Wild Animals

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."

By Katherine Millar

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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