Mammals

They may live on the prairie, but they aren’t dogs. These tunnel-digging rodents are closely related to squirrels but got their name from their bark-like calls during territorial disputes.

The loudest voices in the ocean may be the gregarious sea lion. Though clumsy on land, this marine mammal is a strong swimmer and diver, aided by its oar-like flippers and torpedo-shaped body. Sea lions are considered “pinnipeds,” which means “fin-footed” and refers to their long, flat hands and feet.

Hamadryas baboons hang out in harems of one male with several females and their young. You can tell the males apart by their bigger size and the heavy mane around their neck and shoulders. These social animals spend hours grooming each other and communicate through calls, scents, and gestures.

You can judge a yellow-footed rock wallaby by its name: Its feet are an orangey-yellow and its preferred terrain is, you guessed it—rocks. These petite wallabies from southern Australia are strong athletes. Their giant hind feet act like off-road car tires—with extra padding and bumps for traction that make them excellent jumpers. In fact, rock wallabies can jump more than twice their height and can make truly spectacular leaps by “cannoning” off upright surfaces, achieving distances of up to 20 feet.