Species library
Field marks, habits, and camera tips for the wildlife that visits backyard habitats.
Mummichog
Fundulus heteroclitus
Meet the Mummichog, the ultimate survivor of the salt marsh. From surviving the vacuum of space to thriving in pollut...
Fish
Muskellunge
Esox masquinongy
The ghost of the north woods, the Muskellunge is North America's most formidable freshwater predator. Witness the pow...
Fish
Mutton Snapper
Lutjanus analis
The Mutton Snapper is a master of the reef, recognized by its striking blue 'eyeliner' and a signature black spot. A ...
Fish
Narrow Sawfish
Anoxypristis cuspidata
Meet the ocean's most unique craftsman, a shark-like ray equipped with a tooth-lined 'saw' used for hunting in the tr...
Fish
Narrowfin Smooth-hound
Mustelus norrisi
A sleek and slender specialist of the Atlantic shelf, the Narrowfin Smooth-hound is a harmless 'houndshark' known for...
Fish
Nassau Grouper
Epinephelus striatus
A friendly and inquisitive resident of the Caribbean, the Nassau Grouper is a master of camouflage and a vital indica...
Fish
Neon Damselfish
Pomacentrus coelestis
Experience the vibrant flash of the ocean's most electric blue resident. The Neon Damselfish brings a spark of tropic...
Fish
New Zealand Longfin Eel
Anguilla dieffenbachii
A majestic giant of New Zealand's waterways, the Longfin Eel is a mysterious predator that can live for over a centur...
Fish
Night Sergeant
Abudefduf taurus
A rugged and territorial guardian of the rocky shallows, the Night Sergeant is a master of life in the surge. With it...
Fish
Northern Anchovy
Engraulis mordax
The shimmering silver engine of the Pacific ecosystem. These tiny but mighty schooling fish are the vital link betwee...
Fish
Northern Brook Lamprey
Ichthyomyzon fossor
A hidden gem of North American waterways, the Northern Brook Lamprey is a harmless, fascinating fish that spends year...
Fish
Northern Hog Sucker
Hypentelium nigricans
Meet the 'vacuum cleaner' of the riverbed. With its unique concave head and powerful suction-cup lips, the Northern H...
Fish
Northern Pearl Dace
Margariscus nachtriebi
A hidden gem of northern waters, the Northern Pearl Dace thrives in the cool, quiet corners of bogs and beaver ponds....
Fish
Northern Pike
Esox lucius
Meet the 'Water Wolf,' a master of camouflage and the ultimate freshwater ambush hunter. With its torpedo-like body a...
Fish
Northern Redbelly Dace
Chrosomus eos
A miniature jewel of northern wetlands, the Northern Redbelly Dace is famous for the male's stunning transition into ...
Fish
Northern River Garfish
Zenarchopterus buffonis
The Northern River Garfish is a master of the water's surface, sporting a unique 'halfbeak' that helps it hunt with p...
Fish
Northern Sand Lance
Ammodytes dubius
The Northern Sand Lance is the 'ecological gold' of the Atlantic, a shimmering, burrowing fish that sustains everythi...
Fish
Northern Sennet
Sphyraena borealis
The Northern Sennet is a sleek, silver arrow of the Atlantic coast, bringing the thrill of the barracuda family to sh...
Fish
Nurse Shark
Ginglymostoma cirratum
The nurse shark is a master of the seafloor, known for its peaceful daylight huddles and impressive nocturnal hunting...
Fish
Nursehound
Scyliorhinus stellaris
A master of disguise among the kelp, the Nursehound is a striking, large-spotted catshark that brings a touch of preh...
Fish
Oblique-swimming Triplefin
Forsterygion maryannae
New Zealand's vibrant reef socialite, the Oblique-swimming Triplefin, breaks all the rules of its family by schooling...
Fish
Oceanic Manta Ray
Mobula birostris
The Oceanic Manta Ray is the undisputed giant of the rays, a silent glider of the open seas with a wingspan that can ...
Fish
Oceanic Triggerfish
Canthidermis sufflamen
A hardy wanderer of the Western Atlantic, the Oceanic Triggerfish is a master of the open blue. Known for its leather...
Fish
Oceanic Whitetip Shark
Carcharhinus longimanus
The ultimate nomad of the deep blue, the Oceanic Whitetip Shark is a bold, inquisitive predator known for its iconic ...
Fish
Ocellated Wrasse
Symphodus ocellatus
The Ocellated Wrasse is the Mediterranean's most diligent architect, famous for building complex algae nests. Its str...
Fish
Olive Rockfish
Acanthoclinus fuscus
A master of the New Zealand shoreline, the Olive Rockfish is an eel-like survivor that can breathe air and guard its ...
Fish
Opaleye
Girella nigricans
Boasting brilliant sapphire eyes and a calm, grazing nature, the Opaleye is the 'underwater goat' of the California c...
Fish
Orangemouth Corvina
Cynoscion xanthulus
A champion of the Gulf's estuaries, the Orangemouth Corvina is a shimmering predator famous for its golden-hued mouth...
Fish
Orangespotted Filefish
Cantherhines pullus
A master of disguise with a vibrant personality, the Orangespotted Filefish is a gem of the Atlantic reefs. Recogniza...
Fish
Orchid Dottyback
Pseudochromis fridmani
A neon-purple jewel of the Red Sea, the Orchid Dottyback is a tiny but bold explorer of the reef's hidden shadows. It...
Fish
Ornate Wobbegong
Orectolobus ornatus
A master of disguise and a jewel of the Australian reef, the Ornate Wobbegong is the ultimate underwater ambush artis...
Fish
Ornate Wrasse
Thalassoma pavo
Meet the 'Circus Fish' of the Mediterranean, a dazzling display of neon greens and vibrant reds. The Ornate Wrasse br...
Fish
Pacific Barracuda
Sphyraena argentea
The 'Silver Streak' of the Pacific, this torpedo-shaped predator is a master of the kelp forest. Known for its incred...
Fish
Pacific Brook Lamprey
Occidentis pacifica
A hidden gem of Pacific Northwest waterways, this 'living fossil' spends years tucked in the mud before emerging for ...
Fish
Pacific Chub Mackerel
Scomber japonicus
Meet the 'tiger of the sea,' a shimmering, high-speed traveler that brings the energy of the open ocean right to the ...
Fish
Pacific Crevalle Jack
Caranx caninus
Meet the powerhouse of the Pacific coast. The Pacific Crevalle Jack is a lightning-fast predator that turns the shore...
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