Animal Species Profiles

The Creatures of Planet Earth

Planet Earth teems with life—and now you can meet some of its stars! Check out our profiles below of some of the most amazing animals on the planet—living in niches from the deep oceans to the highest mountains. And don't forget that the work of The Nature Conservancy and its partners impacts the habitats that many of these species need to survive.

Amphibian BullfrogBullfrog in a vernal pool at Dye Creek Preserve, California. © Ian Shive
Amphibians

Meet the semi-aquatic family that includes toads, frogs, newts...and a salamander that never grew up. Learn more

Grassland BirdsDickcissel © Chris Helzer
Birds

From the rare whooping crane to the burrowing owl, learn about the habits of our feathered friends. Learn more

Whale SharkWhale shark © Andy Drumm
Fish

Learn about some of the more than 25,000 species of fish that live in Planet Earth's rivers, lakes and oceans. Learn more

Karner Blue Butterfly in NatureKarner Blue Butterfly. © Kenneth A. Deitcher
Insects

From the cicada to the Karner blue butterfly, learn about some of the more than 1 million insect species. Learn more

Brown BearBrown bear and cub © Gunther Matschke
Mammals

Discover fun facts about the African elephant, the American pine marten, and everything in between. Learn more

Amazon SnakeAnaconda snake © Mark Godfrey
Reptiles

Go deeper into the family that once ruled the planet as dinosaurs and still makes its presence felt worldwide. Learn more

Animals by Habitat
Elephant image 215x143Elephants at Lewa Wildlife Conservancy (LWC) in the Laikipia District of Northern Kenya in East Africa. The Conservancy is partnering with LWC to help protect the grasslands and savannas of Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia through our Campaign for a Sustainable Planet. © Josh Knights/TNC
Grassland Animals

Learn more about the animals that make the most of the low cover and abundant plant life in grasslands and prairies.

Hippopotamus 215x143Hippos (Hippopotamus amphibius) wade in the Zambezi River in Zambia, Africa. The Conservancy, WWF, International Crane Foundation, together with several universities and hydroelectric dam operators, launched a new program that aims to restore natural flows, wetland habitats, floodplain agriculture and fisheries to the Zambezi River. Home to some of the continent’s most expansive wetlands, Africa’s fourth-longest river is under great pressure to provide water and energy for industrial development in Zambia, Mozambique and other growing nations. The Zambezi River Environmental Flows Programme will seek to balance these interests with ways to operate the river’s largest hydroelectric dams in a more environmentally friendly manner. © Daniel White/2009 The Nature Conservancy
Freshwater Animals

Learn more about the animals that depend on Earth's most precious resource: fresh water.

Hawksbill Turtle 215x143Hawksbill turtle © Jeff Yonover
Marine Animals

From the coral reefs and their abundance of life, to the solitary creatures that lurk in the depths, the oceans are home to some of the planet's most unusual creatures.

Gray Wolf 215x143Gray wolf © Janet Haas
Forest Animals

The forests and jungles of Planet Earth support some of the most complex communities of animal life.

Burrowing Owl 215x143Burrowing owls at Brian Piccolo Park in Cooper City, Florida. © Scott Anderson
Desert Animals

Learn more about the hardy and adaptable species that make their home in the desert.

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Photo Special Features TabLion in Maasai Mara, Kenya, Africa. © Kenneth K. Coe

Close Encounters with Nature

Whether scary or exciting, nature has a way of sneaking up on you. See stories

Arden OConnor 215x143Arden O’Connor. © Lajla LeBlanc

Nature Matters

Hear some of nature's success stories and see how nature matters to us all. Watch videos

Explore Related Content

Our Habitats

We work to protect a myriad of habitats so we can preserve the diversity of life on Earth. Learn more

Our Science

Our conservation work is grounded in strong science. Learn more