General — Animals — August 13th, 2026

Complex suicidal somersault behavior in male redback spiders may be explained by surprisingly simple genetics
The Australian redback spider (Latrodectus hasselti), a cousin of the North American black widow spider, is known to practice sexual cannibalism, which is somewhat common among spider species. However, the male Australian redback has also been observed facilitating the process with strange moves. Despite the complexity of these behaviors, a new study, published in Biology Letters, indicates that one of these behaviors arises from simple genetics, while another may be more complex.
August 13th, 2026 — Source

'How many will die?': The mysterious ailment killing Kenyan elephants
Lying on the ground and kicking up a cloud of dust, the elephant slowly exhausted himself in futile attempts to stand, the latest potential victim of a still-mysterious ailment in southern Kenya.
August 13th, 2026 — Source

Mice bred to run three times farther show no fertility or lifespan cost
Being an elite athlete—at least for a mouse—does not shorten lifespan or limit how many children one can have. This is the finding of a study 30 years in the making, and it runs counter to accepted evolutionary theory.
August 13th, 2026 — Source

Scientists Capture World-First Footage of Dolphins Using Seashells to Catch Fish
Scientists Capture World-First Footage of Dolphins Using Seashells to Catch Fish
August 13th, 2026 — Source

Thinking fast and slow: Wild fish reveal how cognition evolved in two closely related species
Why do two individuals faced with the same information sometimes make completely different decisions? It is a question made famous by Nobel laureate Daniel Kahneman, whose book "Thinking, Fast and Slow" explored the contrast between rapid, intuitive decisions and slower, more deliberative thinking in humans.
August 13th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — August 12th, 2026

Bumblebees can learn to associate new smells with their queen
Bumblebees are able to learn to associate new odors with their colony's queen, instead of being preprogrammed to recognize the queen's pheromones from birth, according to a new study led by researchers at Penn State. For the study, published in the journal Communications Biology, the researchers treated buff-tailed bumblebee queens daily with one of two different floral scents as they built their colonies.
August 12th, 2026 — Source

Did poop enable the evolution of complex animals?
In a recent study, evolution gets even messier than usual.
August 12th, 2026 — Source

Sharks on a Plane
To overcome functional extinction in Indonesian waters, global aquariums are airlifting zebra sharks back to the Pacific.
August 12th, 2026 — Source

Unfamiliar with rattlesnakes, blackbirds still avoid striking them while defending nests
In a rare study of snakes as nest predators, scientists found nesting birds were loath to strike rattlesnakes even though they likely had no previous experience with vipers.
August 12th, 2026 — Source

When male suitors abound, female treefrogs have trouble picking mates
Much like an indecisive single person on a dating app, female treefrogs struggle to pick the most desirable mates when they have too many options to choose from. According to a new study published Aug. 12 in the journal iScience, when female Cope's gray treefrogs gather around ponds during mating season to listen to large groups of males chirping in noisy "choruses," they struggle to pick the most desirable male.
August 12th, 2026 — Source

Why do humans use 'baby voice' when speaking to pets?
You walk in a park. Children are playing, people are walking their dogs, and then you hear someone say, "Who's my little sweetie?" You turn around expecting to see a stroller. But someone is sitting beside a dog, speaking in the same voice they would use with a baby.
August 12th, 2026 — Source

Wind farms need smarter, site-specific strategies to protect birds and bats, review finds
A major review of current mitigation strategies to prevent bird and bat collisions with wind turbines concludes that future wildlife-safe wind energy will depend on smarter, combined approaches that balance biodiversity protection with renewable energy production.
August 12th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — August 8th, 2026

Dodos probably weren't as stupid as historians made them out to be: new research
The dodo has been extinct for more than 300 years, wiped out within decades of humans arriving on its home island of Mauritius, but it lives on in the public imagination.
August 8th, 2026 — Source

Nocturnal 'coffee frog' discovered in Costa Rica
A tiny greenish, nocturnal frog that thrives in coffee plantations has been discovered in Costa Rica's central Pacific region, where it also faces risks from agrochemicals used in farming.
August 8th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — August 7th, 2026

AI method reveals hidden patterns in microbial communities in the Warnow Estuary
Microbial communities are highly sensitive to environmental changes, yet their enormous diversity makes it difficult to identify ecological patterns. A research team from the Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW) has shown that an AI method originally developed for text analysis can be successfully applied to analyzing complex environmental samples. The method identified five seasonally successive microbial subcommunities in the Warnow Estuary while preserving ecological and functional information just as well as conventional methods—in some cases, it performed better.
August 7th, 2026 — Source

Birdsong and whale song show patterns similar to human language
An international team of researchers has uncovered a previously undetected structure in the birdsong of Bengalese finches that has the same statistical patterns found in human languages.
August 7th, 2026 — Source

Different genes, same result: How flies evolved multiple ways to define heads and tails
One of the most important milestones in the early life of an organism is when the embryo breaks symmetry and arranges itself to form the head (anterior) at one end and tail (posterior) at the other end. Scientists have used the common fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster) for decades as a model species to study the process of forming the anterior-posterior body axis, along with countless other early developmental and genetic processes.
August 7th, 2026 — Source

Hidden hormone--habitat relationship revealed in reef fish
In the animal kingdom, only those that adapt to their environment survive. This adaptation takes a wide range of forms, from invisible internal shifts in gene expression to dramatic anatomical changes, such as tadpoles growing legs and transitioning to life on land as frogs.
August 7th, 2026 — Source

Honduras review confirms 227 native mammal species after eight-year effort
An eight-year international research effort has produced the most comprehensive review of Honduras' mammals since 1998, verifying 227 native species across 146 genera and 42 families, along with three introduced rodent species. The study, published in the open-access journal ZooKeys, also forecasts that as many as 28 further species could eventually be confirmed in the country, bringing the potential total to 258.
August 7th, 2026 — Source

How snails engineer their slime
Collagen and calcium work in tandem to achieve varying mechanical properties of different kinds of mucus.
August 7th, 2026 — Source

Natural insecticide made from compound found in garlic and spearmint kills bean beetles effectively
In an effort to develop more environmentally friendly alternatives to synthetic insecticides, researchers from Kyushu University have developed and tested a new insecticide made from compounds derived from garlic and spearmint.
August 7th, 2026 — Source

One snail, five slimes: Collagen and calcium reshape mucus for different jobs
Snails are particularly active after a rain shower. Even on the Max Planck Campus in Potsdam-Golm, common brown-lipped snails (Cepaea nemoralis) leave behind shiny trails of mucus. Researchers from the "Biomaterials" department saw the slime as a promising natural material. The snail does not produce just one type of slime but can vary it as needed, making it liquid, solid, sticky or slippery.
August 7th, 2026 — Source

US firm takes on backyard mosquitoes—with 600,000 mosquitoes
Todd Montgomery pops the lid off a small tube and taps out hundreds of mosquitoes into the backyard of a suburban home outside Washington.
August 7th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — August 5th, 2026

Bird flu decimated South America's marine mammals. What can Australia do differently?
Australia is now confronting an outbreak of a deadly bird flu strain. As of Monday, the highly pathogenic H5N1 virus had been detected in 78 wild birds across mainland Australia. Until now, there had been no evidence of a large-scale outbreak.
August 5th, 2026 — Source

Butterflies are on the move as the planet warms: New research
Imagine spotting a butterfly species in your garden that you have never seen before. You might take a photo and upload it to a citizen science app or tell a local nature group about your new encounter. It feels like a small moment of joy.
August 5th, 2026 — Source

Egg oiling offers a targeted way to reduce raven predation on vulnerable prey
Common ravens are intelligent omnivores that regularly consume the eggs and young of nesting birds, and their populations are boosted by human-provided food and nesting resources. This has resulted in elevated predation by ravens on many sensitive prey species, including greater sage-grouse.
August 5th, 2026 — Source

Ways to help protect Australia's birds and mammals from bird flu
The deadly H5N1 strain of bird flu has now spread from migratory birds to infect resident Australian birds. Clusters of dead birds have been found in several locations. The virus will inevitably infect other wildlife, most notably mammals.
August 5th, 2026 — Source

Wildlife Photographer Captures First-Ever Aerial Footage of Humpback Whale Giving Birth
A drone photographer has captured what is believed to be the first-known aerial footage of a humpback whale giving birth in the ocean.
August 5th, 2026 — Source or Watch Video

Your giant cat finally has a litter box that fits — HomerunPet has dropped a smart litter box for chonks
For cats who consider "standard size" a personal insult.
August 5th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — July 31st, 2026

Falls in whale sightings, rare seabirds appearing—is something unusual happening in the Southern Ocean?
In late June, whale watchers in southwest Western Australia sounded the alarm. They had seen far fewer humpback whales at a time when they normally migrate up from the Southern Ocean to calve and feed. Numbers were 60% below normal.
July 31th, 2026 — Source

First-of-its-Kind Footage Shows the Ocean From a Whale Shark's Perspective
Researchers attached cameras to whale sharks, the world's largest known fish, to witness krill chases for the first time and gain exciting new insights into how these beloved fish forage and snack.
July 31th, 2026 — Source

Moving faster than planned, AI drug developer Accipiter Bio quietly tops up seed round with $10.5M
Less than a year after emerging from stealth operations with $12.7 million and partnerships with pharmaceutical giants, Seattle-based biotech startup Accipiter Biosciences has added $10.5 million to its funding total. The new cash will let the company move faster on promising drug candidates.
July 31th, 2026 — Source

Newly discovered parasite linked to coastal seabird deaths
Along the Gulf Coast, black skimmers have long been a familiar sight—gliding just above the water with their bright orange beaks slicing through the surface to feed.
July 31th, 2026 — Source

Poochmaxxing: the wellness industry is coming for your pets
I am a runner who loves being active alongside my dogs. Actually, I am more of a plodder—and one with very bad knees. Those knees benefit from regular physiotherapy and sports massage. You might not be surprised, then, to hear that I have regular physiotherapy appointments. The slight curveball is that the last three appointments I have attended have been with my dogs' veterinary physiotherapist.
July 31th, 2026 — Source

Road traffic is putting smaller hedgehog populations at risk of collapse
A new study involving the University of Cambridge has found that road traffic kills between 15% and 29% of hedgehogs in local populations each year.
July 31th, 2026 — Source

Spain safari park animals grazed calmly amid 'terror' of fire
The bison carried on grazing peacefully as the flames approached, imperturbable despite the fires ravaging the land around their wildlife park west of Madrid.
July 31th, 2026 — Source

The last trio: S.Africa's zoo elephants await their fate
The last three elephants still in a traditional South African zoo entered their enclosure in single file, with fruit and vegetables scattered on the ground to encourage natural foraging.
July 31th, 2026 — Source

Turkey battles wind-fueled wildfires on tourist coasts
Hundreds of Turkish firefighters battled Thursday to contain wind-fueled wildfires spreading near key tourist regions on the country's Mediterranean coast.
July 31th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — July 29th, 2026

Beyond bunny tourism: The hidden consequences of unregulated feeding of rabbits on Okunoshima island
Feeding wild animals is a popular activity at tourist destinations. While these interactions often appear harmless, scientists are recognizing how supplemental feeding of wild animals can alter ecosystems in unexpected ways.
July 29th, 2026 — Source

In biology of cells, octopus has another trick up its sleeve
The octopus is a biological oddity. It can use tools, open jars, and its complex nervous system supports as many neurons as a small primate. Now Harvard biologists have discovered a mysterious distinction in octopuses' core biology: Some octopuses have an unusual adaptation in the protein-making machinery of their cells that helps ensure accuracy, perhaps an evolutionary byproduct of their acute sensory system.
July 29th, 2026 — Source

Oil beetle larvae smell like flowers to manipulate bees and sneak into their nests
For the first time, a research team from the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology and Friedrich Schiller University in Jena, Germany, has demonstrated that insects can mimic floral scents to manipulate pollinators.
July 29th, 2026 — Source

Industrial noise may alter bluebird behavior but not cognitive ability
Scientists have long wondered whether loud, human-caused noise interferes with wild animals' cognition—their ability to think and learn—by causing stress, distraction or making it harder for them to focus. The results of a novel study of eastern bluebirds conducted by a team of researchers at Penn State suggest that, at least in some cases, short-term noise doesn't affect them much.
July 29th, 2026 — Source

Why are so many dead bumblebees appearing on sidewalks?
Bumblebees naturally have short lives, but extreme heat and human activity are making survival harder. Pesticides can poison bees or destroy the flowers they depend on, while habitat loss leaves them with fewer safe places to live and feed. Protecting native plants and using fewer chemicals could help these vital pollinators recover.
July 29th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — July 27th, 2026

'Grumpy' Pallas kittens on display at Japan zoo
Five young Pallas's cats—dubbed the world's grumpiest felines for their sullen facial expressions—went on display at a zoo in Japan on Thursday.
July 27th, 2026 — Source

How flying together helps Andean condors save energy
Animals are constantly moving to find food, water, suitable habitats, mates and safe places to rest. Because moving requires substantial energy, animals often rely on various biological and behavioral strategies to reduce unnecessary costs while seeking available resources.
July 27th, 2026 — Source

Invasive species hit the Global South significantly harder than previously assumed
Invasive alien species are among the world's leading drivers of species extinction. However, previous global assessments of the geographic distribution of this damage suffered from a systematic "research bias": Because significantly more research is conducted and documented in Global North countries such as North America and Europe, these areas also showed the highest numbers of invasive species and, consequently, the most damage reports.
July 27th, 2026 — Source

New snail species bolster case for protecting Montenegro's biodiversity
The descriptions of the two new additions to the European snail fauna, named Cochlostoma komarnica and Cochlostoma dobrido, have been published in the open-access Biodiversity Data Journal.
July 27th, 2026 — Source

Oh deer: The threat munching its way through NZ's native forests
The need for a national deer management strategy to manage the decline of native forests is highlighted in a new research paper published today in the New Zealand Journal of Ecology. Led by Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) Emeritus Professor David Norton, the paper, "Deer in the headlights: sleepwalking our way to a native forest catastrophe," warns of a slowly developing crisis that is often hard to see.
July 27th, 2026 — Source

Sharks, spines and speed: The hidden architecture behind different swimming styles revealed
"Shark Week," which kicks off this week, has captivated audiences for decades with stories of these powerful ocean predators. But the secret behind their extraordinary swimming abilities lies far deeper than their impressive teeth or iconic tails—it's hidden inside their spines.
July 27th, 2026 — Source

These insect submariners survive depths that should crush them
Lake fly larvae plunge more than 200 meters into Lake Malawi each day to hide from predators, using tiny air sacs to control their depth. A rubber-like material called resilin lets them expand or shrink the sacs by changing their pH. Their toughness challenges a popular explanation for why insects are absent from the open ocean.
July 27th, 2026 — Source

Whales at risk, hungry pelicans: Marine heat wave hits California
On a boat off the coast of California, Sara Lesser gazes wistfully at dozens of dolphins playing in the vessel's wake. This summer, extreme heat is making such a scene increasingly rare.
July 27th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — July 24th, 2026

Ancient ape fossil in Egypt challenges the story of human origins
An ancient ape jaw from Egypt may shift the birthplace of modern apes from East Africa to a surprising new evolutionary crossroads.
July 24th, 2026 — Source

Baby monkey Punch to celebrate first birthday
Punch, a plush-clutching Japanese baby monkey that has become a global online sensation, will celebrate his first birthday on Sunday as his zoo is flooded with fan letters from around the world.
July 24th, 2026 — Source

Cutting out the noise: How horseshoe bats adapt their echolocation behavior in colonies
Imagine searching for a gemstone in a dark cave: You use a flashlight, looking for a rainbow-colored glint in the darkness. Now, imagine 10 other people in the cave with you, using different-colored flashlights at the same time. Suddenly, you can no longer tell which light is coming from your gemstone, which light is from another flashlight or which light is coming from a reflection off another unknown object. That is what echolocation with multiple, overlapping frequencies would be like. But now, imagine if every person in the cave were using a flashlight of the same color. The glint from the gemstone would be much easier to see.
July 24th, 2026 — Source

Differences in human and great ape laughter reveal clues to the origin of speech
Humans are not the only animals that communicate. Birds sing to attract mates, dolphins use signature whistles that identify individuals, and many primates produce complex vocalizations that help them coordinate their social lives.
July 24th, 2026 — Source

How did inbred brown tree snakes take over the island of Guam?
If you look up invasive species in a textbook, there's a good chance you'll find a picture of a brown tree snake. Native to Australia and the South Pacific, the brown tree snake arrived on Guam sometime after World War II, possibly by stowing away aboard cargo planes.
July 24th, 2026 — Source

How fishing may be changing one fish species at the molecular level
The pearly razorfish (Xyrichtys novacula) is a small marine animal that lives in sandy coastal waters and feeds on creatures like shrimp. Known locally in Spain's Balearic Islands as raors, it is a popular dish in many homes and restaurants across the region.
July 24th, 2026 — Source

'Jimothy' the raccoon has short spine syndrome—but this condition can affect dogs, too
If you've been anywhere near the internet in recent days, you will likely have seen the viral footage of "Jimothy": an unusually round raccoon in Seattle that hops and skips along in a video filmed by local resident Kiana Hall.
July 24th, 2026 — Source

Plumage reflectance framework offers new insight into how birds evolved heat-controlling feathers
Birds can inhabit various environments with different climates and temperatures, ranging from cold polar regions to scorching hot deserts. To survive and thrive in these very different environments, they need to effectively regulate their body temperature.
July 24th, 2026 — Source

Protecting your pets from heat stress: Expert advice
Warm weather often means more time outside with your pets, but higher temperatures also increase the risk of heat stress, which occurs when an animal's body cannot properly cool itself, causing its core temperature to rise.
July 24th, 2026 — Source

Vegan dog and cat food generally well digested
A new scientific review has found that nutritionally sound vegan dog food, vegan cat food and vegetarian pet diets are generally well digested and broadly comparable to conventional meat-based diets.
July 24th, 2026 — Source

Why and how birdsong differs across the world—and the eight motifs that tie them together
Birdsong carries meaning across open space, helping birds attract mates, defend territory and communicate with rivals. While there has been much research into the use of birdsong across species, researchers have lacked a single global framework that explains birdsong complexity and how it differs from place to place. But now, in a study recently published in Science, a group of researchers in France have analyzed more than 116,000 bird songs from 3,160 passerine species around the world, allowing them to identify eight common motifs and explain differences in birdsong.
July 24th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — July 23rd, 2026

For the birds: Parakeet co-designs its own perch
Shiso, a ring-necked parakeet, can't speak English, but she knows how to make her preferences known. She has screaming fights with the dogs and cats in her household, snorts for attention and food, and perches on her human to interact with her.
July 23rd, 2026 — Source

How insect submariners survive the depths without imploding
Deep-diving insect larvae are challenging a long-held idea about why there are almost no insects in the ocean, thanks to sturdy air sacs. In Lake Malawi in East Africa, billions of lake fly larvae (Chaoborus edulis) make an unusual commute: By day, they sink more than 200 meters (656 feet) into the lake's oxygen-starved "dead zone" to hide from predators. By night, they rise to safely feed—but not before passing through a horde of waiting fish.
July 23rd, 2026 — Source

More than half of Earth's migratory bird species are declining—here's how we can still save them
Every year, billions of migratory birds connect the world's continents, oceans and ecosystems as they undertake epic journeys between their foraging habitats and breeding grounds.
July 23rd, 2026 — Source

Orcas filmed smashing giant sunfish into thousands of pieces
Orcas were caught using high-speed teamwork to blast sunfish into bite-sized pieces, revealing another astonishing hunting behavior.
July 23rd, 2026 — Source

Rare Arctic Bobtail Squid Filmed in Its Natural Habitat for the First Time
Scientists have filmed the Arctic bobtail squid in its natural subzero habitat for the first time, including the rare discovery of a mature female tending to its eggs.
July 23rd, 2026 — Source

Silkworm cultivation predates the Silk Road in southern Central Asia, ancient cocoons suggest
The silkworm moth, whose caterpillars have been used in silk production since antiquity, may have been brought to southern Central Asia 4,000 years ago—nearly 2,000 years earlier than previously assumed—according to new research from Washington University in St. Louis.
July 23rd, 2026 — Source

The human side of animal health: Global review reveals new insights to achieving better biosecurity
When it comes to protecting livestock from devastating diseases, simply telling people what to do may not be enough. A new review led by a researcher from the University of Vermont and collaborators from two institutions in Australia suggests that improving farm biosecurity requires something often overlooked in animal health: understanding how humans make decisions.
July 23rd, 2026 — Source

Tourist Filmed Taking Selfies Inches From Enormous Wild Bison
A tourist was filmed taking selfies dangerously close to a huge wild bison in a national park — just weeks after a photographer captured a man being hurled eight feet into the air by one.
July 23rd, 2026 — Source

Trace DNA reveals critically endangered Chinese bahaba in Hong Kong after decade without records
The Chinese bahaba (Bahaba taipingensis), a marine fish species endemic to the Chinese coast and known as the "Panda of the Sea," is critically endangered and one of the few marine fish listed as a first-class protected wild animal in China. Collaborative research led by the Division of Science at Lingnan University has developed a cost-effective environmental DNA (eDNA) monitoring qPCR approach specifically designed for the Chinese bahaba.
July 23rd, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — July 22nd, 2026

Circulating microRNAs offer insights for detecting and treating cachexia in senior dogs
Cachexia—a syndrome characterized by progressive muscle wasting—affects both humans and dogs with chronic diseases such as cancer. A recent study in Molecular Oncology found that lower circulating levels of certain microRNAs—small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression—often indicate the presence of cachexia in senior dogs.
July 22nd, 2026 — Source

Spread of invasive malaria mosquito from Asia to Africa traced in new genomic study
A genomic surveillance study has shed new light on how an invasive urban malaria mosquito species spread from Asia to Africa, potentially threatening public health across a rapidly urbanizing continent where malaria is mainly concentrated in rural areas.
July 22nd, 2026 — Source

The violence link: Animal maltreatment and family violence often happen together
For some survivors of intimate partner violence, leaving an abusive relationship might mean facing a difficult choice between prioritizing their own safety and that of a beloved pet.
July 22nd, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — July 16th, 2026

Devastating Asian beetle detected in EU for first time
A tiny Asian-origin beetle that has devastated ash forests in North America has been detected in the European Union for the first time, in Hungary and Slovakia, authorities said.
July 16th, 2026 — Source

Small but mighty dung beetles take a big bite out of farm methane
Dung beetles are quietly performing a vital climate change mitigation service for Australia's livestock sector, slashing methane emissions from cattle manure by 85%, a new Southern Cross University study has found.
July 16th, 2026 — Source

Trail Cam Footage Shows World's Dumbest Pigeon Walking Into Falcon's Nest
If you're a pigeon, there is one bird you really want to avoid: falcons. Why? Because an urban falcon's diet almost entirely consists of pigeons.
July 16th, 2026 — Source or Watch Video

Tunas and other ocean predators may have evolved more slowly than previous research predicted
Today, oceans host a large variety of fast, resilient marine predators, including tunas, mackerels and various other fish species. Many of these fish belong to a lineage known as Scombridae, whose members are characterized by fins supported by thin, bony structures known as rays.
July 16th, 2026 — Source

What animals do before going to war
Social animals use a suite of preemptive behaviors in anticipation of conflict, including staying quiet, monitoring their surroundings, conducting raids and bonding through play. In a review published in Trends in Ecology & Evolution , researchers describe how environmental cues and memories of past events can trigger these behaviors. Over generations, these prewar preparations could affect sociocognitive evolution, population dynamics and community structures.
July 16th, 2026 — Source

Why some primates have even tougher births than humans
Scientists have long thought humans have a uniquely difficult birth compared with other primates. And it's true that, from an evolutionary perspective, we face an obstetrical dilemma. As we evolved to walk on two feet, our pelvis changed shape and size, and our birth canal became smaller and oddly twisted. Meanwhile, the evolution of our enormous brain meant that a large-headed baby needed to fit through it.
July 16th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — July 12th, 2026

Herring and Herons: Signs of the Charles River's Vast Improvement
As its water continues to be cleaned up, a mini nature preserve is emerging on its banks.
July 12th, 2026 — Source

Neil the seal is more than a viral animal. He's become a global folk hero
Neil's latest arrival in Tasmania was in late June. Due to his celebrity status, a security detail from the local council had been tasked with limiting all pedestrian access to the animal.
July 12th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — July 11th, 2026

Scientists warn invasive Asian mantises are threatening Europe's wildlife
Two striking Asian praying mantis species that have rapidly spread across Europe have now been officially classified as invasive, raising new concerns about their impact on native wildlife. Boosted by climate change and urban environments, these fast-breeding predators are expanding northward, where they prey on native insects, pollinators, and even small vertebrates while also reducing native mantis populations through deadly mating interactions.
July 11th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — July 10th, 2026

Assessing lab animals with AI
Rutgers Office for Research (OfR) leaders collaborated with researchers around the world to develop an artificial intelligence (AI) program that has the potential to revolutionize lab research.
July 10th, 2026 — Source

Darwin's 150‑year‑old hillside steps mystery may have a new answer from virtual grazing animals
Steep hillsides and mountainsides in many regions worldwide are often covered in characteristic step-like patterns, also known as terracettes. These repeating landforms have fascinated scientists for more than a century, yet the factors contributing to their formation had not been clearly confirmed until now.
July 10th, 2026 — Source

