Animal Facts

The natural world boasts an incredible diversity of animals, some of which are so colorful and bizarre that they seem made-up. Meet 10 very creative creatures.

By Patrick J. Kiger

One bird parent flies for miles, dunks itself in water and returns the nest to let babies actually suck the water from its feathers. Another turns a blind eye to sibling shenanigans that can turn deadly. Can you name these animal parents?

By Kate Kershner

You might know that a cheetah can run 70 mph, but did you know that hens can change sex or that leeches have three sets of jaws? Here are 10 really strange animal facts.

By Julia Layton

These canines are more than just your average furry friends: They can mean a whole lifestyle change for some people.

By Tom Harris

One animal procrastinates. Another is famous for making out. Yet another might remember faces better than you do. Our nonhuman cohorts are capable of much more than instinct and action. Here are 10 captivating examples.

By Kate Kershner

What does it take to be a successful race horse? Learn about the best jockeys with this famous racehorse countdown.

What is an alpine habitat? Learn what constitutes an alpine habitat and who lives there.

What is an temperate forest? Learn what constitutes an temperate forest and who lives there.

Do you think courtship is dead? Read on to learn about animal courtship.

Take a look at the top 10 bird strike stories throughout the history of aviation, from near misses to direct hits, and the aftermath that followed.

Check out the top 10 most feared predators of the animal kingdom.

By Alia Hoyt

Animal have some amazing skills. Read on to see which animals have the most amazing skills.

Humans aren't the only animals that can count, use logic, make tools or form lasting bonds with others. Meet 10 of the smartest creatures in the animal kingdom.

By Francisco Guzman

These animals aren't treehuggers in the environmental activist sense. They have to hold on for dear life! Meet the top 10 tree-dwelling animals.

Learn five things we bet you didn't know about fish!

Do you love to fish but love the environment too? Check out these five tips for sustainable fishing!

You'd think that earthworms are good for fish bait and little else, but that isn't the case at all. Earthworms are the engines that help local ecosystems run. They aerate soil, help facilitate plant composition and so much more.

By Josh Clark

You don't have to live in some exotic, tropical environment to find a venomous critter. They live all over the world, and some may be closer than you think.

By Marsha Walton

You'd like to know how to report the animal cruelty you sometimes see. This article will tell you how to report animal cruelty.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

You want to help an animal that got hit by a car, but don't know what to do. Learn about how to help an animal that got hit by a car in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

If you know how to attract wildlife to your backyard you can discover your region's wildlife from the comfort of your patio. Learn about how to attract wildlife to your backyard in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

You'd like to teach your class how to identify vertebrates. This article will tell you how to identify vertebrates.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

Would you like to learn how to identify different reptiles? Learn about how to identify reptiles in this article.

By HowStuffWorks.com Contributors

When we think about violent animals, many of us turn to creatures like sharks, bears, rhinos, crocodiles or even the Tasmanian devil. What other species outdoes all these others in its capacity to cause violence?

By Jonathan Strickland

When we see cats toying with their prey, we imagine that they're toying with it before they get around to finishing it off. What animals enjoy violent sports? Better yet, why do they find violence attractive?

By Jonathan Strickland