animal facts library

 

Learn about some of the strange and unusual facts and terms in the animal kingdom.

Featured Article:  How Lion Taming Works

Lion tamers have a habit of putting their heads inside lions' mouths. Lions' mouths are made to crush the spines of bulls. So you can imagine what those jaws could do to a person's skull. See more »

Are Komodo dragons' mouths deadlier than cobras' venom?

Are Komodo dragons' mouths deadlier than cobras' venom?

A Komodo dragon's bite is a deadly cocktail of bacteria and venom. But is it worse than a cobra's bite? Who would win in the hypothetical battle of lizards versus snakes?

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Are zoos good or bad for animals?

Are zoos good or bad for animals?

As you visit each amazing exhibit at your local zoo, do you ever feel a twinge of guilt or remorse when watching these enclosed creatures? Are zoos helping or hurting animals?

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Can a bag of water keep flies away?

Can a bag of water keep flies away?

Have you ever seen a water bag hanging in a restaurant? It's not a design trend -- some people say the bags repel flies. Does this method hold water?

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Can animals predict the weather?

Can animals predict the weather?

Can Fido predict an incoming tornado? If animals can predict the weather, do we stop trusting the weatherman and start visiting the zoo to get tomorrow's forecast?

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Do animals have personalities?

Do animals have personalities?

Well, duh. Of course animals have personalities, right? Find out how scientists are proving what pets owners have always suspected: animals -- both pets and wild animals -- possess personality.

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Do coyotes and badgers work together to find food?

Do coyotes and badgers work together to find food?

Some things just make sense together. Peanut butter and jelly. Summer and swimsuits. Michael Scott and Dwight Schrute. But coyotes and badgers? This unlikely partnership is actually a surefire thing when it comes to catching a tasty dinner.

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How Animal Camouflage Works

How Animal Camouflage Works

What do tropical lizards and polar bears have in common? Camouflage - the ability to adapt their appearance to their environment. Learn how camouflage works, how it helps animals survive and what different types of camouflage look like.

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How Animal Detectives Work

How Animal Detectives Work

The next "CSI" spin-off may not take place at a zoo or wildlife preserve, but there are real-life detectives working to solve cases of the furry, feathered variety.

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How Animal Domestication Works

How Animal Domestication Works

Domesticated animals provide us with innumerable products, hours of labor and even loving companionship. Find out why the dog was so easily domesticated and why you'll never see someone riding a zebra.

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How Animal Migration Works

How Animal Migration Works

Caribou travel 2,000 miles over arctic tundra in order to migrate. The annual migration of monarch butterflies lasts longer than a typical monarch's lifespan. What makes these animals so determined to move?

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How Aquaculture Works

How Aquaculture Works

Where do we get all the fish and other seafood that we eat? How do fish farmers keep up with the heavy demand?

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How Atavisms Work

How Atavisms Work

Have you ever seen a baby with a tail? How about a whale with legs? Believe it or not, these things happen. They're called atavisms, and they might help us figure out evolution.

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How Bioluminescence Works

How Bioluminescence Works

While humans try and create a variety of different types of light, some animals make their own. Find out what bioluminescence is and how these animals create light.

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How Cave Biology Works

How Cave Biology Works

A funny thing happens when you live in complete darkness. You lose your eyesight. At least that's what's happened to the species that have evolved inside our deepest, darkest caves.

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How Guide Dogs Work

How Guide Dogs Work

These canines are more than just your average furry friends: They can mean a whole lifestyle change for some people.

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How Hibernation Works

How Hibernation Works

Walking, breathing, thinking: All of these activities burn energy. But in the winter when food supplies are scarce, some animals conserve their energy -- by hibernating.

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How Lion Taming Works

How Lion Taming Works

Lion tamers have a habit of putting their heads inside lions' mouths. Lions' mouths are made to crush the spines of bulls. So you can imagine what those jaws could do to a person's skull.

See more »
How Search-and-rescue Dogs Work

How Search-and-rescue Dogs Work

Search-and-rescue dogs are smart, agile and obedient, but their high "play drive" is what makes them look for a missing person. Learn what SAR dogs do.

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How the Audubon Society Works

How the Audubon Society Works

The Audubon Society promotes legislation that protects wildlife, birds and the ecosystems that support them. Learn about the society's past and present.

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How the Humane Society Works

How the Humane Society Works

When most people think of the Humane Society, they imagine rows and rows of caged dogs and cats waiting for someone to adopt them and take them home. This isn't all they do. Find out in this article.

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