H5 bird flu detected in Australian seabird for first time
Scientists have detected the highly contagious H5 bird flu in an Australian seabird for the first time, the government said Friday.
July 10th, 2026 — Source

Hidden health risks found in New York City's free-roaming cats
Cats may be cute and adorable, but stray and feral cats can sometimes pose a risk to human health. Veterinary researchers have discovered that more than 50% of free-roaming cats in New York City carry parasites that could potentially be transmitted to humans.
July 10th, 2026 — Source

This common pesticide may be quietly wiping out future bumblebees
A next-generation pesticide designed to kill crop pests may also be interfering with the reproductive health of bumblebees. Researchers discovered that low-dose exposure to sulfoxaflor changed gene activity, especially in tissues involved in reproduction, raising concerns about long-term impacts on bee populations. Because pollinators are essential for about one-third of the world's food production, finding ways to protect them while controlling pests has become increasingly important.
July 10th, 2026 — Source

Why bees are struggling to survive this summer
You may be spotting dead bumblebees lying on pavements near you during the summer months. There are several reasons for this, some related to the weather and some very much due to humans.
July 10th, 2026 — Source or Watch Video

General — Animals — July 9th, 2026

Scientists Travel to Unexplored Area of Atlantic Ocean and Photograph Bizarre Deep-Sea Creatures
Researchers spent 35 days exploring a remote, mountainous stretch of the Atlantic Ocean where tectonic fractures constantly reshape the seafloor and bizarre animals thrive.
July 9th, 2026 — Source

Uncovering the secrets of the basking shark's bizarre skin
New research reveals the unusual shape, size and pattern of the dermal denticles that cover basking sharks—thought to be unique to this species. Researchers propose that the shape and arrangement of the skin's scales protect the skin while also allowing for the stretchiness required to open and close their colossal mouths during ram filter feeding.
July 9th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — July 8th, 2026

A hotter climate may lead to more same-sex mounting in corpse-eating beetles
New research suggests that heat stress increases the occurrence of same-sex sexual interactions between male burying beetles—but also that a surprising number of male--male encounters occur under control conditions. This ongoing project is investigating whether a possible trade-off between heat protection and social-communication cuticular hydrocarbons may be involved in possible sex-recognition errors, and whether these behaviors may result in any costs to reproductive success.
July 8th, 2026 — Source

Fi Ultra becomes first dog tracker powered by Starlink satellites -- the Fi Ultra Dog Tracker makes Fido trackable via satellite, onboard GPS, and LTE connectivity
Never lose Fido again, even if there's no GPS or cellular connection.
July 8th, 2026 — Source or Source

In time but out of tune: Exploring the rapid evolution of Hawaii's songless crickets
New research finds that the "silent" mutant male crickets of Hawaii, first observed more than 20 years ago, have now become well established across the Hawaiian islands, and that the reproductive challenges caused by a lack of courtship song may be offset by much earlier maturation into adulthood, providing a wider window for breeding opportunities. This research also reveals the existence of multiple different sound-reducing morphs, all with their own unique mutations that disrupt the cricket's ability to create songs.
July 8th, 2026 — Source

Think that fishes and amphibians don't have necks? Think again
New research is redefining the morphological and functional existence of anatomical "neck" regions to better include previously exempted vertebrates such as fishes and amphibians, changing the status quo of what it means to have a neck.
July 8th, 2026 — Source

This rare British butterfly looks familiar, but its genome tells a very different story
The British swallowtail butterfly (Papilio machaon britannicus) is the U.K.'s only native swallowtail and its largest native butterfly. It's instantly recognizable by its striking light yellow-and-black wings, with twin tail-like markings splashed in bold blue and red. Habitat for this endangered species has largely been limited to the damp bogs and marshes of eastern England, especially the iconic Norfolk Broads, where its life cycle is closely tied to a single host plant, milk-parsley.
July 8th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — July 4th, 2026

A young gull's mottled brown plumage acts as a 'not a threat' signal to territorial adults
Birds are known for their distinctive plumage that helps them attract mates during the breeding season. For some birds, the path to adulthood is quite linear. One day they are chicks, and a few months later they are fully grown adults with their mature plumage, all set to find and fight for a mate. However, some seabirds linger much longer in the awkward adolescent phase. Species like the American herring gull take several years to develop their adult feathers, a process called delayed plumage maturation.
July 4th, 2026 — Source

New species of ghost shark may have been found in Costa Rica
Costa Rican scientists may have discovered a new species of ghost shark in Pacific waters near Cabo Blanco and Cano Island.
July 4th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — July 2nd, 2026

Harsh UVB bursts leave tadpoles with more DNA damage than longer exposure
Sunburn is a serious problem in the Southern Hemisphere, where depleted ozone provides less protection from UVB. Tadpoles are at particular risk because they are growing rapidly, making them vulnerable to UVB DNA damage. Niclas Lundsgaard of The University of Queensland (UQ), Australia, says the seriousness of sunburn was thought to be directly linked to the degree of exposure, so that a long, weak dose of UVB would yield the same DNA damage as a short, intense dose that resulted in the same overall exposure.
July 2nd, 2026 — Source

Honeybee queens push pesticides to eggs to protect themselves over their offspring, research reveals
Worker bees are the first line of defense when it comes to removing contamination in honeybee colonies, but a queen has her ways, too. A honeybee queen facing chronic exposure to pesticides will take up that contamination and pass it along to her eggs, a process researchers call maternal offloading.
July 2nd, 2026 — Source

More colorful songbirds face higher extinction risk
In the humid jungle of Vietnam, Natalia Ocampo-Peñuela and Monte Neate-Clegg spent hours patiently waiting to spot the rare "Halloween bird." Officially known as the collared laughingthrush, this songbird has striking orange, silver and black coloring and a distinct, singsong call. It's extremely valuable and heavily traded as a pet in Vietnam, and is considered endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
July 2nd, 2026 — Source

Most Europeans see economic growth as essential for a sustainable future
According to a new study by the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology of the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (ICTA-UAB), most European citizens consider economic growth a necessary condition, rather than an obstacle, for advancing toward a sustainable future.
July 2nd, 2026 — Source

Sightings of humpback whales surge in Rio de Janeiro, fueling demand for whale-watching trips
Sightings of humpback whales off Rio de Janeiro's coast are surging as they recover from decimation due to commercial whaling, prompting an acceleration in the demand for whale-watching excursions to spot the huge marine creatures during their annual migration.
July 2nd, 2026 — Source

Spider venoms could stop deadly varroa mites killing honey bees
Spider venoms contain ingredients that could lead to a new treatment to protect honeybees from the deadly Varroa destructor mite, according to a study led by the University of the Sunshine Coast. Researchers identified components in the venoms of the Tasmanian cave spider and the giant Japanese funnel-web spider that killed the parasitic mites without harming the bees.
July 2nd, 2026 — Source

Swimming crab trapped in plastic bottle survives two months at sea
How did a large crab end up trapped inside a plastic bottle with an opening smaller than its body? Hiroshima University researchers investigated this unusual marine mystery, revealing a lesser-known impact of marine plastic pollution on crustaceans.
July 2nd, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — June 28th, 2026

Australia boosts shark-spotting drone coverage at Sydney beaches
Australia will expand shark-spotting drone coverage year-round at beaches across Sydney and beyond from July 1, authorities said Sunday, following a rise in attacks and sightings.
June 28th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — June 27th, 2026

AI-Assisted Drones Are Helping To Stop Shark Attacks Before They Happen
Ever since Steven Spielberg released "Jaws" in 1975, people around the globe have been wary of venturing back into the water. Of course, the film isn't a true story, and vengeful, "Jaws"-sized great white sharks aren't in the habit of terrorizing beach communities. To be clear, shark attacks are incredibly rare, but given the power and size of many species, even a curious bite can be fatal or disfiguring. Because of this, new tools are periodically explored to assist in reducing the number of human-shark interactions.
June 27th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — June 26th, 2026

Do animal behavior experiments give a distorted view of cooperation?
When biologists study cooperation in animals, they usually offer just a single task at a time. But what happens when animals can choose among several opportunities to work together? Biologists at Utrecht University discovered that this can make a remarkable difference.
June 26th, 2026 — Source

Scientists find antidepressant in the brains of sharks off the coast of Rio de Janeiro
Sertraline is one of the most widely prescribed antidepressants in the world. Global sertraline sales are expected to keep growing, projected to expand from an estimated US$1.94 billion in 2025 to approximately US$3.13 billion by 2032.
June 26th, 2026 — Source

Tiny raptor, tiny range: GPS tracking reveals pygmy falcons use less than 1 km² to raise nestlings
The study was led by researchers from the University of Cape Town, with collaborators at Hartpury University and the Forest Science and Technology Center of Catalonia. Using ultra-light GPS tracking technology, researchers found that these birds require less than 1 km2 to raise their young, challenging long-held assumptions about the spatial needs of predatory birds.
June 26th, 2026 — Source

Whitebait rapidly switch life cycles when earthquakes cut off route to sea
The fish—which go to sea as juveniles in autumn and migrate back into rivers during spring, where they are caught as whitebait—undergo dramatic biological shifts when their paths to the sea become blocked
June 26th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — June 23rd, 2026

Amazon fish reveal a synchronized survival tactic that could transfer to drone swarms
Some fish swim in synchrony. Others, it turns out, breathe in synchrony. This is true for arapaimas, an obligate air-breathing species living in the Amazon. A new study in Communications Biology, led by the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries (IGB) in collaboration with the Cluster of Excellence "Science of Intelligence," has demonstrated for the first time that arapaima juveniles gather by the hundreds to synchronize their trips to the water surface with split-second precision, most likely to avoid predators and maximize survival and efficiency.
June 23rd, 2026 — Source

Bringing back the world's underwater forests starts with communities
A global review of kelp conservation efforts has found the strongest restoration programs are built on unlikely partnerships among scientists, fishers, Indigenous groups and coastal communities.
June 23rd, 2026 — Source

Hidden bird species discovered in Japan after DNA reveals a stunning secret
A bird long thought to be a single rare species in Japan has turned out to be two. Scientists discovered that the elusive Ijima's Leaf Warbler and a newly identified Tokara Leaf Warbler look almost identical, but their DNA and songs reveal they are distinct species. The finding marks Japan's first new bird species discovery in more than 40 years and highlights how modern genetic tools are uncovering hidden biodiversity that would otherwise go unnoticed.
June 23rd, 2026 — Source

Honeybee metamorphosis map uncovers 842 active DNA switches that drive worker bee development
Researchers have identified "DNA switches" that become active as honeybee larvae grow into worker bees, offering new insight into the development of these important pollinators and the ecosystems they support.
June 23rd, 2026 — Source

Photographer Uses Drone to Warn Surfer of Huge Shark Menacingly Circling Beneath Him
A photographer used his drone to warn a surfer who had no idea that a large shark was circling beneath him in the Californian coast.
June 23rd, 2026 — Source or Watch Video

Scientists Capture Footage of Spider Catapulting Prey Into Web Using Ingenious Snare Trap
Scientists have captured incredible footage of a spider building an ingenious snare trap to catapult its prey into its web.
June 23rd, 2026 — Source or Watch Video

This four-winged dinosaur may have terrorized Earth's earliest birds
A newly discovered feathered dinosaur called Jian changmaensis may be the missing predator responsible for mysterious piles of crushed prehistoric bird bones in China. The four-winged glider, a close cousin of Velociraptor, helps reveal how early birds and their dinosaur relatives shared the same ancient landscape.
June 23rd, 2026 — Source

White barn owls may use moonlight to startle prey
White barn owls are effective killing machines. They fly silently through the night air and swoop down on unsuspecting prey with their sharp talons. But they have something you would think goes against being a stealth predator: their white feathers. And perhaps this visual giveaway would be even worse when they glow in the moonlight.
June 23rd, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — June 22nd, 2026

Australia confirms first H5N1 cases in wild birds: What happens next for farms and wildlife?
H5N1 is a type of avian influenza, or bird flu, caused by an influenza A virus. The strain has been confirmed as HPAI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4b, a globally circulating strain that can spread rapidly. Over the past five years, this strain of the virus has killed millions of wild animals and poultry.
June 22nd, 2026 — Source

Butterfly that barely ages could help unlock longevity secrets
Scientists discovered that Heliconius butterflies have evolved an extraordinary lifespan, living several times longer than closely related species. Even more surprising, some show little sign of physical decline as they age. Their unusual pollen-feeding lifestyle may play a role, but the research suggests deeper evolutionary changes are also helping them stay healthy for longer.
June 22nd, 2026 — Source

Crashing insect populations lead to smaller tree swallows that reproduce less
Since the 1970s, the number of insects at Canada's Long Point Bird Observatory has dropped by more than 60%, according to a new study led by the University of Michigan. Because of this, today's birds are smaller and facing greater challenges to their breeding success than previous generations.
June 22nd, 2026 — Source

Elephant Seal Scolds Penguins in Superb Photo Shortlisted for Wildlife Award
The 2026 Australian Geographic Nature Photographer of the Year has unveiled its shortlist — and there are some real bangers on there.
June 22nd, 2026 — Source

How drone AI could help endangered birds
Drones and artificial intelligence could provide valuable information to guide efforts to slow the alarming extinction rate of birds across the globe, research from The University of Queensland has found.
June 22nd, 2026 — Source

How thousands of nature's longest sperm squeeze into a tiny fruit fly
When Jasmin Imran Alsous peered down her microscope lens, she expected to see chaos—a mishmash of tangled cells. She was viewing the inside of a male fruit fly's sperm storage organ, using a powerful microscope at the CCBScope Observatory, the experimental biology lab at the Center for Computational Biology (CCB) at the Simons Foundation's Flatiron Institute in New York City.
June 22nd, 2026 — Source

Marmoset monkeys adapt their voices to sound more like their social partners, study finds
Many animal species that live in groups are known to adjust their behavior to strengthen their social bonds or increase their coordination with others around them. For instance, humans and some other animals exhibit vocal plasticity, meaning they tend to modify the sounds they produce based on their past experiences and the peers they have interacted with.
June 22nd, 2026 — Source

Pet visits bring 'a small moment of home' to long-term care, study finds
Residents in an Edmonton long-term care home are getting regular visits from therapy dogs this summer, thanks to a pilot project designed by University of Alberta nursing researcher Brittany DeGraves. The project builds on DeGraves' recently published research in BMC Geriatrics on the feasibility of using animal-assisted programs to benefit both residents and staff.
June 22nd, 2026 — Source

Researchers reveal Hong Kong as a 'biodiversity ark' for yellow-crested cockatoos and expand nesting support
Hong Kong is home to about 200 yellow-crested cockatoos—about 10% of the remaining global population. Although this urban population is small and isolated, it has so far avoided the severe genetic decline often expected in such cases. Some individuals may even carry genetic lineages that have disappeared from parts of the species' native range in Indonesia.
June 22nd, 2026 — Source

Why do cats groom each other? Research found that it is not always friendly
Cats are the most popular companion animals worldwide, and many people have multiple cats at home. In these multicat households, not all the cats get along equally well. Until recently, it was thought that if a cat licks another cat (a behavior known as "allogrooming"), the two cats were friends. But is this really true? Researchers at Ghent University and the University of Lincoln have investigated this behavior.
June 22nd, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — June 20th, 2026

Bat rays employ a chemical cue to warn others of danger
Frightened bat rays produce a chemical cue to warn other rays of danger, a well-known anti-predator strategy for bony fish that has not been documented in cartilaginous fish until now. Oregon State University researchers found the behavior of bat rays changed when they received water flow from a tank where another bat ray was frightened by a mock predator, suggesting that a chemical disturbance cue was passed from one tank to the other.
June 20th, 2026 — Source

Crane pair dances follow hidden rules, with performances revealing partner-driven timing
Animal pairs engage in mutual signaling by simultaneously performing a diverse repertoire of behaviors. A famous example is the sophisticated dance (mutual displays) performed by bird pairs.
June 20th, 2026 — Source

Herring weight and seal hunting markedly affecting the future of Baltic gray seals
The carrying capacity of the Baltic Sea could withstand a seal population twice its current size, but hunting quotas and Baltic herring mean weight greatly affect the future of the seals. A recent study provides a new estimate for the carrying capacity of the Baltic gray seal population and accurate guidelines for decision-makers when determining hunting quotas.
June 20th, 2026 — Source

The first primates may have evolved in the cold, not the tropics
A surprising new study suggests the earliest primates didn't originate in tropical forests but in cold, dry parts of North America. Some may have even survived seasonal Arctic conditions by slowing their metabolism or hibernating. Researchers found that dramatic climate shifts, rather than warmth, played a major role in driving primate evolution and expansion. The discovery reshapes our understanding of how our own lineage began.
June 20th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — June 19th, 2026

How animals communicate to work together across species boundaries
An international team of researchers have published a new review in Animal Behavior revealing how communication enables cooperation between different animal species. The review, titled "The ecology and evolution of cues and signals in animal interspecies cooperation," highlights how movements, visual displays, calls, and other behavioral cues and signals help partners coordinate interactions and align interests across species boundaries.
June 19th, 2026 — Source

Indonesia to capture last-known wild Bornean rhino for IVF
Indonesia's government is racing to capture the last-known Bornean rhino in the wild in a bid to preserve the species through in vitro fertilization, a government official told AFP on Friday.
June 19th, 2026 — Source

New optical technique uses light to reveal internal contents of chicken eggs
Scientists have demonstrated a non-invasive technique that uses light to reveal the hidden contents of chicken eggs, potentially helping to curb the meat industry's practice of killing billions of male chicks at birth. The study, publishing June 19 in the Cell Press journal Newton, found that when light enters an intact bird eggshell, it bounces back and forth many times, with photons traveling as far as two meters within a chicken egg's tiny, four-centimeter interior. By illuminating the optics of chicken eggs, researchers may be able to determine the sex of a developing embryo within, assess the quality of an egg's interior, and determine whether intact eggs have been fertilized.
June 19th, 2026 — Source

Shining light into unhatched eggs could allow for chicken 'gender reveals'
Scientists have demonstrated a noninvasive technique that uses light to reveal the hidden contents of chicken eggs, potentially helping to curb the meat industry's practice of killing billions of male chicks at birth. The study, published in Newton, found that when light enters an intact bird eggshell, it bounces back and forth many times, with photons traveling as far as 2 meters (6.6 feet) within a chicken egg's tiny, 4-centimeter (1.6-inch) interior.
June 19th, 2026 — Source

Small forest fragments can protect more birds when the surrounding landscape is more helpful
Larger areas contain more species. This is one of the most ironclad laws of ecology, which explains why large natural areas usually receive higher priority in conservation strategies. In fragmented landscapes, this logic has also led small forest fragments to be seen as environments of lower value for biodiversity.
June 19th, 2026 — Source

Study shows jumping genes can transfer between different species
Genes are not passed on exclusively from parents to their offspring. Some are mobile and can also jump to other species, as researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Marine Microbiology in Bremen have now shown. The direct observation of a jumping gene provides the first evidence that such genes can transfer from one species to another -- from predator to prey.
June 19th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — June 16th, 2026

'Almost Mythical' Amazonian Ghost Dog Captured on Trail Camera
A canid so rare that it's nicknamed "ghost dog" has been captured on trail cameras organized by researchers deep in the Amazonian rainforest.
June 16th, 2026 — Source or Watch Video

Scientists found a way to explain bird flocks that "defy" Newton's third law
Physicists have solved a long-standing problem involving systems that appear to violate Newton's third law, such as bird flocks and bacterial swarms. By adding carefully designed "imaginary partners" to their models, they can now simulate these complex systems with unprecedented accuracy.
June 16th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — June 15th, 2026

A handful of teeth may rewrite the story of marsupial evolution
Researchers have found evidence of a previously unknown branch of the marsupial family tree, a discovery that could reshape our understanding of how Australia's unique mammals evolved. Published in the Journal of Paleontology, the study describes three new species of small, insect-eating marsupials from Queensland's Riversleigh World Heritage Area.
June 15th, 2026 — Source

AI tool spotlights welfare concerns in greyhound racing industry
University of Melbourne researchers have uncovered several animal welfare issues in the United Kingdom's greyhound racing industry, reigniting public debate about whether the sport should be banned worldwide.
June 15th, 2026 — Source

First Plain Language Summary of Publication in veterinary science
Taylor & Francis has announced the publication of the first Plain Language Summary of Publication (PLSP) in veterinary research, a milestone in making discoveries in animal health more accessible, engaging and impactful. This new initiative bridges the gap between complex scientific findings and practical understanding.
June 15th, 2026 — Source

Greek fishermen struggle to keep up with pufferfish invaders
On his fishing boat moored in the Greek port of Ierapetra in southwestern Crete, Alexis Charlambakis pries open the mouth of a freshly caught pufferfish to reveal two massive teeth on each jaw.
June 15th, 2026 — Source

International study reveals differences in the health of porpoises in the North Sea
Porpoises that strand in the Netherlands have, on average, a lower BMI than their counterparts in Scotland and elsewhere, according to an international study led by Utrecht University in collaboration with the Scottish Marine Animal Stranding Scheme (SMASS), based at the University of Glasgow. As part of the study, researchers analyzed the body mass index (BMI) of 1,700 porpoises that were stranded or found as bycatch in the North Sea between 1990 and 2023. This is the first time data from multiple countries have been compiled on this scale.
June 15th, 2026 — Source

Pixels preserve world's rarest porpoise to 3D digital archive as extinction risk grows
The vaquita (Phocoena sinus), an elusive porpoise found only in the shallow waters of Mexico's northern Gulf of California, is one of the rarest and most endangered marine mammals on Earth. Measuring about 5 feet (1.5 meters) in length, it is the world's smallest cetacean—a group that includes whales, dolphins and porpoises. Known for the distinctive dark rings around its eyes and mouth, the vaquita remained unknown to science until the latter half of the 20th century. Today, it has become a global symbol of the growing biodiversity crisis unfolding in the world's oceans.
June 15th, 2026 — Source

Some bees cannot escape rising heat, and their tiny homes make crisis even harder
Bee species that nest in plant stems appear to be at the greatest short-term risk from increasing temperatures due to climate change, while those that nest in the ground are better able to evade extreme heat, according to new research from Australian evolutionary ecologists.
June 15th, 2026 — Source

Toxic algal blooms linked to deaths of recently stranded humpback whales
Marine mammal stranding teams have completed major response activities for two deceased juvenile humpback whales discovered less than 10 miles (16 kilometers) apart in Monterey Bay earlier this month and issued preliminary necropsy findings.
June 15th, 2026 — Source

Using AI to learn a bird's individual song
Darin McNeil, Ph.D., an assistant professor of wildlife management in the University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment, is partnering with the University of Pittsburgh and others to help build an artificial intelligence tool that could give bird researchers a new way to follow one of Appalachia's most vulnerable songbirds.
June 15th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — June 10th, 2026

Acoustic environment may explain why some bird songs outlast others
From melodic morning choruses to territorial songs that echo through forests and grasslands, birds rely on vocalizations to communicate, attract mates and defend valuable habitat. For songbirds, these vocal displays are not simply inherited instincts. Like human language, many bird songs are learned through a complex process of listening, imitation and practice.
June 10th, 2026 — Source

Chimpanzees react negatively to unfairness, especially when close partners are nearby
Primates, including humans, are among the social animals living on Earth. Their survival relies heavily on cooperation with others, alliances, the sharing of resources and other social interactions.
June 10th, 2026 — Source

Fossil discovery shows the interaction between giant marine reptiles
Approximately 160 million years ago, during the Age of Dinosaurs, giant marine reptiles ruled the seas. One such creature, an ichthyosaur, swam in a sea near present-day Peterborough, England. This huge animal, shaped like a dolphin, was a quick swimmer that chased prey such as ammonites and squid for sustenance.
June 10th, 2026 — Source

Is your dog a lefty? New 'Doginburgh' test captures paw preference
Just like left- or right-handed humans, domestic dogs have a preference for their left or right paw, a trait known as laterality. This can vary depending on the tasks they perform, which has made it difficult to create a standardized test that captures a dog's natural paw bias.
June 10th, 2026 — Source

Newfound 'whale necropolis' reveals 5.3 million years of seafloor life
Whale falls form when whale carcasses sink to the seafloor, creating localized concentrations of biodiversity in the deep ocean. Besides playing a role in long-term carbon sequestration, whale falls help scientists understand the evolution and dispersal of deep-sea life, as well as provide an unprecedented fossil record of whales and deep-sea ecosystems.
June 10th, 2026 — Source

Radar data can help protect birds from wind turbines
Wind turbines generate climate-friendly electricity, but they can pose a danger to migratory birds. A study led by the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL) published in Nature Sustainability shows that weather radar data could be used to reduce the risk of collisions with only a minimal impact on electricity production: by strategically shutting down turbines when particularly large numbers of birds are in flight.
June 10th, 2026 — Source

Scientists mapped every neural connection in a fruit fly and found a surprise
Scientists have completed the first full brain-to-body wiring map of a fruit fly, revealing that behavior may be driven more by local neural teamwork than by a central brain command center.
June 10th, 2026 — Source

