recursal/Fanatic-Fandom huggingface dataset:
Lan Shao

He is the Master Lan Family of the Northern Block Territory. He is first introduced when members of the Four Influential Families of Northern Block Territory were searching for a Divine Weapon. He allied himself with Bai Yin and tried to cause trouble with Gu Ruoyun so when she came to Main City and tried to bribe her Chi fed him a pill that would make him expose all of his secrets (including murdering Lan Ge's parents) but also never be able to lie again.

After Gu Tian came to Northern Block Territory and found out what the Lan Family did he was immediately killed.
Devil Sect

**Devil Sect** was Founded in Azure Dragon Country - Ch-60

Qianbei Ye Built a Organization at First City Gave it to Gu Ruoyun and then named it **Devil Sect**. The **Devil Sect** in West Spirit Mainland and First City can be considered on organization.

## **History**

Within three years, an organisation known as the Devil Sect suddenly rose to power. No one knew whether the master of that sect was male or female, nor did they know what kind of place the Devil Sect really was. However, that was understandable, because any organisation that harboured ill intent towards the Devil Sect was destroyed overnight. Thus, the Devil Sect’s merciless, ruthless ways were gradually engraved into the people’s hearts. For generations to come, the infamous Sect Master of the Devil Sect was henceforth known as– the Devil Emperor!
Banished Lands

**Banished Lands** is located between East Peak Mainland and West Spirit Mainland.

## **City's**

* Black Rock City
* White Glory City
* Tranquil Mountain City

## **Family/Clans**

* Banished Lands Ye Family
* Banished Lands Murong Family
* Banished Lands Mo Family (Mo Liyou)
* Banished Lands Hei Family (Hei Bao)
* Banished Lands Mei Family (Mei Xue)
* Banished Lands Yeh Family
* Banished Lands Mo Family
* Banished Lands Li Family

## **Organizations**

* Black Cloud Auction
* Wolf Fang's Robbers (Destroyed)
* Snow Order
Mo Yu

She was originally an orphan who owed a debt to Elder Yu. When Gu Ruoyun first left the Gu Family and wanted to create a force she was one of the first members. When the Devil Sect was officially formed she became one of the Protectors (leader) and the Head of the Pill Hall.

She was beaten by a member of Dark Yin Palace while trying to protect Bai Chuan from being kidnapped to force Gu Ruoyun out of seclusion.
Nan Xiao

She was the only daughter of the previous Master of the Medicine Order and Wei Yiyi's junior sister. Years ago, when Wei Yiyi was being forced to surrender the Treasury of Medicine, it was Nan Xiao who had placed her own life in danger and secretly broke her out of her prison. If it weren't for Nan Xiao, Wei Yiyi would probably have died at the hands of that wretched couple.

After Wei Yiyi became strong enough she returned the Medicine Order and dealt with Rong Xin and Lin Jun. When the Elders tried to make Wei Yiyi take over the Medicine Order she refused saying that as the daughter of the Old Master she is rightful heir.
Mengmeng

## **History**

This little fellow is not a spiritual beast and it’s not really a living thing! Instead, it was a natural product born from the excess spiritual energy during the initial stages of this world’s creation. It had not been bestowed with any form of life but had gradually developed a mind of its own as time passed. However, because this little fellow was born from spiritual energy, it would have a profound interest in pills which contains powerful spiritual energy.

1. ↑ Name means cute.
Xia Linyu

**2nd Life**
Xia Zhentian (Grandfather)
Xia Zixi (Father)
Xia Qi (Uncle)

He is first introduced when Xia Ruoyun was being hunted by Xia Ming. Xia Ruoyun had taken him to Lu Chen in order to protect him but didn't know that Lu Chen had stabbed them in the back because of the Ancient Divine Pagoda. Under the order of Lu Chen he had his limbs severed and heart pulled from his chest in front of Xia Ruoyun.

After reincarnating he is reintroduced when he was traveling through Black Turtle Country to go to Azure Dragon Country because of the rumors of Gu Ruoyun (A good for nothing that completely changed after a near death experience around the same time as him). When returning to Heaven City he was attacked by Xia Qi's henchmen who disguised themselves as members of **Hundred Herb Hall**.

While Gu Ruoyun was away from Heaven City on of Xia Qi's henchmen went to Lianqi Sect and told Shi Yun that Tian Qi would gift her Lingxiao if she would overthrow Xia Zhentian and make Tian Qi the master of the Xia Family. When the first battle ensued he was pushed off a cliff by Leng Yanfeng.

Near the end of the West Mainland Arc he had his arm cut off because he and the Dongfang Family's disciples were ambushed by members of Medicine Order and **Immortal Realm**. Gu Ruoyun wasn't able to make a pill that could regrow his arm until she reached Martial Supreme.

Once Gu Ruoyun came to the East Peak Mainland she went to Drifting Wind Country which was where the Xia Family (people that killed them) and once she had enough evidence to destroy the Xia Family she had Qianbei Ye bring him to her.

