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.

Learn More / Page 21

The cuddly cubs were born in the same zoo that experienced disastrous flooding in 2015.

By Christopher Hassiotis

Why do turtles have shells is the kind of question a kid would ask. But the answer is surprisingly complicated.

By Melanie Radzicki McManus

For some horses and ponies, Diet Coke can be a literal lifesaver.

By Kate Kershner

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Hedgehog populations in Britain have dropped severely. Understanding how the animals have adapted to urban and rural spaces will help us help them.

By Christopher Hassiotis

Dutch researchers analyzed a surprising selection of exotic mammals to find which could most easily live alongside people in a humane way.

By Christopher Hassiotis

Scientists until recently believed Octopuses & Co. were colorblind. If that were the case, how could the animals create such vivid physical color displays?

By Jesslyn Shields

Talk about filthy lucre! Trace amounts of the precious metal turned up when scientists looked into bovine bathroom business.

By Christopher Hassiotis

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Late-stage albinism? Disastrous paint spill? Marty McFly in giraffe form? Maybe the African mammal just has something in common with Michael Jackson.

By Laurie L. Dove

Rising sea levels wiped out the entire population of a rodent species only found on remote Australian island Bramble Cay. Who's next?

By Christopher Hassiotis

The population-control strategy to rid the islands of the invasive species would use something called "gene driving" and GMO rodents.

By Chris Opfer

In a surprising way, the Southeast Asian mammal, AKA the bearcat, creates a chemical compound shared with roasty, toasty human food, according to a new study.

By Christopher Hassiotis

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Of course they do. You're an attractive person. But what is it about you specifically that draws them in for a tasty meal?

By Laurie L. Dove

And that price is a tapeworm infection.

By Robert Lamb

Ruby-throated hummingbirds migrate annually from the U.S. all the way to Central America. How often would one need to stop? A new study reveals amazing abilities.

By Christopher Hassiotis & Zach Taras

Feral monkeys have roamed Silver Springs State Park in Florida since the 1930s.

By Karen Kirkpatrick

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As the climate changes, some pika populations may die out, but others will flourish. A new study examined what's likely to happen in eight U.S. National Parks.

By Christopher Hassiotis

An oar-shaped protrusion of microscopic hairs on the legs of a grain-sized spider is bringing sexy back to the arachnid kingdom.

By Laurie L. Dove

The sea butterfly snail moves in Arctic waters in the same way as fruit flies through tropical air. This case of convergent evolution was uncovered by a new study.

By Christopher Hassiotis

If people had exoskeletons and wings maybe they'd be around forever, too. Insects are born survivors because they have certain traits that other animals don't.

By Nicholas Gerbis

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"The Jinx." "Making a Murderer." And now, orangutans? Why this female-on-female ape killing took researchers by surprise - and reads like a human true-crime drama.

By Jesslyn Shields

Motion-sensing cameras, detailed maps and a special poop-detecting dog all played a part in finding the jaguar nicknamed "El Jefe."

By Christopher Hassiotis

What do bats have in common with ice skaters and one-legged ducks? The answer to that helped illuminate one perplexing thing about the flying mammals.

By Karen Kirkpatrick

Breaking multiple records, Sarah set speeds never matched by any other animal. She was euthanized earlier this week by the staff at the Cincinnati Zoo, where she lived.

By Christopher Hassiotis

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It's not to entertain the insect. Figuring out how mantises perceive the world could lead to tiny, energy-efficient robots with depth perception, too.

By Patrick J. Kiger

Groups of European bison make movement and grazing decisions by popular vote, choosing to follow or ignore potential leaders' suggestions.

By Laurie L. Dove