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

How are shark pups born?

Bees Stopped Buzzing During the 2017 Solar Eclipse

How Billie the Dolphin Taught Her Flippered Friends to Bust a Move

As Oceans Acidify, Vulnerable Baby Fish Lose Poisonous Protectors

Learn More

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

8 Cuddly Facts About Koalas

They look so cute and fluffy, but koalas have a fierce side too. Still, their biggest threat to survival is mankind.

By Alia Hoyt Dec 2, 2019 Mammals / Marsupials

9 Big Hairy Facts About Gorillas

Gorillas can live to be about 35 to 40 years old and are much gentler (and much sleepier) than you might think.

By Jesslyn Shields Nov 26, 2019 Mammals / Primates

Goofy-looking Emus Are Leggy, Flightless and Very Friendly

The female emu may lay the eggs, but the male emu does all the caretaking. And that's just one fascinating thing we learned.

By Patty Rasmussen Nov 22, 2019 Mammals / Other Mammals

Pangolins: The Gentle, Ant-eating Oddballs of Africa and Asia

They're weird-looking and mild-mannered, but Asian and African markets can't get enough illegal pangolin scales.

By Jesslyn Shields Nov 12, 2019 Mammals / Other Mammals

Raccoons Are Super Smart Urban Survivors

They're the cutest and most curious masked mammals around. But they also have a reputation for being a nuisance. Here's everything you need to know about the raccoon.

By Meg Sparwath Nov 8, 2019 Mammals / Other Mammals

Sea Otters Are the Party Animals of the Sea

Sea otters are adorable, back from the brink of extinction and will totally bite you.

By Jesslyn Shields Nov 7, 2019 Mammals / Aquatic Mammals

Meet the Real Vampires of the Animal Kingdom

Move over Dracula. These fish, birds and bats really are the vampires of the animal world — and they do need to eat (or suck) blood to sustain life.

By Mark Mancini Oct 28, 2019 Mammals / Other Mammals

The Harpy Eagle: Terrifying Apex Predator or Creepy Halloween Costume?

The largest eagle in the world has a claw the size of a grizzly bear's, a leg the size of a human's and a very disapproving gaze.

By Jesslyn Shields Oct 23, 2019 Birds / Birds of Prey

Meet the Toad That Can Mimic a Snake

When the Congolese giant toad feels threatened, it can ward off predators by transforming itself into what looks like a super-venomous Gaboon viper.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Oct 22, 2019 Wild Animals / Amphibians

If a Peacock Loses His Tail Feathers, Do They Grow Back?

Whether used in fashion or complicated mating rituals, peacock feathers drive the ladies crazy. But, what happens when a peacock loses his last feather? Will he become a fashion-don't?

By Cristen Conger Birds / Fowl