After they exacted their revenge of the Xia Family and Lu Chen they eventually made their way to Northern Block Territory (Medicine Sect territory that Gu Ruoyun won by making a pill). After she healed his arms he decided to separate from Gu Ruoyun because he was tired of having to rely on her to keep him safe. He vowed that once he was strong enough he would go meet her in First City.

## **Background**

He was previously the young master of the Xia Family (East Peak Mainland) in his first life, he is currently the young master of the Xia Family (West Spirit Mainland) in his second life.

## **Appearance**

**Xia Linyu** has black hair, is relatively slim-built, and has dark eyes. He seemed to be about fifteen years of age, and he had an extremely delicate appearance. His features were exquisite and flawless, like fine porcelain. His eyes were clear and limpid, so bright that anyone who gazed upon them would feel their heart skip a beat.
Gu Wanbai

Originally Gu Wanbai met Gu Ruoyun in Windfall village (Chapter 1039) when her older brother saved her. As Gu Ruoyun was leaving Windfall village Gu Ruoyun promised to teach her medicine when she returned but people from the Lin Family massacred the entire village shortly after. Years later Gu Ruoyun found her reincarnation and took her under her wing.

## **History**

**First Life**

Nian Ye, do you know? My dream is to become a great doctor. I want to heal the sick and wounded! I even want to be able to snatch the life of a dying person from the clutches of the King of Hell!"

The little maiden's eyes sparkled and the freckles on her face grew more comely along with the light in her eyes. Suddenly, she seemed to remember something and the light in her eyes darkened.

"That year, my parents had been badly hurt by bandits. They initially had a chance at survival but, unfortunately, we couldn't save them because we didn't manage to get to the doctor's in time."

The little maiden had begun to weep as her memories of that incident came flooding back. "If only I had understood medicine at that time, I could have saved my parents. It was also from that moment on that I vowed to teach myself medicine! I will never let any other family experience separation in death!"

**Second Life**

Gu Ruoyun lowered her eyes and calmly replied, “I know that there’re many people like the Lin family in this world who don’t attach any importance to the lives of normal people. Some even believe that normal people do not have the right to live in this world. Those innocent, simple and honest villagers had never done anything wrong but they had suffered the annihilation of their village in the end.”

In this life, Gu Ruoyun has killed her share of people. However, the people she had killed had all deserved to die. She has never killed the innocent!

Hence, when she had seen the bloodbath in the village, she was heartbroken.

Besides, if it had not been for her, those innocent people would not have lost their lives…

“Yun’er, I guarantee that I will never let anyone by your side get hurt nor will I allow anyone who has helped you to lose their lives!” Qianbei Ye gripped Gu Ruoyun’s shoulders tightly as his eyes filled with determination.

Gu Ruoyun smiled gently and leaned her body into Qianbei Ye’s embrace. She gently closed her eyes as she basked in the warmth from the man’s chest.

“Xiao Ye, this little maiden had been dragged down because of me in her past life. In this life, I will give her the best life! If she wants to learn medicine, I will personally teach her. If she wants to cultivate, I will also grant her the best conditions. No one is allowed to bully her.”

## **Appearance**

A white-robed young girl was standing in a deep and quiet forest. She had a flute in her hand and placed it against her lips to play it. This young girl was not a peerless beauty as her graceful features were scattered with freckles which took away some of the colors from her features. However, her eyes were vivid and moving like the clear waters of a stream and looked as if they could cleanse one’s heart.
Wen Yan

He is first introduced when Gu Ruoyun came to the Northern Block Territory. He was the Governor of one of the cities that she was passing through and was helped by her when a group of bandits attacked the city. After the bandits were killed Old Man Jiang came to visit him to use a medicinal ingredient that he had. Gu Ruoyun instead healed him and took that medicinal ingredient as payment (it was one the ingredients to heal Xia Linyu's arm).

Later it is revealed that he ran away from the Wen Family after stealing a spirit beast from them.
Zuo Shangchen

He was sent by Cang Ming to befriend Gu Ruoyun and help her when needed. He thought his master trying to help her.

He is in love with Gu Ruoyun's older brother, Gu Shengxiao.

## **History**

“Actually…” Zuo Shangchen gently lowered his gaze. There was a complex look in his eyes. “I’ve never met my Master! From a young age, Master has always spoken to me through a token! In the beginning, he told me that my life will rise in the east so I had journeyed to the Azure Dragon Country and met you there.”

Gu Ruoyun lowered her eyelids and did not interrupt as she listened quietly to Zuo Shangchen’s explanation…
Zuo Shangchen sighed as he said, “After I had arrived in the First City, Master had asked me to get close to you and help you. He had even asked me not to reveal his existence! Hence, I thought that my Master has a good relationship with you and he did not want you to know that he has been helping you.”

“Eventually…” He paused and continued, “I met my Master! He wore a mask and was very mysterious. He then asked me to bring you to the Deserted Snowlands. I had intended to listen to my Master’s orders but I had accidentally seen the face behind my Master’s mask! I became suspicious after I had seen my Master’s face but to make sure Gu Shengxiao’s treatment goes without a hitch, I had asked someone to bring the Sorceror’s Enchantment Blossom to you. I then went to ask my Master the reason behind his wish to see you.”
Tian Qi

He was first introduced when he was having a fight with Tian Gu. While they were fighting Gu Ruoyun had a breakthrough in her cultivation which stunned them so they stopped fighting. Trying to persuade her into becoming their disciple they insulted each other and exposed their bad habits which included Tian Gu telling her about him being a pervert who will peep on women bathing or flip their skirts to see their panties.

