC, least concern

ANECDOTE 

The lynx has tufts on its ears to detect sounds!

Size: Height: 30 cm Length: 75 cm-1.15 m – Weight: 3-9 kg – Longevity: 10-15 years – Class: Mammalia – Order: Carnivora – Family: Canidae – Genus: Vulpes – Species: vulpes lagopus – Distribution: The entire Arctic region, i.e. Greenland, Russia, Canada, Alaska, Svalbard, Iceland and the Scandinavian Alps- Habitat: Arctic tundra – Social structure: Groups – Gestation: 52 days – Number of offspring: 6-11 – Diet: Carnivore – IUCN conservation status: LC, least concern

ANECDOTE 

With its fur-covered paws, short ears and small snout, the arctic fox can survive in temperatures as low as -50°C.

Size: Height: 1.1-1.4 m Length: 1.7-2.5 m – Weight: 300-900 kg – Longevity: 15 years – Class: Mammalia –  Order: Artiodactyla – Family: Bovidae – Genus: Bos – Species: Bos Taurus – Distribution: Ecosse – Habitat: Moorland, marshes and grasslands – Social structure: Herd – Gestation: 280-290 days – Number of offspring: 1 – Diet: Herbivore IUCN conservation status: None

ANECDOTE 

Highlands come in several colours: red, black, white, grey and brindle. This breed is used for maintaining and clearing marshy areas.

Size: Height: 1-1.2 m at the withers, Length: 1.25-1.7 m (4 legs) – Weight: 70-250 kg – Longevity: 30 years – Classification: – Class: Mammalia – Order: Carnivora – Family: Ursidae – Genus: Ursus – Species: Ursus americanus – Distribution: North America – Habitat: Coniferous forests, deciduous forests and mountains. – Social structure: Solitary – Gestation: 52-56 days – Number of offspring: 1-4 – Diet: Omnivore – IUCN conservation status: LC, least concern, but threatened by: hunting, habitat destruction, global warming.

ANECDOTE 

Winnie-the-Pooh, the famous teddy bear, was actually inspired by a black bear born in Canada and imported to London Zoo, where she became its mascot

Size: Length: 40-65 cm – Weight: 3-8 kg – Longevity: 3-10 years – Class: Mammalia – Order: Carnivora – Family: Procyonidae – Genus: Procyon – Species: Procyon Lotor – Distribution: North America, Europe – Habitat: Forests, marshes, urban areas – Social structure: Solitary – Gestation: 60-73 days – Number of offspring: 3-4 – Diet: Omnivore – IUCN conservation status: LC, least concern

ANECDOTE 

Raccoons are native to America and were introduced to Europe for their fur. They are now considered pests.

Size: 25-50 cm – Weight: 500 gr-1 kg – Longevity: 5-14 years – Class: Mammalia – Order: Carnivora – Family: Mustelidae – Genus: Mustela – Species: Mustela putorius – Distribution: Global (domestic) – Habitat: Urban areas – Social structure: Solitary or group – Gestation: 45 days – Number of offspring: 2 to 8 – Diet: Carnivore – IUCN conservation status: None

ANECDOTE

Skunks have glands under their tails that produce a foul-smelling liquid, which they spray on their enemies to defend themselves in case of attack. Skunks are very useful as they feed on many pests, such as certain insects.

Size: Height: 32-52 cm – Weight: 1.5-5 kg – Longevity: 5-10 years – Class: Mammalia – Order: Rodentia – Family: Sciuridae – Genus: Marmota – Species: Marmota marmota – Distribution: Central Europe – Habitat: Mountains – Social structure: Family – Gestation: 5 weeks – Number of offspring: 2 to 7- Diet: Herbivore – IUCN conservation status: LC, least concern

ANECDOTE 

Marmots hibernate for up to six months. During this period, their heart rate can slow down by a factor of eight, and when they wake, they can have lost up to half their body weight.

Size: Height: 70-90 cm Length: 1.2-1.8 m – Weight: 80-180 kg – Longevity: 8-18 years – Class: Mammalia – Order: Artiodactyla – Family: Suidae – Genus: Sus – Species: Sus scrofa – Distribution: Europe, Asia – Habitat: Forests – Social structure: Solitary or group – Gestation: 3 months, 3 weeks, 3 days – Number of offspring: 2-12 – Diet: Omnivore – IUCN conservation status: LC, least concern

ANECDOTE 

Celts consider the wild boar to be a sacred animal. A female is called a sow, the young are piglets and an adolescent a “red beast”.

