Describe the limits of the range. For migratory species describe which parts of the range this species occupies for which parts of the year. Indicate both native and introduced ranges.

Use the world map of geographic ranges to help you find the appropriate world regions.

Indicate both native and introduced ranges by checking the appropriate keywords.

In the text box describe the habitat types that this species occupies, including the elevational (terrestrial) or depth (aquatic) ranges, and any other information on habitat requirements.

Select all habitat checkboxes that apply to this species. At least one of the broad region categories should be selected (polar, temperate, or tropical) and at least one of the broad habitat type categories should be selected (terrestrial, saltwater or marine, or freshwater).

You should then be able to select a more specific type of habitat from the terrestrial, aquatic, or other categories. For example, two-toed sloths would have "tropical", "terrestrial", and "rainforest" selected. Use the Description of Terrestrial and Aquatic Biomes to see a definition of each of the habitat keywords. If the species is migratory, describe all habitats that it regularly occupies.

Use the text box to describe this species. Describe its size, appearance, shape, color, and anything else that is notable. Has geographic or seasonal variation been reported? If there are described sub-species, how do the sub-species differ? Are there polymorphisms? How do young animals differ from adults? Be sure to include a description of the characteristics that distinguish this species from other, closely related, species.

Describe the development and life cycle of this species. How does it progress from newly fertilized egg, through intermediate stages, and to the adult form? Does this involve metamorphosis? How is sex determined? Does your species have indeterminate growth?

Try to be as complete as possible in filling out this information and checking all keywords that apply to these animals. If you do not know whether these animals breed year round or seasonally, or if they are polygynous or promiscuous, then continue to try to find this information or at least an indication that this information is not known. Use the checkboxes that appear below a text box as a guide to what kinds of information should be included in that text box.

In this section describe the mating system and mating behavior of this species. Include information on finding, attracting, and defending mates, and on how mating behaviors affect social structure.

Use the text box to describe the reproductive cycle of this species. Be certain that you are reporting all of the important information relevant to reproduction. In the case of a mammal, this would include season of breeding, number of offspring per breeding season, gestation period, when weaning occurs, and age at sexual maturity. It might also include a description of any peculiarities of the system or anything that is notable or interesting. Examples might include descriptions of delayed implantation or fertilization, induced or spontaneous ovulation, or, in the case of hoofed mammals, whether the young are "followers" or "hiders."

Describe how frequently, or at what intervals, individuals of this species breed. For example: "Wood frogs breed once yearly", or: "White-footed mice breed every 3 to 4 weeks during the warmer months and less frequently during winter".

Indicate the time of year (span of months, for instance) in which breeding occurs. This should be the time when copulation and nesting occurs, and does not necessarily include pair formation (that can go in 'Mating Behavior...').

Indicate the time of year (span of months, for instance) in which fertilization occurs, and, if appropriate, spawning. This does not extend to the time of hatching or birth (that's Gestation or Time to Hatching), and does not necessarily include pair formation (that goes in 'Mating Behavior...').

Indicate the time of year (span of months, for instance) in which fertilization occurs, and, if appropriate, spawning and/or nesting. This does not necessarily include pair formation (that goes in 'Mating Behavior...').

Indicate the time of year (span of months, for instance) in which fertilization occurs, and, if appropriate, spawning and/or nesting. This does not necessarily include pair formation (that goes in 'Mating Behavior...').

Indicate the time of year (span of months usually) in which mating occurs. This should be the time when copulation occurs, not pair formation (which should be in 'Mating Systems'), and should not include the time when births occur (please describe that information in the 'General Behavior' text box).

Indicate the time of year (span of months, for instance) in which fertilization and egg-laying occurs. This does not extend to the time of hatching (that's Gestation or Time to Hatching), and does not necessarily include pair formation (that goes in 'Mating Behavior...').

Indicate the time of year (span of months, for instance) in which copulation and egg-laying or births occur. Include period of incubation or nest-guarding, if appropriate.

Indicate the time of year (span of weeks or months, for instance) in which courtship, mating and oviposition occurs.

Indicate the time of year (span of weeks or months, for instance) in which courtship, mating and oviposition occurs.

Indicate the time of year (span of weeks or months, for instance) in which courtship, mating or gamete exchange, and egg-laying or births occur.

Indicate the time of year (span of weeks or months, for instance) in which courtship, mating or gamete release, and egg-laying or births occur.

Indicate the time of year (span of weeks or months, for instance) in which courtship, mating or gamete release, and egg-laying or births occur.

Indicate the time of year (span of weeks or months, for instance) in which mating or gamete release, and egg-laying or births occur.

Indicate the time of year (span of weeks or months, for instance) in which copulation or gamete release and egg-laying or births occur.

