Animal Facts
Learn about some of the strange and unusual facts and terms in the animal kingdom.
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These Awesome Animals Got Celebrity Names in 2016
From musicians to politicians, a bunch of famous folks can now say they have entire species named in their honor.
Tardigrade Mating Finally Caught on Camera, Is Suitably Weird
The toughest animal in the world has just released its first sex tape, and as with all things water bear, things get pretty freaky.
Hypnotic, Interactive Map Predicts Migration as Animals Become Climate Refugees
A new tool helps visualize how a changing climate will force animal species to relocate.
10 Animals That Look Like Monsters
There's little we can imagine that Mother Nature hasn't already dreamed up in one of her fouler moods. Care to meet some creatures with frightful features?
5 Reasons Tardigrades Will Outlast Us All
There's no way humans will outlive the tardigrade, but we might be able to steal some of its powers while we have the chance.
There Are Multiple Theories for Why Dogs Tilt Their Heads
If you think there's one easy explanation behind this cute canine behavior, think again.
Your Dog or Cat Can Have Depression, Too
But how do you diagnose a pet's mental state when it can't talk to you?
10 Animals With Better Jobs Than You
Hate to say it, but some animals have jobs that are far more interesting — and more lucrative — than yours. Who are these lucky dogs?
Gaze Into the Disappearing Mouth of the Hydra
The Hydra is a fearsome, tiny predator that stings and swallows its prey — through a mouth it had to rip its own skin to create. But how does it do that?
New Study: Fear Alone, Replacing Actual Predators, Can Change Ecosystems
The only thing we have to fear is fear itself, said FDR, but he wasn't a biologist. Scientists examined what impact the fear of apex predators can have on an ecosystem.
Feeling Sick? Snuggling With Pets Won't Hurt Them, Could Help You
Don't worry about transmitting the cold or flu to your furry friends. In fact, some time cuddled up can help with your sickness.
Should Other Animals Have the Same Rights (and Responsibilities) As Humans?
Will we witness personhood for other animals in our lifetime? It's not out of the question, thanks to a recent court decision.
9 Times Interspecies Friendship Worked Out OK
In times of strife and conflict, it's good to remember that differences are OK. Here's a dose of adorable: nine interspecies interactions that didn't end up in a meal.
10 Weird Ways Organisms Reproduce
No matter what your imagination can cook up, real life is weirder. Whether it's parasitic wasps or super-controlling ferns, reproduction can be mysterious, gross or even scary.
Did a Russian lake flash-freeze a herd of horses?
Picture a herd of hundreds of horses fleeing a burning forest and running headlong into a wintery lake, which quickly flash-freezes the whole lot of them. Sounds pretty gruesome — and flat-out unbelievable. But did it actually happen? Could it?
Do animals laugh?
Researchers have investigated whether animals are capable of making a unique sound in response to joy.
What's the largest land animal of all time?
Just how big do animals come? Dive backward through time and the fossil record in search of the most colossal member of kingdom Animalia.
How Animal Imprinting Works
Ever wonder why some birds end up following a mother of another species? It has a lot to do with who (or what) is around when they hatch. So maybe keep your distance the next time you spot a nest.
HowStuffWorks: Zoo Atlanta’s New Slimy, Scaly Spectacular
Join HowStuffWork's Robert Lamb as he visits Zoo Atlanta's new Scaly Slimy Spectacular home for reptiles and amphibians.
10 Insects We Love to Study
They're found in stupendous numbers, they don't take up much lab space and they have an awful lot to teach us about the world and its residents. Meet 10 of the insects we just can't stop studying.
10 Recent Breakthroughs in Marine Biology
Marine biologists have discovered a lot about the ocean's residents while you were busy dozing on the beach. We've dug up 10 of their coolest discoveries.
Is hippo milk really pink?
The pink hippo milk myth is the ultimate lesson for those who believe everything they read on the Web.
Has a whale ever swallowed someone alive?
Fancy yourself a modern-day Jonah? Keep in mind that this most famous of whale tales never scientifically considers if a whale has ever really swallowed someone alive.
Are there really elephant graveyards?
The elephant graveyard lends an air of romance and mystery to the mighty animal, but in reality, it's just a myth.
Are dogs colorblind?
Your dog sees the world in color, not in black and white. Though dogs are often described as colorblind, they see much more than you'd expect.
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