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.

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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.

By Clarissa Mitton

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.

By Katherine Millar

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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.

By Desiree Bowie

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

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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

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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.

By Desiree Bowie

Think you can handle cheetah vs. leopard identification? Despite the similar coats, these big cats are built for very different habitats and hunting priorities.

By Clarissa Mitton

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

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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

Bunny vs. rabbit vs. hare: Do you know how to tell these animals apart? Do you know which ones are the same? We give the full rundown.

By Marie Look

Being able to spot a toad vs. frog comes down to understanding their respective habitats. One amphibian is much more adapted to aquatic life.

By Marie Look

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Although New Guinea's Papuan olive python is nonvenomous, its color-changing camouflage and mighty constriction make it an excellent hunter.

By Desiree Bowie

You spot a bird of prey, and your friend says it's a peregrine falcon but her partner says it's a hawk. Can you resolve the great hawk vs. falcon debate?

By Sascha Bos

The highly adaptable amethystine python is a nocturnal predator that's able to make itself at home in tropical rainforest, mountains and other landscapes.

By Desiree Bowie

The Cuban boa finds shelter in trees and gives birth to live young rather than laying eggs. The oldest Cuban boa is over 30 years old.

By Desiree Bowie

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Pinning down chipmunk vs. squirrel identification is trickier than you might expect. The differences between the species largely come down to size and habitat.

By Sascha Bos

Learn how to identify coyote vs. wolf tracks, where you can expect to find the species and how their behaviors differ.

By Marie Look