During the Divine Trials he made a bet with a member of another faction that the Dongfang Family would win the competition, he offered a spiritual weapon and the other person offered a pill formula. After the Dongfang Family won he returned to the Spirit Sect and gave the formula to the Sect Leader. The Sect Leader then told the entire sect whoever could create a pill from the formula would be the top elder of the Spirit Sect. After failing numerous times he called for Gu Ruoyun to create the pill for him.
Harpy Eagle

Other eagles might have bigger wingspans but none has the armoury of the harpy eagle's (*Harpia harpyja*) fearsome talons - up to 18cm long in some fully-grown females. The harpy uses these to grasp its prey of large, tree-dwelling animals such as sloths, green iguanas and birds. It has been wiped out across much of its historical range - from southeast Mexico to northern Argentina and southern Brazil - though destruction of nesting sites (it nests a dizzying 40m high in trees), forest fragmentation and shooting. Recovery is hampered by the fact that it has the longest breeding period of any raptor: sometimes three years pass between the production of a chick and the next nesting attempt. Captive breeding and release programmes have had limited success although a handful of birds reintroduced in the Chiquibul Forest of Belize have prospered.
Emerald Tree Boa

Emerald tree boas (*Corallus caninus*) spend their entire lives away from the ground, gripping tree branches with their coils. The snake's bright leaf-green body has flashes of white running across its back that help it blend in with the forest foliage. This camouflage keeps the snake safe from forest raptors, such as owls and eagles.

Tree boas hang from sturdy branches and wait for small birds to fly by or small mammals to pass beneath them. The snake's eyes have vertical pupils. Just like small cats, this makes them better at sensing the movements of small prey in the gloom of the forest. Tree boas also have heat-sensitive pits on their snouts, which allow them to detect the body heat of prey moving near them. The snake waits, ready to pounce, with its upper body in an S-shape. When a prey animal comes close enough, the tree boa lunges forward and grabs it in its mouth. The snake's backward-curved teeth stop victims from struggling free.

During mating, the male entwines his tail with the female's. The female gives birth to between 3 and 15 young. The young snakes are red or orange for the first year of their lives.
Lan Yuge

She is the Maternal Grandmother of Gu Ruoyun. After the death of Dongfang Yu she became a recluse out of guilt and moved to a cottage on the back mountain of the Dongfang Family property.

Once Gu Ruoyun came to the Dongfang Family she came down from the cottage.

## **History**

Many who do not know the truth would think that Master Dongfang was the number one cultivator in the Dongfang Family. But in fact, the true number one cultivator was Lan Yuge. If she does not wish for anyone else to disturb her by visiting the mountain, even Master Dongfang would not have the authority to do so.

## **Appearance**

The moonlight poured down from the heavens, casting a brilliant glow on the woman’s soft and lovely face which left everyone in the room breathless. Her beautiful crescent-shaped eyebrows were enough to capture a person’s heart and soul. Her lips were turned upwards and held an indescribably elegant charm. It was as if she has had some sort of surgery - this woman looked as if she were in her twenties but in truth, she was about fifty to sixty years old.
Cane Toad

The cane toad (*Rhinella marina*), or marine toad, is now most famous for being a serious pest. Originally native to the Amazon Basin, it was deliberately released into Australia in the 1930s in the hope that it would control the grey-backed beetle, a pest of sugar cane. Unfortunately the cane toad preyed on almost everything except the grey-backed beetle, which stayed out of reach high up the stems of cane crops. Now a number of Australian species, including other frogs and toads, are in danger of dying out after being extensively preyed upon by these toads.

The cane toad's success in both its native habitat and in new areas where it has spread is helped by the fact that it has two glands just above its shoulder blades, which produce large quantities of highly toxic venom. This venom is so potent that snakes, which have tried to eat the toads, have been found dead with the toads still lodged in their mouths.

Snakes are not the only animals affected. Native marsupial predators such as quolls, along with introduced cats and dogs, are all at risk if they try to eat the toads. Cane toads also push native tree frogs out of the best breeding grounds, further establishing their reputation as a serious problem for Australia's native wildlife.
Donkey

The ***donkey*** or ***ass*** (*Equus africanus asinus*) is a domesticated member of the horse family, Equidae. The wild ancestor of the donkey is the African wild ass, *E. africanus.* The donkey has been used as a working animal for at least 5,000 years. There are more than 40 million donkeys in the world, mostly in underdeveloped countries, where they are used principally as draught or pack animals. Working donkeys are often associated with those living at or below subsistence levels. Small numbers of donkeys are kept for breeding or as pets in developed countries.

A male donkey or ass is called a Jack, a female a jenny or jennet; a young donkey is a foal. Jack donkeys are often used to mate with a female horse to produce a mule; the biological "reciprocal" of a mule, from a stallion and jenny as its parents instead, is called a hinny.

