Mental Floss

ANIMALS

(c) Field Museum, CSZ5974c, photographer Carl Akeley, used with permission.

The Time Carl Akeley Killed a Leopard With His Bare Hands

Carl Akeley had plenty of dangerous close encounters with animals in his long career as a naturalist and taxidermist—a tradition that began on his very first trip to Africa.

Drawing depicting the Great Auk, from the book 'Birds of America' by John James Audubon.

10 Tragic Stories of Extinct Animals

The dodo isn't the only tragic tale.

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7 Cases of Mistaken Dog Identity

Man's best friend can sometimes be a little hard to recognize.

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Why Crows Hold Noisy Funerals for Their Fallen Friends

Crows see death as a learning opportunity.

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The Right Way to Hold Your Cat, According to a Vet

All the cuddles, none of the struggle.

One known species of isopod, or "giant sea cockroach"

Bizarre New Species of Crabs and a Giant Sea Cockroach Discovered in Waters Off Indonesia

Researchers thought the foot-long sea cockroach was "cute."

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Climate Change Is Making It Hard for Bears to Hibernate Through the Winter

More black bears are waking up earlier—or not hibernating at all.

7 Vintage Portraits of Dogs

The Dog in Photography: 1839-Today is a thorough survey of the history of dog pics.

NOAA Photo Library, Flickr // CC BY 2.0

7 Impressive Animal Defense Mechanisms

From shooting blood from their eyes to using their own ribs as spears, these animals will do whatever it takes to stay alive.

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Watch a "Trained" Spider Named Kim Leap Six Times Its Body Length

Kim was the only regal jumping spider willing to participate in the researchers' study.

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Big Problem in the Big Easy: Invasive Cuban Treefrogs Move into Louisiana

Cuban treefrogs are a major pest in south and central Florida. Now they're in New Orleans, too.

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The Surprising Role Bats Play in Making Your Margarita

The winged mammals play a vital—albeit little-appreciated—role in agave production.

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Do Big Cats Love Catnip, Too?

You bet they do!

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7 Proposed Explanations for the Loch Ness Monster

Does a mysterious beast really patrol one of Scotland’s deepest lakes? You be the judge.

Chloe Effron

Why Can Parrots Talk?

Parrots can learn how to say hundreds of words—and even know what some of them mean.

Public Domain, Wikimedia Commons

Sergeant Stubby: The Drool Sergeant of World War I

Any dog can fight. But only one could help win the Great War.

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12 Facts About Goblin Sharks

With their intricate jaws and ghostly complexions, these fish look like prehistoric monsters—or visitors from another planet.

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15 Things You Might Not Know About Rhinos

Including the gross reason why an alcohol fermenting technique is called a "rhino fart."

Courtesy of Leanda Mason

World's Oldest Spider Dies in Australia at the Age of 43—From a Wasp Sting

RIP, Number 16.

Mark Imhof

Meet the New York City Groomer Giving Free Haircuts to Help Shelter Dogs Get Adopted

A well-groomed coat could make all the difference for these pups.

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Photographer's Amazing Snap of an Osprey Is Holding Two Big Surprises

Wow!

Alex McCelland, Bournemouth University

Fossilized Footprints Show Ice Age Hunters Ganged Up on Giant Sloths

Sloths—those symbols of loafers and loungers everywhere—weren't always so cute and cuddly.

Hans Hillewaert, Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 4.03

11 Body-Snatching Parasites

With the ability to control and even kill their hosts, each one of these parasites could star as the next terror of the silver screen.

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6 Myths About Animals, Debunked

'The Truth About Animals' will make you question everything you know about the animal kingdom.