ANIMALS

What’s the Difference Between a Possum and an Opossum?

‘Possum’ and ‘opossum’ are sometimes synonyms—but sometimes they refer to different animals. (Also, there’s a chance you've been pronouncing ‘opossum’ wrong all along.)

'Nature's Pitfall' by Samantha Stephens.

See 11 Stunning Images From the 4th Annual Close-Up Photographer of the Year Competition

Slime mold definitely had a moment—but it’s hard to beat two dead salamanders floating in a carnivorous plant.

A lot of the world’s largest dogs were Great Danes.

6 of History’s Biggest Dogs

Some of the world’s largest dogs have tipped the scales in excess of 300 pounds and stood taller than some NBA players.

Beekeepers may have one less thing to worry about.

Science Buzz: A New Honeybee Vaccine Could Help Save Colonies

This vaccine could help honeybees combat American foulbrood, a disease that can wipe out entire colonies.

10 Scientific Benefits of Being a Cat Owner

Studies have shown that just watching cat videos on the internet can boost a person’s energy and create positive emotions—so it’s no surprise that actual cat ownership has a number of benefits. Here are a few.

10 Facts About Saint Bernards

When you think of Saint Bernards, you probably think of the massive canines of the Swiss Alps, depicted in paintings delivering brandy to lost or stranded hikers.

Bubble curtains have the power to decrease underwater noise.

Human Noise Harms the Ocean’s Biggest Creatures. Tiny Bubbles Could Help Protect Them.

While individual bubbles are fragile things, walls of them can muffle a major source of loud ocean noise.

Celebrate the end of 2022 with these acclaimed book titles.

Mental Floss’s 16 Best Books of 2022

From 'The Candy House' by Jennifer Egan to 'Tracy Flick Can’t Win' by Tom Perrotta, discover the best books of 2022 according to Mental Floss.

An elephant at the Berlin Zoo enjoying an old Christmas tree.

7 Animals That Would Love Your Used Christmas Tree

With Christmas now behind us, you might be thinking about taking down your tree soon. If you have a real tree, don’t be so quick to throw it out—many animals enjoy eating or playing with pine trees.

11 Facts About Huskies

Siberian huskies are known for their wolfish good looks, but deep down, they’re all dog.

A tree frog spits out a male wasp after being pseudo-stung.

Male Wasps Can Use Genital Spikes to Ward Off Frogs

Frogs trying to eat helpless male wasps are in for a nasty surprise.

Steven Spielberg Is Sorry That ‘Jaws’ Caused a Shark Panic

Steven Spielberg apologized for sparking an anti-shark feeding frenzy in the ’70s.

Hermey the Elf and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer from the Rankin/Bass television special.

Why Is Rudolph the Red-Nosed ‘Reindeer’ Actually a White-Tailed Deer?

Since the character's inception, Rudolph has more closely resembled a white-tailed deer than the reindeer that live near the North Pole.

Reindeer Vs. Caribou: What's the Difference?

The distinction between these animals is part cultural and part scientific. And lately, scientists have been reconsidering their relationship.

10 Facts About Scottish Fold Cats

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, bagpipes, and some of the world’s finest whiskies all hail from Scotland—but the country’s most lovable export might be the Scottish Fold Cat. (Sorry, Scottish Terriers.)

A Dimetrodon at the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Canada.

7 Prehistoric Creatures That Aren’t Dinosaurs

These prehistoric beasts deserve just as much recognition as their dinosaur peers.

All this dog wants is some chicken soup and ‘The Crown.’

Dogs Are in the Midst of a Terrible Flu Season, Too

Socializing your dog is good, but be aware it carries risk of canine flu.

There’s no denying Scottish terriers are cute.

11 Facts About the Scottish Terrier

Learn more about the dog in the Monopoly box.

Sámi herders tending to their reindeer in the Norwegian Arctic, 2016. | Scott Wallace/GettyImages

8 Facts About Sámi Reindeer Herders

For centuries, the Sámi people of Northern Europe have relied on reindeer herding for food, warmth, and income.

Gummy bears have a surprisingly dark origin.

The Surprisingly Dark Origins of Gummy Bears

From their dark roots to their migration to America, gummy bears play a large role in the history of candy.

The sound koalas make is quite startling.

Koalas’ Rumbling Roars Don't Match Their Cuddly Appearance

Koalas possess one of the greatest discrepancies between voice pitch and size in the animal kingdom.

A great white shark breaches at Seal Island, False Bay, South Africa.

8 Unusual Shark Behaviors That Might Surprise You

Some shark behaviors may look a little odd to us, but there are good reasons why they have evolved to perform them.

Can You Spot the Cat in This Sea of Owls?

You'll need some serious owl eyes to solve this hidden image brainteaser by Gergely “Dudolf” Dudás.

A Sea-Monkeys ad from an old comic book. A border has been added and the ad has been placed on a background.

20 Amazing Facts About Sea-Monkeys

Here are a few things you might not have known about Sea-Monkeys, one of your favorite childhood pets.

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