15 animal duos so similar they end up being confused (part 2)

We all know that cats don’t look like dogs, but some species, as different as they are, still cause us confusion. After all, is it a rabbit or a hare? Alligator or crocodile? The first time we talked here about pairs of similar animals, we wondered if we know how to differentiate some species of animals found here in Brazil.

Today the awesome.club gathered another 15 groups of animals, so you can tell them apart next time. Furthermore, there is a bonus quite curious. Come check!

Although they are semiaquatic animals and have some similarities, they are not from the same family. For starters, the otter can measure up to 1.30 m, counting the tail. It has short, light brown fur, is a great swimmer and depends on clean water, in addition to being nocturnal. It lives in Europe, Asia, Africa, the Americas — and in Brazil, it can be found in the Amazon, the Atlantic Forest, the Pantanal, etc.

The giant otter is larger, measuring up to 1.80 m, including the tail. It is a diurnal animal and native to South America. It usually has white spots near the throat and membranes that join the fingers, making it easier to move around in the water. A curiosity is its ability to emit around 15 different sounds for the identification of individuals in the group and also to avoid attacks by predators.

Both are rodents, they feed on fruits and contribute to reforestation by spreading the seeds. However, the paca is a solitary animal, which abandons its young after weaning. It measures between 60 and 100 centimeters in length and its sense of smell is very keen. It has the habit of gnawing on wood or hard objects to stop the constant growth of its teeth, and it lives in humid tropical forests.

Meanwhile, the agouti can measure around 50 to 60 centimeters, its teeth are orange in color. When frightened, it ruffles its fur to make it appear larger. It also makes a sound that resembles a bark, so it can warn your family that you are in danger.

We confess that we also confuse the two, they are so similar. But here are their differences: the jaguar, in addition to being the third largest and strongest feline in the world, has a larger head and circle-shaped spots along its body, with a mole on the inside. The leopard does not have these spots on its rosettes, it is thinner and more agile. Its tail is long and it usually spends a lot of time up in the trees, in addition, it does not like water, while the jaguar can swim peacefully!

Although they belong to the same family, there are many differences between the species. For starters, the hare prefers to live in open fields and pastures. It is larger, measuring around 68 centimeters, with yellowish or grayish brown fur. It is solitary and nocturnal, more agile, “grunts” and grinds its teeth when in danger, in addition, it does not live well with humans.

The rabbit is smaller, measuring 44 centimeters and its ears are shorter. It can have a variety of colors and lives in flocks. It is quieter than the hare, digs its lair and learns to live with humans.

Even with some similarities in appearance, the main difference between buffaloes and oxen is in their horns, which depending on the species can be large and curved – like African buffaloes. In the case of buffaloes, both males and females have them. They are mostly found in savannas, in herds that can have between 50 and 500 individuals. Because they are wild, they are considered one of the most dangerous animals, in addition to being more resistant to environmental diversities and pests.

The ox, on the other hand, is nothing more than an adult bull already castrated, although in popular language we call everything an ox. Its horns are pointed in shape. It can be domesticated and its herds are found in various regions of the planet.

With their physical similarities it is easy to confuse them. In fact, they are not synonymous. The biggest difference is in the snout, which in the alligator is wider, while in the crocodile, it is thinner. The jaws of the latter are the same size, in fact, its body is also larger and on its scales there are spots and undulations at the ends of the crest, which alligators do not have. While the crocodile can swim in salt water, the alligator lives in fresh water. What is certain is that the crocodile is extremely aggressive, while the alligator is less likely to attack humans.

Here, we have a difference that was created by human beings, after all there is no difference between them, as they are from the same family. We usually call them that, just because one lives in salt water, while the other lives in fresh water. We’re more used to bottlenose dolphins, like Flipper, because they appear more in the movies. It is found in oceans and lakes. It can measure between 1.9 m and 3.8 m. Unlike porpoises, dolphins live in groups of about ten members.

The pink dolphin is the largest river dolphin, at about 2.55 m in length. Its color depends on the temperature of the water and, as it lives in turbid rivers, it is found in Amazonian rivers. It is also more solitary, being able to be seen in the company of three others of the same species. Both are very intelligent and great swimmers.