Secret life of adult whitebait revealed by new research
Te Whare Wānanga o Waitaha | University of Canterbury (UC) School of Biological Sciences researcher Dr. Ben Crichton has studied kōkopu—whitebait species that can live for 10 years or more. Whitebait is the collective term for the juveniles of six species of freshwater fish. Nocturnal, territorial and competitive, the three kōkopu species have received less research attention than īnanga, which make up most of the whitebait catch.
June 10th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — June 8th, 2026

Birds in Ukraine are building nests from discarded drone fiber-optic cables
The Donbas discovery shows wildlife adapting to the waste of drone warfare
June 8th, 2026 — Source

Critically endangered Chinese pangolin found in Nepal's sacred forest
The rare Chinese pangolin (Manis pentadactyla) has been spotted for the first time in Sunsari District in eastern Nepal. This brings the total number of districts in the country where the critically endangered species has been documented to 28.
June 8th, 2026 — Source

South Australia's koala boom could end in mass starvation
South Australia's koala population has grown so large that it may be heading toward a self-made disaster, with forests struggling to support the animals. Researchers say targeted fertility control could prevent widespread starvation and habitat collapse before it's too late.
June 8th, 2026 — Source

These horses are unaffected by petting in children's zoo, heart rate monitors reveal
The horses at the Children's Zoo in Gothenburg don't mind being petted by children and adults. However, they do get stressed by the noise from an excavator. Researchers at the University of Gothenburg discovered this after fitting heart rate monitors to eight Gotland Russ horses.
June 8th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — June 7th, 2026

Epigenetic changes can be inherited without changing DNA in animals
Typically, the information encoded in DNA allows organisms to develop, function, and pass traits across generations. Yet DNA alone does not explain how genes are switched on and off in different cells and environments. This regulation is partly controlled by other factors called epigenetics, such as DNA methylation, a chemical modification that can influence gene activity without changing the genetic code itself.
June 7th, 2026 — Source

Florida Officials Need You to Identify Animals Captured on Trail Cameras
Florida officials are asking people to identify wildlife in photos captured on trail cameras across the state.
June 7th, 2026 — Source

Iceland's Targeted Drone Ban Is Nature Conservation Theater
For several summers, I have taught drone photography in Iceland's highlands under permits issued by the country's nature conservation agency. I applied on time, followed every condition, and never received a complaint from a ranger, another visitor, or the agency itself.
June 7th, 2026 — Source

Ukraine's birds adapt to battlefield environment, weaving nests out of drone fiber-optic cables — resourceful wildlife adapts to miles of littered drone fibers
Sample nests were found after a Russian glide bomb knocked down a tree in Donbas.
June 7th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — June 5th, 2026

Australia seizes 100,000 cockroaches in bug-breeder bust
Wildlife officers have busted an illegal cockroach-breeding operation in rural Australia, seizing a skin-crawling haul worth more than $100,000 on the black market for exotic bugs.
June 5th, 2026 — Source

Dangerous livestock pest case confirmed in Texas
The United States said on Thursday that the New World screwworm (NWS) fly, a dangerous livestock pest whose flesh-eating larvae can kill cattle, has been detected in a calf in south Texas.
June 5th, 2026 — Source

Deep-sea supergiant isopods last years without food by using a two-part survival system
The supergiant bathynomid is a deep-sea isopod famous for surviving more than five years without food. Despite residing in an extremely low-nutrient habitat, these organisms exhibit pronounced body gigantism, a trait that requires substantial energy. This raises an energy paradox: How do these apparently energy-hungry isopods sustain their enormous size given the sporadic availability of food in the deep sea?
June 5th, 2026 — Source

Hawai'i's last false killer whales threatened by nutritional stress and warming seas
A seven-year collaborative study has revealed alarming fluctuations in the health of Hawaii's endangered insular false killer whales, with some individuals losing nearly a quarter of their body weight in just a few months. Published in Endangered Species Research, the findings provide the first quantitative evidence that nutritional stress and environmental shifts may be driving the decline of this iconic population, which now numbers fewer than 140 individuals.
June 5th, 2026 — Source

Invasive caiman may pose new challenges for Everglades restoration
In the canals, wetlands and marshes of the Florida Everglades, the spectacled caiman has quietly expanded its foothold, threatening an already-vulnerable ecosystem. A new University of Florida study published in Frontiers in Amphibian and Reptile Science synthesizes more than 70 years of research on the invasive species native to Central and South America that has firmly established itself across the most vulnerable part of the Sunshine State—the Florida Everglades.
June 5th, 2026 — Source

Octopuses use mirrors to find food they cannot see
Octopuses just joined an exclusive intelligence club by learning to use mirrors to find hidden food.
June 5th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — May 30th, 2026

Ohio wall lizards overcame genetic bottleneck through rapid population boom, genomes reveal
Non-native wall lizards living in Cincinnati, Ohio, have thrived against the odds thanks to an ability to expand their population more quickly than any inbreeding-amplified harmful genes could weaken their chances for survival, new research suggests.
May 30th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — May 29th, 2026

Forever chemical reaches fish before they even hatch, new study reveals
There is a forever chemical lurking in the world's oceans that could be fundamentally altering the biology of marine life before it even hatches. PFOS, a notorious member of the PFAS family of chemicals, is known for its ability to bioaccumulate, binding specifically to proteins in the blood and liver. While it's long been recognized as a pollutant, scientists are only beginning to understand how it changes an organism from the inside out.
May 29th, 2026 — Source

Humans reshape predator-prey rules across food webs, creating a challenging new world for wildlife
The relationship between predators and prey in the wild is underscored by an evolutionary arms race spanning millions of years, but new research has found modern human activity is reshaping the rules.
May 29th, 2026 — Source

Kiwibit's AI-powered bird feeder is my new backyard buddy
Setting it up is pretty straightforward. Multiple mounting options allow you to place the feeder on a pole, window ledge, or tree. Its dual seed compartments are designed for easy refills and cleaning. The solar panel on top ensures you don't have to worry about batteries running low.
May 29th, 2026 — Source

Tardigrades reveal extreme heat-blocking survival trick while in tun state
Tardigrades, also known as water bears or moss piglets, are tiny eight-legged animals that can survive in extreme environments, where humans and most other animals would die. This resistance to extreme conditions, including intense heat, very high or low temperatures, radiation and low oxygen levels is called "extremotolerance."
May 29th, 2026 — Source

This bizarre crocodile relative from the Triassic looked like an ostrich dinosaur
Meet the crocodile cousin that looked like an ostrich-like dinosaur—a bizarre Triassic discovery that proves evolution loves surprises.
May 29th, 2026 — Source

This newly discovered raptor may have hunted like a giant heron
A newly discovered "fishing raptor" from Patagonia may have hunted like a giant prehistoric heron 70 million years ago.
May 29th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — May 28th, 2026

A New York cemetery was hiding 5.5 million bees underground
A casual walk through an Ithaca cemetery led to the discovery of a gigantic hidden bee population — roughly 5.5 million ground-nesting bees packed beneath the soil. Scientists believe it may be one of the largest bee aggregations ever documented and say the insects are crucial pollinators for apple orchards and other crops. The bees have likely lived there for more than 100 years, thriving in the cemetery's undisturbed sandy soil.
May 28th, 2026 — Source

AI listens to insect body signals to guide cyborg cockroaches
Cyborg insects have long been studied as bio-hybrid systems that combine living organisms with small electronic devices. These systems may one day support tasks such as disaster search and rescue, environmental monitoring, and sensing in spaces too small or dangerous for conventional robots. However, most existing systems control insects based mainly on externally visible behavior, such as whether the insect is walking or stopping.
May 28th, 2026 — Source

DNA solves 250-year-old mystery of the Seychelles' lost crocodiles
Scientists have solved the mystery of the Seychelles' vanished crocodiles using DNA from historic museum specimens. The reptiles were not a unique species after all, but an isolated population of saltwater crocodiles that likely drifted thousands of kilometers across the Indian Ocean.
May 28th, 2026 — Source

Dog breeding inspectors need clearer guidance on rules protecting dog health and welfare—new report
Local authority inspectors who issue licenses to dog breeders need clearer guidance and better support so they can more effectively protect animal welfare, a new report says.
May 28th, 2026 — Source

Findings could justify greater protections for minks in Everglades
Mink resemble semi-aquatic ferrets, and are found almost everywhere in North America where there is water except the dry southwest. But in Florida, a state filled with lakes and rivers, mink are found in only three places, and those three are isolated from each other.
May 28th, 2026 — Source

Forgotten museum fossil helps rewrite part of animal evolution
New research published in BMC Biology helps to fill in questions about the so-called "Furongian gap" from about 497 million to 485 million years ago, when paleontologists previously thought there were far fewer fossils than periods before or after it.
May 28th, 2026 — Source

Happy, who taught researchers that elephants can recognize themselves, is euthanized at Bronx Zoo
Happy, a Bronx Zoo elephant who gave researchers new insight into the animal's behavior and became the crux of a closely watched animal rights case, has been euthanized at age 55, the zoo said Wednesday.
May 28th, 2026 — Source

How bean plants call on wasps for help when hungry caterpillars attack
Some plants are not the sitting ducks they appear to be when they come under attack. If a hungry caterpillar starts to chomp on the succulent leaves of a common bean plant, a highly sophisticated defense system kicks into action. The plant sends out a chemical distress signal that summons predatory wasps to its aid.
May 28th, 2026 — Source

How extreme heat threatens honeybees
Hot temperatures can overwhelm bees' natural cooling systems.
May 28th, 2026 — Source

Hyena clan rank metrics need to be trait specific to fully explain hierarchies, scientists argue
Spotted hyenas live in hierarchically organized groups (clans). An individual's dominance over another determines priority access to resources such as food or mating partners, and thus reproductive success. However, the rank within the clan can be calculated using different metrics—and that matters. Using data from almost 500 hyenas collected over 28 years, scientists from the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW) showed that different metrics best predict the animals' reproductive success—depending on which reproductive trait they examined.
May 28th, 2026 — Source

Introduced wild pigs linked to fewer invasive plants, while native deer show the opposite pattern
Wild pigs are generally considered among the world's most problematic invasive mammals. But a major new study from Aarhus Universitet shows that the introduced animals may actually have beneficial effects in North American forests.
May 28th, 2026 — Source

Scientists develop new method to estimate hidden species
When researchers survey wildlife in a lake, forest, or other habitat, they rarely capture every species present—some are simply too rare or elusive to detect. A new study published in the May issue of Ecological Informatics addresses this longstanding challenge by offering a more powerful statistical method to estimate not just the species scientists can see, but also the ones they're likely missing.
May 28th, 2026 — Source

Scientists unlock evolution of gigantism in Scottish island wrens
A new study of British wrens has provided new insights into the inner workings of "island syndromes," according to research led by the University of Birmingham. The paper, published in the Evolutionary Journal of the Linnean Society, reveals that different subspecies of island wrens are evolving independently, with the team finding particularly strong evidence of "island gigantism" in two of the studied populations.
May 28th, 2026 — Source

Scottish wrens may be evolving into new species through island gigantism
Tiny Scottish wrens are evolving into giant island birds — and scientists think they may be becoming new species.
May 28th, 2026 — Source

Think DEET keeps mosquitoes away? They may be learning to love it
Every summer, millions of people spray themselves with DEET to keep mosquitoes away. But new research suggests mosquitoes may be able to learn to associate the repellent with food—and even become attracted to it.
May 28th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — May 24th, 2026

Whatever the mirror test tells us, beluga whales pass it
The white whales join the short, contested list of animals that see themselves.
May 24th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — May 23rd, 2026

De‑extinction company says it's made an artificial egg—if true, it could help save living species
Today's announcement by Texas-based de-extinction company Colossal Biosciences about a successful hatching of chicks from an artificial egg would represent a major innovation, if the claims can be verified.
May 23rd, 2026 — Source

Emergence of new cavefish species challenges evolutionary dead-end idea
A new Yale study identifies a distinct species of eyeless cavefish, a discovery that challenges long-held conventional wisdom that caves and other subterranean ecosystems are evolutionary dead ends.
May 23rd, 2026 — Source

Honeybees reveal Weber's law in flight when choosing paths
Honeybees are among the widely studied insects, due to their sophisticated, hierarchical social organization and their essential ecological role. Bees can move swiftly in natural environments, passing through narrow openings and identifying the best paths to reach their destinations without colliding with other objects.
May 23rd, 2026 — Source

New AI system uses cameras and thermal sensors to steer ships clear of gray whales in the San Francisco Bay
Researchers from UC Santa Barbara's Benioff Ocean Science Laboratory (BOSL) and local partners in San Francisco have unveiled new technology in their ongoing efforts to prevent whales and oceangoing vessels from colliding in and near the busy San Francisco Bay.
May 23rd, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — May 22nd, 2026

Asexual lizards, virgin births and clones—the all‑female species of the animal kingdom
It may sound too bizarre to be true, but the Amazon molly (Poecilia formosa), a fish that inhabits rivers, lakes, and swamps in Mexico and Texas, exists over much of its range in populations that are 100% female. In 1932, the Amazon molly became the first known vertebrate to reproduce by cloning itself, producing all-female populations. A new genetic study published in Nature has given scientists insights into the longstanding mystery about how and why this happens.
May 22nd, 2026 — Source

Chimpanzees' unusually protracted and vulnerable adolescences
For all the diversity of the human condition, one experience is almost universally painful: adolescence. It's also unusual. Most other species pass from puberty to adulthood quickly, but humans linger for years in a transitional state, not quite children but not quite adults, either.
May 22nd, 2026 — Source

Gibraltar monkeys eat soil in junk food detox, study finds
A colony of macaques that gorge on snacks offered by tourists in the British territory of Gibraltar swallow soil to recover from their junk food binges, a study has found.
May 22nd, 2026 — Source

If you need to anesthetize a butterfly, here's the best way to do it
Anesthesia makes life-saving procedures as painless and stress-free as possible for the animals we love and care for. But not a lot is known about the effects of anesthesia on animals that we don't typically consider pets—like butterflies and other invertebrates. Insects are often valuable members of nature centers, zoos and museums, but even if they're just being evaluated in the wild, they can need anesthesia during physical examinations and injury treatment.
May 22nd, 2026 — Source

London's Fresha hits unicorn status with KKR-led $80M raise
The London-based beauty and wellness booking platform has joined the UK unicorn club at a $1bn-plus valuation, in a deal that lands while the broader SaaS complex is busy arguing about its own funeral.
May 22nd, 2026 — Source

Lost elephant calf reunites with family after researchers track herd across Samburu reserve
Colorado State University Professor George Wittemyer and his research team reunited a 4-month-old elephant calf with her family after she wandered into a tourist camp alone. The orphaned elephant calf was disoriented from a bumpy truck ride and didn't immediately move toward the other elephants.
May 22nd, 2026 — Source

Midwest flamingos and 'hurricane toads': Wildlife's strange storm stories
Hurricanes can be a devastating force—leveling trees, erasing beaches and damaging homes. But what do they do to wildlife? The answer ranges from the good to the bad to the ugly. Hurricanes sometimes help native species, but other times, they introduce and spread invasive species. Sometimes, they cause animals to evolve to survive these storms more easily, and sometimes they lead to mass migration or extinction.
May 22nd, 2026 — Source

New tool helps accurately assemble notoriously difficult bird genomes
A new computational program, MicroFinder, enables faster and more accurate assembly of bird genomes. Improved genome assemblies will help researchers better understand bird biology, evolution, and help inform conservation efforts.
May 22nd, 2026 — Source

Platypus population expands to 20 in Australia's Royal National Park
Scientists from UNSW Sydney have confirmed a reintroduced platypus population in Royal National Park has now grown to 20 known individuals, following the release of four additional animals and a new round of surveys across the park in May 2026.
May 22nd, 2026 — Source

Social mammals live longer—but bigger groups don't add that many extra years
Using data from 1,436 mammal species, researchers found that species living in pairs or groups consistently outlive solitary species, even after accounting for body size and evolutionary history.
May 22nd, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — May 21st, 2026

AI camera platform to help monitor zoo animals' welfare
An AI-powered camera platform could soon help monitor the health and behavior of zoo animals overnight, thanks to a new partnership between the University of Surrey and Marwell Wildlife. Researchers from Surrey's Centre for Vision, Speech and Signal Processing (CVSSP) are working closely with Marwell to develop a bespoke AI nocturnal behavior observation system that interprets video footage and flags unusual behavioral patterns in animals. The three-year project will use AI and machine learning to study animals' night-time movements, helping zookeepers spot subtle signs of illness or distress that might otherwise go unnoticed.
May 21st, 2026 — Source

Cell movement in the embryo: Zebrafish study shows that without keratin, nothing moves
Hair, nails, and horns, all made up of keratin, are some of the hardest and most resilient structures in animals. Inside zebrafish cells, keratin plays a distinct role, giving them the strength they need to move together as a coherent tissue while modulating the driving forces behind their movement during early development. But what happens when keratin is missing?
May 21st, 2026 — Source

Glacial cycles shape evolution of many species of Antarctic sea slug
Marine scientists have discovered that what was once thought to be a single sea slug species is actually at least 75 distinct species that were shaped over millions of years by repeated Antarctic glacial cycles.
May 21st, 2026 — Source

I Tested 4 Smart Bird Feeders. These Ones Stood Out From the Flock
Smart bird feeders keep you entertained for hours. Here's our favorites after hands-on testing.
May 21st, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — May 18th, 2026

A smelly dog breath breakthrough: Plant-based spray tackles odor and harmful oral microbes
Pet owners love their dogs but may not always love the smell of their breath. Because this bad odor can signal oral disease, veterinary clinics will prescribe daily toothbrushing, antibiotics, or chemical rinses as treatment. Now, researchers reporting in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry propose an alternative: polyphenols from molasses. They developed a spray that reduced stinky breath and harmful oral bacteria in dogs.
May 18th, 2026 — Source

In Tierra del Fuego, a hunt for the rodent carrier of hantavirus
A scientific mission was set to kick off the search Monday for rodents that may be hantavirus carriers after an outbreak on a cruise ship departed this region at the southern tip of Argentina on April 1.
May 18th, 2026 — Source

Japan is using $4,000 animatronic wolves to scare off bears, and can't make them fast enough
Japan's answer to record bear attacks is a nightmare-inducing robotic Monster Wolves
May 18th, 2026 — Source

Kenya's new poaching problem: Smuggling Giant Harvester Ants
Kenyan ant expert Dino Martins gushes over the red and black insects that have become the center of an international smuggling trade.
May 18th, 2026 — Source

Overfishing hits 11 of 12 Bahamian seafood staples, 73 years of catch data show
These findings are the result of the assessment of 12 of the most commercially and culturally important marine species in the country and draw on reconstructed catch records spanning 73 years (1950 to 2022). They confirm what Bahamian fishers have been saying for a generation: Most signature seafood stocks are disappearing from the country's waters.
May 18th, 2026 — Source

This single mother must learn quickly—or her colony won't survive
Being a single mother of 20 is no joke, especially if the survival of a whole species depends on it. A queen bumblebee faces this very challenge when she lays her first eggs in the spring: She is utterly alone, with no worker bees to help.
May 18th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — May 17th, 2026

A massive kraken-like octopus may have prowled the seas during the age of dinosaurs
The top predator prowling the seas during the age of the dinosaurs 100 million years ago may have been the octopus.
May 17th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — May 16th, 2026

Lobster embryo microbiomes remain resilient in future ocean conditions, sequencing reveals
As ocean temperatures rise and marine ecosystems change, scientists are working to understand how valuable species like the American lobster will respond. New research from William & Mary's Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences & VIMS suggests that one source of resilience may come from the microscopic bacterial communities living on lobster embryos.
May 16th, 2026 — Source

Why some water fleas suddenly grow helmets: Key receptors reveal how predator warnings trigger defense
Daphnia, commonly known as water fleas, are tiny crustaceans that live in freshwater ponds and lakes. When they sense predators in their surroundings, these small organisms can swiftly move away or adapt their body shape, for instance becoming rounder and forming large helmets or spines on their head, neck or tail.
May 16th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — May 15th, 2026

61 new beetle species reveal how little we still know about biodiversity
Even large and conspicuous insects remain unknown to science. This is highlighted by a new study from the Natural History Museum Denmark, where researchers have discovered and described 61 new species within the rove beetle genus Platydracus.
May 15th, 2026 — Source

Genomic analysis predicts guide dog success
Guide dogs help thousands of people with visual disabilities navigate daily life. While guide dogs provide tremendous benefits, the current training program faces serious inefficiencies, since a large percentage never actually assist an owner. Only 60% of dogs evaluated for assistance work graduate from their training programs. This means a loss of more than $12,000 per dog unable to complete training. A dog that has completed the program costs up to $50,000, and people can wait years for a trained animal.
May 15th, 2026 — Source

How reindeer herds, nature and Sámi culture can thrive when forests are restored across northern Europe
Political debates about the future of forests in Sweden and the EU are reaching an impasse. Producing more wood comes at the expense of nature and the storage of carbon within trees and soils. Conserving and restoring more forests may limit commercial wood production.
May 15th, 2026 — Source

New species of venomous box jellyfish discovered in Singapore
Finding highly venomous box jellyfish that are almost invisible in water is not an easy task—but researching them is crucial so that we can learn how to safely avoid them. Stings from these "sea-wasps" are extremely painful and can be fatal. Knowing more about box jellyfish helps us know where to expect them, when to expect them, and how we can minimize the risk of encountering them while out for what should be a pleasant swim.
May 15th, 2026 — Source

Patrolling males and waiting females—observing reproductive behavior of black sea bream in the wild
Ultrasonic tracking in Hiroshima Bay shows that male and female black sea bream move differently during the spawning season, offering a novel discovery into the reproductive behavior of a broadcast-spawning sparid fish in the wild.
May 15th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — May 14th, 2026

Hairy new fish species discovered in the Great Barrier Reef
Swimming among the corals of the Great Barrier Reef is a fish that could be a doppelganger for the famous Sesame Street character Mr. Snuffleupagus. This bright orange-red, hairy, long-snouted ghost pipefish is a new species that has been hiding in plain sight for years, often confused with other ghost pipefish.
May 14th, 2026 — Source

Looking for the Best Self-Cleaning Litter Box for Large Cats? I Tried the Meowant SC09
Living with multiple cats means litter box maintenance quickly becomes part of your daily routine. I've tried standard covered boxes, oversized litter pans, and several automatic models that promised "hands-free" cleaning, but many of them created a different set of problems instead. Some were loud enough to startle my cats in the middle of the night, while others still let odors leak into the room after only a day or two.
May 14th, 2026 — Source

Koala milk may hold key to better care for orphaned joeys
New research into koala milk could prove crucial to future conservation of the iconic, yet endangered Australian species. The study, led by Edith Cowan University (ECU) Ph.D. candidate Manujaya W. Jayamanna Mohottige, is part of a larger project on koalas and their survival led by the Australian Wildlife Genomics Group at The University of Sydney and the Australian Research Council Center of Excellence for Innovations in Peptide and Protein Science.
May 14th, 2026 — Source

Most Australian 'wild dogs' are predominantly dingoes
A new genetic test has revealed that most of the free-roaming canines in Australia, often labeled "wild dogs," carry a significant amount of dingo ancestry. A team of Adelaide University researchers from the Australian Center for Ancient DNA and the Environment Institute analyzed more than 300 free-roaming canines across Australia, and found that, on average, just 11.7% of their DNA comes from domestic dogs.
May 14th, 2026 — Source

Why emus can't fly: A 'time switch' in bird embryos holds the answer
Why can eagles soar through the skies while emus are bound to the earth? One secret lies in a skeletal structure called the keel, a blade-like ridge on the breastbone that anchors the flight muscles needed for powered flight. Flying birds have a prominent one, whereas in flightless birds, the keel never fully forms.
May 14th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — May 11th, 2026

Complex habitat crucial to brush-tailed rock-wallaby survival
Brush-tailed rock-wallaby populations have dwindled for more than a century due to historical hunting for the European fur trade and competition and predation from introduced species. New research shows terrain complexity is an important factor when brush-tailed rock-wallabies choose habitat, providing critical insight to help bring the critically endangered species back from the brink.
May 11th, 2026 — Source

Should you get an AirTag or a GPS tracker for your dog? Experts weigh in.
Want to keep Fido safe? These might help.
May 11th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — May 9th, 2026

AI cuts wildlife tracking time from months to days
Artificial intelligence can dramatically speed up the painstaking work of tracking wildlife with remote cameras, cutting analysis time from months or even a year to just days while producing nearly the same scientific conclusions as humans.
May 9th, 2026 — Source

Bee more specific: New radar tech could improve identification and tracking of key pollinators
Scientists from Trinity and Technical University of Denmark have developed a new radar-based technique that could address a critical gap in global conservation efforts, by transforming how we identify and track the insects that are actually responsible for pollinating plants.
May 9th, 2026 — Source

Deep diving fur seals experience delayed heart surges after returning to land
Fur seals may seem to relax on land — but hours later, their hearts reveal they're still recovering from brutal deep-sea dives.
May 9th, 2026 — Source

Genetics link Angola's 'ghost elephants' to populations hundreds of miles away
For more than a decade, conservation biologist Steve Boyes searched for "ghost elephants"—nocturnal giants rumored to roam a remote, high-altitude wetland in eastern Angola. When a motion-sensor camera finally captured their image in 2024, Boyes turned to Stanford scientists for help answering a deeper question: Who are these elephants, and where did they come from?
May 9th, 2026 — Source

