NEWS

Three outer cases of the “bone collector” caterpillar decorated with insect body parts.

This Newly-Identified Carnivorous Caterpillar Wears the “Bones” of Its Prey

The Hawaiian caterpillar adorns itself in dead bug parts—and its gruesome habits might be key to its survival in spider webs.

7 of the Most Memorable Energy Drinks That Got Discontinued

Discontinued energy drinks like Surge, Vault, and MTN Dew Energy might be gone from stores, but the memory of them still gives us a nice little pick-me-up.

Can You Solve This Old-Timey Riddle? #35

The riddle below dates back to 1754—can you figure it out?

A crowd of workers gathered at a May Day event in New York City, early 20th century.

What Is May Day?

May Day isn’t just for Maypole-dancing anymore. Here's how May 1 evolved from a pagan holiday to a communist day of remembrance.

16 Things You May Not Know About ‘Full Metal Jacket’

By the time 'The Shining' was in theaters, Stanley Kubrick had already decided that for his next project he wanted to make a film that depicted the realities of war.

The history surrounding this issue is long and complicated.

Men’s Pockets Really Are Deeper Than Women’s—And Here’s Why

You aren’t just imagining things—the pockets on men's clothing really are deeper than in women’s clothing. Discover the reasoning behind this odd (but deliberate) design choice here.

The 10 Most Pet-Friendly Cities Around the World

See which international cities offer the best conditions for you and your companion.

A Scottish wildcat, likely with some domestic house cat mixed in.

8 Animals That Recently Went Extinct

These fluffy, scaly, and feathered friends will be missed.

The Dubious Legend of Virgil’s Pet Fly

Did the great poet really build a tomb for a household pest?

A Shattered Flower Pot With a Secret Nets $60,000 at Auction

The ceramic pot was left in a garden for years. It was a genuine work of art hiding in plain sight.

The 15 Top-Trending National Parks for Campers

Planning your next adventure? These national parks are campers’ top picks for stunning views and unforgettable hikes.

Definition Detective Quiz #35

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?

There have been 23 Pope Johns, but only one Pope Francis.

Why Do Popes Change Their Names?

For centuries, men assuming the top job in the Roman Catholic Church kept their birth names. That changed with Pope John II.

7 Fascinating Facts About the Sun

Get ready to feel small: The sun is 99.8 percent of the mass of the solar system. Here are more colossal facts about our star.

Rome is a gorgeous city, but it‘s not the cleanest.

The Cleanest Cities Around the World

Before booking your next trip, explore the cities leading in cleanliness.

Amelia Earhart, Ambrose Bierce, and Jimmy Hoffa.

7 Historical Figures Who Disappeared Without a Trace

First they made history, then they vanished from it.

An aerial view of a sinkhole in Wales that appeared in December 2024.

What Causes Sinkholes?

Sinkholes have gulped down suburban homes, Corvettes, the White House lawn, a sizable chunk of Louisiana, and even people. How does the ground just open up like that?

Every State‘s Favorite Color, Mapped

Ever wonder which color your state likes most? New research from the house painting company BLUE Painting shows the answer.

12 Things You Say Without Realizing You’re Quoting Poetry

If you’ve ever talked about “the birds and the bees” or referenced “the best laid plans of mice and men,” then you’ve inadvertently quoted some of the English language’s most famous poets.

See if you can decipher this twisted tune.

Tune Twist Quiz #38

Can you figure out what the song is, or which musical it came from?

‘Why, yes, I am from Long Island! How did you know?’

Do Animals Have Regional Accents?

Can a Boston dog bahk?

Los Angeles Red Carpet event for CBS’s ‘Survivor.’

25 Things You Might Not Know About ‘Survivor’

From its humble origins to its use of body doubles to the person who nearly got Jeff Probst’s job as host, here’s what you need to know about ‘Survivor,’ which turns 25 this year.

When the conclave of cardinals have elected a new pope, white smoke is emitted from the chapel chimney.

How Do They Make the Smoke for a Papal Conclave?

When Catholic cardinals meet to pick a new pope in a papal conclave, they have signaled their progress by sending colored smoke up the chapel chimney.

20 of the Strangest Maps Ever Created

Odd cartographic creations like ‘Fool’s Cap Map of the World,’ ‘Leo Belgicus,’ and ‘The Porcineograph’ make the classic Mercator Projection look outright dull.