ANIMALS

These cats went to sea and to space, and inspired artists, writers, and scientists.

17 of History's Coolest Cats

Anyone with a cat will probably argue that their feline is the coolest—but there have been at least a few other candidates through the ages, from Able Seacat Simon to Abraham Lincoln’s kitties to the feline that inspired Nikola Tesla.

Turtle mating makes for some funny sound effects.

10 Surprising Facts About Animal Sex

From turtle mating to what really turns big cats on, animal sex can be a lot weirder (and funnier) than you probably expected.

Why Do Goats Have Such Weird Eyes?

The shape of an animal’s pupils is a clue to its place in the food chain.

Pigs could be the next step in organ transplantation.

Scientific Progress Goes 'Oink': Part-Human Kidneys Have Been Grown in Pig Embryos

Kidney transplants my one day get an assist from porcine vessels.

Dolly the sheep created a media frenzy in 1997.

Dollymania: When Dolly the Sheep Created a ’90s Media Sensation

Dolly the sheep was the first animal cloned from a single adult cell—and raised a lot of questions about the future of human cloning.

Jacques Barraband, ‘Carolina Parakeet’ (1801)

The Curious Extinction of the Carolina Parakeet: An Avian Cold Case

The North American parrots vanished mysteriously in the early 20th century. Now scientists are closer to solving their disappearance.

Watch a Baby Chimpanzee Explore Coney Island in 1936

Shorty the Chimpanzee rides the merry-go-round and climbs on the Ferris wheel in this lighthearted 1936 newsreel.

One Second a Day - GDB Guide Dog in Training (Lombard)

Watch an Adorable Puppy Go Through Guide Dog Training

Professional dog trainer Hana Kim decided to document the challenging and adorable process of turning a puppy into a full-fledged guide dog.

10 Facts About the Portuguese Man O’ War

The Portuguese Man O' War might look like a bloated jellyfish, but it’s actually a strange amalgamation of tiny life forms.

Bison grazing in Grand Teton National Park.

What’s the Difference Between Bison and Buffalo?

In the U.S., the terms ‘bison’ and ‘buffalo’ are used interchangeably—but they’re actually two different animals. Here’s how to tell them apart.

Why You Shouldn’t Put Out Fake Spider Webs This Halloween

Though fall is the time for spooky décor, those fake spider webs can turn into a truly scary situation for birds, bees, and other wildlife.

Sandhill cranes over Nebraska's Platte River.

Which Birds Are Migrating Through Your Area? This Interactive Tool Tells You

BirdCast tells you how many birds are flying overhead on a given night, which species are coming and going, and more.

Halloween isn't the only time of year to celebrate these cute kitties.

10 Facts About Black Cats

Black cats do not bring bad luck, and they aren’t necessarily harder to adopt than other cats. Here are more facts about these adorably dark furballs.

Bird's Impressive Courtship Dance Moves Fail to Impress Partner

Female Bird Unimpressed by Male’s Overzealous Tap Dance

A safari group in South Africa witnessed one bird’s epic failure to woo a female.

Sometimes it's better to think inside the box.

7 of the Best Cat Litter Boxes, According to Experts

Whether you’re shopping for senior cats or looking for an automatic model, the best cat litter boxes can improve the quality of life for you and your favorite feline.

Sailors in the early days of exploration may have believed that manatees were mermaids.

The Origins of 13 Mythical Creatures

Unicorns, mermaids, vampires, and leprechauns are some of the most widely known mythical creatures, but where did these legendary beings come from?

Florida's capybaras tend to be pretty elusive.

Florida is Home to the Internet’s Favorite Rodent

The adorable animals are native to South America. So when people began spotting them in Florida, there were some questions.

16 Animals With Delightfully Obvious Names

From burrowing owls to smooth green snakes, these animal names don't leave much to the imagination.

Can You Actually Suck the Poison Out of a Snakebite?

You may have been taught the old cowboy trick of applying a tourniquet and using a blade to cut the bite wound to suck out the poison. It looks dramatic, but does it really work?

The Pallas’s cat is super cute—and pretty elusive.

12 Fascinating Facts About Pallas’s Cats

The elusive, fluffy wildcat may be adorable, but they’re not social animals. They don’t even seem to like each other very much.

Maui Wildfires Have Devastated the Hawaiian Island—Here are 5 Organizations That Are Helping

Maui residents need a tremendous amount of support right now. Here's how you can help.

There probably isn't any brandy in there.

Why Are St. Bernards Always Depicted With Barrels Around Their Necks?

The barrels we see around St. Bernards' necks in paintings and cartoons is the invention of an artist named Edwin Henry Landseer.

9 Bizarre and Beautiful Fancy Pigeons

For at least 500 years—and maybe more—pigeon fanciers have bred wonderfully bizarre-looking pigeons.

“Hank the Tank,” bear blamed for string of Tahoe break-ins, captured along with her cubs

'Hank the Tank' Caught: Burglar Bear's Crime Spree Comes to an End—But With a Twist

The felonious ursine has been linked to 21 break-ins in Lake Tahoe, California.

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