'Ghost of the forest' returns to Kenya as conservationists reintroduce rare antelope into the wild
The mountain bongo has become the "ghost of the forest," hard to spot amid the dense shrubs due to its ability to camouflage.
May 9th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — May 8th, 2026

How a strange fruit fly became a bloodthirsty underwater hunter
A carnivorous fruit fly living in bubbling African streams may sound like a fever dream. However, with the help of DNA analysis of a pinned insect from a museum in Zurich, researchers have managed to draw an evolutionary map of a mysterious species that has not been seen since 1981.
May 8th, 2026 — Source

New task-setting study shows that male bumblebees are more active and adaptable
Male bumblebees are more active and flexible in behavior than female bees, new University of Chester--led research has found, after creating tasks to analyze how the insects explore, recognize colors and learn to earn rewards. The study by researchers from the University of Chester in collaboration with Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK Ltd (Deeside), Newcastle University and the University of Sheffield has highlighted how the different roles of female workers and male drones shape their behavior and ability to change in new surroundings.
May 8th, 2026 — Source

Saltwater crocodiles raised in captivity don't return to breeding centers after being released into the wild
A new study has revealed that saltwater crocodiles born or raised in captivity may not return to their breeding centers after being released into the wild, a discovery that can help inform conservation and management practices.
May 8th, 2026 — Source

Why infected stink bugs lift their wings: Hidden parasite escape caught on camera
All species of the order Strepsiptera are endoparasitic insects that invade hosts, including hornets, planthoppers, and stink bugs, during the first-instar larval stage and develop within the host body. While adult females remain permanently within the host, adult males emerge after eclosion and actively seek females for mating.
May 8th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — May 7th, 2026

Ancient sea fossils indicate millipede and centipede ancestors evolved their legs while still underwater
The myriapoda group of arthropods includes the many-legged centipedes and millipedes that most people are familiar with. Although myriapods are all terrestrial creatures, researchers are unclear about when and how they evolved their many legs.
May 7th, 2026 — Source

Archaeologists unearth evidence of dogs being traded within Mayan societies
A University of Calgary archaeologist has found evidence that the Classic Period Maya were trading live dogs over long distances between the northern Yucatan peninsula and central Chiapas regions.
May 7th, 2026 — Source

Chilean wasp named in honor of Sir David Attenborough's 100th birthday
Scientists from the Natural History Museum, London have described a new genus and species of parasitic wasp found within the Museum's collections, and named it as a birthday present for Sir David Attenborough.
May 7th, 2026 — Source

Protecting the future of Southeast Asia's giant clams
Southeast Asia is home to eight out of the world's 12 giant clam species and their numbers are dwindling. Addressing this issue, Dr. Neo Mei Lin, Senior Research Fellow at the NUS Tropical Marine Science Institute (TMSI), led a study on the conservation of giant clams in Southeast Asia.
May 7th, 2026 — Source

Recreational fishing in the US catches far more fish than previously estimated
Specifically, our analysis, which integrated thousands of recreational fishing surveys across the U.S., found that people who engage in recreational fishing in the country's lakes, ponds and reservoirs catch between 2 billion and 6 billion fish each year. Many of them practice catch-and-release fishing, but even after accounting for all the fish released, we estimated that they keep between 230,000 and 670,000 metric tons of fish in the U.S. alone.
May 7th, 2026 — Source

Scientists are Using Tourist Videos to Understand Whales' Mysterious 'Gaping Behavior'
Researchers are using tourist videos and drone footage to understand a rare humpback whale behavior called "gaping," where the animals open their mouths wide, even when there is no food around.
May 7th, 2026 — Source

Troubled waters: Jakarta battles deadly, invasive suckerfish
Mounds of slimy carcasses pile up on a riverbank in Jakarta where authorities are fighting an uphill battle against a fast-breeding invasive fish flourishing in Java island's heavily polluted waterways.
May 7th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — May 4th, 2026

Live camel transportation improved by using food as an incentive in place of physical punishment
Around the world, millions of camels are farmed for milk and meat while others are used in leisure activities like racing and riding. Yet the treatment of these animals as livestock can be harsh, especially during transport. New international research, led by Southern Cross University animal welfare expert Associate Professor Barbara Padalino and published in the journal Animals, shows that more humane camel transportation is possible by using food as an incentive in place of physical punishment.
May 4th, 2026 — Source

Nocturnal migratory birds follow rhythm of the moon, study shows
Moonlight determines when the red-necked nightjar feeds, migrates and raises its young. A groundbreaking long-term study from Lund University shows how the migratory bird's entire annual cycle follows the moon's rhythm.
May 4th, 2026 — Source

Scientists use lasers to determine the age of sharks
Not many scientific studies sound like a Bond film, but ours really does involve lasers, sharks and doctors (of research, not the evil kind).
May 4th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — April 27th, 2026

An acoustic device helps reduce bycatch of endangered Black Sea porpoises
The endangered Black Sea harbor porpoise (Phocoena phocoena relicta) is facing a critical fight for survival. As Europe's smallest marine mammal, this isolated population is being pushed toward extinction by bycatch—the unintentional entanglement in fishing gear. The crisis is most acute in the Black Sea turbot fishery, where recent estimates reveal that more than 10,000 porpoises die annually.
April 27th, 2026 — Source

Japan startup seeks approval of cat kidney disease treatment
A Japanese startup has filed for approval of a new drug to treat chronic kidney disease in cats, the founder said on Monday, offering hope for a common affliction that currently has no definitive cure.
April 27th, 2026 — Source

More than two species? Scientists challenge taxonomy of two-toed sloths in Amazonia
A new study by scientists from the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW) has revealed significant cryptic diversity within two-toed sloths (Choloepus) in Amazonia, challenging the long-established taxonomy of the genus. This international effort involved key South American collaborators.
April 27th, 2026 — Source

Why dolphins swim so fast: The secrets of hidden whirlpools
Dolphins are famous for their speed and agility in the water, but what exactly allows them to swim so effectively? Scientists have been asking this question for years, hoping to learn how to optimize propulsion in fluids from these elegant creatures.
April 27th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — April 26th, 2026

Mezcal worm in a bottle DNA test reveals a surprise
The famous mezcal "worm" has long puzzled scientists, but DNA testing has finally cracked the case. Researchers found that all sampled larvae were actually agave redworm moth caterpillars—not a mix of species as once believed. While the discovery clears up a long-standing mystery, it also raises concerns about sustainability. Growing demand for mezcal and edible larvae could put pressure on wild populations and the agave plants they depend on.
April 24th, 2026 — Source

Paris has successfully cut noise pollution, but urban birds still can't sing at their natural pitch
When Rachel Carson wrote the environmental classic "Silent Spring" in 1962, she warned that unchecked human impacts might create a silent future.
April 24th, 2026 — Source

Your Photo's Background Can Matter Just As Much As the Subject
Although we think a lot about a photo's subject and its sharpness, what's happening elsewhere in the photo is critical to its success.
April 24th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — April 23rd, 2026

Black grouse eye test reveals best flags to protect birds from fatal cables
There is a silent killer lurking in the French Alps: ski lift cables. Over the last 60 years, the wires have accounted for almost 600 recorded landfowl deaths in the region. Black grouse (Lyrurus tetrix) account for ~70% of the grizzly toll, and that is probably the tip of the iceberg. Figuring out how well the birds see was an urgent priority for wildlife conservationists from the Parc national de la Vanoise, France, to allow them to design cable markers that stand out clearly for black grouse.
April 23rd, 2026 — Source

Citizen science helps ID elusive seabird, paves way for more citizen-backed discoveries
Vast online archives of photos, videos and sound recordings collected by the public are reshaping how scientists study the natural world, allowing researchers to answer questions that were once out of reach. A new study led by UNSW Sydney and published in Diversity and Distributions shows how these datasets can be turned into practical tools for conservation, helping scientists identify and track species that have long eluded study.
April 23rd, 2026 — Source

Honeybees pass their math test, upending an animal intelligence debate
We've run the numbers and the verdict is in: Honeybees do have the ability to process numerical information. New research led by Monash University has now addressed recent international debate over whether bees are truly assessing numbers or simply reacting to visual patterns.
April 23rd, 2026 — Source or Source

Is your cat or dog overweight? Why simply feeding less doesn't always help
Overweight and obesity are among the most common conditions veterinarians see in both dogs and cats.
April 23rd, 2026 — Source

One of Los Angeles' best-adapted urban creatures: Lizards
March's record heat made it the most abnormally warm month in recorded U.S. history, bringing plants into bloom early and coaxing animals out of their winter hiding places ahead of schedule. Among the creatures making an early debut: The southern alligator lizard.
April 23rd, 2026 — Source

Research shows community help essential for native bats
Community help is no longer just nice to have in the world of bat conservation, it is essential to large-scale bat monitoring and the protection of threatened and understudied species, according to new research from Murdoch University's School of Environmental and Conservation Sciences. The study reveals that collaboration between universities, not-for-profits, government agencies and community members is the key to ensuring data collection is accurate, and that it flows into policy and practice.
April 23rd, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — April 17th, 2026

If birds are fancy dancers, are they smarter, too?
Does a male bird with a long and complex courtship dance have superior cognitive abilities? Simply put, is a talented dancer a smarter bird? To answer the question, researchers at Universite de Montreal studied the zebra finch, a small bird known for the dramatic differences between the male and female of the species. The scientists wanted to determine whether females choose males who perform elaborate dances because those displays reflect above-average intelligence.
April 17th, 2026 — Source

One of the world's rarest mice is adapting to climate change
A new study on climate adaptation in the Pacific pocket mouse—North America's most endangered mouse has been published in Science Advances. The research highlights a major challenge for endangered species, as many lack the genetic diversity needed to survive changing climates.
April 17th, 2026 — Source

Parrots are not just mimicking words—they use proper names like humans to identify individuals
Like many animals, parrots make sounds that suggest they are talking with each other, maybe even calling out to a specific parrot. But do they truly have names in the same way people do? To find out, Lauryn Benedict, a biology professor at the University of Northern Colorado, didn't set up shop in the tropics to record parrot chatter, as they've done in the past. She instead found birds who spoke her language—birds that live with humans and mimic what they hear, including people's names.
April 17th, 2026 — Source

Songbird brains can generate new neurons: Can human brains do the same?
Despite its small size—it could sit in the palm of your hand—the zebra finch is a remarkable learner. A songbird native to Australia, it's renowned for its ability to pick up new songs. That talent has made it a favorite of scientists studying how animal brains imprint new skills, particularly vocal learning, or the capacity to perfect new sounds. And now researchers at Boston University have discovered another quirk to the zebra finch brain—one that could also have implications for understanding human gray matter.
April 17th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — April 14th, 2026

Bats on a break: Tracking the secret life of pond bats
What do bats do at night when they're not hunting? Using tiny GPS trackers, Leiden researchers discovered that pond bats spend a substantial portion of the night resting—often outdoors. This surprising insight could change the way we protect them. "To rest or to roam: Functional habitat use of an insectivorous bat species during active and resting behavior" is published in Biological Conservation.
April 14th, 2026 — Source

Scientists just debunked a 50-year myth about Hawaii's birds
A new study from the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa is overturning a decades-old belief that Indigenous Hawaiians hunted native waterbirds to extinction. Instead, researchers found no scientific evidence supporting this claim and propose a more complex explanation involving climate change, invasive species, and shifts in land use—many occurring before Polynesian arrival or after traditional stewardship systems were disrupted.
April 14th, 2026 — Source

The 'ungrateful lungfish': Study focuses on sustainable food sources for very hungry ancient fish
Like a naughty pet Labrador, the Australian lungfish has little restraint when it comes to food. "We had 360 sqm of aquatic plants growing inside enclosures; but, once the fences were removed, lungfish and other aquatic animals feasted on the plants, and most of the vegetation was gone within 21 days."
April 14th, 2026 — Source

Whales go quiet during noisy underwater surveys
A new study has shown that whale calls are reduced by as much as 50% in response to seismic surveys, which are commonly used to find oil and gas reserves. Researchers are worried that such surveys could impact vulnerable marine species, which rely on sound for communication, navigation, and foraging. The paper, published in Scientific Reports, reveals how fin whale calls dropped dramatically along a key migratory corridor off northwestern Spain during seismic surveying.
April 14th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — April 13th, 2026

Painkillers prevent pain responses in Norway lobsters, intensifying the case against boiling them alive
Common human painkillers also work on Norway lobsters, according to research from the University of Gothenburg. This is further evidence that crustaceans may feel pain and that more humane methods of killing them need to be developed.
April 13th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — April 11th, 2026

Oldest dog DNA suggests 16,000 years of human companionship
The discovery of the oldest ever dog DNA suggests they have been our best friends for nearly 16,000 years—5,000 years earlier than had previously been thought, new research said Wednesday.
April 11th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — April 9th, 2026

African swine fever: A novel model assesses transmission between domestic pigs and wild boar
African swine fever (ASF) is one of the most devastating diseases affecting domestic pigs and wild boars worldwide. Since its introduction into Europe, this deadly virus has spread widely, threatening pig production and causing significant economic losses. Understanding the mechanisms of transmission between domestic pigs and wild boars is essential for developing effective control strategies. However, this has proven to be highly challenging—not only due to the multiple transmission pathways between animals and farms, but also because surveillance data on ASF in wild boar populations remain limited.
April 9th, 2026 — Source

Animals Charity Forced to Deny Shocking Photo is AI
An animal welfare organization has been forced to deny that its distressing photo of 250 dogs crammed into a single house is AI-generated — in a damning reflection of modern media literacy.
April 9th, 2026 — Source

Ant larvae control parental care by using odor signals
In the clonal raider ant (Ooceraea biroi), workers in a colony alternate between caring for larvae and laying eggs in a coordinated cycle. Researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Chemical Ecology in Jena have discovered a brood pheromone released by larvae of clonal raider ants that temporarily suppresses egg-laying in adult ants.
April 9th, 2026 — Source

Chimpanzee empire falls apart in rare instance of division and deadly violence
The largest group of wild chimpanzees known to scientists has permanently split in two. In a study published in Science, researchers from the University of Texas at Austin and other institutions report the first clearly documented permanent fission in wild chimpanzees and the sustained intergroup violence that followed.
April 9th, 2026 — Source

Dragonflies share humans' red-light sensing trick, detecting wavelengths near 720 nm
Sometimes, different organisms can evolve the same ability independently, a process called parallel evolution. A new study from Osaka Metropolitan University (OMU) has found that dragonflies sense red light similarly to mammals, including humans.
April 9th, 2026 — Source

Great apes mirror facial expressions with surprising precision, study shows
New research from the University of Portsmouth has found that great apes exhibit exactness in mimicking one another's facial expressions in social contexts. The study, published in Scientific Reports, explored how orangutans and chimpanzees mirror expressions during social interactions, particularly laugh faces, drawing comparisons with human behaviors such as the Duchenne smile—a genuine smile that engages both the mouth and eyes.
April 9th, 2026 — Source

How surface chemistry impacts the performance of malaria nets
Insecticide-treated bed nets remain one of the most effective tools in malaria prevention, acting both as a physical barrier and as an insecticidal surface that kills or disables mosquitoes before they can transmit disease. New research by a multidisciplinary research team from the University of Liverpool and the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) uses surface science to assess how well malaria nets perform.
April 9th, 2026 — Source

It's OK to love all the bees (the honey bees, too)
North America's bee populations are in trouble, but don't blame the honey bees. While some people argue that an overabundance of managed honey bees—those raised to help pollinate crops and produce honey—is causing native bees to disappear, the evidence doesn't support the claim.
April 9th, 2026 — Source

Oxygen sensing helps explain why amphibians regenerate limbs but mammals cannot
Some animals can regrow lost body parts. Salamanders and frog tadpoles can rebuild entire limbs after amputation. Mammals cannot. For decades, biologists have tried to understand why. Now a team led by Can Aztekin at EPFL (now at the Friedrich Miescher Laboratory of the Max Planck Society) has discovered that oxygen plays a crucial role in limb regeneration. By comparing amputated limbs from frog tadpoles and embryonic mice, the researchers found that the way cells sense oxygen determines whether regeneration can even begin.
April 9th, 2026 — Source

Preventing the spread of a deadly virus to Pennsylvania's rabbits and hares
Rabbit hemorrhagic disease virus type 2 is a terrible way for any animal to die, especially creatures as gentle as these. Highly contagious and lethal, it threatens wild and domestic rabbits. First detected in the United States in 2020, it has rapidly spread throughout the western states, becoming endemic as far as South Dakota, Kansas, and Texas. Two years later, Pennsylvania had its first two cases at a Fayette County domestic farmed rabbit facility.
April 9th, 2026 — Source

Soundscapes from nearby forests are more uplifting than those from faraway places, research suggests
Listening to one-minute-long audio recordings of forests had positive effects on people's short-term well-being, especially when the recordings were from local temperate forests. Study participants residing in Germany perceived soundscapes as more awe-inspiring and restorative when recorded in nearby forests than soundscapes that came from the tropics; higher or lower levels of animal diversity only had small effects on short-term well-being.
April 9th, 2026 — Source

Ugandan chimps split into two factions, then killed rivals
Rare event suggests relational dynamics may play a role in collective violence, along with cultural markers.
April 9th, 2026 — Source

Wildlife trade increases pathogen transmission: What 40 years of data say about spillover
Hedgehogs, elephants, pangolins, bears or fennec foxes: many wild species are sold as pets, hunting trophies, for traditional medicine, biomedical research, or for their meat or fur. These practices, whether legal or illegal, concern one-quarter of all mammal species. Now a study conducted at the Department of Ecology and Evolution of the University of Lausanne (Unil) quantifies the impact of wildlife trade on the exchange of germs and parasites between animals and humans.
April 9th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — April 8th, 2026

Avoiding the very hungry caterpillar: Herbivores pose unexpected threat to predatory mite eggs
Predators don't expect to be preyed upon, and especially not by herbivores such as caterpillars. The slow-moving, leaf-eating larvae may only intend to consume plants, but sometimes tiny creatures making their homes under leaves unwittingly become dinner: cue the mites.
April 8th, 2026 — Source

Because dogs and cats can't wear Apple Watches: New pet trackers trounce AirTag
An AirTag with the proper collar can tell you where your cat or dog is. Tractive's new Cat 6 Mini and Dog 6 XL devices can do that, too, but they also can tell you whether your pet is stressed, scratching themselves too much or breathing differently than usual, the company said Wednesday.
April 8th, 2026 — Source

Global trade in wild birds is poorly monitored: The risks to wildlife, ecosystems and human health
Birds have, for centuries, been captured from the wild to be kept in cages—valued for their looks, songs and ability to imitate sounds. Data compiled by the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES), the global agreement that regulates trade in threatened animals and plants, indicate that in the 1990s and early 2000s Africa was a leading supplier of live birds to global markets.
April 8th, 2026 — Source

Triple threat emerges as sharks, beach nourishment and murky waters collide
Each winter, thousands of blacktip sharks (Carcharhinus limbatus) migrate to the clear, shallow waters off South Florida, where they are easily spotted from the air—a movement that coincides with seasonal beach nourishment projects. In northern Palm Beach County, beach nourishment—adding sand from nearby or offshore sources, such as Jupiter Inlet—is conducted nearly every year to widen beaches, protect shorelines and provide habitat and recreational space.
April 8th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — April 6th, 2026

A gray whale that swam 20 miles up a Washington state river is found dead
A juvenile gray whale that amazed Washington state residents after it swam 20 miles up a small river was found dead, and an official with a marine mammal research group suspects hunger may have driven the whale to new hunting grounds as the species' population declines.
April 6th, 2026 — Source

Argentine wildfire AI startup raises $2.7M after building a detection system that beats NASA's alerts by 35 minutes
Satellites on Fire, founded in 2020 as a school project by three Argentine teenagers, has closed a seed round led by Dalus Capital. Its software-only platform integrates satellite data from multiple agencies and detects fires faster than NASA's FIRMS system by avoiding the gaps between satellite passes.
April 6th, 2026 — Source

Could 'sky trains' reduce transportation emissions?
Aerolane is using planes to pull other planes through the sky.
April 6th, 2026 — Source

Fish 'steals' glowing protein: Genome sequencing proves unique survival strategy
In a striking example of nature's ingenuity, a collaborative research team has revealed that a bioluminescent fish glows not by producing its own light-emitting molecules, but by "stealing" them from its prey.
April 6th, 2026 — Source

How the female baboon body has the final say in sperm selection
Just because a female olive baboon has mated with a specific male doesn't mean he will be the father of her offspring. According to a new study published in PLOS Biology, mate selection continues long after copulation as the vaginal tract appears to "weed out" genetically incompatible suitors.
April 6th, 2026 — Source

Mutant clownfish reveals how nature draws boundaries
In 1999, a clownfish (Amphiprion ocellaris) hatched in the aquarium of a tropical fish hobbyist in the UK. These clownfish are prized by aquarists for their unique pattern of three straight white bars bordered by a thin black line. But this UK fish was special: instead of the usual straight bars, it had wavy, corrugated patterns, symmetrical on both sides. The patterns were inherited across generations, leading to a lineage named "Snowflake," but the mechanism causing this irregular patterning remained a mystery.
April 6th, 2026 — Source

New York Bight is a key spring habitat for endangered sei whales, research reveals
A new study led by scientists from the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) and Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI) reveals that endangered sei whales regularly use the New York Bight as a key spring habitat, underscoring the importance of this heavily trafficked region for one of the world's fastest and most elusive baleen whales.
April 6th, 2026 — Source

Pigeons tend to respond 'at the edge of chaos,' study finds
If you were rewarded for following a particular pattern of behavior, wouldn't you keep doing it? The answer turns out to be more nuanced than you might think. In a new study, University of Iowa researchers report that pigeons rewarded with food after pecking five buttons in any order did, indeed, decrease the variety of their sequences. However, the birds kept their options open, never gravitating toward a single sequence and consistently electing to try different sequences.
April 6th, 2026 — Source

Renowned Grizzly Bear 'The Boss' Comes Out of Hibernation
Grizzly bears are arguably the most iconic animals in North America, and perhaps the most famous individual living right now is known simply as 'The Boss', who lives near Banff, Canada.
April 6th, 2026 — Source

Should wildlife parks be fenced? We studied 60 African examples for an answer
Fences are among conservation's most controversial interventions. To some, they are essential for conserving wildlife, minimizing encroachment, and preventing the type of conflict that happens when humans come into contact with wildlife.
April 6th, 2026 — Source

Zero-waste community kitchens turn scraps into flavor-packed dishes
Community kitchens and restaurants in Peru are using every bite, with delicious results.
April 6th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — April 3rd, 2026

Ancient bees found nesting inside fossil bones in rare cave discovery
Ancient bees pulled off a bizarre survival trick—turning fossilized bones in a cave into their own ready-made homes.
April 3rd, 2026 — Source

Bumblebees can perceive rhythm, despite their brains being the size of a sesame seed
Humans are creatures of rhythms. As far as we know, humans have always sung and always danced. We can recognize a song by its rhythm alone, regardless of whether it is played fast or slow.
April 3rd, 2026 — Source

This tiny claw in a 500-million-year-old fossil just rewrote the origin of spiders
What started as routine fossil cleaning turned into a major scientific surprise when researchers uncovered a tiny claw in a 500-million-year-old specimen where no claw should exist. That detail revealed Megachelicerax cousteaui, the oldest known relative of spiders, pushing the origins of this group back by 20 million years. The fossil shows that key features of modern spiders and horseshoe crabs were already emerging during the Cambrian Explosion.
April 3rd, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — April 2nd, 2026

Backyard birdwatchers help scientists uncover what hawks really like to eat
Anyone who keeps a bird feeder has likely had the same uneasy thought after seeing a sudden blur of wings in the yard: What was that hawk doing here?
April 2nd, 2026 — Source

How the octopus uses its 'taste by touch' sensory system to feel out potential mates
A new study by Harvard biologists reveals how octopuses feel their way to potential mates with a "taste by touch" sensory system and can even couple at arm's length without actually seeing each other. In a study featured on the cover of Science, the researchers deciphered how one male appendage serves as a multipurpose organ for seeking, sensing, and seeding—and even continues to respond to female sex hormones after being severed from the body.
April 2nd, 2026 — Source

How to Handle Trusts and Psychological Safety When Scaling Organizations
As organizations scale, communication overload, loss of shared context, and trust gaps emerge, Charlotte de Jong Schouwenburg mentioned at Dev Summit Munich. Trust must be built team by team; it can't be replicated. Trust is interpersonal, while psychological safety exists among people and fuels learning. Leaders must deliberately design structures, rituals, and metrics that reward transparency and cohesion at scale.
April 2nd, 2026 — Source

Male fish lose their learning edge in drug-polluted waters, research reveals
A common antidepressant detected in rivers and streams worldwide is disrupting how fish learn, and the impact is strikingly one-sided. New research led by Monash University shows the drug amitriptyline impairs spatial learning in wild fish, but only in males. Females remain unaffected.
April 2nd, 2026 — Source

Male octopuses guided through mating by female hormones
A receptor that's used to find prey is also activated by progesterone.
April 2nd, 2026 — Source

Pinterest said he violated laid-off colleagues' privacy. Now he's going public
A former Pinterest engineer says the company mischaracterized the events used to justify his firing.
April 2nd, 2026 — Source