Although they belong to the same family, the marsh deer is found only in South America and measures around 1.27 m in height. It is a solitary, diurnal animal that feeds mainly on aquatic plants. Its horns have only four main branches. The red deer, on the other hand, lives in Europe, Asia and North Africa. Its height varies between 1.2 m to 2.4 m in length. The male’s antlers grow in the form of a twig and gain more branches each year.

Even with some similarities, the maned wolf is a distinct species and does not belong to the group of wolves, coyotes, dogs, jackals and foxes. It is a territorial animal, with solitary habits and, although adults have red-golden fur, their young are born with black fur and a white tail tip. Meanwhile, the fox, especially the red fox, is found in the northern hemisphere and even though it appears to be solitary, it can sometimes live in pairs. Its fur is soft and silky, but it gives off an odor that can be compared to that of a skunk.

Coatis can sometimes be confused with raccoons, but they have a more elongated body and a long snout. They live in large flocks of females and young males, but the adult male lives alone, joining the group only during mating periods. With diurnal habits, they usually sleep in the tops of trees and only come down to feed after dawn. They can be found in the Americas.

The hand-naked raccoon is a solitary animal, nocturnal and terrestrial, lives near water sources and measures around 60 centimeters in length. In addition, this is the only species of raccoon that lives in Brazil.

The donkey, a kind of relative of the horse, can also be called an ass or a donkey, depending on the region of Brazil. It is a very resistant animal and can be found almost all over the planet. The donkey, on the other hand, is the result of the cross between the donkey and the mare. The difference between them is that the donkey’s ear is bigger, in relation to the size, the donkey is taller.

The biggest difference between them is linked to the rest of the wings and their antennae. Moths keep their wings flat on their backs when they are closed, while butterflies keep them upright when performing the same movement. Another feature is in their antennae: butterflies have them in the form of a “swab” or “hook” and, in moths, the antennae are bipectinate, that is, in the shape of a comb.

They are even very distant relatives, but opossums are marsupials, that is, they end the gestation of their young, which are born prematurely, in pouches, like kangaroos. Their dentition is like a dog’s, so in dangerous situations, skunks expose their teeth, unlike mice. Its tail assists in climbing trees and buildings, and its scent jet serves to attract mates, or is used in situations of extreme stress. We can also identify them by the dark spots around the eyes.

Rats, on the other hand, are rodents, they do not have an elongated snout, nor do they exude odors in risky situations, although they can leave a trail similar to ammonia.

The main difference between both species is that the ostrich is native to Africa, measures over 2.5 meters, lives in groups and has daily feeding routines, with fixed schedules. With an appetite that is difficult to satisfy, it can ingest anything, including stones. already the rhea is native to South America, whose habitat extends from Brazil to Patagonia. Its color is grayish, its wings are larger and drooping, in addition, its beak is smaller, its legs are covered with feathers, and it lives in groups of up to 100 individuals.

Often confused with the capybara, after all, both are herbivorous and semiaquatic rodents, the bathed vole (also known as nutria, caxingui or water rat) has as its main difference its long and thick tail, in addition to its weight. up to 7 kg. It has a solitary behavior and nocturnal habits, it lives on the banks of lakes, rivers and swamps, which is why it received this name.

On the other side, we have the capybara – the largest vegetarian rodent in the world – which can weigh up to 91 kg. In contrast, it has no tail. It is an excellent swimmer with day and night habits, living in groups of about 20 individuals.

Hedgehog or porcupine? Here is a very thorny question, after all this is the main characteristic of these animals. The hedgehog, or Brazilian porcupine, can be found from Rio de Janeiro to Rio Grande do Sul, including Minas Gerais. Its main defense is the thorns that, contrary to what many think, are not thrown. Like many animals mentioned on this list, he is also nocturnal and is a solitary animal.

Natural from Europe, the hedgehog, also known as the African pygmy hedgehog, can be raised as a pet, after all, its spines do not stick and it fits in the palm of the hand. In fact, his ball position is nothing more than a defense of this kind. Mammal and carnivore, it feeds on insects and roots, in nature, and cat food, when domesticated. Despite being active, he doesn’t really like interactions, but we couldn’t resist and ended up interacting really…