Size: Length: 2.1-3.5 m Height at the withers: 1.3-2 m – Weight: 350-1000 kg – Longevity: 25-30 years – Class: Mammalia – Order: Artiodactyla – Family: Bovidae – Genus: Bison – Species: Bison bison – Distribution: North America – Habitat: Plains and mountains – Social structure: Group – Gestation: 9 months – Number of offspring: 1 – Diet: Herbivore – IUCN conservation status: NT, near threatened

ANECDOTE 

In the grasslands, Bison graze and ruminate peacefully, but during rutting season, the large males fight violently. Bulls weighing a tonne are not uncommon. Adults are black and calves born after a 9-month gestation period are brown/red.

Size: Height: 1.6-2.2 m Length: 2.5-3.5 m – Weight: 350-700 kg – Longevity: 15-20 years – Class: Mammalia – Order: Artiodactyla – Family: Cervidae – Genus: Alces – Species: Alces alces – Distribution: Alaska, Canada, Northern Europe – Habitat: Forests, plains, waterways – Social structure: Solitary – Gestation: 242 – 250 days – Number of offspring: 1 – 2 – Diet: Herbivore – IUCN conservation status: LC, least concern

ANECDOTE 

Elks are known as moose in Canada and are the largest of all the deer species. Our pair of elks, Nils and Sylvia, were bottle-fed on a farm in Germany, so they are domesticated.

Size: Height: 1-1.4 m Length: 90 cm-2.1 m – Weight: 80-140 kg – Longevity: Up to 20 years – Class: Mammalia – Order: Artiodactyla – Family: Camelidae – Genus: Lama – Species: Lama glama – Distribution: Western South America – Habitat: Mountainous plains and deserts – Social structure: Group – Gestation: 11 months – Number of offspring: 1 – Diet: Herbivore – IUCN conservation status: None

ANECDOTE 

Llamas are descendants of guanacos that were domesticated several thousand years ago. Contrary to popular belief, llamas only spit very rarely in order to protect their fellow creatures.

Size: Height: 1.3-1.6 m Length: 2-2.5 m – Weight: 500-650 kg – Longevity: Up to 20 years – Class: Mammalia – Order: Artiodactyla – Family: Bovidae – Genus: Bos – Species: Bos taurus – Distribution: They used to live in Europe, Asia and North Africa – Habitat: Plains and forests – Social structure: Group – Gestation: 284 days – Number of offspring: 1 – Diet: Herbivore – IUCN conservation status: None

ANECDOTE 

The Heck auroch is a bovine breed that has been brought back. It’s the closest relative of its ancestor, the auroch, a breed that became extinct following the death of the last female in 1627.

Size: Height: 30 cm Length: 68 cm-1 m – Weight: 5-18 kg – Longevity: Up to 18 years – Class: Mammalia – Order: Rodentia – Family: Erethizontidae – Genus: Erethizon – Species: Erethizon dorsatum – Distribution: North America, in particular Canada, the United Stated and northern Mexico – Habitat: Forests, tundra – Social structure: Solitary – Gestation: 7 months – Number of offspring: 1 – Diet: Herbivore – IUCN conservation status: LC, least concern

ANECDOTE 

Porcupines have around 30,000 quills that regrow. Teddy’s name was inspired by the French “ourson coquau” (ourson meaning teddy bear), another name for the tree porcupine

Size: Height: 1-1.3 m Length: 1.5- 2.2 m – Weight: 150-250 kg – Longevity: 12-15 years –  Class: Mammalia – Order: Artiodactyla – Family: Bovidae – Genus: Budorcas – Species: Budorcas taxicolor  taxicolor – Distribution: China and India – Habitat: High mountain plateaus – Social structure: Group – Gestation: 210-240 days – Number of offspring: 1 – Diet: Herbivore – IUCN conservation status: VU, Vulnerable

ANECDOTE

Takins live in groups of up to a hundred. They secrete an oily substance to protect themselves from moisture. They’re considered to be closer to sheep and goats than to bovines (cows).

Size: Height: 80 cm-1.1 m Length: 1.4-1.9 m – Weight: 35-100 kg – Longevity: 15-20 years – Class: Mammalia – Order: Artiodactyla – Family: Cervidae – Genus: Dama – Species: Dama dama – Distribution: Europe and East Asia – Habitat: Forests and plains – Social structure: Group – Gestation: 230-250 days – Number of offspring: 1 – Diet: Herbivore – IUCN conservation status: LC, least concern.