World's oldest known tortoise still very much alive despite rumor to the contrary
Reports on April Fools' Day of the death of the world's oldest living land animal—a 193-year-old tortoise called Jonathan—were greatly exaggerated.
April 2nd, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — April 1st, 2026

A fossil reveals early relatives of spiders — armed with claws
The fossil helps show how the front appendages of spiders' kin may have evolved
April 1st, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — March 31st, 2026

Secrets of the Bees zooms in on life in a hive
The National Geographic documentary highlights the incredible abilities of bees around the world
March 31st, 2026 — Source

Trail Camera Captures Lynx Bizarrely Bathing Its Prey Before Eating It
Camera traps captured an Iberian Lynx bathing their prey in a water trough — in the first instance of pre-soaking behavior being recorded in carnivores.
March 31st, 2026 — Source

Two new gecko species discovered in Vietnam
The half leaf-fingered geckos (Hemiphyllodactylus) are a diverse group with more than 70 recognized species and a distribution range from southern India and Sri Lanka, through Indochina and Southeast Asia, to the western Pacific region. As a result of its cryptic lifestyle and small body size, its diversity had been neglected until a recent surge of integrative taxonomic research, which combines different lines of evidence, most importantly molecular and morphological data.
March 31st, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — March 24th, 2026

Drone Captures First-Ever Footage of 'Moby Dick' Whales Headbutting Each Other
Scientists have captured the first-ever footage of sperm whales headbutting each other, documenting a behavior long described by sailors but never previously confirmed.
March 24th, 2026 — Source

Scientists found a rhino in the Arctic and it changes everything
Scientists have uncovered a new species of rhinoceros in the Canadian High Arctic, revealing that rhinos once lived far farther north than expected. The fossil, dating back 23 million years, is unusually complete and has helped reshape ideas about how these animals migrated between continents. Evidence suggests rhinos crossed from Europe to North America more recently than scientists once thought.
March 24th, 2026 — Source

These insects fly with their legs. Physics explains how
Like dandelion fluff, the insects' legs can take advantage of updrafts to fly high
March 24th, 2026 — Source

Well-fed penguins live longer but age faster—much like modern humans
In public discourse, the increasing lifespan in Western countries is often linked to longer life in good health. However, studying human aging in modern societies is complex because outcomes are shaped by numerous social, behavioral, and environmental factors, including medical advances, food security, poverty, alcohol use, and civil violence.
March 24th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — March 22nd, 2026

A Beginner's Guide to Bird Photography: Essential Gear and Basic Settings
Bird photography demands technical skill, patience, and respect for wildlife. However, the rewards of capturing their grace, power, and beauty in their natural environment make the challenge worthwhile.
March 22nd, 2026 — Source

Altered colony chemistry reveals a process that destroys termite societies
Several insect species, including ants, honeybees and termites, live in highly organized societies, also known as social insect colonies. Insects living in these colonies can take on different roles, such as reproducing, maintaining the nest, gathering food or caring for other insects.
March 22nd, 2026 — Source

How birds send heat into space measured for the first time—a hidden reflectance of feathers
As human-caused climate change continues to raise temperatures across the globe, understanding how birds regulate their temperature is vital for their conservation. But how much heat birds emit—an invisible spectrum of radiation known as mid-infrared—has never been studied, until now.
March 22nd, 2026 — Source

Novel approach allows studying the DNA of otters without disturbing them
Studying endangered animal species without disturbing them and disrupting their natural habitat could be highly advantageous, as it would contribute to their protection and prevent unnecessary stress. Conventional methods for studying endangered species and their DNA, however, entail capturing animals for short periods of time, examining them and collecting tissues or other biological samples. These approaches often require significant resources and can be very stressful for animals. In the case of elusive species—animals that conceal themselves well and are thus very difficult to find or observe—it is also impractical.
March 22nd, 2026 — Source

Pike eat more as water warms, threatening native species
Rising temperatures in a Southcentral Alaska river have led to a hungrier population of invasive northern pike, a trend that could imperil native salmon and other fish species. A University of Alaska Fairbanks-led research team analyzed the stomach contents of northern pike caught by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in the Deshka River during the summers of 2021 and 2022. The team compared the contents to samples from pike collected a decade earlier.
March 22nd, 2026 — Source

Sea turtle shells reveal hidden records of ocean change
Techniques developed to study the distant past—from dating ancient artifacts to reconstructing climate records in ice cores—are now being repurposed to help us better understand the lives of modern sea turtles. Using radiocarbon methods from archaeology, researchers show that sea turtle shell plates are biological time capsules that record signs of major environmental disturbances in the ocean.
March 22nd, 2026 — Source

Why mosquitoes always find you and how they decide to attack
Mosquitoes aren't following each other—they're all zeroing in on the same deadly combination of breath and dark targets.
March 22nd, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — March 18th, 2026

Abalone shells could help trace seafood origins
The rocks beneath our feet are leaving a hidden signature in the shells of marine snails along Australia's ancient coastline, according to new research led by Adelaide University scientists. A study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B reveals that neodymium (Nd) isotope ratios in abalone shells reflect the age and type of continental rocks along southern Australia, providing new possibilities for tracking marine animal movement and verifying the origin of seafood.
March 18th, 2026 — Source

Beavers can convert stream corridors to persistent carbon sinks
Beavers could engineer riverbeds into promising carbon dioxide sinks, according to a new international study led by researchers at the University of Birmingham. The paper, published in Communications Earth & Environment, has for the first time calculated the carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted and sequestered due to engineering work done by beavers in suitable wetland areas.
March 18th, 2026 — Source

Black Bear Wanders into Cameraman's Live Shot During News Report on Bear Attacks
A black bear wandered into a cameraman's live shot during a journalist's report about a recent bear attack, startling the news crew during the broadcast.
March 18th, 2026 — Source

Female Galápagos warblers sing often, yet song is not tied to aggression
For decades, birdsong research focused almost exclusively on males. In many species, however, females also sing. Now a study by researchers from the University of Vienna and Anglia Ruskin University shows that female Galapagos yellow warblers sing frequently, though not for the reasons males do. In experiments simulating territorial intrusions, the researchers found that female song was neither linked to same-sex competition nor to signaling aggression in territorial defense.
March 18th, 2026 — Source

The fish species that knows when you are watching them
Emperor cichlids, large fish native to Lake Tanganyika in Africa, don't like being stared at, especially if someone's gaze is directed at their offspring. Those are the findings of a new study published in the journal Royal Society Open Science. In animal societies, gaze can provide information to others without vocal signals. For example, when one individual in a group notices that a predator is watching, the others can pick up on it and become more alert.
March 18th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — March 16th, 2026

Oldest known whale recording could unlock mysteries of the ocean
A haunting whale song discovered on decades-old audio equipment could open up a new understanding of how the huge animals communicate, according to researchers who say it's the oldest such recording known.
March 16th, 2026 — Source

Photographer Captures Adorable Lion Cub in a Food Coma
We've all been there. A photographer captured a lion cub splayed out on the ground with an inflated belly after it had eaten to the point of exhaustion.
March 16th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — March 13th, 2026

Female birds more likely to sing when their extended family helps with childcare
Most of us have heard the phrase "it takes a village" when it comes to childcare. This age-old saying holds true for some songbirds, and a new study has found that this "village" has evolutionary consequences for their songs.
March 13th, 2026 — Source

Not so pretty but plenty of likes: A bumblebee bandwagon effect prioritizes busy flowers over beautiful ones
If you were a bee, how would you choose a flower to land on? You might go to the most beautiful one, as pollination biologists have long suggested that flowers with striking colors attract pollinators more easily. Or perhaps, as other studies indicate, you might go where other bees are feeding, like seeing a long line outside a restaurant and thinking it must be worth the wait.
March 13th, 2026 — Source

Spotted a bear lately? You're not alone—why sightings are on the rise
By the time Kim Ring arrived at her neighbors' yard that spring afternoon in 2022, their chicken coop was a flattened pile of lumber surrounded by feathers. The poultry had been raided by a bear. At the neighbor's request, Ring and her husband headed into the woods abutting their home in the rural Massachusetts town of Ware, in the hopes of finding any fluffy survivors. What they encountered instead was a bear with her two cubs in a tree—the mother bear downing one of their neighbor's chickens.
March 13th, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — March 12th, 2026

A familiar voice shapes how zebra finches hear and respond
Conversations with friends have an ease that is hard to replicate with someone you have just met—often replies come more naturally and timing just seems to click. A strikingly similar pattern plays out in zebra finches, very sociable songbirds whose back-and-forth chatter with familiar individuals can take a noticeably different rhythm to exchanges with strangers. Now, researchers at the Max Planck Institute for Biological Intelligence have uncovered how this communication pattern is reflected in the brain, showing that social context influences the activity of neurons involved in vocal communication.
March 12, 2026 — Source

Caught but not eaten: Smaller insects more likely to escape catfish mouths
A Kobe University study shows that small aquatic beetles survive catfish attacks by resisting ingestion inside the catfish's mouth and being spat out alive. This research contributes to a deeper understanding of size-dependent predator-prey relationships in aquatic insects and fish.
March 12, 2026 — Source

Gut microbes: The secret to squirrel hibernation
When winter sets in and food becomes scarce, some mammals hibernate, entering a state of deep rest that slashes their energy needs and allows them to fast for months. However, fasting deprives them of essential nutrients, including carbon. Carbon, the building block of all life, normally comes from food. But hibernating animals take in no carbon, while their bodies keep releasing it through respiration, mostly as carbon dioxide.
March 12, 2026 — Source

Selfish sperm hijack Overdrive gene to kill healthy rivals
A new University of Utah-led study has discovered the mechanism behind a decades-old evolutionary mystery—how "selfish chromosomes" cheat the rules of genetic inheritance. The researchers found that rogue chromosomes hijack the Overdrive (Ovd) gene to destroy rival sperm.
March 12, 2026 — Source

The 'croak' conundrum: Parasites complicate love signals in frogs
Across the animal kingdom, sound is more than communication—it's a signal of survival and success. From birds and primates to insects, fish, and amphibians, animals broadcast acoustic "advertisements" to defend territory, attract mates, and reveal their physical condition. Because these calls can reflect traits such as body size, strength, or health, they play a powerful role in sexual selection and help shape how species compete and reproduce.
March 12, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — March 11th, 2026

Flying 2,000 km to find a mate—meet Australia's most determined seabirds
New genetic testing from the University of the Sunshine Coast has uncovered the extraordinary lengths a group of Queensland seabirds will travel to keep love blossoming on their little island. It's a common complaint for single Australians living out in the sticks. Everyone is either taken...or related. So, they travel to the big smoke to find love, or hold out hope Mr./Mrs. Right will show up on a regional work placement. It turns out some of our seabirds might be doing something similar.
March 11, 2026 — Source

Indigenous rangers find rarely seen animals in first camera survey of Truwana
The first camera survey ever conducted on Truwana/Cape Barren Island off Tasmania has recorded two rarely seen animals—white-footed dunnarts and blonde echidnas. A vulnerable shorebird—the Latham's snipe—was also photographed.
March 11, 2026 — Source

Nocturnal ants use lunar compass and sophisticated calculations to travel at night
It's well known that many animals, including migratory birds, butterflies, and even fish, use the sun for navigational purposes. Nocturnal animals are dealt a more difficult hand, however, as the moon's path is far more variable. But a new study, published in Current Biology, has shown that nocturnal bull ants (Myrmecia midas) not only use the moon as a compass, but are also capable of accounting for speed variations in its movement.
March 11, 2026 — Source

Queen bees survive winter flooding by breathing underwater
Hibernation is a risky endeavor for many animals, as they can be taken away by the elements or predators. For several months of the year, queen bumblebees enter a dormant state underground called diapause. While this keeps them hidden, it leaves them vulnerable to waterlogged conditions from rainstorms and snowmelt. But that doesn't seem to be a problem.
March 11, 2026 — Source

The PetSafe ScoopFree is a budget Litter-Robot alternative if your cat hates enclosed litter boxes
The ScoopFree is shaped like a traditional litter box, so it's a more chill adjustment for your cat and your living space.
March 11, 2026 — Source

Whisker Litter-Robot 5 Pro review: This $900 litter box may be almost too high-tech for me
The new Whisker Litter-Robot 5 Pro saves you from scooping while also giving you peace of mind on your cat's advanced health data.
March 11, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — March 5th, 2026

3D imagery helps bring world's ant diversity to life
For more than a decade, Evan Economo's lab has been using micro-CT machines to scan insect specimens. The resulting X-ray images help researchers study the form and structure of insects—a subfield of entomology known as morphology—but the process is costly and time-consuming.
March 5, 2026 — Source

Drones capture rare harbor porpoise mating behavior off Shetland
Drones flying above the waters of Shetland have captured rare footage of harbor porpoises gathering in unusually large groups and engaging in mating behavior. The footage, gathered between 2019 and 2023, provides one of the most detailed records of harbor porpoise mating behavior ever documented in UK waters.
March 5, 2026 — Source

Freshwater fish are more resilient to rising temperatures than marine fish, ecologists find
Fish that live in rivers, ditches, and streams are better able to withstand warming water than fish in the sea. This is the conclusion of research by ecologist Wilco Verberk of Radboud University. "It is important not to group freshwater and marine fish together when predicting the consequences of climate-change-driven warming."
March 5, 2026 — Source

Lord of the fruit flies: How scientists are defending against a major agricultural pest
When Vasilis Rodovitis rips open his brown paper bag in a sunny persimmon orchard just outside Naousa, in Greece, I half expect groceries to spill out. Instead, a barely there gray cloud emerges. For half a week, the bag was home to some 4,000 Mediterranean fruit flies (Ceratitis capitata). The thumbnail-sized flies, which the scientists here simply call "Medfly," quickly disappear into the orchard.
March 5, 2026 — Source

New species of ancient mollusk found in South Korean waters
Scientists have discovered a new species of chiton, an ancient marine mollusk that has remained virtually unchanged for the last 300 million years. Chitons have an elongated oval shape with a shell composed of eight interlocking plates that resemble suits of armor. They are found all over Earth, from tropical waters to the polar regions, inhabiting tidal pools and the deep sea. Around 940 living species are known to science.
March 5, 2026 — Source

Newfound terrestrial crocodile fossil redraws the map of Europe in the age of the dinosaurs
One argument for this is the great similarity between fossils of extinct crocodiles discovered in present-day Europe and species occurring in the same era in Africa and South America. If the primeval crocodiles were related, that would indicate a late separation of Europe from the southern continents.
March 5, 2026 — Source

Punch the orphan macaque is outgrowing his plushie and making friends
Punch the baby orphan macaque is outgrowing the orangutan plushie that comforted him through early rejection from his mother and other monkeys.
March 5, 2026 — Source

Researchers find harmful algae species wasn't new to South Australian waters
The coastline of South Australia has been affected for nearly a year by an unprecedented harmful algal bloom which has led to the deaths of millions of fish and sharks, impacted marine mammals and birds and affected the health of some people. The origins of this event remain the topic of intense discussion and investigation among both the public and scientific community.
March 5, 2026 — Source

Too many deer in your area? Birth control could help
Populations of suburban deer have been on the rise across the U.S. for the last 50 years. Suburban landscapes are like buffet tables with their plentiful lawns, shrubs, and gardens that tempt the animals into human territory. But in many places—like Tennessee, Ohio, Maryland, Iowa, North Carolina, and Delaware—deer have become problematic. They cause traffic accidents, disrupt yards and flora, damage crops, and contribute to the spread of Lyme disease by hosting the ticks that carry the bacteria.
March 5, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — March 4th, 2026

Cockroaches that eat each other's wings become exclusive partners
Scientists have discovered that, far from being solitary insects, some cockroaches appear to form an exclusive bond with a partner. And how do they get this relationship off the ground? By eating each other's wings.
March 4, 2026 — Source

Eight Sleep raises $50M at $1.5B valuation
Sleep tech company Eight Sleep today said that it has raised $50 million in a strategic round led by Tether Investments at a valuation of $1.5 billion. This new round comes after the startup closed a $100 million round last August from investors such as HSG, Valor Equity Partners, Founders Fund, and Y Combinator.
March 4, 2026 — Source

How adult hygienic honey bees show unique advantages in fighting infectious pathogens
For the first time, research shows that a key social trait in honey bees is linked to measurable physiological advantages that can improve colony survival. A study published in PLOS One uncovers how hygienic honey bee colonies mount stronger individual immune defenses against Nosema ceranae, a widespread pathogen that threatens honey bee health worldwide.
March 4, 2026 — Source

Mosquito monitoring through sound—implications for AI species recognition
Mosquitoes transmit several pathogens of public health importance, including malaria, dengue, chikungunya and Zika. These vector-borne diseases are responsible for millions of cases every year, and hundreds of thousands of deaths. The most effective way to cope with the threat of emerging or re-emerging vector-borne diseases is prevention by a rigorous surveillance system, which can help early detection of risk and the initiation of mitigation efforts (e.g. mosquito control).
March 4, 2026 — Source

Why are cats prone to kidney disease? A study points to unusual fats
Researchers from the University of Nottingham have uncovered a surprising biological quirk in domestic cats that may help explain why they are so prone to chronic kidney disease. Unlike dogs and most other mammals, cats appear to accumulate unusual fats inside the cells of their kidneys, sometimes from a very young age. This new study, published in Frontiers of Veterinary Science, and led by Professor David Gardner and Dr. Rebecca Brociek from the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science at the University, shows they are anything but ordinary.
March 4, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — March 3rd, 2026

Brain structure volume linked to increased social tolerance in macaques
Researchers have found that the size of the amygdala—a region of the brain involved in processing emotions—could be linked to social tolerance in macaque monkeys. Their research, published today in eLife, is described by the editors as important work with a convincing methodological approach, offering new insights into the neural basis of social and emotional processing.
March 3, 2026 — Source

Crocodile caught in an Australian creek 1,200 miles from its tropical habitat
Stephanie Kirsop didn't believe her son when he phoned to say a crocodile was lurking in a creek near their home.
March 3, 2026 — Source

Deadly soil fungal pathogen puts Australia's reptiles at risk of extinction
University of Queensland researchers say Australia's reptiles are at risk of extinction because a little understood fungus is infecting species throughout the environment. Associate Professor Celine Frere from UQ's School of Environment said Nannizziopsis barbatae caused fungal skin lesions and lethargy, leading to reptile starvation and eventual death.
March 3, 2026 — Source

Examining public perceptions of assisted reproductive technologies in wildlife conservation
A recent study published in PLOS ONE has shed light on public perceptions of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) in wildlife conservation across Czechia, Germany, and Italy. The research, conducted as part of the BioRescue project, highlights public attitudes toward ART, awareness of the biodiversity crisis, and ethical considerations surrounding the use of these technologies to save critically endangered species, such as the Northern White Rhinoceros (NWR).
March 3, 2026 — Source

For every known vertebrate species, two more may be hiding in plain sight
Earth's vertebrate diversity may be far richer than anyone realized. A sweeping analysis of more than 300 studies suggests that for every known fish, bird, reptile, amphibian, or mammal species, there are about two nearly identical "cryptic" species hiding in plain sight—genetically distinct but visually almost impossible to tell apart. Thanks to advances in DNA sequencing, scientists are uncovering these long-separated lineages, some evolving independently for over a million years.
March 3, 2026 — Source

Moths use magnetic compass and visual cues to guide them during migration
Nocturnal insects may use both Earth's magnetic field and visual cues to guide their migratory flight behaviors, according to recent findings. The research, published in eLife, presents compelling evidence on how geomagnetic and visual cues are integrated in a nocturnally migrating insect—the fall armyworm—with findings that will be of interest to researchers studying animal migration and navigation.
March 3, 2026 — Source

Rainfall can shape bird populations as much as temperature, global study reveals
Scientists have long focused on rising temperatures to understand how climate change is reshaping the natural world. But there's a critical blind spot in that picture: rain. A new global study reveals precipitation has been largely overlooked in studies of how climate change impacts birds, even though it can be just as influential as temperature.
March 3, 2026 — Source

Travel far, breed hard, and die young: Short-eared owls and why they should be studied
This Journal of Raptor Research issue focuses on movement ecology—how and why raptors move. This can include classic movements like migration, as well as nomadism.
March 3, 2026 — Source

Wildlife imaging shows that AI models aren't as smart as we think
Using AI to identify wildlife reveals a potential "transferability crisis," researchers say. Marketing for AI imaging systems often suggests that models can easily tackle novel scenarios across ecosystems and settings, much in the same way as human observers. But in a new article, two University of Exeter researchers argue that this is based on a "flawed assumption." They use examples from species identification and diagnostic imaging to illustrate this.
March 3, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — March 2nd, 2026

Bird flu rampant among black vultures: Study points to year-round H5N1 circulation
More than four out of every five dead black vultures examined by University of Georgia researchers tested positive for highly pathogenic avian influenza, according to a new study published in Scientific Reports. The actual toll of the virus on the integral species is likely exponentially higher, though, the researchers warned.
March 2, 2026 — Source

Built to withstand, or built to worry? Housing and disaster risk perception
I have always been interested in how people make decisions under uncertainty—especially decisions about safety. But it was not until I began studying housing conditions and disaster risk that I realized how deeply our built environment shapes not just what we do, but what we believe might happen to us.
March 2, 2026 — Source

Feral horses and cattle create more resilient nature, rewilding study reveals
Protected natural areas across Europe are changing. Climate change, with rising temperatures and heavy rainfall, is turbocharging the growth of shrubs and trees, choking the flowers and insects that need the light and heat of open spaces. Traditionally, this scenario prompts nature managers to reach for chainsaws and brush cutters to keep the landscape open. But researchers at Aarhus University and the Natural History Museum, Aarhus, Denmark, can now show that horses and cattle represent a more effective method of nature management given adequate time to do their work.
March 2, 2026 — Source

Gag grouper are overfished in the Gulf: This new tool could help
Anglers along the Gulf Coast have long prized the hard-fighting, mild-tasting gag grouper (Mycteroperca microlepis), but some may have been surprised over the past few years by shortened seasons for this desirable reef fish. Due to concerns about the population of the species, the gag season lasted just 41 days in 2023, 15 days in 2024, and 14 days in 2025—far shorter than the six-month seasons in previous years.
March 2, 2026 — Source

How invasive house sparrows are helping scientists detect dangerous contaminants
The house sparrow is a highly invasive pest in North Carolina, and bluebird enthusiasts frequently throw their eggs out and remove their nests to keep them from overtaking the nestboxes that bluebirds call home. A new study puts those discarded eggs to use in detecting heavy metal contaminants in bluebird habitats, which often border human communities.
March 2, 2026 — Source

'Old Mother Goose' challenges a 14-million-year lineage story in New Zealand
The discovery of a rare fossil goose in an ancient Central Otago lake shows the evolutionary history of Aotearoa New Zealand birds is much more dynamic than once thought, a University of Otago--Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka researcher says. Associate Professor Nic Rawlence, Director of the Otago Paleogenetics Laboratory, is co-author of a new paper which analyzes the fossil and its origins.
March 2, 2026 — Source

Researchers create world's largest dog and cat tumor database
Researchers from the University of Liverpool's Veterinary Data Science Group and the University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria have created the world's largest open-source database of canine and feline tumors, containing more than one million records. This unique resource aims to help transform understanding of factors influencing the risk of pets getting cancer.
March 2, 2026 — Source

Scared of spiders? The real horror story is a world without them
Members of the arachnid class—think spiders, scorpions and harvestmen (daddy long legs)—are often the targets of revulsion, disgust and fear. Yet, they are crucial for ecosystems to thrive. Given the crash in worldwide biodiversity, including what some call the "insect apocalypse," a pair of ecologists at the University of Massachusetts Amherst decided to check in on the general state of insects and arachnids in the U.S.—only to discover massive gaps in the data.
March 2, 2026 — Source

Scientists rescue lost song of the critically endangered regent honeyeater
Scientists from The Australian National University (ANU) and the Taronga Conservation Society Australia have successfully restored the lost traditional song of one of Australia's most endangered birds, offering new hope for the survival of the critically endangered regent honeyeater. The new study reveals how targeted "song tutoring" at Taronga Zoo in Sydney and Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo has revived a disappearing cultural trait vital to the species's survival.
March 2, 2026 — Source

Survival training in a safe space—how staged risk helps young predators learn dangerous prey
Adaptation is essential for survival. Across species, it occurs over many generations through evolution and natural selection. Individual animals, however, can also adapt within their own lifetimes—through learning. For many species, humans included, this process is vital.
March 2, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — February 24th, 2026

Fast-paced lives demand faster vision: Ecology shapes how 'quickly' animals see time
Animals don't just see the world differently from one another, they experience time itself at dramatically different speeds. That is according to a new study that considered 237 species across the animal kingdom, and which revealed that how fast an animal lives and moves strongly predicts how quickly it can visually process the world around it.
February 24, 2026 — Source

How many bee species exist? New global count puts the total near 26,000
The world has far more bees than anyone realized. Scientists have, for the first time, estimated just how many species of bees are out there on a global scale, offering a clearer look at how these vital pollinators are distributed around the planet. The landmark study, led by University of Wollongong (UOW) evolutionary biologist Dr. James Dorey, provides the most comprehensive count to date—broken down by continent and country—calculating there are, at a minimum, between 3,700 and 5,200 more bee species buzzing around the world than currently recognized.
February 24, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — February 17th, 2026

