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.
Golden Poison Dart Frog Eats Toxic Insects for Its Own Poison
Toad vs. Frog: Differences in Anatomy, Habitat and More
What's the Difference Between a Newt and Salamander?
A Redback Spider Bite Won't Kill You (if You Get Antivenom in Time)
Regal Jumping Spider: Tiny, Harmless, Maybe Even Cute
Spider Eggs and Egg Sacs and Spiderlings, Oh My!
The Albatross Soars Over Thousands of Miles of Open Ocean
The World's Most Dangerous Bird and 9 Runners-up
The 3 Types of Ducks Every Birdwatcher Should Know
The Frilled Shark Has a 3-Year Pregnancy Before Giving Birth
Barreleye Fish Aren't Something You Can See While Snorkeling
Deep-sea Dragonfish Use a Bioluminescent Lure to Entice Prey
The Naked Mole Rat Exhibits Hive Behavior, Lives Up to 30 Years
The Bowhead Whale Survives Icy Waters and Killer Whale Attacks
Why Grolar Bear Numbers Increase With Climate Change
The Sea Cucumber Eats, Poops and Breathes Through a Cloaca
Does the Immortal Jellyfish Actually Live Forever?
An Ocean Quahog Shows Its Age Like Rings on a Tree
The Marine Iguana Is The World's Only Seafaring Lizard
A Giant Tortoise Lives in the 'Galápagos of the Indian Ocean'
There Are 4 Types of Reptiles, But 1 Only Exists in New Zealand
Learn More / Page 29
Orangutans might be the most low-key of the world's apes, but that doesn't mean they don't like to socialize. So are these redheads miscast as loners, or are orangutans introverts?
If you come across a cougar, you might scream in fear. So if this predator could easily devour you, why might it harmonize your screech with its own tone-deaf shriek?
Their genetic similarity to humans makes chimps great subjects for medical research. But some countries are banning this research because these apelike similarities are a little too close for comfort.
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With powerful jaws, massive paws and piercing claws, the leopard is built for hunting. But how can this cat possibly take down animals three times its size?
Avoiding eye contact is a form of body language (and a sign you're probably lying). Gazelles might not use body language to lie, but they do rely on it to survive.
The Millennium Falcon might be fast in a galaxy far, far away, but the peregrine falcon reigns supreme on Earth. This bird doesn't have warp speed, but it sure can zoom.
When cats go swimming, is it still considered doggy paddling? Tigers might not be invited to your next pool party, but they sure do love taking a dip.
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It takes brains to tan leather is and we're not just talking keen intellect and skill. Sometimes that soft, supple feel of leather literally comes from using the old noggin.
Penguins and puffins might love formal wear and waddling, but the similarities end there. These fish-loving birds don't see eye to eye on issues like transportation and real estate.
Vindictive whales like Moby Dick sometimes give these giants of the sea a bad rap. But whales do a lot for their ecosystem, especially after they go to Davy Jones' locker.
Some animals are home hoppers - they'll leave small or damaged shells behind when they find better digs. Are turtles the same, or are they more invested in their keratin coverings?
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Giant squid are aggressive creatures that prey on almost anything that comes their way. How big do these monsters of the sea get, and could they really take down a watercraft?
What? You've never heard of a narwhal? Well, it's a cold-water-dwelling, deep-diving, vocalizing, halibut-munching wonder with its very own ivory crown. Did we mention its crazy tusk?
Loners might seem intriguing, but they lead dangerous lives -- a least those in the wolf world do. Lone wolves are outsiders, relying only on themselves to survive without a pack.
Riddle me this: Why are bats showing up dead with a white powder streaked across their faces? Could a poorly understood fungus wipe them out? To the bat cave, readers!
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What would happen if a fairytale princess licked a toad instead of kissing it in order to find her prince charming? Trippy hallucinations might await her instead of wedded bliss.
So far, "Planet of the Apes" is pure fiction. But are chimps capable of learning human language (and eventually taking over the world)?
With DDT on the no-no list and international travel more common than ever, the little parasites known as bedbugs are showing up in record numbers across the country.
By Julia Layton
Million-dollar endorsement deals or a sneaker named the Air Roo aren't in the cards for kangaroos. Since these animals can't play in any Final Four championships, why do they hop?
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These reindeer won't find any candy canes or fruitcake buried in the frozen tundra. So how do these animals find enough food to sustain them through such extreme weather?
Elephants have amazing memories and are known to hold grudges for years against those who have wronged them. So, be careful who you're calling Dumbo.
Animals may not have access to spice racks, but does that mean they don't enjoy flavorful meals? Have Japanese monkeys discovered the joy of cooking, or is this a culinary myth?
Plagued by negative images and slanderous tales, wolves could use the help of a good publicist. Will positive news like wolves help strengthen the ecosystem override age-old fears and misconceptions?
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What's a full moon without the cry of a wolf echoing in the background? Are wolves really howling at the moon or just talking among themselves?
Wolves are wild predators and could kill your beloved Fido for a tasty meal. But will these animals come after you, or do they prefer a drama-free neighborhood?