ANECDOTE 

The fallow deer is native to the Mediterranean region and has been reintroduced to America, Africa, Asia and Australia. Fallow deer antlers are flat and are referred to as palms.

Size: Height at the withers: 1.1-1.6 m Length: 1.3-2.1 m – Weight: 80-300 kg – Longevity: 20 years – Class: Mammalia – Order: Artiodactyla – Family: Cervidae – Genus: Cervus – Species: Cervus elaphus – Distribution: Denmark – Habitat: Deciduous forests, coniferous forests, plains – Social structure: Herd – Gestation: 8 months – Number of offspring: 1 – Diet: Herbivore – IUCN conservation status: LC, least concern.

ANECDOTE 

The white deer is a mutation of the well-known red deer. There are very few in the wild. The vast majority of them live in Denmark and are owned by the Royal Family.

Size: Height: 1.2-1.7 m Length: up to 3 m – Weight: 250-800 kg – Longevity: 12-15 years – Class: Mammalia – Order: Artiodactyla – Family: Bovidae – Genus: Bos – Species: Bos grunniens – Distribution: China and India – Habitat: High mountain plateaus – Social structure: Group – Gestation: 258 days – Number of offspring: 1 every two years – Diet: Herbivore – IUCN conservation status: VU, Vulnerable.

ANECDOTE 

The yaks we know are domestic yaks. These are significantly smaller than wild yaks, which can weigh up to 800 kg. Yaks can survive on snow alone for hydration.

Size: Height 60-75 cm Length: 1-1.3 m – Weight: 25-55 kg – Longevity: 20 years – Classification:  – Class: Mammalia – Order: Artiodactyla – Family: Bovidae – Genus: Ovis – Species: Ovis Orientalis – Distribution: Western Asia and the Mediterranean – Habitat: Mountains – Social structure: Solitary or group – Gestation: 4 months – Number of offspring: 1 – Diet: Herbivore – IUCN conservation status: VU, Vulnerable.

ANECDOTE

The mouflon has horns weighing up to 13 kg and can run at speeds of up to 60 km/hour.

Size: Height: 60 cm–1 m Length: 90 cm-1.2 m – Weight: 15-40 kg – Longevity: 15 years –  Class: Mammalia – Order: Artiodactyla – Family: Cervidae – Genus: Cervus – Species: Cervus nippon nippon – Distribution: Europe, East Asia – Habitat: Deciduous and coniferous forests, plains – Social structure: Group – Gestation: 8 months  – Number of offspring: 1 – Diet: Herbivore – IUCN conservation status: LC, least concern.

ANECDOTE 

The sika deer is now more common in Europe than in Asia. It was introduced in the Middle Ages. The cry of the sika deer resembles the cry of a newborn baby.

Size: Length: 1.1-1.7 m Height at the withers: 70-90 cm – Weight: 35-110 kg- Longevity: 20 years – Class: Mammalia – Order: Artiodactyla – Family: Bovidae – Genus: Capra – Species: Capra ibex Distribution: Southern Europe, Western and Southern Asia, Northern Africa Habitat: Mountains Social structure: solitary or group Gestation: 168 days Number of offspring: 1, on rare occasions 2 Diet: Herbivore IUCN conservation status: LC, least concern.

ANECDOTE 

The male ibex fights to dominate the herd and the females. Rivals stand on their hind legs, then lunge forward and clash horns fiercely. The horns of males can measure up to nearly one metre.

Size: Length: 1.2-2.2 m Height at the withers: 1-1.3 m – Weight: 60-180 kg – Longevity: 15 years, 20 years in captivity – Class: Mammalia – Order: Artiodactyla – Family: Cervidae – Genus: Rangifer – Species: Rangifer tarandus – Distribution: Northern Europe, North Asia, North America – Habitat: Boreal forests and tundra – Social structure: Group – Gestation: 210-240 days – Number of offspring: 1, on rare occasions 2 – Diet: Herbivore – IUCN conservation status: LC, least concern

ANECDOTE 

The reindeer is the only deer species in which the female also has antlers.

Size: Height: 1.2-1.4 m Length: 2-2.6 m – Weight: 200-350 kg – Longevity: 20 years – Class: Mammalia – Order: Perissodactyles – Family: Equidae – Genus: Equus – Species: Equus ferus – Distribution: Europe – Habitat: Grasslands and livestock farming- Social structure: Herd – Gestation: 11 months – Number of offspring: 1 – Diet: Herbivore – IUCN conservation status: None.