Asses were first domesticated around 3,000 B.C, probably in Egypt or Mesopotamia, and have spread around the world. They continue to fill important roles in many places today. While domesticated species are increasing in numbers, the African wild ass is a critically endangered species. As beasts of burden and companions, asses and donkeys have worked together with humans for millennia.
Pine Marten

In well-wooded areas or deep forest with plenty of cover, the pine marten (*Martes martes*) marks out its territory of 10-25 square km. It climbs with great agility but hunts by night on the ground. In northern Europe, the red squirrel is the main mammal in its diet but voles are easier to find. The pine marten frequently nests among the roots of the Scots pine, which is probably the source of its common name. Formerly killed for its fur, the pine marten is now fully protected in Great Britain.

The North American marten is renowned for being the only creature to get the better of a porcupine. Undeterred by the lashing of a spiny tail, the marten circles and confuses the porcupine until it can attack its vulnerable head.

ARKive photos and videos of the pine marten
Zuo Chen

He is the younger brother of Feng Qianhuan who is first introduced when she brought Qianbei Xun to Vermilion Bird Country after he got lost trying to go to the Dongfang Family. When he noticed Qianbei Xun he asked who he was so he replied that he was his brother-in-law. At first he refused to acknowledge Qianbei Xun but was bribed with a Martial Honor level spirit beast.

Before Qianbei Xun and Feng Qianhuan left to go the Dongfang Family his father had captured him and sent him to one of his concubines in hopes to force Feng Qianhuan to marry a disciple of the Spirit Sect. The concubine poisoned him so Qianbei Xun summoned Gu Wanbai to save him. During his treatment she stripped him naked and smacked his butt a few times because he called her a gangster.

## **Marriage**

Ever since that year when Gu Wanbai had stripped Zuo Chen of his clothes in order to save him, Zuo Chen had sworn that he would get his revenge! Therefore, ever since that moment, Zuo Chen had vehemently pursued Gu Wanbai and vowed to make Gu Wanbai his. He had even begun working hard in his cultivation because of this. Now, his powers have improved by leaps and bounds.
However, because Zuo Chen was younger than Gu Wanbai by nine years, Gu Wanbai had found the little kid’s pursuit largely annoying. Who would have thought that Zuo Chen would end up being successful and had kept this from Feng Qianhuan?
“I have a whole new level of respect for this kid, Zuo Chen.” Qianbei Xun narrowed his eyes and smiled. “He actually has the courage to marry that little witch, Gu Wanbai.”
Gu Qing

He is the second son of Gu Yifeng who caused the 'deaths' of Gu Tian & Dongfang Yu because a strong person (from East Peak Mainland) wanted Gu Shengxiao after the couple refused.

When Gu Yifeng found out about this he beat him to death (not out of love but lost honor/respect he would have gained due to Gu Tian's accomplishments).
Giant Panda

One of the most famous and easily recognized animals in the world, the giant panda (*Ailuropoda melanoleuca*) is also one of the most endangered. Scarcely 1000 individuals are believed to survive in the wild - in central and south-western China - with another 140 animals in zoos across the world. Habitat loss and poaching are the major dangers, and because the panda has a very slow reproductive cycle, it takes a long time for populations to recover. Females usually give birth to two cubs, one of which survives and stays with the mother for up to three years. In a lifetime, a female may raise only 5-8 cubs.

A panda's diet is almost exclusively bamboo, occasionally supplemented by other grasses and small rodents. Its digestive system is ill-equipped to digest the fibrous bamboo efficiently, so it has to spend most of its days foraging and eating. An elongated wrist bone with a fleshy pad of skin forms a functional but awkward thumb which is used to grasp the stems, and strong teeth then crush them into a more digestible pulp.

Pandas were once thought to be solitary creatures. However, new evidence suggests that small social groups may form outside the breeding season. These well-loved animals are the focus of much detailed research, always aimed at preserving the species. Recent research into in-vitro fertilization of pandas may help in the battle to prevent extinction.

## Gallery

ARKive photos and videos of the giant panda
Huang Chuan

He was an Elder of the Medicine Sect and spy for Wind Valley who often used their status to let Huang Feifei do whatever she wanted.

When Huang Feifei tried to set up Gu Ruoyun and failed he tried to protect her but ended up having his arm burnt off by Chi and made to right a letter of confession that was to be posted on the front doors of Medicine Sect.

When Feng Xiaoxiao came to the Medicine Sect he was given Ling'er to help him usurp the Medicine Sect from Gao Lin but when faced with Chi the firebird immediately turned around and attacked him. He was eventually killed by the other Elders who tried to usurp with him.
Muskox

The muskox (*Ovibos moschatus*) looks like something from the Ice Age, easily pictured living alongside the mammoth and woolly rhinoceros. Its long hair hangs nearly to the ground and inspired the Inuit name *umingmak*, meaning 'bearded one'.

