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.

Topics to Explore

Why Penguin Feet Don't Freeze

We Know Far Less About Sharks Than You Might Think

What happens to whales when they die?

Monarch Butterfly Population Blooms This Year

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What's the Difference Between a Mountain Lion and a Cougar?

Puma, panther, mountain cat, mountain lion, mountain screamer, painter, catamount and, yes, cougar. This cat has a lot of names!

By Wendy Bowman Feb 27, 2020 Mammals / Carnivores

Botflies Are Nasty Parasites That Get Under Your Skin

If you've never seen a botfly, it looks rather harmless — like a basic bumblebee even. Until it lays its eggs inside a living host, and that's when things get really gross.

By Mark Mancini Feb 20, 2020 Insects & Arachnids / Insects

The Watery World of the Monster Anaconda

The green anaconda is the largest of the anaconda species, which makes it arguably the biggest snake in the world.

By Mark Mancini Feb 20, 2020 Reptiles / Snakes

Dragonflies: Ancient and Aggressive Insect Aviators

Dragonflies are fast, powerful and unbelievably aggressive, using a rudimentary form of 'trigonometry' to calculate distance and move in for the kill.

By Jesslyn Shields Feb 19, 2020 Insects & Arachnids / Insects

Why Do Spotted Hyenas Laugh?

With their fierce jaws and cunning hunting tactics, spotted hyenas don't seem to have much to joke about. So what do those spine-chilling peals of laughter really mean?

By Cristen Conger Mammals / Carnivores

Seals Clap Underwater to Communicate

Seals have long been known as dry-land clappers, but the first-ever percussive clapping observed by scientists has blown seal clapping theory out of the water. Or should we say under the water?

By Tara Yarlagadda Feb 13, 2020 Mammals / Aquatic Mammals

Is It a Fox on Stilts? Nope, It's a Maned Wolf!

The maned wolf might as well be called a werewolf given its unfortunate name. You see it's not a wolf at all, and despite all appearances, it isn't a fox either.

By Mark Mancini Feb 12, 2020 Mammals / Carnivores

How Polar Bears Work

The polar bear's shocking whiteness, ferocity and sheer size make it an icon of purity and power. How do these animals survive in a frigid climate?

By Julia Layton & Nathan Chandler Mammals / Bears

Why a Spotted Python Should Totally Be Your Next Pet

From its small size to its docile nature and long life span, the spotted python fills the bill as a great family pet. Our writer should know, he's got one.

By Mark Mancini Feb 4, 2020 Reptiles / Snakes

Squirrels Can Be Left- or Right-handed

But, squirrels that strongly prefer one hand over the other aren't as good at learning, one study suggests. What does this mean for you and me?

By Patty Rasmussen Jan 28, 2020 Mammals / Rodents

What Is a Coywolf?

They have been called both “coywolf” and “coydog,” but the majority of the scientific community recognizes this hybrid animal simply as the “eastern coyote.”

By Jesslyn Shields Jan 23, 2020 Mammals / Carnivores

Elk Are Huge, Aggressive and Unpredictable

Elk are some of the most majestic animals in the world, but also some of the most aggressive. Here's what you need to know about the territorial elk.

By Patty Rasmussen Jan 21, 2020 Mammals / Hoofed Mammals

Seahorses Have Hotels! Plus 9 Other Amazing Seahorse Facts

Dwindling natural habitats are causing a significant decline in certain seahorse species. To bolster populations, researchers in Australia are building seahorse hotels and leaving the lights on.

By Wendy Bowman Jan 21, 2020 Marine Life / Other Marine Life

The Smiley Quokka Is an Australian Super Survivor

The smallest of the wallaby species is known to pose for selfies with tourists and be cuter than cute. But the feisty quokka has had to fight for its very survival.

By Jesslyn Shields Jan 16, 2020 Mammals / Marsupials

Cheetahs: The Big Cats That Can Totally Pass You on the Interstate

With lightning speed and incredible vision, the cheetah is the fastest land animal on Earth and the best hunter on the savanna.

By Jesslyn Shields Jan 9, 2020 Mammals / Carnivores

The Tiny Fennec Fox Is All Ears

It may be the world's smallest fox, but its ears give it a huge hearing advantage.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Jan 6, 2020 Mammals / Other Mammals

Lions, Tigers and … Ligers? Oh My!

Whaddya get when you cross a lion and a tiger? Yep — you get a liger, of course. But why are they considered controversial?

By Wendy Bowman Jan 2, 2020 Mammals / Carnivores

Lions: 5 Roaring Facts About the King of the Beasts

The proverbial "king of the beasts," lions are second in size to just one other cat in the world, the tiger. But a lion's biggest fear? Tangling with a porcupine the size of a small dog.

By Mark Mancini Mammals / Carnivores

What Do Reindeer Do When They're Not Pulling Santa's Sleigh?

Reindeer are, of course, best known for their main gig om Christmas Eve every year, but there's more to them than just their flying and sleigh pulling prowess.

By Laurie L. Dove Dec 16, 2019 Mammals / Hoofed Mammals

Penguins: The Monogamous Tuxedoed Birds That 'Fly' Underwater

There are up to 26 species of penguins in the world, most of whom mate for life, and while none of them can fly, they swim like Olympic champs.

By Patty Rasmussen Dec 9, 2019 Birds / Waterfowl

How Dangerous Is the Beaver?

Beaver attacks get a lot of media attention but are beavers really crazed killers that we should be afraid of? And what good do they really do?

By Nathan Chandler Dec 6, 2019 Mammals / Rodents

Bald Eagles Aren't Really Bald, Plus 6 Other Facts

The national bird of the United States has taken on iconic status as the avian avatar of freedom, but its wingspan and steely gaze guarantee its status in the pecking order of prey birds as a symbol of strength.

By Patty Rasmussen Dec 5, 2019 Birds / Birds of Prey