Climbing behaviors of tree-dwelling mammals unlock insights on early primate evolution
Researchers have shed new light on the features that enable tree-dwelling mammals to move effectively through their environments, providing insights into the evolution of the distinct upright postures seen in primates. The study, published in eLife, is the first to compare upward and downward climbing behaviors across a broad range of tree-dwelling (arboreal) mammal species. eLife's editors describe the work as valuable, with convincing analyses that will be of interest to biologists studying animal movement.
February 17, 2026 — Source

Early study connects dogs' cancer survival with their gut microbiome composition
Canine cancer patients receiving a new form of immunotherapy lived longer or shorter depending on the composition of their microbiome, the community of organisms living in their gut. Results of the clinical trial led by Oregon State University scientists were published in Veterinary Oncology.
February 17, 2026 — Source

Honey bees navigate more precisely than previously thought
A team from the University of Freiburg led by neurobiologist and behavioral biologist Prof. Dr. Andrew Straw studied the flight behavior of honey bees. Using a drone, the researchers tracked honey bees as they flew between their hive and a food source about 120 meters away in an agricultural environment.
February 17, 2026 — Source

Not all humans are 'super-scary' to wildlife, animal behavior study suggests
Humans have climbed to the top of the food chain by skillfully hunting, trapping, and fishing for other animals at scales that far exceed other predators, altering how the animals behave and earning the tag of a "super-predator." But a new study led by the Center for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of Science (IISc), suggests that there is a bit more nuance to this idea. While animals clearly respond with fear to humans who hunt or kill, they are far less consistent in how they react to non-lethal human presence.
February 17, 2026 — Source

Otters as ocean doctors: How a 40-year watch on Brazil's coasts reveals hidden threats to estuaries
For 40 years, scientists have been monitoring the Neotropical otter (Lontra longicaudis) along the southern coast of Brazil. A study published in Estuarine Management and Technologies reveals that these charismatic mammals are far more than just inhabitants of the coast; they are "living sensors" providing information about ecosystem decay.
February 17, 2026 — Source

Seal pup communication is more similar to that of humans than previously thought, researcher finds
Common seal pups communicate in ways that are more similar to humans than previously thought. For instance, they take turns when "speaking" and their calls become increasingly alike when they spend time around each other. This is shown by research conducted by biologist Koen de Reus (affiliated with the Max Planck Institute), who will defend his Ph.D. thesis on this topic at Radboud University and Vrije Universiteit Brussel on 20 February. For his study, he and his colleagues recorded more than 1,000 hours of audio from seal pups in Pieterburen.
February 17, 2026 — Source

The ice on Greenland is acting strangely: Scientists believe they finally know why
Deep inside the Greenland ice sheet are giant swirling plume-like structures. These have puzzled scientists for over a decade, but UiB researchers now believe they have cracked the mystery by applying the same mathematics used to understand how continents drift apart.
February 17, 2026 — Source

The radical world of red-winged fairy wrens
Fairy wrens are everywhere. Go anywhere in Australia and there will be at least one local fairy wren. They're not endangered. In fact, it would be hard to imagine an animal less endangered than fairy wrens. So what do we gain from researching them? Quite a lot actually.
February 17, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — February 15th, 2026

Are pets good for kids' mental health? Type of animal and duration of bond could make all the difference
Questions like "will getting a pet benefit our child's mental health?" are increasingly common and pertinent. In Spain, for instance, more than half of all households now have one or more pets.
February 15, 2026 — Source

Field observations and computer modeling help predict the world's deadly scorpion hotspots
An international team of scientists has identified how to pinpoint and predict hotspots for some of the most dangerous species of scorpion in the world. The researchers have established the key environmental conditions that determine where lethal, venomous arachnids thrive—findings that could help shine a light on flashpoints for scorpion stings in tropical regions across the globe.
February 15, 2026 — Source

US ocean regulator faces criticism over changes to right whale protection rule
The U.S.'s ocean regulator plans to make industry-friendly changes to a longstanding rule designed to protect vanishing whales, prompting criticism from environmental groups who cite the recent death of an endangered whale.
February 15, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — February 14th, 2026

Costa Rica digs up mastodon, giant sloth bones in major archaeological find
Researchers in Costa Rica have unearthed fossils from a mastodon and a giant sloth that lived as many as 40,000 years ago, officials announced Friday, calling it the biggest such find here in decades.
February 14, 2026 — Source

What we can learn from lovebirds, the rare birds that mate for life
Minutes after getting to a park in the middle of Phoenix, you can see flashes of green in the sky and hear chatter because love is in the air—or at least, the lovebirds are.
February 14, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — February 13th, 2026

Fossil evidence reveals how gray wolves adapt diets to climate change
Gray wolves adapt their diets as a result of climate change, eating harder foods such as bones to extract nutrition during warmer climates, new research has found. The study, led by the University of Bristol in collaboration with the Natural History Museum, and published in Ecology Letters, has implications for wolf conservation across Europe and beyond.
February 13, 2026 — Source

Helping lobster hatcheries safeguard genetic diversity
Some lobster mothers produce offspring that are far more likely to survive—in findings that could help safeguard lobster diversity. University of Exeter researchers, working in partnership with the National Lobster Hatchery (NLH) in Cornwall, studied European lobsters that survived the first few weeks of life. The paper, published in the journal Aquaculture, is titled "Hatchery lobster releases risk genetic bottlenecking via survival skews with maternal effects."
February 13, 2026 — Source

Spain swine fever spreads outside containment zone
African swine fever has been detected outside a containment zone in Spain's northeastern Catalonia region for the first time since its outbreak in November, officials said on Friday.
February 13, 2026 — Source

Syntax discovered in the warbling duets of wild parrots
With a few minutes of searching, anyone can find videos online of chatty birds: macaws talk to their keepers, cockatoos sing to the camera, corvids mimic the jarring sounds of construction sites. Research has shown that some birds can understand and use words in context—so, when Polly speaks up from inside her cage, she may really want a cracker—but scientists know far less about how birds use their vocal abilities in the wild. Christine Dahlin, professor of biology at the University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown, is working to change that.
February 13, 2026 — Source

Thailand uses a birth control vaccine to curb its elephant population near expanding farms
Thailand has begun using a birth control vaccine on elephants in the wild to try and curb a growing problem where human and animal populations encroach on each other—an issue in areas where farms spread into forests and elephants are squeezed out of their natural habitat.
February 13, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — February 12th, 2026

Oldest known reptile skin impressions dated to 298 million years found in Germany
An international research team led by Dr. Lorenzo Marchetti from the Museum für Naturkunde Berlin has described the oldest known impressions of reptile skin from the Thuringian Forest in central Germany. Particularly remarkable is the possible preservation of a cloacal opening within the skin imprint. The fossils, dated to approximately 298 to 299 million years ago from the early Permian period, document detailed scale patterns of the stem group of modern reptiles for the first time.
February 12, 2026 — Source

White-nose syndrome puzzle solved: Biological mechanisms behind devastating bat disease revealed
Millions of bats in North America have died from white-nose syndrome, and a new study from the University of Waterloo explores why and how the fungal disease has devastated bat populations on this continent, while it has had little effect on bats in Europe.
February 12, 2026 — Source

Yellowstone wolves may not have transformed the national park after all
Yellowstone's legendary wolf-driven "mega-cascade" may be far less dramatic than once believed.
February 12, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — February 11th, 2026

Almost every forest bird in Hawaiʻi is spreading avian malaria
Avian malaria is spreading across Hawaiʻi in a way scientists didn't fully grasp until now: nearly every forest bird species can help keep the disease alive. Researchers found the parasite at 63 of 64 sites statewide, revealing that both native honeycreepers and introduced birds can quietly pass the infection to mosquitoes—even when carrying only tiny amounts of it. Because infected birds can remain contagious for months or even years, transmission keeps simmering almost everywhere mosquitoes exist.
February 11, 2026 — Source

Captured on camera for the first time: How tiny marsupials crawl to their mother's pouch
For the first time, scientists have recorded how baby dunnarts, tiny carnivorous marsupials from Australia, reach their mother's pouch not long after being born. While much is known about how many other marsupial babies go from the birth canal to the pouch, such as kangaroos (climb through their mother's fur) and quolls (swim through a birth fluid), the dunnart's journey remained something of a mystery until now. This is largely because the young are so small, about the size of a grain of rice, and the process happens so quickly.
February 11, 2026 — Source

How a tiny shrimp could hold the clue to better armor
Modern armor systems do not do a good enough job of protecting humans from blast-induced neurotrauma (brain and eye damage). To improve them, we may have to look to nature. In particular, a tiny shrimp that is able to protect itself from the shockwaves it generates to stun prey and rivals.
February 11, 2026 — Source or Watch Video

Nanoplastics hindering cognitive abilities of fish, international research shows
Nanoplastic exposure can impair the cognitive abilities of fish and could lead to significant impacts on marine species' ability to survive, according to a new international study.
February 11, 2026 — Source or Source

Security Camera Captures Tortoise Slowly Fleeing Fire
A security camera captured the moment a fire engulfed the shed that Leo the tortoise was living in — causing her to slowly run away.
February 11, 2026 — Source or Watch Video

Southern right whales are having babies less often, but why?
For decades, southern right whales have been celebrated as one of conservation's success stories.
February 11, 2026 — Source

Tiny marine animal reveals bacterial origin of animal defense mechanisms
Marine animals, such as the extremely simple flatworm Trichoplax, are ideal model organisms for studying the early evolutionary origins of animal life processes. Despite measuring only a few millimeters and lacking true organs or nervous system, this animal interacts effectively with bacteria. A highly efficient enzyme, goose-type lysozyme (PLys, GH23), plays a key role in this process. Trichoplax uses this enzyme specifically during digestion to degrade bacterial cell walls and neutralize ingested bacteria.
February 11, 2026 — Source

What changes fast in nature? A fish study tracks selection strengthening since 2016
A study reveals that sticklebacks with complete bony plates have survival rates several percentage points higher than those with reduced plates, indicating ongoing natural selection. Moreover, the strength of selection appears to have intensified between 2016 and 2022. These findings, published in Evolution, demonstrate that natural selection can drive rapid evolution in natural populations.
February 11, 2026 — Source

'World's Grumpiest Cat' Captured in Adorable Trail Camera Footage
In China, a trail camera has been set up right next to the den entrance belonging to a family of Pallas's cat — and it's capturing adorable footage.
February 11, 2026 — Source or Watch Video

Your cat's purr says more than you think
Your cat's purr may say more about who they are than their meow ever could. Scientists discovered that purrs are stable and uniquely identifiable, while meows change dramatically depending on context. Domestic cats, in particular, have evolved highly flexible meows as a way to communicate with humans. The purr, meanwhile, stays constant—making it a reliable marker of individual identity.
February 11, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — February 6th, 2026

Artificial light is reshaping caracal behavior, limiting where the South African wild cat can hunt
Artificial light is one of the most ingrained features of modern life. For humans, light after dark offers convenience and a sense of safety. For wildlife, it's a growing environmental disturbance. "When humans introduce artificial light at night, they are fundamentally altering an aspect of the environment that many species depend on for processes like foraging, navigation, and risk-avoidance," says Christopher Hickling, a Ph.D. student in natural resources science at the University of Rhode Island. "Species also depend on light to maintain their natural rhythms and cycles."
February 6, 2026 — Source

Blood tests in young bald eagles track PFAS pollution across Wisconsin River sites
It hadn't been a successful morning for the Great Lakes Eagle Health team. Traveling by boat, truck, and foot, the team was searching for active eagle nests along the Wisconsin River in Nekoosa, Wisconsin. Tree one was a dud, and tree two, a heartbreaker. Dan Goltz, one of the team's climbers and a wildlife biologist with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, scaled a 70-foot tree only to be met with a gentle breeze blowing through an empty nest.
February 6, 2026 — Source or Watch Video

Can a bird be an illegal immigrant? How the White Australia era influenced attitudes to the bulbul
In early January, authorities from South Australia's Department of Primary Industries took to the streets of Adelaide on the hunt for a suspicious individual.
February 6, 2026 — Source

'Energy efficiency' proves key to how mountain birds adapt to changing environmental conditions
Research led by the University of East Anglia (UEA) sheds new light on how mountain birds adapt to changes in climate. Scientists know that species diversity changes as you go up a mountain, but it is not clearly understood why this is the case. One theory is that it is mostly because of long-term evolution, and the climate niches species have adapted to over millions of years. Another—the "energy efficiency" hypothesis—suggests it is about how species today manage their energy budgets and compete for available resources that vary in space and time.
February 6, 2026 — Source

Iguanas Fell From Trees During Florida Cold Snap—and the Numbers Are Staggering
Government and private pest control services have collected roughly 8,000 frozen iguanas from across the state.
February 6, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — February 4th, 2026

Grazing and digging put some herbivores at greater risk from toxic elements in soil: New research
If you've watched a giraffe browsing in the tree canopy, a white rhino meandering across open grassland, or a warthog shuffling around on its knees in South Africa's Kalahari desert, you know what they eat: leaves, grass, shoots, and roots. With every mouthful, they swallow something less obvious—soil.
February 4, 2026 — Source

How cities primed spotted lanternflies to thrive in the US
Spotted lanternflies are adapting to the pressures of city life such as heat, pollution, and pesticides, according to genomic analyses of the invasive insects in the US and their native China. The findings, published in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, show how urbanization may be shaping the spotted lanternfly's spread into new environments.
February 4, 2026 — Source

Sleepy Mountain Lion Wakes Up Right in Front of Trail Camera
A sleepy mountain lion posed for a few amusing selfies after a nature photographer set up a trail camera right next to a kill.
February 4, 2026 — Source

Well-behaved dogs generally have lower cortisol and higher serotonin, study finds
Dogs who scored well on the Wesen test, which is used to analyze a dog's temperament, tended to have lower levels of cortisol, often called the "stress hormone," and higher levels of serotonin, often called the "happiness hormone," according to a study published in the open-access journal PLOS One by Minjung Yoon from Kyungpook National University, Republic of Korea, and colleagues.
February 4, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — February 2nd, 2026

As the Arctic Grows Noisier, Narwhals Are Becoming Quieter
Scientists say increasing shipping traffic is interfering with the whales' ability to hunt and communicate. To protect the animals, conservation groups are urging the International Maritime Organization to instate mandatory measures to reduce underwater noise.
February 2, 2026 — Source

Now anyone can tap Ring doorbells to search for lost dogs
It's also donating $1 million to bring Ring cameras to animal shelters across the US.
February 2, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — February 1st, 2026

How AI and new sensing tools are reshaping collective animal behavior research
A perspective in the Journal of the Royal Society Interface argues that advances in AI, sensing technologies and modeling are transforming the study of collective animal behavior, with implications reaching far beyond biology, from robotics to the dynamics of human crowds.
February 1, 2026 — Source

Shark bites linked to rainfall, runoff and shifting coastal ecosystems
When I see a great white shark, I am in awe of the enigmatic, powerful apex predator. My life has been dedicated to trying to know everything about sharks and immersing myself in their world. Most people when they see "shark attack" automatically think of white sharks (Carcharodon carcharias) and "Jaws."
February 1, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — January 31st, 2026

A world-first mouse that makes gene activity visible
DNA can be thought of as a vast library that stores all genetic information. Cells do not use this information all at once. Instead, they copy only the necessary parts into RNA, which is then used to produce proteins—the essential building blocks of life. This copying process is called transcription, and it is carried out by a molecule known as RNA polymerase II.
January 31, 2026 — Source

More paid time off keeps US workers from quitting, study finds
At the height of the "Great Resignation" in 2021, more than 50 million workers in the United States quit their jobs, driven by stress, burnout, and rising expectations for sustainable work. Nearly half cited inadequate benefits as a main reason for leaving.
January 31, 2026 — Source

New species of ladybird beetle discovered on university campus in Japan
University campuses are often places of learning and discovery, but rarely do researchers find a new species living right on their doorstep. However, that is exactly what happened when a research team from Kyushu University discovered a new species of ladybird beetle, Parastethorus pinicola, on a pine tree at Kyushu University's Hakozaki Satellite.
January 31, 2026 — Source

Octopus numbers exploded around the UK's south-west coast in 2025. A new report explores this rare phenomenon
Cold spray whipped off the ropes as a diesel engine throbbed in the background. One by one, empty shellfish pots came over the side of the fishing boat, occasionally containing the remnants of crab and lobster claws and carapaces. Something strange was going on.
January 31, 2026 — Source

What an ancient jellyfish can teach us about the evolution of sleep
An upside-down jellyfish drifts in a shallow lagoon, rhythmically contracting its translucent bell. By night that beat drops from roughly 36 pulses a minute to nearer 30, and the animal slips into a state that, despite its lack of a brain, resembles sleep.
January 31, 2026 — SourceGeneral — Animals — January 30th, 2026

Gray wolves are hunting sea otters and no one knows how
On a remote Alaskan island, gray wolves are rewriting the rulebook by hunting sea otters — a behavior few scientists ever expected to see. Researchers are now uncovering how these coastal wolves adapted to marine hunting, what it means for land--sea ecosystems, and whether this ancient predator--prey relationship is re-emerging as sea otters recover.
January 30, 2026 — Source

Meerkat sunning calls may act as 'vocal grooming' for social bonding
As the sun rises over the Kalahari Desert, meerkat groups emerge from their burrows and gather closely, turning their bodies toward the warmth of the early light. These quiet morning moments are more than a way to warm up; they offer a revealing glimpse into the social lives of these highly cooperative mammals.
January 30, 2026 — Source

Spider spinneret evolution: How a genome duplication event 438 million years ago set the stage
Scientists have uncovered a 400-million-year-old genetic secret that gave spiders the ability to produce silk and weave their webs. Spiders didn't begin their journey on Earth in the same way as they are known today. Arthropods such as our eight-legged weaver owe much of their evolutionary success to the slow, repeated modification of appendages. One of the crucial changes that allowed spiders to survive and diversify into more than 53,000 species was the spinnerets, a silk-spinning organ found on the underside of a spider's abdomen.
January 30, 2026 — Source

The neuroscience of practice: How birds master singing
A baby's babbling may sound like nonsense, but it's actually an extended act of trial-and-error learning. As babies produce different sounds, their brains note which attempts succeed and which ones fail. Over time, that feedback leads to improvements and, eventually, fluid speech.
January 30, 2026 — Source

Tragic Death of Canadian Backpacker Prompts Dingo Cull. Here's Why It's the Wrong Move
Will killing dingoes on Australia's K'gari Island make visitors safer? These experts say it's unlikely.
January 30, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — January 19th, 2026

A shark's energy reserves are linked to how far it travels, suggests new study
For years, researchers have tagged sharks in the world's oceans to learn where they go, how they migrate and where they feed. While these tags have given us a wealth of data about their lives, many questions still remain. One of them is: why do some individuals travel vast distances while others stay closer to home?
January 19, 2026 — Source

All ears: New study pinpoints what determines ear length in dogs
Ever see a basset hound and find yourself wanting to (gently) grab its long, floppy ears and give them a little waggle? The cute aggression caused by those droopy eared canines is real. And researchers at the University of Georgia recently found out what causes some dogs' ears to be so irresistibly appealing.
January 19, 2026 — Source

Deadly to amphibians, a fungal strain emerged in Brazil and spread around the world
The chytrid fungus (Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis), or Bd for short, is considered one of the causes of the worldwide decline in amphibian populations. In recent years, researchers have identified different genetic strains of the fungus that causes chytridiomycosis in various parts of the world. This has already led to the decline of at least 500 species of anuran amphibians, including toads and frogs.
January 19, 2026 — Source

That Houseplant Could Be Deadly to Your Cat. Try These 7 Options Instead
Don't take a chance with toxic houseplants. Opt for a pet-safe plant to keep your furry family safe.
January 19, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — January 9th, 2026

CNET's Complete Pet Tech Roundup: Every Device Pet-Approved
CNET pet owners have been testing all the latest pet technology: Here's what we liked the most.
January 9, 2026 — Source

Microsoft's big lease renewal in Redmond helps buoy Eastside office market near Seattle
Microsoft's decision to renew a large swath of office space in Redmond is emerging as a key stabilizing force for the Eastside office market near Seattle.
January 9, 2026 — Source

New Zealand's rare flightless parrot begins breeding again
New Zealand's critically endangered flightless parrot, the kakapo, started breeding last week for the first time in four years, the government conservation department said.
January 9, 2026 — Source

Pets suffer in extreme heat: Animal welfare expert explains how we can help them
The multi-day heat wave conditions have arrived this summer, with temperatures soaring past 45°C in some regions. While we may head to shopping centers or cinemas to stay comfortable, we need to consider the heat impacts that other animals can face.
January 9, 2026 — Source

The 'Age of Fishes' began with mass death, fossil database reveals
Some 445 million years ago, life on Earth was forever changed. During the geological blink of an eye, glaciers formed over the supercontinent Gondwana, drying out many of the vast, shallow seas like a sponge and giving an "icehouse climate" that, together with radically changed ocean chemistry, ultimately caused the extinction of about 85% of all marine species—the majority of life on Earth.
January 9, 2026 — Source

Whale hunting began 5,000 years ago in South America, a millennium earlier than previously thought
The hunting of large whales goes back much further in time than previously thought. New research from the Institute of Environmental Science and Technology at the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (ICTA-UAB) and the Department of Prehistory of the UAB reveals that Indigenous communities in southern Brazil were hunting large cetaceans 5,000 years ago, around a thousand years before the earliest documented evidence from Arctic and North Pacific societies.
January 9, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — January 8th, 2026

All the Pet Tech That Stood Out at CES 2026
From AI-powered wearables to smarter doors and feeding systems, these were the pet tech companies that made the biggest impact at CES this year.Macy Meyer
January 8, 2026 — Source

Best of CES 2026: Cheerble Pet Feeder Match G1
The Pet Feeder Match G1 uses AI-powered facial recognition to match cats to food
January 8, 2026 — Source

Deep-Sea Divers Capture Rare Footage of a Giant Phantom Jellyfish
Scientists filmed rare footage of a giant phantom jellyfish drifting through the darkest depths of the waters off Argentina. The species has only been captured on camera a dozen times.
January 8, 2026 — Source

How to Use AI to Become a Better Fur Parent
Your four-legged children will thank you for this guide.
January 8, 2026 — Source

Microsoft Forced Copilot Into Your Life. Now It Can Accidentally Drain Your Bank Account
The agent has your wallet.
January 8, 2026 — Source

Rare gorilla twins born in conflict-hit DR Congo nature park
An endangered mountain gorilla has given birth to twins in the Virunga National Park in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, whose remarkable biodiversity has long been threatened by the region's litany of conflicts.
January 8, 2026 — Source

Some dogs can learn new words by eavesdropping on their owners
"Honey, will you take Luna to the P-A-R-K?" Both parents and dog owners know that some words should not be spoken, but only spelled, to prevent small ears from eavesdropping on the conversation. At the age of 1.5 years, toddlers can already learn new words by overhearing other people. Now, a study published in Science reveals that a special group of dogs are also able to learn names for objects by overhearing their owners' interactions.
January 8, 2026 — Source or Source

Strategy over morality can help conservation campaigns reduce ivory demand, research shows
Research has shown that conservation campaigns could turn the tide on the illegal ivory trade if they focused less on themes of 'guilt' and more on why people want to buy ivory in the first place.
January 8, 2026 — Source

This Canine AI Wearable Could Spot Problems With Your Pooch Early
The collar and software combo from Satellai combines tracked information with AI to deliver insights about your dog's behavior.
January 8, 2026 — Source

Ultimate camouflage tech mimics octopus in scientific first
Synthetic cephalopod skin could be used in architecture and computer displays as well as background-matching subterfuge
January 8, 2026 — Source

Why hedgehogs used to be hated
Hedgehogs have been part of human culture for thousands of years. Across different societies, they've been symbols of fertility, protection and healing, as well as fear, superstition and suspicion.
January 8, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — January 7th, 2026

A dead whale found on the bow of a ship in New Jersey sparks an investigation
After a dead whale was found on the bow of a container ship docked in New Jersey, authorities were working Tuesday to remove the carcass and determine the endangered animal's cause of death.
January 7, 2026 — Source

A Namib desert beetle runs to stay cool: How scientists solved the puzzle of this unique and speedy species
The Namib desert of south-western Africa can be extremely hot—the surface temperature can be over 50°C. But a surprising number of around 200 beetle species live on its bare, inhospitable-looking sand dunes.
January 7, 2026 — Source

AI boosts bird sound identification accuracy
In a study conducted at the University of Helsinki, AI was trained to classify bird sounds with increasing accuracy. The results of the study have been used, among others, in the "Muuttolintujen kevät" (Spring of Migratory Birds) mobile application, which has become a substantial platform for collecting bird recordings.
January 7, 2026 — Source

Drone monitoring helps dolphins
Australia's beloved dolphin populations face growing pressures from environmental changes and human activity, increasing the need for reliable, accessible and noninvasive tools to monitor their health and support conservation and management.
January 7, 2026 — Source

Hidden heartache of losing an animal companion
The emotional toll of losing a beloved pet during the COVID-19 pandemic has been revealed in an international study, revealing that grief for animals is often profound, enduring and still widely misunderstood.
January 7, 2026 — Source

In Ecuador's Battle of Toad versus Road, Toad Wins
A court invoked Ecuador's rights of nature laws in halting a highway project to protect the Jambato harlequin toad, requiring the government to prove construction won't drive the species to extinction.
January 7, 2026 — Source