The muskox will close ranks with other members of the herd when threatened by predators, circling the young to protect them. With their heads and horns turned outwards, they make a formidable barrier. Unfortunately, this formation made them an easy target for hunters and muskoxen were almost extinct at the beginning of the twentieth century. They are now a protected species in Canada and are farmed in Alaska, where the soft underfur, *qiviut*, is woven and knitted into luxurious caps and scarves.
Reindeer

The reindeer (*Rangifer tarandus*), also known as the caribou in North America, is the only deer species in which both males and females possess antlers. Herds are organized into hierarchies based on the size of the deer's bodies and antlers. Most herds make seasonal migrations, moving to where food is available. Northern populations often travel more than 5000km. During the migration, reindeer groups congregate into great herds of up to half a million individuals.

Reindeer have been domesticated for 3000 years, and there are huge numbers in northern Siberia.
Nine-banded Armadillo

Nine-banded armadillos (*Dasypus novemcinctus*) are found in a wide range of habitats, but always require plenty of cover. In the warmer parts of their range they feed at night. In colder areas they may be spotted during the day, especilly in winter. These armadillos build large nests at the ends of their long burrows. The nests are filled with dried glasses. In areas with plenty of plant cover, nine-banded armadillos may also build their nests above ground.

Nine-banded armadillos search for their animal prey by poking their long noses into crevices and under logs. They also eat fallen fruit and roots. When threatened, the animals waddle to their burrows as fast as possible. If cornered, they will curl up into armoured balls.

Nine-banded armadillos forage alone, but they may share their burrows with several other individuals, all of the same sex. The breeding season is in late summer. Litters of identical same-sex quadruplets are born in the spring.

## Gallery

ARKive photos and videos of the nine-banded armadillo
Green Anaconda

Green anacondas (*Eunectes murinus*) are the world's heaviest snakes, if not the longest. They are not venomous snakes but kill by constriction, squeezing their prey in coils of their massive bodies.

Green anacondas spend most of their time in shallow water, being most common in open wetlands. Their eyes and nostrils are positioned on top of their heads, so that they can lie hidden underwater with only their heads at the surface. Anacondas are ambush predators: they wait for prey to come to the water's edge to drink, then they strike with lightning speed. Their bodies are powerful enough to squeeze the life out of a horse or a fully grown black caiman. Anacondas can kill humans, but only occasionally do so.

Male anacondas have claw-like spurs on their lower bodies, which they use to stimulate females. A single female may be tangled up with several males during mating. Like other boas, anacondas do not lay eggs but give birth to live young.

## Gallery

ARKive photos and videos of the green anaconda
American Alligator

Young American alligators (*Alligator mississippiensis*) feed on insects, small fish and frogs. As they get bigger, they begin to take larger prey, such as turtles and water birds. Adults feed on land as well as in water. They are opportunistic feeders, attacking anything that comes within reach. They even leap up to snatch birds perching on low branches.

During cold weather, American alligators become dormant in burrows dug into mud banks. In dry periods, they will travel long distances to find water, sometimes ending up in swimming pools.

During courtship the female makes a mound of vegetation and mud above the high waterline and lays her eggs in a hole in the top. When she hears calling from hatchlings, she breaks open the nest and carries her young to the water. The young stay with the mother for about a year.

## Gallery

ARKive photos and videos of the American alligator
Southern Elephant Seal

Elephant seals (*Mirounga leonina*) are enormous: 5.7m long and weighing up to 2200kg. There are two species, northern and southern. Both were almost wiped out before hunting was stopped in 1964 and the seals protected. These impressive creatures - the males have huge floppy, inflatable noses and battle-scarred neck shields - can stay underwater for two hours, reaching depths of 1170m.

## Gallery

ARKive photos and videos of the southern elephant seal
Snowy Owl

When lemmings have a bad year, so do snowy owls (*Bubo scandiaca*). The lemming population has a direct effect on how many owls reproduce and how many young they raise. Nestling owls need about two lemmings a day and a family of owls might eat as many as 1500 lemmings before the young disperse. In peak years an older, highly aggressive male might establish two nests with two different mates, hunting for both, and protecting two territories. In bad feeding years the owls move south, with sightings as close to the equator as southern Texas and the Azores.

These day-flying owls will, however, take a large variety of prey, from voles to birds the size of geese. They will also prey on other raptors such as short-eared owl, peregrine falcon, gyrfalcon and common buzzard, and when desperate will eat fish and carrion. When food is very scarce, snowy owls can live off reserves of fat for almost six weeks. They rarely seek shelter, even from roaring winds, and their plumage protects them so efficiently that adults can endure temperatures as low as -40 degrees C.

The owl is protected throughout much of America and in the UK but in Alaska it is legal for residents to kill an unlimited number for food or clothing.

Other names for this charismatic bird are Arctic owl, ghost owl, tundra ghost, ookpik, Scandinavian nightbird, and white terror of the north. In Romania it is said that the souls of repentant sinners fly to heaven as snowy owls.

## Gallery

ARKive photos and videos of the snowy owl
Indian Rhinoceros

The Indian rhinoceros (*Rhinoceros unicornis*) is the largest of three different species of rhinoceros living in Asia. Apart from mothers with their calves, these rhinos live alone, though occasionally several come together at muddy wallows or good grazing areas. They live in home ranges of 2-8sq km, which overlap with those of other rhinos. Meetings between neighbouring rhinos are often aggressive affairs. Although Indian rhinoceroses usually flee when disturbed, they sometimes charge at humans. Females with calves are particularly dangerous, and several fatal attacks are recorded every year in Nepal and India.

