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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.
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The Predatory Snakehead Fish, or 'Frankenfish,' Can 'Walk' on Dry Land
The snakehead fish can breathe air, double its population in 15 months and has a huge appetite, which is not a good thing for native species.
Spider Monkeys Are the Trapeze Artists of the Treetops
Spider monkeys, an endangered species, are the largest monkeys in the Americas and live in the forest canopy, where they swing through the trees with the greatest of ease.
The Huge Hellbender Salamander, or 'Snot Otter,' Needs Our Help
These four-legged salamanders look like they've been rolled flat and can weigh up to 5 pounds, but polluted streams put these amphibians in danger of extinction.
If a Woodchuck Can't Chuck Wood, What Can It 'Chuck'?
It's an age-old question. How much wood would a woodchuck chuck? Turns out, none at all. So what would a woodchuck chuck if it couldn't chuck wood?
Is It a Zebra? A Giraffe? No, It's an Okapi
The okapi may look like a zebra-horse combo, but its closest relative is the giraffe. Here are nine fascinating facts about this curious creature.
Moths Are Mother Nature's Secret Pollinators
Bees get a lot of credit for pollinating important food crops, but they get a lot of secret help from their nocturnal friends, the moths.
The Elephant Hawk Moth Is the 'Ugly Duckling' of Moths
The elephant hawk moth is breathtakingly beautiful as an adult, but as a baby ... not so much.
The Cassowary Is the World's Most Dangerous Bird
This exotic bird could seriously injure or kill a person or a dog in an instant with its deadly claws.
Some Aphid Babies Are Born Already Pregnant
Born pregnant? You bet. It's a survival instinct but could also explain how these garden pests spread like wildfire.
Humuhumunukunukuapua'a: A Long Name for a Little Fish
Humuhumunukunukuapua'a, the colorful little fish with the craaaaazy long name, is Hawaii's state fish, but it wasn't always.
Basking Sharks Look Ferocious, But Prefer Plankton to People
The basking shark, an endangered species, may look like a fearsome predator, but is actually a filter-feeder, gathering zooplankton and other tiny animals, such as shrimp, in bulk as it roams the seas with a wide open mouth.
Piranhas: Toothy Nippers With a Bad Reputation
Piranhas are some of the most feared fish in the world, but is their reputation for ferocity a bit overblown?
7 Reasons a Cuttlefish May Be Smarter Than You
This master of camouflage can count, gender-bend and also use a hidden weapon to outsmart its enemies.
An Anteater's Tongue Can Be 2 Feet Long! Plus 7 Other Peculiar Anteater Facts
The anteater has one of the strangest-looking noses in the animal kingdom, a truly fabulous hairdo and a tongue that reaches places never meant to see the light of day.
Asian Giant Hornets Are Now in the U.S. and That's Really Bad
The deadly Asian giant hornet, the largest hornet in the world, was spotted in the U.S. for the first time in late 2019. You'll want to stay far away from this creature. Its nickname? The "murder hornet."
Yakety-yak: 7 Fun Faks About Yaks
While yaks share the bovine family tree with cows, they're a different species altogether. And, unlike cow dung, yak poop doesn't stink.
Brush Up on Parseltongue to Greet the New Salazar Slytherin Snake
A new species of green pit viper found in India has been named after the founder of Harry Potter's Slytherin house.
The Ancient Mayfly Briefly Lives Only to Reproduce and Die
Mayflies have the shortest adult life span of any animal, but swarms of them can still be seen on weather radar.
How Cicadas Work
Some cicadas are annual breeders and some show up loudly about every 17 years, but all cicadas produce a "song" that can reach 120 decibels — very close to a level that can damage human ear drums.
Why Birds of a Feather Mob Together
Bird mobs are not roving gangs of thug birds. But they are bands of birds coming together to harass bigger predators. And the behavior is loud and raucous.
Some Starfish Have Up to 40 Arms! Plus 10 Other Starfish Facts
What lives in water, has no gills, scales or fins and is not a fish? Yep, a starfish — which is why marine biologists have renamed these creatures sea stars.
5 Addictive Animal Cams You're Gonna Love
Wondering what's going on in the animal world while you're all cooped up under quarantine? Check out these webcams and get a virtual glimpse into how the animals live.
Is It a Pig? A Hog? No, It's a Javelina
Known in some circles as a 'musk hog' or 'skunk pig,' the javelina's good looks may be in the eye of the beholder, but there's a lot more to this beauty than meets the eye.
Does a Pelican's Bill Hold More Than Its Belly Can?
When a half-full plate of dinner sits before you and your overstuffed tummy, have you ever been told your eyes are too big for your stomach? The pelican's got a similar problem.
Good News! Some Butterfly Populations Bounced Back in 2019
Work by volunteers and nonprofit organizations, such as butterfly waystations and increased education efforts, has turned around long-term population decline for some butterfly species.
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