Giraffes are gentle giants.

Sensitive, intelligent elephants are the world’s largest land mammal (by weight) and a living link to long-extinct species like the woolly mammoth.

Mink are semi-aquatic mammals similar in appearance to weasels and ferrets.

Bears are powerful, majestic animals who were once nearly wiped out, but are now reclaiming their wild homes.

Hamsters are desert-dwelling rodents who have become popular pets.

Depending on pack ice for their habitat, polar bears are threatened by climate change—and by traffic in their fur and parts.

Members of the weasel family, otters are known for their elongated bodies, webbed feet and playful antics, particularly their love of sliding down rocks, banks or waterfalls.

These shy, gentle animals share our neighborhoods—and sometimes our homes.