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

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Groundhogs Are More Than Just Meteorologists

Groundhogs don't actually make great weathermen, but they are pretty cool in every other respect.

By Jesslyn Shields Sep 5, 2019 Mammals / Rodents

When Kinkajous Don't Play Nice

Kinkajous, or honey bears, are generally docile creatures, but they definitely don't mix well with humans.

By Jesslyn Shields Aug 30, 2019 Mammals / Other Mammals

Will Black Soldier Fly Maggots Save Humanity?

Black soldier fly larvae will eat almost anything and they taste pretty good themselves, too.

By Jesslyn Shields Aug 29, 2019 Insects & Arachnids / Insects

Jackals: Canine Survivors and Tricksters of Folklore

Jackals, formidable members of the canine family, are often portrayed in traditional world folklore as wily tricksters, up to no good. They are actually brilliant survivalists.

By Tara Yarlagadda Aug 27, 2019 Mammals / Carnivores

Do Fish Get Thirsty?

They're swimming in water all day so how could they ever get thirsty? The answer might surprise you.

By Nathan Chandler Aug 22, 2019 Fish / Freshwater Fish

Sugar Gliders Are Nature's Cutest Little Daredevils

These adorable marsupials look as sweet as their name. But what, exactly, are sugar gliders?

By Jamie Allen Aug 21, 2019 Mammals / Marsupials

Tarantulas Are Big and Hairy But Not So Scary

Tarantulas are the largest spiders in the world and, believe it or not, some can live for up to 30 years.

By Jesslyn Shields Aug 15, 2019 Insects & Arachnids / Arachnids

Spiders Can Spin Webs of Silk Stronger Than Steel

Not all spiders spin webs, but the eight-legged arachnids that do, spin all kinds of different webs, some big, some small.

By Mark Mancini Aug 14, 2019 Insects & Arachnids / Arachnids

Alligator Gar: 100 Million Years Old and Still Kicking

The prehistoric looking alligator gar is sometimes referred to as a "living fossil" and, while they may look threatening, are harmless to anything larger than themselves.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Aug 13, 2019 Fish / Freshwater Fish

The Secrets and Science Behind Starling Murmurations

Starlings are short and thick, with dark feathers and long, pointy bills. Collectively, however, they transform into something else entirely.

By John Donovan Aug 9, 2019 Birds / Perching Birds

Coral Snakes: Brightly Banded and Highly Venomous

These colorful snakes are found all over the world and are highly venomous, so the best strategy is to avoid them.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Aug 9, 2019 Reptiles / Snakes

Tracking Down the Elusive Giant Squid

Rumors of giant squid have terrified sailors for centuries, but new technology is now helping to bring these mysterious creatures up toward the light.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Aug 7, 2019 Marine Life / Mollusks

Baboons: The Monkeys With the Scarlet Booties

Those red butts on baboons do serve a purpose, sort of, but it's probably not quite what you think.

By Kristen Hall-Geisler Aug 6, 2019 Mammals / Primates

Orangutan Jungle School: Teaching Orangutans How to Be Orangutans

Orphaned Bornean orangutans need all the help they can get — the Borneo Orangutan Survival Foundation steps in to teach them the art of survival.

By Jesslyn Shields Aug 2, 2019 Mammals / Primates

Meet the Montana Grizzly Bear Product Testers

It's the job of the huge grizzly bears at Montana's Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center to test the everything from coolers and trash cans to food storage containers.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Jul 26, 2019 Mammals / Bears

Box Jellyfish: World's Most Venomous Sea Creature

Most jellyfish are more bothersome than threatening, but the box jellyfish is so poisonous you might not make it out of the water alive.

By John Perritano Jul 26, 2019 Marine Life / Corals & Jellies

Grass Gobbling Goats Are Gardening Away at O'Hare, Google

Clearing land with goats rather than machinery is eco-friendly, effective and adorable.

By Jesslyn Shields Jul 17, 2019 Mammals / Hoofed Mammals

Fisher Cats: Tough Guys of the Weasel World

Fisher cats aren't actually cats, but cat-sized members of the weasel family, and their favorite snack is — yikes — the porcupine.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Jul 16, 2019 Mammals / Other Mammals

We're Losing the Chemical War on Cockroaches

These nasty pests are developing cross-resistance to multiple classes of insecticides.

By Kristen Hall-Geisler Jul 11, 2019 Insects & Arachnids / Insects

The Charismatic Capybara Is Chiller Than Your Dog

Arguably the most charming rodent in the world, the capybara is also the largest.

By Jesslyn Shields Jul 11, 2019 Mammals / Rodents

Koi Fish: Shining Jewels of the Water Garden

The colorful superstars of backyard water gardens are actually ornamental varietals of domesticated carp.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Jul 9, 2019 Fish / Freshwater Fish

Water Moccasin, Cottonmouth: Different Names, Same Venomous Snake

Cottonmouth snakes are often called water moccasins and are one of only four venomous snakes found in North America.

By John Perritano Jul 8, 2019 Reptiles / Snakes

The Blue Whale: Bigger Than Megalodon

It is the largest animal ever to exist on the planet.

By Tara Yarlagadda Jul 2, 2019 Mammals / Aquatic Mammals

Copperhead Snakes: Not Always Lethal, But Best Left Alone

Though a copperhead will bite if disturbed, and it is venomous, its bite is rarely fatal.

By John Perritano Jul 1, 2019 Reptiles / Snakes

Wasps Have an Image Problem, But Here's Why We Need Them

Just like bees, wasps are pollinators that are also endangered. But you rarely hear anyone pleading to save wasps. A new study finds out why wasps are despised by the public and researchers alike.

By Dave Roos Jun 26, 2019 Insects & Arachnids / Insects