Animal Facts

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

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Pets Satisfy Kids More Than Their Siblings Do, Study Suggests

Pets might have more to do with a child's psychological well-being than previously thought, and moreso than even their brothers and sisters.

By Jesslyn Shields Feb 3, 2017 Animals / Animal Facts

How Tardigrades Work

No, a tardigrade's not a type of time-traveling police box on "Doctor Who." It's an ancient water bear, of course!

By Oisin Curran Animals / Animal Facts

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.

By Kate Kershner Jan 4, 2017 Animals / Animal Facts

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.

By Jesslyn Shields Dec 14, 2016 Animals / Animal Facts

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.

By Jesslyn Shields Nov 29, 2016 Animals / Animal Facts

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?

By Nicholas Gerbis & Melanie Radzicki McManus Animals / Animal Facts

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.

By Julia Layton Oct 3, 2016 Animals / Animal Facts

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.

By Laurie L. Dove Jul 8, 2016 Animals / Animal Facts

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?

By Alia Hoyt Jul 6, 2016 Animals / Animal Facts

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?

By Melanie Radzicki McManus Animals / Animal Facts

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?

By Robert Lamb Mar 11, 2016 Animals / Animal Facts

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.

By Jesslyn Shields Mar 3, 2016 Animals / Animal Facts

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.

By Laurie L. Dove Jan 25, 2016 Animals / Animal Facts

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.

By Dave Roos Jan 20, 2016 Animals / Animal Facts

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.

By Karen Kirkpatrick Jan 12, 2016 Animals / Animal Facts

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.

By Oisin Curran Animals / Animal Facts

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?

By Kate Kershner Animals / Animal Facts

Do animals laugh?

Researchers have investigated whether animals are capable of making a unique sound in response to joy.

By Debbie Swanson Animals / Animal Facts

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.

By Robert Lamb Animals / Animal Facts

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.

By Jane McGrath Animals / Animal Facts

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.

Animals / Animal Facts

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.

By John Perritano Animals / Animal Facts

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.

By Nicholas Gerbis Animals / Animal Facts

Is hippo milk really pink?

The pink hippo milk myth is the ultimate lesson for those who believe everything they read on the Web.

By Bambi Turner Animals / Animal Facts

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.

By Bambi Turner Animals / Animal Facts