Indicate the time of year (span of weeks or months, for instance) in which, copulation or gamete release and egg-laying or births occur.

Indicate the time of year (span of weeks or months, for instance) in which asexual reproduction, gamete release, and/or mating and egg-laying occurs.

Indicate the time of year (span of weeks or months, for instance) in which asexual reproduction, gamete release, and/or mating and egg-laying occurs.

Indicate the time of year (span of weeks or months, for instance) in which asexual reproduction, gamete release, and/or mating and egg-laying occurs.

Indicate the time of year (span of weeks or months, for instance) in which asexual reproduction, gamete release, and/or mating and egg-laying occurs.

Indicate the time of year (span of weeks or months, for instance) in which asexual reproduction, gamete release, and/or mating and egg-laying occurs.

Describe the extent and kind of parental investment found in this species. Include information on the duration of various forms of parental investment, including parental investment that occurs pre-fertilization, pre-hatching, or pre-independence. Describe the kinds of investment provided by parents (food, protection, resources, learning, etc.) and which parents make this investment.

If the species you are writing about is hermaphroditic, then you should select both male and female parental investment where appropriate. If your source does not indicate which parent makes a particular kind of investment, then simply click on the checkbox for the parental investment category (for example: pre-hatching provisioning).

Describe also the kinds of parental care that occur between birth/hatching and weaning/fledgling (see pre-weaning/fledging keywords below) and between weaning/fledging and independence (see pre-independence keywords below). Include information on time to weaning, hatching, or fledging and duration of dependence on parents (most often longer than weaning, hatching, or fledging).

Briefly describe what is known about the lifespan of this species in the wild and in captivity. You may wish to include information on what typically limits lifespan, such as tooth wear in elephants, if it is known. Include as much information as you can find on the typical lower, typical highest, and average lifespan in the appropriate fields and be sure to select the appropriate units. Sometimes data is presented as %mortality per year, please present these data as well.

Use the text box to describe as fully as possible behavior in this species. Is this a solitary or social species? Does it move around or is it sessile? Are there any notable aspects of its behavior that you think distinguish it, such as the way it moves, what its activity patterns are, or how it behaves with others of its species? If social, describe the social system. Are there social hierarchies? On what are they based? This is a very broad category, and you are welcome to mention any aspect of the animal's behavior that is interesting. Note that mating behavior belongs in the reproduction box, not here. Select all keywords that apply to this species and be certain that you have described those behaviors in the text box.

Describe how this species communicates with others and perceives the environment. Which senses are developed and what are they used for? Are there forms of social communication? How do potential mates communicate? Describe important and notable forms of communication, such as how social rank is communicated among wild dogs or how bees convey information about food sources. Select as many of the keywords as apply to this species.

Use the following list of keywords to describe how these animals communicate with other animals.

Use the following list of keywords to describe how these animals perceive their environment.

Use this text box to describe what these animals eat. If there are special structures or adaptations for feeding, describe them. Try to use summarizing terms like "insectivore," "frugivore," "omnivore," etc., but also describe the foods used in more detail. If your animal is a dietary generalist, provide some specific examples of foods eaten identified by scientific name. If your animal is a dietary specialist, provide a complete list of foods eaten by scientific name. Surround the scientific names of animals with <<>> (for example: <<Canis rufus>>) so that the name acts as a direct link to information on that animal.

Use the text box to describe any anti-predator adaptations found in this species, including behaviors, structures, color patterns, or life history modifications. Identify known predators of this species and provide details on differences in predators and anti-predator adaptations among different life stages of this species, if appropriate.

List known predators of this species identified by common and scientific name, if possible.

Include as much information as you can find on the role that these animals play in the ecosystems to which they belong. Use the text box to describe these roles and their impact on the community. Then check all keywords that apply to this species and list any host species (if your species is parasitic or commensal on another), mutualist partners, and commensal species (if your species is a host to other commensals). Often this kind of information is difficult to find labeled as an 'ecosystem role', but you can speculate to some extent based on available information. For instance, all animals are prey for their predators or act as predators, these are ecosystem roles.

Describe what is known about benefits this species provides to humans. Please also suggest how humans benefit from the ecosystem functions of this species.

Be sure to select all checkboxes that apply to this species.

Describe what is known about how this species adversely affects humans. Does this species adversely affect humans? If so, describe what is known about these affects. If not, please write: 'There are no known adverse affects of your species on humans.'

Include here anything else that you find interesting about this species. Examples might include taxonomic changes relevant to this animal (such as alternative classification schemes and other scientific names by which this species is known), scientific name etymology, fossil history, cultural or historical significance of this animal, or adaptations not covered in other categories.