This species used to be common in north-western India and Pakistan until around 1600, when large areas of lush lowland grasslands were turned into farmland. As well as losing much of their prime habitat, rhinos came into conflict with farmers and sportsmen. By the early 1900s the species was close to extinction. International law now protects these rhinos, and their numbers have increased. There are now around 2000 individuals in the wild.

## Gallery

ARKive photos and videos of the Indian rhinoceros
Giant Otter

The giant otter (*Pteronura brasiliensis*) is the largest mustelid in the world, although it is not as heavy as the sea otter. This semi-aquatic mammal inhabits the tropical river basins of South America. It lives in groups of about six, each communicating with chirping sounds. Generally, the group comprises an adult pair and their offspring of various liters. Each group controls its own stretch of stream, preferring those areas with plenty of cover.

The giant otter swims at high speed by waving its tail and body up and down, using its webbed feet to steer. On land it is far less agile, and is often seen sitting grooming itself. Giant otters are diurnal - only active during the day. The catch prey in their mouths and hold it in their forepaws to eat it on the shore. During the dry season, the otter groups are restricted to small areas of water, but when the rains come to flood the forest, the otters can roam over larger areas. Little is known about the mating habits of giant otters, other than that the young stay with their parents for a few years before reaching adulthood.

ARKive photos and videos of the giant otter
Spotted Hyena

Spotted hyenas (*Crocuta crocuta*) live in female-dominated groups known as clans. The mothers rear all of the cubs together in a communal breeding den that is only big enough for the cubs to enter. The entrance to the den is guarded by one or two adults, helping to reduce the number of young killed by other carnivores or hyenas.

Spotted hyenas have a complicated greeting ceremony, involving a variety of interactions using scents and physical gestures. These are only used by certain individuals in a clan and are uncommon between females and low-ranking males. They help to reduce stress in the group. Females are very aggressive and, to help them dominate their clans, they have developed false genitals to look like males. They will fight other females to win over and mate with favoured males. Hyenas are very vocal and their wails - howling screams and "laughter" - can inform other clan members of a food source from up to 5km away.

## Gallery

ARKive photos and videos of the spotted hyaena
Western Gorilla

Currently, four races of gorilla (*Gorilla gorilla*) are recognized: the Cross River gorilla, the western lowland gorilla, the eastern lowland gorilla and the mountain gorilla. The western lowland gorillas are separated from the nearest population of eastern lowland gorillas by at least 1000km.

Western gorillas live in relatively small groups of only about six animals, lead by dominant males, or silverbacks - so-called because of the grey-white fur only found on the backs of older males. Although gorillas are large and extremely powerful, they are gentler than chimpanzees.

Gorilla groups tend to avoid one another although, on occasion, groups will meet amicably for a short time. Sometimes meetings are not peaceful, and a dominant silverback may respond to intruders by standing up, hooting and beating his chest with cupped hands, followed by a display of strength by breaking branches. This display may lead to an all-out attack.

## Gallery

ARKive photos and videos of the western gorilla
Barn Owl

The barn owl (*Tyto alba*) is one of the most widespread land birds, found on all continents except Antarctica. It nests in tree hollows, old buildings and caves and breeds at any time of year, sometimes twice if there is a glut of small rodents, its main prey. The female is slightly larger than the male, with a wingspan of up to 109cm and weighing 0.5kg. The barn owl is generally light grey with buff markings but has a distinctive white, heart-shaped facial disc with a brown rim line. It is the most mythologized of all owls and usually seen as a harbinger of death.
Caracal

The name caracal (*Caracal caracal*) is Turkish for "black ears". Caracals are also known as desert lynxes because they have short tails and ear-tufts like their northern cousins, an adaptation for cold weather. This has led scientists to conclude that the caracal's ancestors once lived in colder regions.

This adaptation to the cold comes in handy during the night, when caracals generally hunt. It is not unusual for desert temperatures to plunge below 0 degrees C. Caracals prey on anything they can find and kill, including insects, snakes, lizards, gazelles and even brooding ostriches.

Caracals set up home in the abandoned burrows of porcupines or any other suitable crevices. Like other types of lynx, the caracal hunts at night, stealing up close to its prey before leaping the last few metres in huge bounds. The caracal is the fastest cat of its size. Prey is stalked and then captured after a quick dash or leap. The caracal is easy to tame and has been used as a hunting cat in Iran and India. However, it is also persecuted in this region as a pest.
Giant Anteater

The ***Giant Anteater*** (*Myrmecophaga tridactyla*) can live wherever there are large ant nests or termite mounds in abundance. They use their powerful claws to rip the colonies apart, then it can use their sticky tongue to lick up the insects and their eggs and larvae. A single giant anteater can eat over 30,000 ants or termites in one day.

Despite being a powerful digger, an anteater pair shelters in a thicket, not a burrow, because of their awkward shape. They spend most of their time alone searching for food, with their long nose close to the ground. While on the move, they curl their forelimbs under their strange body, so that they are actually walking on the back of their forefeet and their claws do not hinder them.

