Wild Animals
Whether they crawl, fly, swim, slither, walk, run or pounce, wild animals rely on their instincts. Read about all kinds of wild animals, mammals, birds, fish, insects, reptiles and amphibians.
Toad vs. Frog: Differences in Anatomy, Habitat and More
What's the Difference Between a Newt and Salamander?
Mexican Salamander Could Hold Key to Spinal Cord Regeneration in Humans
Flying Ants Aren't a Separate Species, But a Life Stage
6 Facts About How Bees Learn, Think and Make Decisions
Do These Nightmare Parasites Hack Snail Brains to Survive?
The 3 Types of Ducks Every Birdwatcher Should Know
10 Types of Owls: From Tiny Screech-owls to Great Horned Owls
What Do Ducks Eat? Why You Shouldn't Feed Ducks Bread
The Biggest Fish Ever Caught (By IGFA Standards)
The Biggest Catfish Ever Caught (That We Know Of)
The Fastest Fish in the Ocean Can Swim at Nearly 70 MPH
The Happiest Animal on Earth Is the Quokka
What Is the Biggest Cat in the World? Top 9 Species in the Wild
The Largest Bat in the World Has a Wingspan Over 5 Feet
The True and Tragic Story of Tilikum, SeaWorld's Captive Orca
10 Deep Sea Creatures That Are (Almost) Too Bizarre to Be Real
The Biggest Crab in the World, Plus 8 Enormous Contenders
How the Spider-tailed Horned Viper Tricks Unsuspecting Prey
The Biggest Alligator on Record, by Weight and Length
Papuan Olive Python: New Guinea's Behemoth in the Rainforest
Learn More
It's small. It's cute. It's the happiest animal on Earth. The quokka earned the title of world's happiest animal because of its "smile."
By Yara Simón
There probably aren't many animals as aptly named as the spider-tailed horned viper. With a tail tip that resembles a spider and horns atop its head, it's easy to visualize this venomous snake.
By Yara Simón
Not every fisherman wants the glory. Some have caught immense fish and released them without laying claim to a world record. But for those who want the world to know they caught a big fish, the International Game Fish Association keeps a record of such accomplishments.
By Yara Simón
Advertisement
Orcas are known as "killer whales" because they are apex predators. In the wild, highly social killer whales prey on sharks, seals, dolphins and even other whales.
By Sascha Bos
Scariness is subjective, both overall and in the animal kingdom: Some people are terrified of spiders, others are afraid of rabbits. However, certain features can make an animal look more threatening, such as a huge mouth, sharp teeth or enormous size.
By Sascha Bos
Far below the ocean's surface, in the dark depths of the deep sea floor ecosystem (about 3,000 feet or 1,000 meters deep), exists an entire world of deep sea creatures that humans rarely glimpse.
By Sascha Bos
Catfishing goes beyond just a leisure activity. For many, it's a pursuit of record-breaking giants that lurk in the depths of rivers and lakes. The biggest catfish ever caught has become a tale of modern-day fishing folklore, sparking slogans like: "Happiness is a big catfish and a witness."
Advertisement
What makes an animal "weird"? Maybe it looks different from other animals in its family, or has an uncanny resemblance to another creature in the animal kingdom they are not closely related to.
By Sascha Bos
What makes an animal cute? In a 2016 article published in "Trends in Cognitive Sciences," researchers found that cuteness plays an important role in the infant-caregiver relationship. The world's cutest animals have features that tug on their parents' heartstrings (and increase their brain activity).
By Sascha Bos
While there are tons of fish in the sea, only a few hold the title of the fastest fish in the ocean. You might wonder how the fastest fish swim at such high speeds.
The sheepshead fish is a curiosity to anglers and marine biologists alike. This unique species, found along the Atlantic coast of North America, has long received attention for its strange dental structure, resembling that of humans.
Advertisement
Get ready to unleash your inner wild as we prowl into the heart of the animal kingdom, where the biggest cat in the world roams. And no, we're not talking about Barivel, the Maine coon who holds the record for the longest domestic cat in the world.
Known for their long legs, pincers and hard shells, most crustaceans are omnivorous scavengers, although some are predators or vegetarians. Either way, a steady diet can assist certain crab species in growing to incredible sizes.
By Marie Look
If you came across an alligator in your yard (a totally plausible scenario in a place like Florida), you might think it's the biggest alligator you ever saw. But if it's not pushing 1,000 pounds and 15 feet in length, then it's likely not breaking any records.
By Yara Simón
There are three types of ducks: dabbling, diving and perching. Wild ducks are classified based on their habitat and behavior.
By Sascha Bos
Advertisement
Whether out of fear or fascination, you might wonder, what is the largest bat in the world? The flying mammals aren't all petite petite creatures.
By Zach Taras
Owls are captivating birds known for their nocturnal habits, distinctive hooting calls and remarkable ability to hunt in near silence. With about 200 species found worldwide, these birds of prey come in various sizes and colors. Here, we dig in to 10 types of owls.
By Yara Simón
People often use the terms "bison" and "buffalo" interchangeably when referring to large, wooly animals in the Bovidae family. If you drive by one of the two in a national park you may even be inclined to say, "Buffalo, bison — they're basically the same, right?"
By Sascha Bos
These miniscule, winged insects can be a common sight when the weather turns warm, but they might also leave some people puzzled. After all, ants can't fly — can they?
By Marie Look
Advertisement
What do ducks eat? Not bread — or at least they shouldn't be nibbling on the carb-heavy food. Tossing stale bread into your local pond to feed wild ducks does more harm than good. Learn why you should avoid it entirely and what options are better for these aquatic animals.
By Yara Simón
In 2023, 11-year-old Charlie Clinton from Oklahoma made headlines by catching a pacu — a South American fish known for its human-like teeth — in a pond behind his house, far from its native Amazon habitat.
Think you can handle cheetah vs. leopard identification? Despite the similar coats, these big cats are built for very different habitats and hunting priorities.
If you're trying to keep opossums out of your trash, you may be asking yourself, "What do possums eat?" Unfortunately, the answer is just about everything.
By Yara Simón
Advertisement
Determining whether you're dealing with a rat vs. mouse infestation is the first step in solving the problem.
By Yara Simón
If the differences between a lamb vs. a sheep has kept you awake at night, the answer to your musings is simple: A lamb is just a baby sheep.
By Sascha Bos