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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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

Red Pandas Are Not the Lesser Pandas

Despite being known as the "lesser panda," the red panda is so totally cute, we simply can't use that moniker. No way. Not now. Not ever.

By John Perritano Jun 25, 2019 Mammals / Bears

Where Did San Francisco's Wild Parrots Come From?

The parrots of the Telegraph Hill neighborhood of San Francisco are legendary, but how did they get there?

By Jesslyn Shields Jun 24, 2019 Birds / Miscellaneous Birds

Dive Inside the Weird World of the Ocean Sunfish

It's one of the gentle giants of the sea. It loves sunbathing, dining on crabs and taking deep dives to the ocean floor.

By Mark Mancini Jun 20, 2019 Fish / Saltwater Fish

6 Wild Cats Still Found Roaming the U.S.

As much as human beings have encroached on wildlife over recent decades, there are still several species of big cats living wild in the U.S. today.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Jun 20, 2019 Mammals / Carnivores

Meet the Ocelot: The Cutest Little Big Cat

The ocelot may look like a slightly wilder version of a domesticated tabby cat, but they are three times the size of house cats, much fiercer and, though abundant in some areas, still endangered.

By Michelle Konstantinovsky Jun 19, 2019 Mammals / Carnivores

The Harmless Garter Snake Is Your Garden's Best Friend

Garter snakes are harmless, very common and beneficially feed on slugs, leeches, large insects and small rodents in North American gardens.

By John Perritano Jun 17, 2019 Reptiles / Snakes

The Brown Recluse Spider: Its Reputation Is Worse Than Its Bite

Ninety percent of brown recluse bites don't have any effect at all — but the mythology around these creatures and their bites is legendary.

By Jesslyn Shields Jun 13, 2019 Insects & Arachnids / Arachnids

Rules for Keeping a Pet Chinchilla

These adorable little rodents are popular as pets, but they require some special care.

By Jesslyn Shields Jun 7, 2019 Mammals / Rodents

Will the Real Banana Spider Please Stand Up?

Is the "banana spider" you're looking at the one that sits around harmlessly catching flies, or could its bite kill a small child? If we rely solely on common names, this question is complicated.

By Jesslyn Shields Jun 6, 2019 Insects & Arachnids / Arachnids