Females often come into contact with one another, but a male can keep their distance. Breeding can take place all year.

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ARKive photos and videos of the giant anteater
Scarlet Macaw

The brightly-coloured macaw (*Ara macao*) eats fruit, nuts - and clay. It needs the clay to aid digestion and absorb toxins from many of the seeds it eats. The virulent poison strychnine, from liana seeds, is one of many found in jungle plants and the macaw specializes in eating toxic seeds which would sicken or kill other animals. It also eats unripe fruit which contains high levels of tannin. Just as humans turn to kaolin (or China clay) to settle an upset stomach, so the macaw uses the clay it finds on river banks and flocks can be seen gobbling down mouthfuls after a feeding session. The macaw, like most parrots, is left-footed, using the right foot to support itself as it manipulates its food with the left. Although protected, it is a target for illegal traders who sell either the feathers or the live bird, worth $1000 to an unscrupulous collector.

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ARKive photos and videos of the scarlet macaw
Cheetah

Cheetahs (*Acinonyx jubatus*) differ from typical cats in several ways. Instead of stealth, they use speed to run down their prey, assisted by blunt claws that grip the ground. The dew-claws, however, which are used to grasp the prey, are curved and sharp. A cheetah is built like a racing dog, with a small head and long legs and body, but the teeth and jaws are too small and weak to deliver an effective death bite, so the cheetah is forced to suffocate its prey. After the sustained effort of catching and killing a prey animal, a cheetah may need to rest for half an hour before starting to eat.

The cheetah is well known as the fastest animal on land. Sadly, despite captive breeding programmes, it is now an endangered species. A breeding female requires a hunting range of up to 800sq km and, apart from some national parks and isolated populations, suitable territories are mainly restricted to Namibia and parts of South Africa.
Capybara

Capybaras (*Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris*) are the largest rodents in the world. They live in herds of about 20 individuals, feeding by day on the banks of rivers and in swampy areas. Although they are well suited to being in water, with eyes and nostrils high on the head and webbed hind feet, capybaras do not feed for long periods in water. They tend to use water as a refuge from predators and as a means of keeping cool on hot days. If startled, capybaras gallop into water and may swim to the safety of floating plants. When they surface, only their eyes and nostrils are visible.

Capybaras do not have permanent dens, but sleep in waterside thickets. Each herd contains several adults of both sexes as well as their offspring, all conforming to a hierarchy. A single male leads the herd. Only he can mate with the females in the herd. Fights often break out between the other males as they attempt to improve their rank.
Coyote

The coyote (*Canis latrans*) is a great survivor and one of the most successful predators on Earth. Despite being shot, trapped and poisoned its numbers are on the increase and its range expanding. It has a distinctive yapping howl, which floats for several kms on a single night. Where wolves are eliminated, the coyote becomes top predator, eating everything from snakes and insects to small mammals, domestic fowl and pets, fruit, carrion and domestic rubbish. It usually hunts alone. However, intriguingly, individual coyotes have been observed teaming up with a badger to hunt burrowing rodents: the coyote scents the quarry, the badger digs it out and they share the spoils.
Brown Bear

Brown bears (*Ursus arctos*) live in many parts of the northern hemisphere, and although they belong to a single species, they look rather different from place to place. For example, the brown bears in Europe and Asia are smaller and darker than their American cousins. In North America, there are two races of brown bear: Kodiaks and grizzlies.

Brown bears make their homes in cold places, such as northern forests, mountains and barren tundra. They feed on a range of fruits, plants and small animals. Only grizzlies regularly attack larger animals, such as deer and even smaller black bears.

Brown bears are generally solitary animals, although they may gather in groups around large food supplies, such as schools of salmon beneath waterfalls. As winter approaches, the bears dig themselves dens for semi-hibernation. Although they sleep during most of the winter, they often come out of the den for short periods between sleeps. Mating takes place in early summer. The female gives birth in spring, and her cubs stay with her for at least two years.

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ARKive photos and videos of the brown bear
Pronghorn

Despite appearances, pronghorns (*Antilocapra americana*) are not true deer. They are the sole members of a separate group of hoofed animal called the *Antilocapridae*. Unlike true deer, pronghorns do not have antlers, but have horns like antelope, although they are forked like those of a deer.

Pronghorns are the fastest land mammals in the Americas. They have been recorded racing along at 72kph.

In late autumn, pronghorns gather into large herds of 1000 or more. They spend the winter in these herds and split into smaller single-sex groups when spring arrives. In October, older males compete for small territories, which they use to attract groups of females. Once females have entered the territories, the males will not allow other males near them.

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ARKive photos and videos of the pronghorn
Bighorn Sheep

Bighorn sheep (*Ovis canadensis*) are the most common type of wild sheep in North America. They are excellent climbers and are often found on steep rocky outcrops or high cliffs. They seek refuge in steep areas from predators, such as cougars, which are not agile enough to keep up with their sure-footed prey.

Flocks of bighorn sheep can contain up to 100 individuals. They head up to high meadows in summer before retreating to the valleys when the winter snows come.