Risks young chimps take as they swing through the trees underscore role of protective parenting in humans
Adolescents are known for risky behavior, with teenagers in the U.S. more likely than younger children to die from injury. But what's responsible for this uptick in risk-taking around puberty?
January 7, 2026 — Source or Source

To Save An Endangered Prairie Fish, Dried-up Iowa Wetlands Get New Life
Efforts to save the Topeka shiner have restored hundreds of oxbow lakes across Iowa. Now, those wetlands are helping to improve the state's water quality.
January 7, 2026 — Source

What I've learned from studying the wild pigeon
Domestic pigeons have surprising cultural significance. They inspired Charles Darwin in his thinking about evolution, delivered wartime messages to save lives, and have symbolic meaning around the world.
January 7, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — January 6th, 2026

A speeding clock could solve Darwin's mystery of gaps in animal fossil records
The oldest fossilized remains of complex animals appear suddenly in the fossil record, and as if from nowhere, in rocks that are 538 million years old.
January 6, 2026 — Source

Americans generally like wolves, except when we're reminded of our politics
Management of gray wolves (Canis lupus) has a reputation for being one of the most contentious conservation issues in the United States. The topic often conjures stark images of supporters versus opponents: celebratory wolf reintroductions to Yellowstone National Park and Colorado contrasted with ranchers outraged over lost cattle; pro-wolf protests juxtaposed with wolf bounty hunters. These vivid scenes paint a picture of seemingly irreconcilable division.
January 6, 2026 — Source

CES 2026: Birdbuddy Debuts New Smart Bird Feeders
Birdbuddy debuted two new smart bird feeders, which are successors to its existing bird feeder options. The Birdbuddy 2 and the Birdbuddy 2 mini are set to launch later this year.
January 6, 2026 — Source or Source

Dentin inside wolffish teeth is a rare material: When compressed along its length—it also shrinks in width
The Atlantic wolffish is known for its powerful bite, capable of crushing hard-shelled prey with ease. Now, researchers have discovered that the fish's teeth don't just withstand these extreme forces, they respond in a way that almost no natural hard tissue does.
January 6, 2026 — Source

House sparrows can help us save endangered species: A mathematical framework for genomic prediction
Researchers are trying to understand why some wild species do better than others over time, as the environment changes.
January 6, 2026 — Source

How a biological version of rock-paper-scissors determines if lizard colors are maintained or lost
Two new studies into lizard colors reveal how one species maintains its colorful diversity while others are losing their ancient colors. And the changes are being driven by the biological equivalent of rock-paper-scissors.
January 6, 2026 — Source

Indonesia's panda cub Rio thriving 40 days after birth
Indonesia's conservation park on Tuesday released a video showing the progress of a giant panda cub, 40 days after his birth in the country.
January 6, 2026 — Source

LiberNovo Omni Ergonomic Chair Just Got a Major Comfort Upgrade
LiberNovo just announced upgraded for its Omni ergonomic chair for 2026. It now comes in a Moss Green color inspired by nature and a fabric that is as strong as wool. The chair still has its famous motorized lumbar support and Bionic FlexFit backrest with 16 pivot points. The Omni's new Moss Green shade will be available in the US for $829 and In Europe for €995. Upgraded materials are also available for the existing Midnight Black or Space Gray colors.
January 6, 2026 — Source

Oneisall's New Automatic Litter Box Aims to Make Cat Cleanup Effortless
At CES 2026, Oneisall unveiled the Ease S1, an open-top automatic litter box designed for quieter, safer, and easier cleaning. Priced at $229.99, it features a modular, easy-to-clean design with odor control, multiple safety sensors, and a gentle automatic sifting system that separates waste into a sealed compartment.
January 6, 2026 — Source

Orange pigments in birds and human redheads prevent cellular damage, study shows
A pigment that makes feathers and hair orange helps prevent cellular damage by removing excess cysteine from cells. Pheomelanin is an orange-to-red pigment that is built with the amino acid cysteine and found in human red hair and fair skin, as well as in bird feathers. Previous research has shown that pheomelanin is associated with increased melanoma risk, raising questions about why evolution has maintained genetic variants that promote pheomelanin production.
January 6, 2026 — Source

Orlando confirms avian flu to blame for Lake Eola swan deaths as toll hits 19
The number of swans that have died in the avian flu outbreak at Orlando's Lake Eola Park has spiked to 19, city officials said Monday.
January 6, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — January 5th, 2026

AI model for tracking your pet's health data launches at CES
Petsense AI collects data from Satellai's pet wearables and creates a digital health profile for dogs. Cat support coming soon.
January 5, 2026 — Source

Butterflies, snakes and flowers: In rugged Baja canyons, scientists unlock an unsung region's biodiversity
Sulfur butterflies glide across Zorrillo Canyon, hundreds of them, moving back and forth against the cerulean sky. It's nothing short of a fairy wonderland for the scientists below.
January 5, 2026 — Source

CES 2026: This smart hummingbird feeder has slow-motion 4K video
Bird Buddy has some competition.
January 5, 2026 — Source

Eye-opening research: Greenland sharks maintain vision for centuries through DNA repair mechanism
Dorota Skowronska-Krawczyk sits in her office, eyes fixed on the computer monitor in front of her. "You see it move its eye," says the UC Irvine associate professor of physiology and biophysics, pointing to an image of a Greenland shark slowly drifting through the murky Arctic Ocean. "The shark is tracking the light—it's fascinating."
January 5, 2026 — Source

Hotter weather thickens the blood of wild mammals: We traced this in African striped mice
Large wild mammals—from elephants to antelopes—are already struggling to cope with global warming. Now new research shows that even the small creatures adapted to harsh, arid landscapes may be reaching their limits.
January 5, 2026 — Source

Long-term study reveals predictable patterns in wolf--human conflict across Türkiye
A long-term study examining wolf--human interactions in Türkiye reveals the delicate balance between ecology and society.
January 5, 2026 — Source

More than 250,000 Australians don't have access to a vet
Imagine walking your dog on a warm summer day. They've just run off the path to sniff in some long grass, maybe eat some kangaroo poo. Suddenly, there is a yelp and you see a snake slither away. With panic rising, you realize the clock is now ticking to get your dog to the vet.
January 5, 2026 — Source

This AI-Powered Smart Feeding and Drinking Station Told Me I Was a Sick Cat
At CES 2026, a new feeder from Swiss startup AI-Tails uses a camera to analyze feline expressions and help diagnose your ailing kitty.
January 5, 2026 — Source

This Automatic Smart Pet Door Only Lets In Your Dog or Cat
Traditional pet doors can allow in pests, weather, other animals and even intruders. The Power Pet Roll-Up Door aims to fix that.
January 5, 2026 — Source

Warmer world weakens butterfly defenses against parasite infections—which have tripled since 2002
Monarch infections with the parasite Ophryocystis elektroscirrha have skyrocketed, more than tripling since 2002. Discovered in the 1960s, the parasite can cause smaller wingspans, lower weight and shorter lifespans in adult monarchs. Infection can also affect the insect's ability to complete its annual migration.
January 5, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — January 2nd, 2026

Jaw-Dropping Photos Show Soviet Soldiers Hand-Feeding Wild Polar Bears
These remarkable historic photos show Soviet Union soldiers hand-feeding polar bears on the Chukchi Peninsula in Far East Siberia.
January 2, 2026 — Source

Scientists Solved the Mystery of the Shark That Bites Perfect Circles
A detailed investigation into these strange creatures is finally giving scientists and fishermen valuable clues about when and where they strike.
January 2, 2026 — Source

This Beetle Is in a Toxic Relationship With a Tree. Luckily, They Know a Fungi
Three's a crowd: Tree, beetle, and fungus don't get along, but they're surviving together.
January 2, 2026 — Source

What makes mountain birds sing at dawn—and why are they sometimes quiet? Ecologists explain
The team's research co-leader, Mosikidi Toka, studies how animals and the environment make and use sounds, especially in mountains, and is currently completing a Ph.D. on the sounds of natural habitats. He deployed automated audio recorders to record the birdsong and find out how the birds were affected by freezing temperatures.
January 2, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — January 1st, 2026

This Songbird's Beak Did a Full 'Pinocchio' During and After Covid
With no humans to leave behind scraps, this urban bird evolved and developed a longer beak, which shrank again once people came back.
January 1, 2026 — Source

General — Animals — December 26th, 2025

Stop Using AirTags on Your Pet. Here's What Experts Recommend Instead
AirTags are great for luggage, backpacks and wallets, but they shouldn't be attached to your pup's collar. Here's what experts recommend instead.
December 26, 2025 — Source

Ultra Slow-Motion Footage Shows Terrifying Bobbit Worm Striking Its Prey From Under The Sand
A YouTuber has captured one of the clearest views ever of a Bobbit worm, one of the ocean's most fearsome sand-dwelling predators, striking its prey — using ultra slow-motion footage to reveal the creature's lightning-fast attack on a squid from beneath the seafloor.
December 26, 2025 — Source or Watch Video

General — Animals — December 21st, 2025

How a simple animal folds itself with origami-like precision
Studying one of the simplest animals, Stanford's Prakash Lab uncovered how it folds itself into complex shapes—revealing new insights into a fundamental cellular feature and the origins of tissue folding.
December 21, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — December 19th, 2025

AI deciphers fish grunts, knocks and growls to identify eight species
University of Victoria (UVic) biologists have discovered that even closely related fish species make unique and distinctive sounds and determined that it's possible to differentiate between the sounds of different species. The discovery opens the door to identifying fish based on sound alone.
December 19, 2025 — Source

Ant societies rose by trading individual protection for collective power—the evolution of 'squishability'
Would you rather fight a horse-sized duck or 100 duck-sized horses? The famous question, though implausible, reflects a ubiquitous tradeoff between quantity and quality. Now, a study shows that this dilemma operates in biology at the evolutionary scale.
December 19, 2025 — Source

Bird conservation groups use data from birdwatchers to fill critical information gaps for declining species
The study, led by researchers from nine different Migratory Bird Joint Ventures (cooperative, regional partnerships of federal and state agencies, Tribes, and nongovernmental organizations who work together to support avian conservation), presents case studies demonstrating how conservation organizations use data from birdwatchers to select priority species, manage habitat for waterfowl, identify important bird areas, and monitor populations at regional scales.
December 19, 2025 — Source

Continuous spread: Raccoon roundworm detected in nine European countries
While the spread of raccoons in Europe is often discussed, their companion tends to remain unnoticed: The raccoon roundworm Baylisascaris procyonis arrived in Europe at the beginning of the 20th century with the first raccoons from North America.
December 19, 2025 — Source

Expansion of invasive Chinese hwamei into alpine habitats in Japan: First record of songs
Researchers at University of Tsukuba have, for the first time, recorded the songs of the Chinese hwamei Garrulax canorus (designated as an invasive alien species) in the alpine zone of Mt. Kisokoma in the Central Alps (approximately 2,770 m above sea level). These songs, produced by males during the breeding season, serve to establish territories and attract females.
December 19, 2025 — Source

Kangaroos fix their posture to save energy at high hopping speeds, study shows
Researchers have taken a leap in understanding how kangaroos can increase their hopping speeds without incurring an associated energetic cost.
December 19, 2025 — Source

Nodding off is dangerous. Some animals have evolved extreme ways to sleep in precarious environments
Every animal with a brain needs sleep—and even a few without a brain do, too. Humans sleep, birds sleep, whales sleep and even jellyfish sleep.
December 19, 2025 — Source

The evolution of expendability: Why some ants traded armor for numbers
Ants with lots of workers tend to put less energy into making them armored.
December 19, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — December 15th, 2025

Deep-sea squid caught masquerading as sponge stalks in Pacific abyss
Cephalopods—the class of animals that comprises octopuses and squids—are ubiquitous throughout the ocean, including in the deep sea. However, researchers still don't know very much about the distribution, diversity and behaviors of cephalopods in areas like the abyssal plains of the ocean floor. This is mostly due to the inherent difficulty of studying the area, along with what is thought to be a low abundance of cephalopods in the abyssal plains and their avoidance behaviors.
December 15, 2025 — Source

Manta rays create mobile ecosystems, study finds
A new study from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science and the Marine Megafauna Foundation finds that young Caribbean manta rays (Mobula yarae) often swim with groups of other fish, creating small, moving ecosystems that support a variety of marine species.
December 15, 2025 — Source

Social connections slow aging in dolphins, echoing patterns seen in humans
Male bottlenose dolphins that form friendships age more slowly than loners, new research shows.
December 15, 2025 — Source

Tapping into whale talk: Open-source bio-logger captures underwater cetacean conversations
Say you want to listen in on a group of super-intelligent aliens whose language you don't understand, and whose spaceship only flies by Earth once an hour. It's not unlike what Harvard scientists and others are doing, except their target species, sperm whales, thankfully live here on Earth.
December 15, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — December 12th, 2025

A new medium for canine stem cells that doesn't contain any human components
Canine induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells possess the ability to differentiate into any type of cell, making them a useful tool for investigating common canine diseases and disease states, including those of humans.
December 12, 2025 — Source

Injection method critical to controlling Crown-of-thorns starfish, finds study
JCU Professor of Marine Biology Morgan Pratchett has published new research in Biology demonstrating the best injection method to kill the problematic Crown-of-thorns starfish and prevent them from spawning.
December 12, 2025 — Source

Researchers map Africa's snaring crisis, calling for sustainable solutions
The thunder of a rifle echoes across the Savannah. Antelope scatter as birds of all feathers take to the air. A dull thud signals that the marksman's shot was true. The horn from the felled rhino will command more money on the black market than the hunter could otherwise make in a year.
December 12, 2025 — Source

Roundworms discovered in Great Salt Lake are new to science
Nematodes discovered in the Great Salt Lake belong to at least one species that is new to science, and possibly two. A University of Utah research team has published a new paper characterizing the tiny roundworm. The team gave it a name that honors the Indigenous tribe whose ancestral lands include the lake.
December 12, 2025 — Source

Sharks and Rays Gain Landmark Protections as Nations Move to Curb International Trade
Governments agreed to ban or restrict international trade in shark meat, fins and other products for more than 70 species threatened with extinction due to overfishing; implementation and enforcement of new safeguards is key for the animals' survival.
December 12, 2025 — Source

Songbirds swap colorful plumage genes across species lines among their evolutionary neighbors
People typically think about evolution as a linear process where, within a species, the classic adage of "survival of the fittest" is constantly at play. New DNA mutations arise and get passed from parents to offspring. If any genetic changes prove to be beneficial, they might give those young a survival edge.
December 12, 2025 — Source

Storm study shows adaptive selection in southeast lizards
How do intermittent events like hurricanes impact natural selection? How do animals adapt to challenging weather? A University of Rhode Island professor has set out to track natural selection in the Anolis lizard over time to see how the species has weathered hurricanes in the southeastern United States.
December 12, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — December 11th, 2025

How biomedical innovation is healing animals to help people
It wasn't looking good for Major.
December 11, 2025 — Source

Incredible Footage Shows Andean Bears Using Tree Branch Like a See-Saw
A New York zoo visitor captured remarkable footage of two young Andean bears appearing to play see-saw with a fallen tree branch.
December 11, 2025 — Source or Watch Video

Managing conflict between baboons and people: What's worked, and what hasn't
Conflict between humans and baboons can tear communities apart. Shirley C. Strum has studied wild olive baboons in Kenya for more than 50 years. In that time she's come to understand the species intimately. In this article she argues that humans have taken from nature (without asking) for too long. And that now it's time for us to rethink this relationship.
December 11, 2025 — Source

Nutritional properties of acorns confirmed in study
A study identifies the chemical compounds present in acorns, which could help determine which are best for consumption, thus boosting the consumption of an underutilized and undervalued food.
December 11, 2025 — Source

These Bald Eagles fly the wrong way every year and stun scientists
Scientists tracking young Arizona Bald Eagles found that many migrate north during summer and fall, bucking the traditional southbound pattern of most birds. Their routes rely heavily on historic stopover lakes and rivers, and often extend deep into Canada. As the eagles mature, their flights become more precise, but they also encounter significant dangers like electrocution and poisoning. These discoveries point to the need for targeted conservation of critical travel corridors.
December 11, 2025 — Source

Warblers borrow color-related genes from evolutionary neighbors, study finds
Wood warblers, also called New World warblers, are some of the most colorful birds in North America, with more than a hundred species in the family ranging in color from yellow, orange and red to blue, green and pink. A new study led by researchers at Penn State has uncovered several instances of the birds passing color-related genes to other species of wood warblers, including those that are not closely related.
December 11, 2025 — Source

Why do raccoons cross the road? Research shows they don't
A new study led by researchers from Saint Louis University, the Saint Louis Zoo, and partner organizations recently set out to understand how raccoons use space in one of the nation's largest urban parks.
December 11, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — December 5th, 2025

A brown pelican 'feeding frenzy' is an encouraging sign for the often-struggling large seabirds
On a jagged coastline in Central California, brown pelicans gather on rock promontories, packed in like edgy commuters as they take flight to feed on a vast school of fish just offshore. The water churns in whitecaps as the big-billed birds plunge beneath the surface in search of northern anchovies, Pacific sardines and mackerel.
December 5, 2025 — Source

A new jaguar spotted in Arizona points to progress in the endangered species' recovery
The spots gave it away. Just like a human fingerprint, the rosette pattern on each jaguar is unique so researchers knew they had a new animal on their hands after reviewing images captured by a remote camera in southern Arizona.
December 5, 2025 — Source

Birds shift to higher mountain elevations in Europe as climate warms
Many bird species have moved toward colder areas in the mountains of Europe as the climate has warmed over the past two decades. Sunny southern slopes attract birds to live at higher elevations than do shadier northern slopes.
December 5, 2025 — Source

Human-cat friendship started much later than you think
A research team led by Professor Luo Shujin from the School of Life Sciences has uncovered a surprising chapter in the history of cats in China. Through ancient DNA sequencing of feline remains spanning more than 5,000 years, the team discovered that the animals living alongside early Chinese farming communities were not domestic cats, but the native leopard cat.
December 5, 2025 — Source

Italy to open Europe's first marine sanctuary for dolphins
The Mediterranean's first sanctuary for dolphins that have lived in captivity will open off Italy next year, as demand for re-homing rises with the closure of marine parks across Europe.
December 5, 2025 — Source

New deep-sea species discovered during mining test
There is high global demand for critical metals, and many countries want to try extracting these sought-after metals from the seabed. An international study, which has discovered large numbers of new species at a depth of 4,000 meters, shows that such mining has less of a negative impact than expected. However, species diversity declined by a third in the tracks of the mining machine.
December 5, 2025 — Source

Penguins queue in Paris zoo for their bird flu jabs
A curious seagull strolled nonchalantly through the penguin enclosure at a zoo in Paris.
December 5, 2025 — Source

Should lynx and wolves be reintroduced to Britain and Ireland? Young people have mixed feelings
There are many things people have love-hate relationships with in Britain and Ireland, from Brussels sprouts to cricket or sea swimming. Another item can now be added to this list: the reintroduction of lynx and wolves to the countryside.
December 5, 2025 — Source

Visual system of butterflies changes with seasons, research reveals
The shift from warm summer to cool fall conditions can be stressful for many animals. Surviving each season requires a multitude of different physiological and behavioral traits that scientists are still working to understand.
December 5, 2025 — Source

When you're happy, your dog might look sad: Study reveals surprising twist in how people read canine emotions
When people are feeling happy, they're more likely to see other people as happy. If they're feeling down, they tend to view other people as sad. But when dealing with dogs, this well-established psychological effect ceases to work as expected.
December 5, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — December 3rd, 2025

Golden Eagles in the West appear stable, but Nevada tells a different story
Golden Eagles (Aquila chrysaetos) have been protected in North America since 1962 and their populations in the West are considered stable. However, a new study published in the Journal of Raptor Research found that the Nevada population is declining and could be headed for something worse.
December 3, 2025 — Source

The tiny clue that reveals if an animal has been illegally smuggled
If someone mentions criminal gangs, you might think of drug trafficking or financial crime. But one of the most persistent illegal trades in the world flies largely under the radar: wildlife smuggling.
December 3, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — November 29th, 2025

Your dog is not a doomsday prepper—here's why they hide food and toys
Have you ever seen a dog focused on nuzzling their expensive treat under a blanket, behind a couch cushion, or into a freshly dug hole in the backyard? You might think they are behaving like a paranoid doomsday prepper, but dogs aren't stockpiling their food due to anxiety about impending disaster.
November 29, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — November 26th, 2025

Love hurts: Flashy feathers may put some male pheasant species' lives at risk
The male Lady Amherst's pheasant knows how to put on a show when it comes to attracting mates. As well as elaborate courtship displays, they will unfurl their golden feathers to form a cape around their neck, which can prove irresistible to some females of the species.
November 23, 2025 — Source

Most people struggle to spot pain in horses, according to study
New research from ARU Writtle, part of Anglia Ruskin University, has found that most people struggle to recognize when a horse is in pain—a finding that could have serious implications for animal welfare.
November 23, 2025 — Source

The ingenuity of white oval squid camouflage brought to light
White oval squid (Sepioteuthis lessoniana sp. 2), known locally as shiro-ika, are medium-sized squids naturally distributed in the Indian and western Pacific oceans, flittering in and out of a wide range of different habitats—from shallow seagrass beds, over coral reefs, to depths of 100m along coastal environments.
November 23, 2025 — Source

Why are shiny colors rare in nature? Artificial flower experiment suggests a visual trade-off
Nature is brimming with color in almost every season. While the majority of colors are matte, some are shiny. Evolutionary biologist Casper van der Kooi wondered why shiny colors are so rare. He researched how bees perceive glossy colors by using artificial flowers. The experiment showed that shiny objects can be easily seen from afar, but are more difficult to discern up close. "It's a visual trade-off."
November 23, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — November 22nd, 2025

AI detects a secret lion roar no one knew existed
AI-powered analysis uncovered a secret lion roar, paving the way for smarter conservation of Africa's disappearing big cats.
November 21, 2025 — Source

Fossils reveal a massive shark that ruled Australia in dinosaur times
Around 115 million years ago, northern Australia's seas hosted a colossal shark that rewrites what we thought we knew about early ocean predators. New fossil discoveries show that modern-type sharks were experimenting with gigantic sizes far earlier than scientists believed, competing with the marine "monsters" of the dinosaur age.
November 21, 2025 — Source

The five great forests that keep North America's birds alive
Migratory birds that fill North American forests with spring songs depend on Central America's Five Great Forests far more than most people realize. New research shows these tropical strongholds shelter enormous shares of species like Wood Thrushes, Cerulean Warblers, and Golden-winged Warblers—many of which are rapidly declining. Yet these forests are disappearing at an alarming pace due to illegal cattle ranching, placing both birds and local communities at risk.
November 21, 2025 — Source

The surprising reason bees replace their queens
Weak pheromones sparked by viral infections can topple a queen—but synthetic signals may keep the colony united.
November 21, 2025 — Source

Wild hogs have been spotted near three North Texas neighborhoods: Here's what to know
Wild hogs were spotted in Coppell and in two neighborhoods in Roanoke last week, officials said.
November 21, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — November 21st, 2025

An electric discovery: Pigeons detect magnetic fields through their inner ear
In 1882, the French Naturalist Camille Viguier was among the first to propose the existence of a magnetic sense. His speculation proved correct. Many animals—from bats, to migratory birds and sea turtles use the Earth's magnetic field to navigate.
November 21, 2025 — Source

Gelada baboons fake fertility to protect their young from infanticide when new males take over
In nature, it is not usual for animals to be deceptive, as evolution has typically favored communication that benefits both the sender and receiver by conveying reliable information. But, there are exceptions, particularly when the "lie" leads to beneficial mating or survival. For example, female poison frogs are known to prolong courtship to keep their mate around longer to care for young—increasing the survival of the young.
November 21, 2025 — Source

Most homemade dog diets lack nutrients, study finds
Over the last two decades, homemade diets have seen a rise in popularity among dog owners. However, new research from the Dog Aging Project (DAP) reveals that most homemade diets are missing important nutrients that dogs need to lead healthy lives.
November 21, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — November 20th, 2025

Little bettongs' dramatic nut-cracker performance
Native Australian animals range from high-hopping kangaroos to fast-running emus—but clever little bettongs also have a special ability to find and eat the food they love.
November 20, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — November 13th, 2025

Beavers create habitats for bats and support endangered species
In the 19th century, beavers were extinct in large parts of Europe, with only a few thousand animals remaining. However, thanks to hunting bans and reintroduction projects, there are now more than 1.4 million beavers across Europe, with about 4,900 in Switzerland. By damming streams and felling trees, they create habitats and food for many other creatures, especially fish and other aquatic organisms.
November 13, 2025 — Source

Cutting-edge thermal drones reveal hidden strongholds of endangered koalas and gliders
University of Wollongong (UOW) researchers are part of a study that used modern thermal drone technology to uncover thriving yet previously under-reported populations of endangered koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus) and southern greater gliders (Petauroides volans) across the Illawarra Escarpment and Plateau.
November 13, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — November 8th, 2025

'Almost every day': Japan battles spike in bear attacks
Japan is experiencing a record spike in fatal and non-fatal bear attacks, attributed to a rapidly growing bear population and poor acorn harvests, which drive bears into populated areas. The brown bear population has doubled in 30 years, and Asian black bears have also increased. Rural depopulation and climate change exacerbate human-bear encounters. Authorities have intensified culling and intervention measures.
November 8, 2025 — Source

