Disclaimers
With over 1,500,000 classified species, thousands awaiting descriptions, and millions yet to be discovered, it is safe to assume that I have only a tiny fraction of the species out there: something like 0.04% or 1:2,500 (and that's a generous estimate). Some animals are here, most are not.
While visiting zoos, aquariums, preserves, parks, and such, I take the opportunity to photograph what I can. Sometimes the shots turn out well, sometimes not. Sometimes the animal is in the wild, other times it's at a zoo, sanctuary, or rescue shelter. Sometimes I can get a clean shot, other times it's through fencing or a window. I have also taken the opportunity to photograph animals at privately-owned pet stores - always with permission from the owners. National chain pet stores don't like having their animals photographed, and I respect their decision.
I have organized this site using taxonomy and phylogeny as I could best make sense of the information. I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I began figuring out how to keep track of all my animal photos (about 700 species at the time). Taxonomy and phylogeny are ongoing sciences with species being reorganized as more research yields more knowledge. Undoubtedly, as time passes this site will become more outdated. I will try to keep up, but if my organization is a bit behind, please forgive me.
For some animals there was not enough information. That will be evident from the lack of scientific name. For further information, I have included reference links when available. Where possible I rely on information from the IUCN Red List, then Wikipedia, then other sites. I continue making use of the wiki sites reasoning that scientific information about animals is fairly safe and has little reason for biased or errant information. I still read carefully and cross-check other sources especially if I'm skeptical.
Again, I am a middle school science teacher. I do not hold any advanced degrees pertaining to what you will find here. I write all the text only as well as I can understand the concepts and update it as I learn something new. I will be the first to admit there will likely be errors here, and I will work to correct them as I find them. If there are inaccuracies, I ask your forgiveness and understanding.
The images on this site are my own. I do not accept images from other photographers. That being said, I would ask that viewers here kindly refrain from using any of my images without first receiving my permission. They are small images and would not make for anything much larger than a wallet picture anyway, but I appreciate the courtesy. Thank you.
Current Count: 2,090 species
Invertebrates: 387 species
Tunicates: 1 species
Fish: 446 species
Amphibians: 69 species
Reptiles: 318 species
Birds: 574 species
Mammals: 295 species
While visiting zoos, aquariums, preserves, parks, and such, I take the opportunity to photograph what I can. Sometimes the shots turn out well, sometimes not. Sometimes the animal is in the wild, other times it's at a zoo, sanctuary, or rescue shelter. Sometimes I can get a clean shot, other times it's through fencing or a window. I have also taken the opportunity to photograph animals at privately-owned pet stores - always with permission from the owners. National chain pet stores don't like having their animals photographed, and I respect their decision.
I have organized this site using taxonomy and phylogeny as I could best make sense of the information. I had no idea what I was getting myself into when I began figuring out how to keep track of all my animal photos (about 700 species at the time). Taxonomy and phylogeny are ongoing sciences with species being reorganized as more research yields more knowledge. Undoubtedly, as time passes this site will become more outdated. I will try to keep up, but if my organization is a bit behind, please forgive me.
For some animals there was not enough information. That will be evident from the lack of scientific name. For further information, I have included reference links when available. Where possible I rely on information from the IUCN Red List, then Wikipedia, then other sites. I continue making use of the wiki sites reasoning that scientific information about animals is fairly safe and has little reason for biased or errant information. I still read carefully and cross-check other sources especially if I'm skeptical.
Again, I am a middle school science teacher. I do not hold any advanced degrees pertaining to what you will find here. I write all the text only as well as I can understand the concepts and update it as I learn something new. I will be the first to admit there will likely be errors here, and I will work to correct them as I find them. If there are inaccuracies, I ask your forgiveness and understanding.
The images on this site are my own. I do not accept images from other photographers. That being said, I would ask that viewers here kindly refrain from using any of my images without first receiving my permission. They are small images and would not make for anything much larger than a wallet picture anyway, but I appreciate the courtesy. Thank you.
Current Count: 2,090 species
Invertebrates: 387 species
Tunicates: 1 species
Fish: 446 species
Amphibians: 69 species
Reptiles: 318 species
Birds: 574 species
Mammals: 295 species