Male bighorn sheep generally stay together in separate groups from the ewes and lambs. The rams have strict hierarchies based on the size of their horns. Fights are highly ritualized, with the adversaries butting their horns together. Ewes prefer to mate with rams with large horns and will refuse the courtship of others.

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ARKive photos and videos of the bighorn sheep
Indian Peafowl

We are so used to seeing only the extravagant male of this national bird of India (*Pavo cristatus*) that we habitually refer to the species as the peacock. The poor, drab female is a peahen and the offspring a peachick. Peafowl strut on the lawns of parks and large gardens throughout the world but, as in the wild, prefer to spend the night perched high in trees. In its native lands it is very wary, being both conspicuous and a food source, and scuttles into the undergrowth at the slightest sign of danger.

The male's splendid tail is fully formed by the time he is 3 years old. It continues growing for a further 2-3 years but is lost through moulting every summer. Throughout the history of most of the world's most major civillizations, peacocks have been valued for their plumage and presented in offerings along with gold, silver and precious stones.

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ARKive photos and videos of the Indian peafowl
American Badger

American badgers (*Taxidea taxus*) are tough animals that live in the open country in the Great Plains region of North America. They are expert burrowers and use this skill to dig out their preferred foods - rodents, such as prairie dogs and ground squirrels. They rest in their burrows during the day and come out to feed at night. During the coldest weeks of the year, American badgers do not hibernate, but sleep underground for several days at a time.

They may bury some of their food for later or even dig holes big enough for them and their prey to fit into. American badgers and coyotes are known to hunt together in teams. The coyotes sniff out the buried prey and the badgers dig them out. Both parties then share the food.

Mating occurs in summer and early autumn, and births take place in the following spring. The young leave home after two months.

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ARKive photos and videos of the American badger
Shi Tu

He was the Sect leader of the Lianqi Sect and Father of Shi Yun and Wu Yue. When the Xia Family and Heaven City destroyed he disappeared. On the day that the Dongfang Family held a banquet to announce Gu Ruoyun as Dongfang Yu's Daughter he was captured by Qianbei Ye and sent to family prison to be tortured.
Walrus

Walruses (*Odobenus rosmarus*) live among the ice floes of the Arctic Ocean. These huge sea mammals are well known for their long tusks, which they use to stab opponents during fights. Walruses also use their tusks to "haul out", or pull themselves on to floating ice, and sometimes hook themselves to floes so that they can sleep while still in the water.

Walruses use their whiskered snouts to root out prey and blast away sediment with jets of air squirted from the mouth. They tackle shelled prey by holding them in their lips and sucking out the soft bodies.

Walruses live in large herds, sometimes of many thousands. In winter they feed in areas of thin sea ice, avoiding thick, unbroken ice, which they cannot break through from beneath. In summer, when the ice recedes, they spend more time on land.
Nile Crocodile

Nile crocodiles (*Crocodylus niloticus*) were once widespread in eastern and southern Africa, but are now scarcer. With powerful jaws, strong tails, a terrifying turn of speed and stealth belying their enormous size, these crocodiles are efficient killing machines. Nile crocodiles have evolved to be very good at fishing, and during the times of the year when fish migrate along the rivers, they hunt cooperatively. Forming cordons across rivers, they herd the fish into shallow waters, where they can be picked off with ease.

Nile crocodiles are ecologically important as predators. They help to keep the environment in balance by eating catfish, which are predators themselves. By keeping the catfish numbers in check, Nile crocodiles allow the smaller fish, which are eaten by catfish, to thrive, providing food for more than 40 species of bird. In turn, bird dropping fertilize the waters, keeping them rich enough to support a large diversity of life.

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ARKive photos and videos of the Nile crocodile
Grey Wolf

All domestic dogs are descended from grey wolves (*Canis lupus*), which began living alongside humans many thousands of years ago. Grey wolves are the largest dogs in the wild, and they live in packs of about ten individuals. A pack has a strict hierarchy, with a male and female "alpha pair" in charge. The alpha dogs bond for life and are the only members of the pack to breed. The rest of the pack is made up of the alpha pair's offspring.

In summer, pack members often hunt alone for small animals such as beavers or hares, while in winter, packs hunt together for much larger animals. Grey wolves are strong runners and can travel 200km in one night. They generally detect prey by smell and chase them down, taking turns to take a bite at the faces and flanks of their victims until they collapse from exhaustion.

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ARKive photos and videos of the grey wolf
White Rhinoceros

The ***White Rhinoceros*** (*Ceratotherium simum*) is much larger than the black rhinoceros - up to 3.6 tonnes - and has a flat front lip which, although flexible, is not hooked (the name 'white' comes from the Afrikaans word "wijd", meaning wide and referring to the lip). It feeds on grass rather than leaves. It too is killed for its horn and, although more numerous with a population of 18,000, is also endangered and protected. In an attempt to prevent poaching wardens have sedated rhinos and removed their horns (which are not essential to survival). However, poachers often kill a hornless animal to save themselves the bother of tracking them again.

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Zoo Tycoon 2 (2004)
ARKive photos and videos of the white rhinoceros