Galapagos Tortoise

Type:Reptile

Diet:Herbivore

Average life span in the wild:100 years+

Size:4 ft (1.2 m)

Weight:475 lbs (215 kg)

Protection status:Endangered

Did you know?

Today the 3,000 to 5,000 tortoises that live on Volcano Alcedo on Isabela Island are the largest group of giant tortoises in the Galápagos.

Thescelosaurus Neglectus

Type:Prehistoric

Diet:Herbivore

Size:12 ft (3.7 m) long; 650 lbs (300 kg)

Protection status:Extinct

Did you know?

The first Thescelosaurus specimens, collected in the late 19th century, sat in a crate for decades before they were rediscovered.

Hesperornis Regalis

Type:Prehistoric

Diet:Carnivore

Size:Length, up to 5 ft (1.5 m)

Protection status:Extinct

Did you know?

The bulk of Hesperornis fossils known are from Canada, a testament to the ancient bird's preference for cooler waters at northern latitudes.

Ammonite

Type:Prehistoric

Diet:Carnivore

Size:Some more than 3 ft (1 m) in diameter

Group name:School

Protection status:Extinct

Did you know?

Female ammonites grew up to 400 percent larger than males, presumably to make room to lay eggs.

Polar Bear

Type:Mammal

Diet:Carnivore

Average life span in the wild:25 to 30 years

Size:Head and body, 7.25 to 8 ft (2.2 to 2.5 m); Tail, 3 to 5 in (7.5 to 12.5 cm)

Weight:900 to 1,600 lbs (410 to 720 kg)

Giant Panda

Type:Mammal

Diet:Omnivore

Average life span in the wild:20 years

Size:4 to 5 ft (1.2 to 1.5 m)

Weight:300 lbs (136 kg)

Protection status:Endangered

Aardvark

Type:Mammal

Diet:Omnivore

Average life span in captivity:23 years

Size:Head and body, 43 to 53 in (109 to 135 cm); Tail, 21 to 26 in (53 to 66 cm)

Weight:110 to 180 lbs (50 to 82 kg)

Did you know?

An aardvark's tongue can be up to 12 in (30.5 cm) long and is sticky to help extract termites from the earthen mounds.