Wild Animals

Earth’s oceans are home to some seriously strange swimmers. From fish with transparent heads to bottom dwellers that pack an electric punch, the weirdest fish in the world come in all shapes and sizes.

By Nico Avelle

You don’t have to swim in the Mariana Trench to meet some of the scariest fish on Earth. The ocean is home to creatures that look like they swam out of a nightmare.

By Nico Avelle

The ocean is full of beauty, but it also hides some of the scariest sea creatures on the planet. Many of these animals lurk far below the ocean's surface, in the dark, high-pressure world of the deep sea.

By Nico Avelle

If you've ever spotted a bunch of crows flying or gathering in your yard, you might wonder: What is a group of crows called? The answer is surprisingly poetic and a bit eerie: It's called a murder.

By Nico Avelle

In the deep ocean where sunlight fades to black, a strange glow pulses through the water.

By Nico Avelle

Bright, bold, and impossible to miss, red butterfly species are more than eye candy. It's a colorful member of the insect world with a variety of species fluttering across continents.

By Nico Avelle

Some frogs blend into mud or leaves. Others look like someone spilled a paint set on them. These colorful frog species are so bright and beautiful, they seem designed to be seen.

By Nico Avelle

At first glance, it might seem like something's missing. The glasswing butterfly (Greta oto) gets its common name from its transparent wings, which can make it almost invisible in flight.

By Nico Avelle

You’ve probably seen them in aquarium tanks or floating just offshore—those milky, gelatinous blobs with polka dots and long, frilly arms. Meet the white spotted jellyfish (Phyllorhiza punctata), a tropical jellyfish invader that's turning up far from home.

With its striking colors and unusual name, the Amazon milk frog is one of the most charismatic amphibians in the rainforest. This tree-dwelling species lives high in the canopy, often in water-filled tree holes, and makes its home in parts of Brazil, Peru, Ecuador, and French Guiana.

By Nico Avelle

In the deepest, darkest parts of the ocean, far below where visible light can reach, swims one of the strangest animals on Earth: the deep sea jellyfish. These mysterious creatures thrive in a zone so dark and pressurized it's nicknamed the midnight zone.

By Nico Avelle

They have no brains, no bones, and no backstories. Yet somehow, jellyfish are among the ocean's most successful survivors. So, how do jellyfish eat? The answer is all about stings, tentacles, and some very sneaky arms.

By Nico Avelle

When you think of butterflies, bold oranges or deep blues might come to mind. But some of the most striking species sport a different palette. A green butterfly turns heads with hues that blend into leaves, grass, and stems—perfect camouflage with a flash of surprise.

By Nico Avelle

Ah, the red-eyed tree frog—with its signature stare and bright-green body, these small frogs are icons of the tropics.

By Nico Avelle

With its fiery tentacles and massive bell, the lion's mane jellyfish is one of the ocean's most striking creatures. Known scientifically as Cyanea capillata, this giant jellyfish haunts cold northern waters, including the North Pacific Ocean, North Sea, and Arctic.

By Nico Avelle

Frogs have been hopping around the planet since the Early Triassic, making them one of the oldest extant amphibian lineages. With more than 7,000 frog species globally, they’ve adapted to nearly every environment on Earth, from tropical rainforest canopies to forest floor ponds.

By Nico Avelle

If you've ever taken a springtime stroll through a park or garden, you might have seen a fast, darting flash of orange and black zip past your face. That bold little flier is likely the red admiral butterfly, a widespread member of the Vanessa genus.

By Nico Avelle

A pet seahorse can be a rewarding marine companion, but keeping one healthy requires more than a pretty tank and good intentions.

By Nico Avelle

If you've spotted a yellow and black butterfly flitting through your garden or the woods, you may have encountered one of several striking species common across North America.

By Nico Avelle

Frogs might seem simple, but under the skin, they're biological marvels. When you dig into frog anatomy, you’ll find structures that support a life both in water and on land. That duality makes them excellent subjects for comparing vertebrate systems—including our own.

By Nico Avelle

Frogs aren't at the top of the food chain. In fact, the list of what eats frogs is pretty long. These amphibians are on the menu for all kinds of animals across different ecosystems.

By Nico Avelle

Some of the most dazzling creatures in nature live underwater. When it comes to aquariums, the colorful fish we choose can light up a tank like a living lava lamp.

By Nico Avelle

When people picture marine predators, seahorses might not top the list. But make no mistake: The seahorse diet is all about stealth, patience and tiny snacks. These oddball fish have evolved a specialized way of eating that works perfectly with their unusual shape and behavior.

By Nico Avelle

When people think of the tropics, they often imagine lush green forests, towering trees and flashes of color flitting between the leaves. One of the most iconic and dazzling sights in this landscape is the morpho butterfly, especially the brilliant blue morpho.

By Nico Avelle

Some colorful lizards can stop you in your tracks. One second, you think you're looking at a rock. The next, a rainbow blur darts across your path. These reptiles are the masters of camouflage and display, using vivid skin tones to communicate, hide or strut their stuff.

By Nico Avelle