ANIMALS

African Black Leopard Captured on Camera for the First Time in a Century

Will Burrard-Lucas's photographs, taken at night with a camera trap, may be the best images of an African black leopard ever captured.

Polar Bear Invasion in Arctic Russian Village Prompts State of Emergency

At least 52 polar bears have been spotted in Novaya Zemlya, an arctic region in Russia. Now some residents are afraid to let their children go outside.

13 Behind-the-Scenes Secrets of Dog Show Handlers

Here's how they know you should never put liver in your pantyhose—and why that Busy Bee scene in 'Best in Show' may not be so far-fetched.

Want to Get Back at Your Ex? Name a Cockroach After Them And Watch a Meerkat Eat It on Valentine's Day

Treat yourself this Valentine's Day with help from the El Paso Zoo.

15 Obscure Words Every Pet Owner Needs in Their Vocabulary

If you’re a dog or cat owner, these words are worthy of a place in your vocabulary.

15 Facts About the Westminster Dog Show

Whether you follow the competitors closely or just live-stream the pup parade, the Westminster Dog Show wins "Cutest in Show" every time.

Wildlife is Thriving at the Chernobyl Nuclear Disaster Site

And no, the animals don't have three heads.

Computer Engineer Designs World’s First AI-Powered Cat Shelter in Beijing

It's heated, with smart cameras inside.

The Curious (and Possibly Murderous) Origins of Punxsutawney Phil's Name

Punxsutawney Phil's moniker might have something to do with the royal family, a pair of heinous groundhog murders, and some good old-fashioned small-town competition.

15 Fun Facts About Puppy Bowl

The puppies are coming! (Plus some kittens, kangaroos, and a rescue sloth.)

Why Do We Use a Groundhog to Forecast the Weather?

Punxsutawney Phil—the rodent version of Al Roker—gets trotted out every February to assess our chances of a long winter. Who gave him his meteorology degree?

Bug Bombs May Be More Dangerous to You Than the Cockroaches You Want to Kill

The only thing they're going to poison is you.

A New Bill Could Make Animal Cruelty a Felony

The law would sentence offenders to a maximum of seven years in prison.

This Wall Chart Shows Every Species in the Cat Kingdom

From the humble house cat to the pointy-eared lynx.

A veterinarian working for The Dogs of Chernobyl initiative bathes a stray puppy in Chernobyl.

Chernobyl Puppies are Making Their Way to the U.S. and Canada to Find Their Forever Homes

Some of the descendants of dogs that survived the environmental catastrophe have been cleared of radiation and brought to the U.S. and Canada to start new lives.

Brooklyn Zoo's New Pallas’s Cat Breeding Program Aims to Revitalize the Near-Threatened Species

The breeding pair is housed in a new exhibit at the Prospect Park Zoo.

A Newly Discovered Species of Prehistoric Shark Was Named After the Video Game Galaga

'Galagadon' was believed to be similar to living bamboo sharks.

A bobolink, said to have been named for the call it makes

32 Animals Named After the Noises They Make

Onomatopoeia is responsible for a lot more words than you might think. Laugh might have been invented to sound like, well, a laugh. Owl, crow, and raven are all descended from Old English words (ule, crawe, hræfn) that were meant to imitate the owl’s hoot