ANIMALS

A spider can now make red silk thanks to gene editing.

This Genetically-Engineered Spider Shoots Red Fluorescent Silk

Getting bitten by it won’t give you superpowers, as far as we know.

Penguin Poop: The Latest Tool to Fight Climate Change

Ammonia from the birds’ guano can mix with other gases and form clouds, potentially cooling Earth’s surface and preserving Antarctic ice, a new study suggests.

8 Dogs Bred for Oddly Specific Purposes

From the Tibetan Mastiff to the Japanese Chin, many popular dog breeds have highly-specialized origins.

These adorable guys look like they wouldn‘t steal babies.

Capuchins Are ‘Kidnapping’ Baby Monkeys of Different Species, And Scientists Are Baffled

Researchers have discovered a weird, new behavior among capuchin monkeys, and it involves kidnapping howler monkey infants.

11 Wild Facts About Dingoes

Learn more about Australia's half-wild canine, from their flexible wrists to their genetic origins.

A male greater sage-grouse performing his mating display.

How Grand Teton National Park Is Using Papier-Mâché Birds to Protect the Greater Sage-Grouse

Greater sage-grouse are at risk near Jackson Hole Airport—but handmade decoys are guiding them to safer ground.

This puny creature packs a powerful sting.

What to Know About the Invasive Asian Needle Ants Spreading Across the U.S.

Asian needle ants may look small, but their stings are no joke.

Remains of What Could Be America’s First Domestic Cats Came From a 16th-Century Shipwreck

A sunken ship near Florida holds clues to the early history of cats in the U.S.

15 Toothsome Facts About the Megalodon Shark

The megalodon was the largest shark to ever live, but luckily for us, it’s definitely extinct.

Golden retrievers have a very family-friendly reputation.

12 Dog Breeds That Are Good with Kids

Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, and poodles are just a few of the dog breeds with family-friendly reputations.

11 Awesome Animal Kingdom Moms

From carrying their young for years to feeding their babies poop, some animal moms just go above and beyond.

The stingray it on the left, and the skate is to the right.

Skates vs. Rays: What‘s the Difference?

Skates lay black, ravioli-shaped egg cases. Rays give birth to live pups.

Tallest Dog Meets Smallest Dog - Guinness World Records

Watch the World’s Tallest Dog Meet the World’s Smallest

Meet Pearl and Reggie: the world’s smallest and tallest dogs brought together by Guinness World Records.

Axolotls are cute and important to the environment.

Captive-Bred Axolotls Can Survive in the Wild, Sparking Hope for the Endangered Species

Scientists in Mexico have found that axolotls bred in captivity can survive and thrive in their native habitat—which is great news for the species.

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.