Common name: Gold Apple Snail
Scientific name: Pomacea diffusa
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Family: Ampullariidae
Genus: Piomacea
species: diffusa
The gold apple snail, or the gold mystery snail, is a tropical or sub-tropical freshwater snail, very common for fish aquariums. They are golden in color, and have a golden shell. They are well adapted to drought, because they come from areas where periods of drought and heavy rainfall occur.
Common name: Hermit crab
Scientific name: Coenobita clypeatus
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Malacostraca
Order: Decapoda
Family: Coenobitidae
Genus: Coenobita
species: clypeatus
Hermit crabs are a very popular pet. The hermit crab has a soft body that retracts into a seashell. As the crab grows, it must find a bigger or more suitable shell. It also molts, and sheds its hard skin. They are either omnivorous or herbivorous, but may also be scavengers.
Common name: Super Colored Long Tentacle Anemone
Scientific name: Macrodactyla doreensis
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Cnidaria
Class: Anthrozoa
Order: Actinearia
Family: Actiniidae
Genus: Macrodactyla
species: doreensis
The super colored long tentacle anemone is known by many different names, such as the sand anemone and the corkscrew anemone. This anemone can appear in colors such as purple, red, orange, grey, and brown. They are aggressive towards other aquarium animals, and have stinging cells to protect themselves.
Common name: Chocolate Chip Starfish
Scientific name: Protoreastor nodosus
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Echinodermata
Class: Asteroideas
Family: Oreasteridae
Genus: Protoreastor
species: nodosus
The chocolate chip startfish is found naturally in the Indo-Pacific region. They are aggressive toward other aquarium invertebrates, and are carnivorous. They are not poisonous, and can live up to seven years.
Common name: Ornamental Guppy
Scientific name: Poecilia reticulata
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Acanthopterygii
Order: Cyprinodontiformes
Family: Poeciliidae
Genus: Poecilia
species: reticulata
The guppy is a small fish, also known at the million fish. Males are brightly colored, sometimes with intricate patterns. The females are larger, with dull coloration. These fish are livebearers, meaning that they give live birth to their young.
Common name: Chilean Rose Tarantula
Scientific name: Grammostola rosea
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Arthropoda
Class: Arachnida
Order: Aranaea
Family: Theraphosidae
Genus: Grammostola
species: rosea
The Chilean rose tarantula are native to Chile and Peru. They are covered in a gray or brown fur, and prefer arid environments. They do not build webs, but hide in order to catch their prey.
Common name: Great Plains Toad
Scientific name: Anaxyrus cognatus
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Amphibia
Order: Anura
Family: Bufonidae
Genus: Anaxyrus
species: cognatus
The great plains toad is found in North America, and is named for living in the Great Plains. They primarily eat worms, and are predated by the plains garter snake.
Common name: Sisilisko
Scientific name: Zootoca vivipara
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Sauropsida
Order: Squamata
Family: Lacertidae
Genus: Zootoca
species: vivipara
The sisilisko is a lizard found in northern Europe, and Asia. When frightened, the lizard may drop its tail to avoid harm from predators. It is small, dark in color, and friendly to humans.
Common name: Field Mouse
Scientific name: Apodemus sylvaticus
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Rodentia
Family: Muridae
Genus: Apodemus
species: sylvaticus
The field mouse is typically not a pet, but can be found in the woods of Northern Michigan, though it is not native to the United States. It has a small body, with big ears and a long tail. It is very adaptable to different types of environments, as it can be found living at sea level, as well as high in the mountains.
Common name: Zebra Finch
Scientific name: Taeniopygia guttata
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Vertebrata
Class: Aves
Order: Passeriformes
Family: Estrildidae
Genus: Taeniopygia
species: T. guttata
Zebra finches come in a variety of colors. Above, the male is a combination of gray, brown, tan, white, and black, with a bright orange beak. The female is a tan color, with some darker brown and gray on the wings and tail. Mutations can cause these colorations to be different. Zebra finches are one of the most popular birds used for scientific research.
