Wildlife Species Library

Identification guides, behavior notes, and camera tips for the wildlife visiting backyard habitats across the EverydayEarth community.

Laced Moray
Fish

Laced Moray

Gymnothorax favagineus

The Laced Moray is the stunning 'leopard' of the ocean, draped in a high-contrast honeycomb pattern that provides per...

Lake Trout
Fish

Lake Trout

Salvelinus namaycush

A deep-water titan of the north, the Lake Trout is a master of the cold. With its beautiful spotted coat and forked t...

Lake Whitefish
Fish

Lake Whitefish

Coregonus clupeaformis

Meet the 'silver of the Great Lakes.' The Lake Whitefish is a cold-water specialist recognized by its unique humpback...

Lane Snapper
Fish

Lane Snapper

Lutjanus synagris

Featuring brilliant golden stripes and a signature black 'thumbprint,' the Lane Snapper is a colorful jewel of the At...

Largehead Hairtail
Fish

Largehead Hairtail

Trichiurus lepturus

A shimmering silver ribbon of the deep, the Largehead Hairtail is a fierce predator known for its fang-like teeth and...

Largescale Stoneroller
Fish

Largescale Stoneroller

Campostoma oligolepis

The Largescale Stoneroller is a hardworking herbivore and a vital architect of North American streams. Watch as these...

Leaf Scorpionfish
Fish

Leaf Scorpionfish

Taenianotus triacanthus

A master of underwater disguise, the Leaf Scorpionfish hides in plain sight by mimicking a piece of drifting debris. ...

Leafy Filefish
Fish

Leafy Filefish

Chaetodermis penicilligerus

The ultimate master of marine disguise, the Leafy Filefish uses elaborate skin tassels and a swaying motion to transf...

Least Brook Lamprey
Fish

Least Brook Lamprey

Lampetra aepyptera

Meet the Least Brook Lamprey, a harmless, ancient resident of North American streams that spends years hidden in the ...

Least Killifish
Fish

Least Killifish

Heterandria formosa

Meet North America's smallest fish, a tiny livebearer that thrives in the hidden jungles of backyard ponds and southe...

Lemon Shark
Fish

Lemon Shark

Negaprion brevirostris

With their signature sun-kissed hue and social disposition, lemon sharks are the charismatic residents of the world's...

Leopard Dace
Fish

Leopard Dace

Rhinichthys falcatus

With its striking spotted pattern and love for rushing rivers, the Leopard Dace is a hidden gem of the Pacific Northw...

Leopard Shark
Fish

Leopard Shark

Triakis semifasciata

Admired for its stunning spotted coat and graceful movement, the Leopard Shark is a peaceful resident of North Americ...

Leopard Whipray
Fish

Leopard Whipray

Himantura leoparda

Adorned with striking leopard-like rings, this graceful stingray is a master of disguise in the tropical Indo-Pacific...

Lesser Amberjack
Fish

Lesser Amberjack

Seriola fasciata

The Lesser Amberjack is a hidden gem of the deep Atlantic, a streamlined hunter that thrives among the shadows of anc...

Lesser Guitarfish
Fish

Lesser Guitarfish

Acroteriobatus annulatus

Meet the 'Sandshark' that isn't a shark at all—the Lesser Guitarfish is a beautifully patterned ray that glides throu...

Light Dusky Rockfish
Fish

Light Dusky Rockfish

Sebastes variabilis

A social wanderer of the North Pacific kelp forests, the Light Dusky Rockfish is a master of the mid-water reefs. Wit...

Lined Combtooth Blenny
Fish

Lined Combtooth Blenny

Ecsenius lineatus

A master of the 'perch and watch' lifestyle, the Lined Combtooth Blenny brings personality to the reef with its strik...

Little Tunny
Fish

Little Tunny

Euthynnus alletteratus

The speed demon of the Atlantic coast, the Little Tunny is a master of the high-speed chase. With its stunning 'worm-...

Longfin Damselfish
Fish

Longfin Damselfish

Stegastes diencaeus

The Longfin Damselfish is the reef's dedicated gardener, famous for cultivating algae lawns and even domesticating it...

Longfin Halfbeak
Fish

Longfin Halfbeak

Hemiramphus saltator

A master of the ocean's surface, the Longfin Halfbeak is famous for its spear-like jaw and its ability to skip across...

Longfin Mako
Fish

Longfin Mako

Isurus paucus

Meet the Longfin Mako, the elusive, deep-sea cousin of the world's fastest shark. With its striking long fins and lar...

Longfin Smelt
Fish

Longfin Smelt

Spirinchus thaleichthys

A shimmering silver resident of Pacific estuaries, the Longfin Smelt is a vital indicator of our coastal ecosystem's ...

Longfinned Triplefin
Fish

Longfinned Triplefin

Ruanoho decemdigitatus

An endemic treasure of the New Zealand coast, the Longfinned Triplefin is a master of camouflage that 'hops' across t...

Longhorned Pygmy Devil Ray
Fish

Longhorned Pygmy Devil Ray

Mobula eregoodoo

A miniature marvel of the Indo-Pacific, the Longhorned Pygmy Devil Ray is an acrobatic filter feeder that 'flies' thr...

Longjaw Mackerel
Fish

Longjaw Mackerel

Rastrelliger kanagurta

A flash of silver in the tropical surf, the Longjaw Mackerel is a fast-moving marvel of the Indo-Pacific. Known for i...

Longlure Frogfish
Fish

Longlure Frogfish

Antennarius multiocellatus

Meet the Atlantic's most patient angler, a fish that 'walks' on its fins and uses a built-in lure to hunt. The Longlu...

Longnose Dace
Fish

Longnose Dace

Rhinichthys cataractae

Master of the rapids, the Longnose Dace is a marvel of aquatic engineering. With its unique 'nose' and streamlined bo...

Longnose Skate
Fish

Longnose Skate

Caliraja rhina

The Longnose Skate is a master of the Pacific seafloor, easily recognized by its unusually sharp, elongated snout and...

Longnose Sucker
Fish

Longnose Sucker

Catostomus catostomus

The Longnose Sucker is a master of the cold, northern depths, easily identified by its unique overhanging snout. A re...

Longsnout Boarfish
Fish

Longsnout Boarfish

Pentaceropsis recurvirostris

With a snout like a straw and a striking suit of racing stripes, the Longsnout Boarfish is one of the most distinctiv...

Longtail Garfish
Fish

Longtail Garfish

Hyporhamphus quoyi

A sleek, surface-skimming marvel of the Indo-Pacific, the Longtail Garfish is famous for its unique 'halfbeak' and it...

Longtail Stingray
Fish

Longtail Stingray

Hypanus longus

A majestic glider of the Eastern Pacific, the Longtail Stingray is famous for its incredible whip-like tail and elega...

Lookdown
Fish

Lookdown

Selene vomer

With a body as thin as a cracker and a brilliant mirror-like finish, the Lookdown is one of the Atlantic's most strik...

Lutke's Halfbeak
Fish

Lutke's Halfbeak

Hemiramphus lutkei

A sleek, surface-skimming marvel of the Indo-Pacific, the Lutke's Halfbeak is easily recognized by its remarkable nee...

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