From butterflies to beetles, moths to mosquitoes, insects are a diverse bunch—and they’re crucial to keeping ecosystems healthy.

A symbol of beauty transformed from humble beginnings, butterflies are one of the few insects who garner near universal appreciation.

Pangolins are gentle mammals who curl into a defensive ball when threatened.

Bears are powerful, majestic animals who face numerous threats.

Misunderstood skunks are gentle, near-sighted animals with one infamous—and pungent—defense mechanism.

Chimpanzees are wild, complex animals who live in family groups and form lifelong bonds.

Ducks are social birds who live in waterways such as ponds and streams, with a maximum lifespan of about 20 years.

A keystone species, bees are responsible for sustaining ecosystems and billions of dollars in agricultural crops each year.

Often maligned and misunderstood, opossums play many important roles in their ecosystems.

Wild turkeys can live up to 12 years.

The only mammals who can both flap their wings and fly, bats play a key role in pollinating our crops and controlling insect populations in our neighborhoods.