ANIMALS

A snapshot from the 150th Kentucky Derby, 2024.

10 Questions About the Kentucky Derby, Answered

Put on a fancy hat, grab a mint julep, and become the best-informed person at your Derby party.

Who would have thought a woodpecker could be so destructive.

Locals Shield Their Cars From Vandal Woodpecker in Rockport, Massachusetts

A territorial woodpecker has broken dozens of car mirrors in a bizarre springtime rampage.

A diver is about a meter behind the coelacanth discovered at a depth of 144 meters in North Maluku, Indonesia.

Scientists Capture First Footage of Ancient Coelacanth in Its Natural Habitat

Researchers in Indonesia have filmed a rare coelacanth nearly 500 feet underwater—marking the first time the fish has been recorded in its native environment.

Canadian Museum Builds LEGO Mobility Device for Its Three-Footed Resident Turtle

A clever team at Canada’s Museum of Natural History built a LEGO mobility aid to help a turtle named Root move around with ease.

10 Things You May Not Know About Cardinals

These crested songbirds add a welcome dash of color to yards throughout much of the United States. Let’s get a little better acquainted with our rosy, non-migratory neighbors.

Valerie proves that dachshunds are stronger than you might think.

“Impossible to Catch” Dachshund Lost in the Wilderness for 529 Days Is Finally Rescued

After escaping during a 2023 vacation, miniature dachshund Valerie survived in the wilderness alone for over a year.

Bees are being exposed to microplastics, and that's not good for anyone.

Bad Buzz: Microplastics Are Affecting Bee Cognition

Inhaling and ingesting tiny bits of plastic are giving bees memory issues—and can even kill them.

The Dark History Behind the Phrase ‘Canary in the Coal Mine’

Any early warning sign can be a canary in a coal mine. But the original meaning was more specific.

Interactive Cicada Map Shows Where You Can See (and Hear) Brood XIV This Spring

Use this map from the University of Connecticut to check if 17-year periodical cicadas will appear in your neighborhood soon.

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.

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.

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

Do Animals Have Regional Accents?

Can a Boston dog bahk?

It's a 'red' lobster dinner for a reason.

The Reason Why Lobsters Turn Bright Red When You Boil Them

Lobsters don’t come out of the sea looking bright red—that only happens after you boil them. Find out more about why it happens here.

HeroRAT Ronin Breaks Guinness World Records® title

Rat Sets Record for Most Land Mines Sniffed Out By His Species

Ronin the rat proves rodents can be heroes too.

Just a proud pup and his stash of bones.

Why Do Dogs Like to Bury Things?

Dogs can tear up a lawn with an overwhelming desire to dig and bury things. Where does that impulse come from, and what do they think they’re accomplishing?

Sea Pigs, Sea Spiders, and More Bizarre Creatures Collected Off Antarctica

Researchers witness strange sea animals, including poisonous sea pigs and hand-sized sea spiders, while sailing to the Denman Glacier.

See the first colossal squid ever caught on camera

Rare Video Shows a Colossal Squid Swimming in the Deep Ocean

A baby colossal squid was filmed deep in the South Atlantic—revealing rare footage of the ocean’s heaviest invertebrate.

Hello.it‘s leash combines renewable energy with dog walking.

This High-Tech Leash Comes With an “Emergency Brake”

Tired of your dog running wild on walks? A smarter leash could help with that.

Does De-Extinction Actually Work?

“It’s like if you took a chimpanzee and edited its genome to be a little taller and hairless, and then said you brought back Neanderthals,” one scientist said.

11 Dog Breeds That No Longer Exist

Who’s a good dog? They were. They were.

Two capybaras relaxing in a cafe in Bangkok.

Capybara Cafe in Florida Lets Guests Chill With the Internet’s Favorite Rodents

Capybaras, wallabies, and even a skunk await at Florida’s Capybara Cafe—a quirky new hotspot raising awareness for animal welfare.

Snake Holes in Your Backyard? Here’s What To Do About It

Learn more about how to identify snake holes, including what signs to look for and which snakes are most likely to be slithering in your backyard.

They might seem icky, but we can‘t live without them.

Fly Migration Is Essential to Our Ecosystem, Study Finds

Flies aren’t just decomposers—they’re also pollinators and pest predators. Researchers shows it’s time to appreciate these misunderstood insects.