ANIMALS

Sea Cucumbers on One Coral Reef Drop Several Eiffel Towers’ Worth of Poop Each Year—and That’s a Good Thing

Slow clap for sea cucumbers, whose excretory achievements could help slow climate change damage to the Great Barrier Reef.

This Is Not a Drill: There’s a Platypus Live Cam at the San Diego Zoo

Thanks to the San Diego Zoo's live cam, you can see what America's most famous platypuses are up to in real time wherever you are.

The World's Tiniest Reptile Has Disproportionately Large Genitals

'Brookesia nana' males may be less than 1 inch long, but they make up for it by being able to strut around a locker room with enormous reproductive organs.

Scar, plotting murder (and possibly his next meal, too).

What Happened to Mufasa’s Carcass in The Lion King? A New Fan Theory Suggests Cannibalism

The Lion King’s Scar killed his brother, which already earned him a spot in the unofficial Disney Villain Hall of Infamy. Did he eat him, too?

What's the Difference Between Buzzards and Vultures?

If you call a buzzard a vulture in the UK, be prepared to get some strange looks. There is a difference between the two birds of prey.

The Reason Your Cat Loves to Sit On Your Computer Keyboard

This confounding cat behavior is mostly because our furry friends love warm spots and attention from you.

Game of Thrones’s Dire Wolves Existed—But a New Study Suggests They Weren’t Really Wolves

New research suggests that the real-life inspiration for Ghost from 'Game of Thrones' wasn’t a wolf species.

Ben & Jerry’s Now Makes Ice Cream for Dogs, Featuring "Rosie’s Batch" and "Pontch’s Mix"

Ben & Jerry’s latest flavors include “Rosie’s Batch” and “Pontch’s Mix,” named after actual employees’ dogs.

America's Most Popular Pet Names of the Past 100 Years

From Tippy to Tigger, this is what Americans have named their cats and dogs in the last hundred years or so.

26 Animals Who Ran Afoul of the Law

When it comes to weird animal stories, it’s hard to beat the one about the parrot who got arrested for cursing out an old woman.

Slow-motion footage of birds eating is strangely fascinating.

Watch Birds As They Snatch Food in Slow Motion

A Michigan photographer has filmed birds normally too quick for the human eye while they enjoy a snack.

Our 25 Most Popular Stories of 2020

While the COVID-19 pandemic was a driving force behind some of Mental Floss's most popular stories of 2020, the historical precedent of the 1918 pandemic was clearly of interest, too.

A cat that nuzzles your head is essentially saying you're part of the team. A subordinate, but still part of the team.

Why Do Cats Head Bump Humans?

Cats seem to enjoy booping humans on their foreheads. Is it a sign of affection, or yet another sign of condescension?

Tokyo Is Home to a Museum Full of Parasites

The Merugo Parasitological Museum has more than 300 life-sucking species on display, including a 28.9-foot long tapeworm. It's got date night written all over it.

Why Are Dogs So Afraid of Vacuums?

Just like fireworks and thunderstorms, vacuums are unexpectedly loud—but that’s not the only reason your dog hates them so much.

Young alligators can regenerate their tails.

Surprise! Alligators Can Regrow Their Tails

A small study of four young American alligators demonstrated that they can regrow damaged tails up to 9 inches in length.

A 1602 fresco by Domenichino showing Giulia Farnese with a unicorn.

You Can Get a Unicorn Hunting License From Michigan’s Lake Superior State College

Because the best way to find out if unicorns are real is to trek to the nearest forest and look for one yourself.

Bats can get cranky when they're being bothered by other bats.

Bats Argue a Lot, According to Science

The winged creatures are a mainstay of the macabre. But bats are probably too busy yelling at each other to bother you.

Scientists Have Observed Octopuses "Punching" Fish Silly

Researchers at the University of Lisbon have confirmed that octopuses will not hesitate to check a fish by smacking it senseless.

Why Do Dogs Have Whiskers?

To many dog owners, whiskers are just another cute feature on their pup's face. But they're much more than that to the canines who sport them.

Pooli the cat modeling her uniform on her 15th birthday.

6 Heroic Military Cats

Dogs and horses may rightfully claim their share of battlefield glory, but cats have proven themselves just as brave, cunning, and loyal.

Why Do Cats Throw Up So Often?

Even if you're used to seeing your cat throw up, don't ignore it: It could be a sign of something serious.

A young beaver with all four feet firmly on the ground.

Watch: In 1948, Idaho Officials Sent 76 Beavers Parachuting Into Idaho’s Wilderness

“It’s a bird! It’s a plane! It’s a parachuting beaver!” —Something you probably thought you’d never say.

These birds will put your sewing skills to shame.

Watch as the Amazing Tailorbird ‘Sews’ Its Nest Together

In place of fingers and sewing equipment, watch as a tailorbird uses foraged fibers and a needle-like beak to stitch its nest.

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