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.
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Wondering what's going on in the animal world while you're all cooped up under quarantine? Check out these webcams and get a virtual glimpse into how the animals live.
Known in some circles as a 'musk hog' or 'skunk pig,' the javelina's good looks may be in the eye of the beholder, but there's a lot more to this beauty than meets the eye.
By Wendy Bowman
When a half-full plate of dinner sits before you and your overstuffed tummy, have you ever been told your eyes are too big for your stomach? The pelican's got a similar problem.
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Work by volunteers and nonprofit organizations, such as butterfly waystations and increased education efforts, has turned around long-term population decline for some butterfly species.
They both have prehistoric looking shells and squatty legs, but how are they different?
Fruit flies are annoying, but we also owe them a huge debt of scientific gratitude.
A bright pink manta ray named Inspector Clouseau is causing a splash on the runway of the Great Barrier Reef.
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Locusts are just mild-mannered grasshoppers until they swarm up and become monstrous. In parts of the world, locust plagues are becoming a way of life.
Proactive sluggishness, along with the ability to squeeze into tight spaces, keeps these slugs safe from predators like birds, toads and, well, fires.
By Katie Carman
The arctic fox is able to thrive in temperatures as low as -58 degrees F (-50 degrees C), largely because it has fur on the soles of its feet and the warmest coat of any animal on Earth.
By Wendy Bowman
Puma, panther, mountain cat, mountain lion, mountain screamer, painter, catamount and, yes, cougar. This cat has a lot of names!
By Wendy Bowman
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If you've never seen a botfly, it looks rather harmless — like a basic bumblebee even. Until it lays its eggs inside a living host, and that's when things get really gross.
By Mark Mancini
The green anaconda is the largest of the anaconda species, which makes it arguably the biggest snake in the world.
By Mark Mancini
Dragonflies are fast, powerful and unbelievably aggressive, using a rudimentary form of 'trigonometry' to calculate distance and move in for the kill.
With their fierce jaws and cunning hunting tactics, spotted hyenas don't seem to have much to joke about. So what do those spine-chilling peals of laughter really mean?
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Seals have long been known as dry-land clappers, but the first-ever percussive clapping observed by scientists has blown seal clapping theory out of the water. Or should we say under the water?
The maned wolf might as well be called a werewolf given its unfortunate name. You see it's not a wolf at all, and despite all appearances, it isn't a fox either.
By Mark Mancini
The polar bear's shocking whiteness, ferocity and sheer size make it an icon of purity and power. How do these animals survive in a frigid climate?
From its small size to its docile nature and long life span, the spotted python fills the bill as a great family pet. Our writer should know, he's got one.
By Mark Mancini
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But, squirrels that strongly prefer one hand over the other aren't as good at learning, one study suggests. What does this mean for you and me?
They have been called both “coywolf” and “coydog,” but the majority of the scientific community recognizes this hybrid animal simply as the “eastern coyote.”
Elk are some of the most majestic animals in the world, but also some of the most aggressive. Here's what you need to know about the territorial elk.
Dwindling natural habitats are causing a significant decline in certain seahorse species. To bolster populations, researchers in Australia are building seahorse hotels and leaving the lights on.
By Wendy Bowman
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The smallest of the wallaby species is known to pose for selfies with tourists and be cuter than cute. But the feisty quokka has had to fight for its very survival.
With lightning speed and incredible vision, the cheetah is the fastest land animal on Earth and the best hunter on the savanna.