Australia's National Animal is no surprise - The Kangaroo: There are over 60 different species of kangaroos including wallabies, tree-kangaroos, wallaroos, pademelons and the Quokka. Their sizes range greatly from 0.5-90 kilograms (1.1 - 200 lbs.) and most species are only found in Australia. Kangaroos of all sizes have one thing in common, powerful back legs with long feet. Most kangaroos live on the ground and are distinguished from other animals by the way they hop on their strong back legs. The kangaroo's tail is used to balance while hopping and as a fifth limb when moving slowly. All female kangaroos have front-opening pouches, where the 'joey' or young kangaroo is raised until it can survive outside the pouch.

Canada's National Animal is the Beaver: When early European explorers arrived in Canada, the main mercantile attraction was the beaver, then a population numbering in the millions. Beavers live by rivers, streams, ponds and lakes and are one of the few animals that alter their environment in a large-scale way in order to provide themselves living space and protection. To create a habitat, beavers build a dam in a stream, flooding an area of the woods and creating a pond in which they can build a lodge, protecting them from predators. The beaver appeared on the "Three Penny Beaver” postage stamp in 1851 and in 1975, received the highest honor ever bestowed on a rodent and became an official emblem of Canada. Today, the Canadian Beaver appears on the back of the Canadian 5 cent coin and on coats of arms representing a few of Canada's provinces. Thanks to conservation, the Canadian beaver is alive and well.

China's National Animal is the Giant Panda: The giant panda (ailuropoda melanoleuca or "black-and-white cat-foot") is native to central and southern China. In China, they call the Panda "Xiongmao," which means Giant Cat Bear. Easily recognizable through its large, distinctive black patches around the eyes, ears and on its rotund body, the Giant Panda is an endangered animal, but reports show that the panda numbers in the wild are on the rise. Giant Pandas are one of the four bear species that do not hibernate. The panda has become an informal national emblem for China, and its image is found on many Chinese gold coins. To the Chinese, Pandas are symbols of peace and friendship.

India's National Animal is the Bengal Tiger: The Bengal Tiger or Royal Bengal Tiger is a subspecies of tiger found in parts of India, Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan and Myanmar. Bengal Tigers have been noted for their sheer power: One tiger has been observed to drag away a prey weighing one short ton that later on, 13 men together could not move--making the tiger powerful enough to drag something five times its own weight. The orange-brown color with black stripes is not only on the Tiger's fur, but it's also on its skin. Each Bengal Tiger has its own pattern of stripes which helps them hide from predators in tall grass and trees.

New Zealand's National Animal is the Kiwi: A Kiwi is a species of small flightless birds endemic to New Zealand. Some believe that the Maori - indigenous people of New Zealand - named the bird after the sound of its chirp - kiwi, kiwi, kiwi! Kiwi are shy and usually nocturnal, likely the result of habitat intrusion by predators, including humans. About the size of a domestic chicken, they are creatures with a highly developed sense of smell and, most unusual in a bird, nostrils at the end of their long bill. They feed by thrusting the bill into the ground in search of worms, insects, and other invertebrates.

Thailand's National Animal is the Thai Elephant: The Thai Elephant, sometimes known by the name of the Asian or Indian Elephant, is found primarily in large parts of India, Sri Lanka, Indochina peninsula and parts of Indonesia. It is smaller than its African relatives, and the easiest way to distinguish the two is the smaller ears of the Asian Elephant. Female Asian Elephants don't have tusks, unlike female African elephants. This animal is widely domesticated, and has been used in forestry in South and Southeast Asia for centuries and in ceremonial purposes. Wild elephants often attract tourist money to the areas where they can most readily be seen, but also, may damage crops and gardens in local villages.

The United States' National Animal is the Bald Eagle: The Bald Eagle, also known as the American Eagle, is a bird of prey found in North America. The species was on the brink of extinction in the USA late in the 20th century, but now has a stable population. This eagle gets its name from the distinctive appearance of the adult's head. The Bald Eagle is a sacred bird in early North American settlers' cultures. Its feathers, like those of the Golden Eagle, are central to many religious and spiritual customs amongst Native Americans. The Bald Eagle is one of the most recognizable symbols in the United States and appears on most of its official seals.