sources

Research Standards

WildPedia articles should point readers toward reliable, current, and traceable wildlife information.

Preferred source types

Source type	Best used for	What to check
Peer-reviewed research	Behavior, ecology, physiology, genetics, population studies	Publication date, study location, sample size, and whether findings apply broadly
Official conservation assessments	Threat category, population trend, range, threats	Assessment year, geographic scope, and assessing authority
Government wildlife agencies	Local range, legal protection, safety guidance, recovery programs	Jurisdiction and update date
Museums and universities	Taxonomy, identification, natural history, educational summaries	Named authors, references, and institutional expertise
Recognized scientific databases	Names, distribution records, traits, and literature discovery	Version, access date, and data limitations

Common reference starting points

The following organizations and databases can be useful starting points. Their inclusion does not imply endorsement of WildPedia, and the most appropriate source depends on the species and claim.

• IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
• Catalogue of Life and recognized taxonomic databases
• Animal Diversity Web
• Smithsonian institutions and natural-history museums
• National oceanic, fisheries, forestry, and wildlife agencies
• Peer-reviewed journals and university repositories

How references should appear

Recommended citation information

• Author or responsible organization
• Title of article, assessment, database entry, or paper
• Publisher or journal
• Publication or assessment date
• Stable URL or DOI when available
• Date accessed for changing web resources

Source evaluation

Is the source authoritative for this exact claim?

A veterinary paper may be strong for physiology but not for a global population estimate. Match the expertise and scope to the claim.

Is the information current enough?

Taxonomy, protected status, distribution, and population estimates can change. Check for recent updates.

Does the source distinguish evidence from inference?

Prefer sources that describe methods, uncertainty, and limitations rather than presenting unsupported certainty.

Can another reliable source confirm the claim?

Cross-check high-impact, safety-related, contested, or surprising statements.

Article references

Each detailed animal article should include its own source list. This page explains the general standard; it is not a substitute for article-specific citations.

Last updated: July 29, 2026