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Animals

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Could Cockroaches Really Survive a Nuclear War?

Cockroaches have a reputation for being indestructible. But they may not be as totally immune to radiation as people think.

10 Things You May Not Know About Skunks

Why Rabbits Are Growing Scary ‘Tentacle’ Warts on Their Heads in Colorado

Instead of Squishing Stink Bugs, Make This Easy DIY Trap

5 Awesome Facts About the Atlas Moth

This giant moth rivals any butterfly with its beauty and grandeur.
Will McGough|

Calling All Golden Retriever Owners: Your Dog Could Be the Next Air Bud

The search is on for the next Buddy. Submit your golden retriever’s video and join the legacy of the beloved Air Bud franchise.
CaLea Johnson|

Newly Identified Manta Ray Species Can Grow as Big as a Van

The newly identified Atlantic manta ray is officially a distinct species.
CaLea Johnson|

Pets

Why Is My Cat’s Tail All Puffed Up?

An extra-fluffy tail doesn’t just look cute—it’s your cat’s way of communicating how they feel.
Kirstin Fawcett|

How Do Cats Cool Themselves Off?

Here’s a hint: It’s not by sweating through their paws.
Hannah Keyser|

8 of the Most Expensive Dog Breeds in the World

You might be surprised to see which canines make the cut when it comes to the world’s most expensive dog breeds.
Jennifer Fabiano|

5 Ways to Keep Your Dog Calm This Fourth of July, According to Experts

Fourth of July fireworks and parties can be distressing for dogs—and their pet parents. Here are tips that can help.
Nicolas Rivero|

10 Expert Tips for Calming an Anxious Dog

We spoke to several veterinary behavior experts to learn how to keep anxious dogs calm, no matter the scenario.
Kate Schweitzer|

Why You Should Never Leave Your Dog in a Hot Car—Even For Just a Few Minutes

Sad but true: Your pet can die in a shockingly short amount of time.
Jake Rossen|

10 Very Good Service Dogs Who Saved Their Owners’ Lives

From guiding their owners to safety during 9/11 to dialing 911 during medical emergencies, these pups took their lifesaving duties to a whole other level.
Tony Dunnell|

8 Dogs Bred for Oddly Specific Purposes

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

Birds

Which Invasive Species Are Near You? Find Out With This Interactive Map

EDDMapS’s database has more than 9 million records of invasive species. See which ones hit close to home.
Ellen Gutoskey|

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.
Nick Keppler|

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.
CaLea Johnson|

Cats

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.

The 10 Most Pet-Friendly Cities Around the World

Kitten Season Is Coming—Here’s How You Can Help

How Do Cats Purr?

Dogs

11 Wild Facts About Dingoes

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

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.
Lorna Wallace|

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.
CaLea Johnson|

“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.
CaLea Johnson|

Fish

Hammer Time: Scientists Have Figured Out Why Hammerheads Love Eating Other Sharks

A hammerhead spends a lot of time and energy trying to binge-eat other big sharks. Here's why it pays off.
Jake Rossen|

Sardines vs. Anchovies: What‘s the Difference?

Anchovies or sardines? We break down how these small fish differ in looks, taste, and popular preparation methods.
CaLea Johnson|

Why Do Great White Sharks Have White Bellies?

Let’s dive into the evolutionary science behind the great white’s namesake feature.
CaLea Johnson|

10 Questionable Creature Features Spawned By ‘Jaws’

‘Claws’ didn’t draw the same crowds as ‘Jaws’ when it premiered two years later.
Jessica Young|

Insects

13 Things Made Collectible Thanks to Spelling Errors

From the Vatican’s “Lesus” medal to Beanie Babies to the Civil War coins that declare “shoot him on the spoot.”
Arika Okrent|

11 Rules (And Their Exceptions) to Help Conquer Your Spelling Woes

English spelling can be frustrating and confusing, but there are things you can do to help make the task of getting it right more manageable.
Editorial Staff|

11 Historical Figures Who Were Really Bad At Spelling

Would you recoil in terror if spell-check ever stopped working? Fear not: You're in good company.
Mark Mancini|

Reptiles

Tiny Gecko Rediscovered on Galápagos Island Where It Was Feared Extinct

A rare gecko once thought to be lost is making a comeback in the Galápagos.

A Three-Flippered Sea Turtle Named Dilly Dally Returns to the Sea

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

A Florida Park’s Gopher Tortoise Population Exploded Thanks to Hurricane Helene

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