Mental Floss

ANIMALS

Little legs, big smile.

10 Fun Facts About Corgis

You already know they’re cute, compact, and smart. But there’s a lot more to these beloved little dogs.

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Florida's Dog Racing Ban Means Thousands of Greyhounds Will Be Put Up for Adoption

If you want to give one of them a forever home, here's who to contact.

iStock/TomekD76

7 Animal Myths You Shouldn’t Believe

No, you probably aren’t eating any spiders in your sleep.

iStock/adogslifephoto

Why Most Dogs Love Water, But Cats Hate It

It's not a hard and fast rule, but how often have you seen a cat go for a swim?

iStock/SteveDF

The 10 Most Popular Dog Names of 2018

Pop culture-inspired names are trendy, but old standards like Charlie and Bailey still rule the dog world.

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Why Are Humans Ticklish?

Chimps also seem to enjoy being tickled. Rats, too.

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12 Facts About Mandarin Ducks

It's the "hot duck" taking the internet by storm.

iStock.com/AllenSphoto

Antibodies in Llama Blood Might Eliminate the Need for Yearly Flu Shots

A one-size-fits-all flu therapy seems more likely than ever.

Steve Jennings, Getty Images for Civic Entertainment Group

10 of the Richest Pets in History

Good luck matching Grump Cat's bank account.

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How Do You Say the Plural Form of 'Octopus'?

Is it octopuses, octopi, or octopodes?

Ocean Exploration Trust/NOAA

Researchers Just Discovered the Largest Cluster of Deep-Sea Octopuses They've Ever Seen

There were at least 1000 brooding females.

JT Humphrey

How Karelian Bear Dogs Are Keeping Wildlife Out of Harm's Way

This fearless breed is helping to reduce conflicts between people and predators.

iStock.com/AarStudio

Wisconsin Landlords Are DNA Testing Dog Poop to Catch Negligent Pet Owners

Here's one more reason to clean up after your pooch.

A pig is tried in France in 1457.

A Brief History of Animals (and Inanimate Objects) Going to Court

For centuries, an inanimate object or animal could be held responsible—and punished!—for committing a crime.

iStock/PK-Photos

Some Flea and Tick Medications Are Causing Seizures In Cats and Dogs, the FDA Warns

Here are the brands to look for.

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America Has a Pet Obesity Problem—and It's Growing

More than half of our cats and dogs are struggling with their weight.

Netflix

Dogs, New Netflix Docuseries, Celebrates the Connection Between Canines and Their Humans

We're not crying, you're crying!

iStock/SergeKa

What Is Catgut Made From?

No kitties were harmed in the making of your tennis racket. Or violin. Or sutures.

Photo Courtesy of Parks Canada

Behold! The World’s Largest Beaver Dam

It's twice the length of the Hoover Dam!

iStock.com/DuxX

A Dog-Friendly Restaurant in Texas Will Pay You $100 an Hour to Pet Puppies

These doggos aren't going to pet themselves.

iStock.com/NaluPhoto

Human Activity Has Shrunk the World's Wildlife Populations by 60 Percent Since 1970

According to WWF, "We are the first generation to know we are destroying our planet and the last one that can do anything about it."

Courtesy of Medical Detection Dogs

Dogs Are Being Trained to Detect Malaria by Sniffing People's Socks

In one test, they were 70 percent accurate.

iStock.com/CraigRJD

Research Shows Good-Looking Birds Are Terrible Singers

These sexy boys are too pretty to need any other skills.

iStock.com/Arx0nt

The 20 Most Popular Pedigreed Cat Breeds in America

Happy National Cat Day!