Rare footage shows sucker fish as they whale-surf in the ocean's wildest joyride
There are easier ways to cross an ocean, but few are as slick or stylish as the remora's whale-surfing joyride.
November 8, 2025 — Source

Rediscovered Fossil Redraws the Map of Woolly Mammoth Territory
New research shows that woolly mammoths roamed farther east than scientists previously thought.
November 8, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — November 7th, 2025

First ever discovery of Lepidosira springtails in China reveals four new species
Researchers from Nantong University have announced the discovery of four new species belonging to the springtail genus Lepidosira in China, representing the first record of this genus in the country.
November 7, 2025 — Source

Fossil of a baby sea snail inside a mother's shell discovered
Research teams from the Academia Sinica and National Taiwan University have documented the first discovery of five freshwater mollusk species in the Early Pleistocene Tananwan Formation of northern Taiwan. This pivotal finding, which demonstrates that some present-day freshwater snail lineages were established in Taiwan more than a million years ago, immediately establishes biogeographical connections with East Asia.
November 7, 2025 — Source

Gunshots Heard at Canadian Ostrich Farm, Signaling Start of Controversial Cull
The cull, spurred by bird flu concerns, aims to eradicate 400 ostriches living on a farm in British Columbia.
November 7, 2025 — Source

New treatment for severe spinal cord injury in small dogs achieves exceptional success rate
A minimally invasive treatment for severe intervertebral disk disease in small dog breeds is now available at the University of Cambridge's Queen's Veterinary School Hospital—the only place in the U.K. currently providing the procedure.
November 7, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — November 6th, 2025

Can birds imitate R2-D2? Yes, and some are surprisingly good at it
When you think of birds imitating sounds, parrots and starlings might come to mind. They're famous for copying human speech, car alarms, and even ringtone melodies. But what happens when you challenge them with something really complex, like the electronic beeps and boops of R2-D2, the beloved Star Wars droid? Researchers from the University of Amsterdam and Leiden University put nine species of parrots and European starlings to the test.
November 6, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — November 5th, 2025

All aboard the remora rollercoaster—camera tags capture wild humpback rides
If you've ever wondered how and why "sucker fish" hitch a—usually—wild ride with a humpback whale on the move, new footage captured from camera-tagged whales reveals the secret lives of remoras, and just how dedicated these hangers-on really are.
November 5, 2025 — Source

Can Israel feed itself? Economic model to rethink food self-sufficiency unveiled
When wars, pandemics, and trade disruptions shake global markets, one question becomes urgent for every nation: can we feed ourselves? A new study from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem offers an answer—and a warning. According to researchers Prof. Iddo Kan, Prof. Israel Finkelshtain, Ph.D. student Yehuda Slater, and Prof. Aron M. Troen, achieving full food self-sufficiency in Israel is technically possible—but only for plant-based foods intended for human consumption, not for livestock feed.
November 5, 2025 — Source

Companies that 'sell to buy' reap $234 million shareholder boost, study finds
Companies that sell major assets to fund acquisitions are 26% more likely to make all-cash deals and receive significantly stronger positive market reactions, with an average shareholder value increase of $234 million. Investors view asset sales as a disciplined, transparent financing method, interpreting such moves as strategic resource reallocation and prudent management.
November 5, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — October 31st, 2025

After Decades of Protections, Green Sea Turtles Have Been Saved From the Brink of Extinction—for Now
Scientists caution fisheries and climate change still threaten the animals. Sustained conservation efforts must continue so the turtles can continue to recover, they say.
October 31, 2025 — Source

Babies of 'one of Australia's rarest mammals' born in wild at park for first time
In a protected forest of eastern Australia, one of the country's "rarest mammals" wandered past a trail camera, its pouch bulging slightly from the baby tucked inside. Conservationists later looked at the photos and immediately recognized them as a "major" conservation milestone.
October 31, 2025 — Source

Endangered across west Africa, leopards thrive in I.Coast reserve
Like other big cats, the leopard is endangered across West Africa. Yet in Ivory Coast's Comoe National Park, the famously spotted feline appears to be doing rather well—surprisingly, given the reserve's conflict-riven recent history, according to researcher Robin Horion.
October 31, 2025 — Source

Expansion microscopy helps chart the planktonic universe
Plankton are the invisible engines of life on Earth, producing much of the planet's oxygen and forming the foundation of the oceanic food chain. They are also incredibly diverse, with tens of thousands of species described so far, and many more waiting to be discovered. Among them, protists, tiny, single-celled organisms, stand out for their extraordinary diversity and evolutionary significance, yet for decades, scientists could study them only through genomic data, as reliable imaging methods were lacking.
October 31, 2025 — Source

Research reveals chimpanzees and bonobos have 'circles of friends,' just like humans
Chimpanzees and bonobos structure their social relationships in similar ways to humans, according to a new international study led by researchers from Utrecht University and Universidad Carlos III de Madrid. By analyzing social grooming, the team found that both species have human-like social circles.
October 31, 2025 — Source

Researchers in Japan discover new jellyfish species deserving of a samurai warrior name
A student-led research group from Tohoku University has discovered a new species of the venomous Physalia (commonly known as Portuguese man-of-war) that has never been seen before in northeast Japan. This revelation suggests that warming coastal waters and shifting ocean currents are influencing the distribution of marine organisms in northeastern Japan.
October 31, 2025 — Source

Tiny bat uses a lion-like strategy to save energy and capture large prey with surprising success
A new international study led by researchers from Aarhus University and the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute (STRI) reveals that small bats can be just as efficient predators as lions—and often more successful.
October 31, 2025 — Source

Where Kentucky's hellbenders live and what they need to survive
new University of Kentucky study used environmental DNA (eDNA) to search 90 sites across 73 rivers for Eastern hellbenders—large, secretive salamanders nicknamed "snot otters" and "lasagna lizards" for their mucus secretions and the skin folds that help them breathe.
October 31, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — October 30th, 2025

Animals that eat poisons and don't die
Animals that eat poisons and don't die
October 30, 2025 — Source

Photographer Captures the First Known White Iberian Lynx in the Wild
A young amateur photographer in Spain has captured the first-ever images of a white Iberian lynx — thought to be one of the rarest big cats on the entire planet.
October 30, 2025 — Source

Scientists discover a stunning new golden-tongued lizard in China
A new species of mountain lizard, Diploderma bifluviale, has been discovered in the upper Dadu River Valley of China. Its distinct traits and isolated habitat highlight the hidden biodiversity of the Hengduan Mountains.
October 30, 2025 — Source

Scientists Just Found a 'Death-Ball' Sponge and a Whole Bunch of Other Deep-Sea Weirdos
Researchers are not even halfway through analyzing the thousands of samples collected from the Southern Ocean, but they've already discovered 30 new deep-sea creatures.
October 30, 2025 — Source

Some animals are more equal than others: The dark side of researching popular species
Biologists often form deep bonds with the species they study. For some, that relationship begins early in their careers and shapes decades of research. The connection can be personal, even affectionate, but it can also create tensions when others set their sights on the same species.
October 30, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — October 26th, 2025

Hippos once roamed frozen Germany with mammoths
New research shows that hippos lived in central Europe tens of thousands of years longer than previously thought. Ancient DNA and radiocarbon dating confirm they survived in Germany's Upper Rhine Graben during a milder Ice Age phase. Closely related to modern African hippos, they shared the landscape with cold-adapted giants like mammoths. The finding rewrites Ice Age history and suggests regional climates were far more diverse.
October 26, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — October 25th, 2025

They're Huge, They're Creepy, and They're Back—An Expert's Tips for Joro Spider Season
An entomologist answers your questions about the Joro invasion this fall.
October 25, 2025 — Source

Whale and dolphin migrations are being disrupted by climate change
Marine mammals are being forced into new and more dangerous waters, scientists warn.
October 25, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — October 24th, 2025

Even boneless insects have an endocrine system for calcium control, fruit fly study shows
In vertebrates, calcium is stored in bones, and its release is tightly regulated. Now, using fruit flies as a model organism, researchers at University of Tsukuba have shown that even animals without bones possess specialized organs for calcium storage, along with an endocrine system that releases calcium via hormonal signals in response to deficiency.
October 24, 2025 — Source

Floral-scented fungus lures mosquitoes to their doom
A genetically engineered Metarhizium fungus emits longifolene, a floral scent that attracts mosquitoes, leading to their infection and death within days. This method is highly effective, safe for humans, targets mosquitoes specifically, and remains potent even with competing scents. It offers a practical, affordable, and potentially resistance-proof tool for mosquito control.
October 24, 2025 — Source or Watch Video

Global body adopts policy to protect Earth's old, wise and large animals
The IUCN has adopted a global policy emphasizing the protection of old, large, and long-lived animals, recognizing their crucial roles in ecosystem stability, resilience, and knowledge transfer. The policy calls for monitoring age structures, protecting older individuals, and integrating age diversity into conservation planning, aligning with international biodiversity commitments.
October 24, 2025 — Source

How axolotls rely on their 'fight or flight' network to regenerate body parts
Biologists have long been fascinated by the ability of salamanders to regrow entire limbs. Now Harvard researchers have solved part of the mystery of how they accomplish this feat—by activating stem cells throughout the body, not just at the injury site.
October 24, 2025 — Source

Whale and Dolphin Migrations are Being Disrupted by Climate Change
Rising ocean temperatures, heatwaves and dwindling prey are forcing marine mammals into new and more dangerous waters, scientists warn.
October 24, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — October 20th, 2025

No tricks, only treats: Bats glow under ultraviolet light
Six North American bat species exhibit green photoluminescence on their wings and hind limbs when exposed to ultraviolet light, a trait likely inherited from a common ancestor. The glow appears consistent across sexes and species, suggesting it is not used for mate attraction or camouflage. Its ecological or evolutionary function remains unclear, but it may play a role in bat communication.
October 20, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — October 17th, 2025

Exchange of genetic diversity between species accelerates evolutionary adaptation in songbirds
Climate change is rapidly altering our environment—and posing major challenges for many animal species. Whether they can adapt depends largely on their genetic diversity. An international study involving researchers from the Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change (LIB) now shows how closely genetic diversity and adaptability are linked.
October 17, 2025 — Source

Florida confirms second case of 'zombie deer disease'
Florida has confirmed a second case of chronic wasting disease (CWD) in wild deer, detected in Holmes County. CWD is a fatal, highly contagious neurodegenerative disease affecting deer, with no cure or vaccine. Officials have established a management zone and increased surveillance to slow its spread, as containment efforts elsewhere have been unsuccessful.
October 17, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — October 15th, 2025

A spark of evolution: When differences in coexistence create new species
The presence of a single ecologically similar species, such as the prickly sculpin, can drive rapid speciation in threespine sticklebacks by promoting adaptation in body shape and genome, leading to reproductive isolation. Even indirect ecological interactions, rather than direct contact, can initiate speciation, highlighting the sensitivity of evolutionary processes to subtle changes in species coexistence.
October 15, 2025 — Source

Fatal attraction: Electric charge connects jumping worm to aerial prey
The nematode Steinernema carpocapsae uses electrostatic induction to increase its chances of attaching to flying insect hosts during jumps up to 25 times its body length. A charge of several hundred volts on the insect induces an opposite charge in the worm, creating an attractive force that, especially with a slight breeze, raises the probability of successful contact from less than 10% to 80%.
October 15, 2025 — Source

Flamingos are making a home in Florida again after 100 years—an ecologist explains why they may be returning for good
American flamingos, once extirpated from Florida, are reappearing in increasing numbers, with recent flocks likely originating from wild populations in the Caribbean and Yucatan. Their return is linked to ongoing restoration of the Everglades and coastal ecosystems, which has improved habitat quality. Recent sightings and tracking data suggest a potential reestablishment of a breeding population.
October 15, 2025 — Source

Irish buff-tailed bumblebees are genetically distinct from their British counterparts, finds study
Irish buff-tailed bumblebees (Bombus terrestris audax) are genetically distinct from British populations, with notable differences in genes related to nervous system function and development. Commercial bumblebee lines are more similar to British bees, raising concerns about genetic mixing, disease, and competition. These findings highlight the need for tailored conservation and caref
October 15, 2025 — Source

Jumbo drop in estimates of India elephant population
India's wild elephant population is now estimated at 22,446, a 25% decrease from 2017, based on a new DNA-based survey. The revised methodology sets a new baseline, indicating elephants now occupy only 3.5% of their historical range. Habitat loss, fragmentation, and human-elephant conflict are major threats, with key populations in the Western Ghats and northeast India.
October 15, 2025 — Source

Ocean species discovery: 14 new marine animals described
Fourteen new marine invertebrate species and two new genera, including worms, mollusks, and crustaceans, have been described from ocean depths of 1 to 6,465 meters. Advances such as non-invasive micro-CT scanning enabled detailed anatomical studies, including a new depth record for the bivalve Myonera aleutiana and the first genome from a Monoplacophora holotype. Novel species interactions were also documented.
October 15, 2025 — Source

Solar-powered lights on fishing nets cut sea turtle entanglement by 63%
Solar-powered LED lights integrated into fishing net buoys reduce sea turtle entanglement by 63% without affecting target fish catch rates. These lights, which operate for over five days without sunlight, address previous barriers such as battery life and handling difficulties. The technology offers a practical, scalable solution for reducing bycatch in small-scale fisheries.
October 15, 2025 — Source

Study reveals decline in North Atlantic dolphin lifespan and population growth
Female common dolphins in the North Atlantic now live seven years less than in the late 1990s, with average longevity dropping from 24 to 17 years. This decline is linked to reduced birth rates and a 2.4% decrease in population growth rate from 1997 to 2019, raising concerns about long-term population viability and ecosystem impacts. Bycatch in fisheries is a significant contributing factor.
October 15, 2025 — Source

There's Always a Bigger Fish—and Bird—as Seen in the Year's Best Wildlife Photography
From Moon-gazing rattlesnakes to caterpillars with bizarre headgear—this year's winning photos will surely take your breath away.
October 15, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — October 13th, 2025

Captivity changes the gut bacteria of endangered pandas and bears
Captivity is the primary factor altering the gut microbiome of endangered giant pandas, red pandas, and Asiatic black bears, accounting for 21.6% of observed changes, compared to 12.3% for genetics and 3.9% for diet. Captivity leads to reduced microbial diversity in giant pandas, increased diversity in red and black pandas, and a shift toward firmicutes and potentially harmful bacteria, raising concerns for reintroduction success.
October 10, 2025 — Source

How a 400,000-year-old elephant skeleton solved a tantalizing puzzle of early human behavior
One spring, after a long winter, an aged elephant lay dying at the bank of a small stream near the coast of what is now northern Italy. Soon after, some scavengers arrived to dine on this huge stockpile of food.
October 10, 2025 — Source

Island spider sheds half its genome, defying evolutionary expectations
Over a few million years, the spider Dysdera tilosensis—a species endemic to the Canary Islands—has reduced the size of its genome by half during the process of colonization and adaptation to its natural habitat. In addition to being smaller, this genome is more compact and contains more genetic diversity than that of other similar continental spiders.
October 10, 2025 — Source

Rare calico lobster makes a splash
Another rare lobster is making a splash at Northeastern University's Marine Science Center in Nahant. The brilliantly colored orange and black lobster is called a calico, and the odds of catching one are believed to be only one in 30 million, says Sierra Munoz, outreach program coordinator at the Marine Science Center.
October 10, 2025 — Source

Wolves have returned to Denmark, and not everyone is happy about it
Wolf populations in Europe have increased by nearly 60% over the past decade, with Denmark now hosting over 40 wolves after two centuries of absence. Despite their ecological role, the return of wolves has sparked debate, with attitudes in Denmark divided along political and generational lines. Support is highest among young people and left-leaning voters, while concerns persist over livestock, safety, and cultural perceptions.
October 13, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — October 8th, 2025

Do You Know Where Aquarium Fish Come From? The Answer Might Shock You
New research shows that dozens of threatened fish species caught in the wild are commonly sold by aquarium retailers in the U.S.
October 8, 2025 — Source

Hippos survived in Europe well into the last ice age, study finds
Hippos, today restricted to sub-Saharan Africa, survived in central Europe far longer than previously assumed. Analyses of bone finds demonstrate that hippos inhabited the Upper Rhine Graben sometime between approximately 47,000 and 31,000 years ago, well into the last ice age. An international research team led by the University of Potsdam and the Reiss-Engelhorn-Museen Mannheim with the Curt-Engelhorn-Zentrum Archäometrie have now published a study on this in the journal Current Biology.
October 10, 2025 — Source

Male flies are not mini-females: Cell-specific, non-uniform growth drives sexual size differences in fruit flies
Sexual size differences are widespread in biology, yet the "how" behind them often remains vague. We asked a concrete question in a classic model organism: when female flies are larger than males, do individual organs achieve this by adding more cells, enlarging the cells they already have, or mixing both strategies—and is this consistent across the body?
October 8, 2025 — Source

Setting your home up for success: Small animal owner fire awareness
According to Texas A&M University, half a million pets are affected by home fires annually, and owners can prevent fires by addressing hazards and having escape plans.
October 10, 2025 — Source

The remarkable rise of eBird—the world's biggest citizen science project
The lights in the auditorium darken. The cacophony of voices subsides. The enormous screen comes to life, displaying a satellite image of Australia and the scattering of islands directly to the north. The contrast between the dry, orangey red of most of Australia and the deep green of Papua New Guinea is stark.
October 8, 2025 — Source

Vole teeth reveal how a simple change can create complex new features over time
A University of Helsinki study in *PNAS* reveals that a simple change in tooth growth over millions of years allowed voles to evolve complex, grass-eating teeth.
October 10, 2025 — Source

What's the difference between moths and butterflies? Look at their antennae
Moths and butterflies both belong to Lepidoptera and have scaly wings, but differ in key features. Moths typically have straight or feathery antennae and are mostly nocturnal with duller colors, while butterflies have clubbed antennae, are active during the day, and display brighter colors. Exceptions exist, making distinctions sometimes challenging.
October 8, 2025 — Source

Whiskers for warrens: Why wombats have such whiskery snouts
Recent research reveals that wombats' unique noses and whiskers are essential for navigation, foraging, and communication within their complex underground habitats. These features aid survival and classify wombat species.
October 8, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — October 3rd, 2025

Humpback calves need 38 times more energy after birth than in womb
After birth, humpback whale calves require 38 times more energy for growth than in utero, with 60% of this energy needed in the first 150 days. Calves grow rapidly, achieving 30% of lifetime size in under a year, and need 6--8 times the daily growth energy of adults. Recent declines in body size and birth rates are linked to reduced maternal energy reserves, likely due to food scarcity from marine heat waves.
October 3, 2025 — Source

Scientists uncover a mysterious Jurassic lizard with snake-like jaws
This creature's unusual mix of traits suggests either that snake ancestors were very different than expected, or that snake-like features evolved independently more than once.
October 3, 2025 — Source< or Watch Video

World's first vaccine trial against elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus proves safe and effective
The world's first vaccine trial against elephant endotheliotropic herpesvirus (EEHV) -- a leading cause of death in young Asian elephants -- is safe and triggers a strong virus-fighting immune response, according to an international team led by the University of Surrey, in collaboration with Chester Zoo and the Animal and Plant Health Agency.
October 3, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — September 29th, 2025

Black widows lure males with smell of 'cheesy feet'
Black widow spiders (Latrodectus hesperus) use a persistent web-based pheromone that decomposes over time, releasing an odor attractive to males. This chemical signal, which can last for weeks, both triggers mating behavior on contact and attracts males from a distance. Females adjust pheromone intensity seasonally, optimizing mate attraction during peak reproductive periods.
September 29, 2025 — Source

Calling in the animal drug detectives—helping vets help beluga whales, goats and all creatures big and small
Veterinary pharmacologists analyze drug levels in animals, like beluga whales, to help veterinarians determine appropriate treatments and ensure animal care.
September 29, 2025 — Source

Coyote populations surge, rebound quickly
Coyote populations in the Southeast rapidly rebound after control efforts, stabilizing faster than they can be reduced. Densities exceed one coyote per square mile, even in forested areas previously considered less suitable. Population control is costly and unsustainable, suggesting a need for alternative management strategies to support biodiversity and habitat resilience.
September 29, 2025 — Source

Honeybees use dance communication to form expectations of landscape, study shows
The waggle dance, performed by successful forager honeybees (Apis mellifera) inside the hive, is a well-known form of symbolic communication that informs nestmates about the location of resources. It is well known that the dance encodes only the distance and direction (the vector) to the target. However, it remains unclear whether follower bees integrate the vector information with their own spatial memories of landmarks to optimize navigation.
September 29, 2025 — Source

Many animals can reshape and shed their teeth—and now scientists have traced this ability back 380 million years
The ability to resorb and replace teeth, involving osteoclast-driven breakdown of tooth roots, originated over 380 million years ago in placoderm fishes. Fossil evidence from Bullerichthys shows tooth resorption and replacement processes similar to those in modern bony fishes, indicating this dental adaptation evolved early in vertebrate history.
September 29, 2025 — Source

Scientists develop microelectrode array for monitoring neuronal activity during hibernation
Scientists developed a nanocomposite microelectrode array to monitor neuronal activity during hibernation, revealing insights into brain function during low metabolic states.
September 29, 2025 — Source

Why mamba snake bites worsen after antivenom
Mamba venoms target both pre- and postsynaptic sites in the nervous system, causing initial flaccid paralysis followed by spastic paralysis. Current antivenoms neutralize postsynaptic effects but can unmask presynaptic toxicity, worsening symptoms after treatment. Venom complexity and geographic variation complicate effective antivenom development.
September 29, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — September 26th, 2025

Eucalyptus plantations host fewer bird species than native forests and pine plantations, study finds
Eucalyptus plantations host fewer bird species than native forests and pine plantations, study finds
September 26, 2025 — Source

Whales are getting tangled in lines and ropes off the California coast in record numbers
The number of whales getting tangled up in fishing nets, line, buoys and other miscellaneous rope off the coasts of the United States hit a record high in 2024, with California taking the ignominious lead.
September 26, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — September 25th, 2025

Baby horses exposed to gut bacteria develop immune response that guards lungs against pneumonia
Foal pneumonia is one of the leading causes of disease and death in foals, with severe cases being most commonly caused by the bacterium Rhodococcus equi (R. equi).
September 25, 2025 — Source

Breakthrough wetsuits slash shark attack injuries and save lives
Shark experts tested four innovative wetsuit materials to measure how well they reduce shark-bite injuries. The results show they can lessen major trauma, blood loss, and even save lives when compared to standard neoprene. While not a perfect shield, these suits represent a leap forward in personal protection.
September 25, 2025 — Source

Researchers Tested Bite-Resistant Wetsuit Material With Great Whites and Tiger Sharks. Here's What Happened
Unlike zebra-striped wetsuits or chunky deterrent bracelets, this technology goes back to the basics.
September 25, 2025 — Source

This flower smells like dying ants, and flies can't resist it
A dogbane species is found to mimic the smell of injured ants to attract flies that feed on the ants and pollinate the flowers.
September 25, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — September 22nd, 2025

Chimpanzees ingest more than the equivalent of one alcoholic drink a day
Drinking more than you intended may be something that many humans do, but now research is showing that a taste for alcohol is surprisingly common among animals. In fact, a new study has found that chimpanzees may ingest the equivalent of two alcoholic drinks a day from eating fermented fruit.
September 22, 2025 — Source

Hostile hoots make robins eat less at night, study shows
The sound of tawny owls makes young European robins eat less during their southward migration. A new study from Lund University in Sweden shows how the threat from nocturnal predators affects the birds' behavior—and by extension, their survival.
September 22, 2025 — Source

Leopard shark sex tape: A scientific first
A University of the Sunshine Coast researcher has caught on camera and documented for the first time a rare—and rather risque—shark mating sequence in the wild.
September 22, 2025 — Source

Resurrection of dodo bird now one step closer, claims Colossal Biosciences
The dodo has been extinct for more than 300 years, but that isn't stopping Dallas' Colossal Biosciences from trying to resurrect the 3-foot-tall, flightless bird.
September 22, 2025 — Source

Wolf attacks on California cattle more than double despite state 'strike team'
In the three months since California stationed game wardens and scientists to round-the-clock shifts to help ranchers stave off wolf attacks on cattle, the number of bloody incidents in the state's Sierra Valley rangeland has more than doubled, data obtained by The Sacramento Bee shows.
September 22, 2025 — Source

Zebra finches organize their calls by meaning, not just on how they sound
Zebra finches have a more complex way of communicating than previously thought. A new study published in the journal Science found that the sociable songbird does not just recognize and organize different calls based on how they sound but also on what they mean. This suggests they have a deeper understanding of their own language.
September 22, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — September 19th, 2025

A society built on scent: How ants maintain a one-to-one match between neurons and odor receptors
Ant societies are built on scent. Pheromones guide the insects to food, warn them of predators, and regulate the rhythms of their colonies. This chemical communication system is governed by a simple rule: one receptor, one neuron.
September 19, 2025 — Source

Bird-like robot with novel wing system achieves self-takeoff and low-speed flight
In 2021, a group of scientists from China engineered the RoboFalcon—a bird-inspired flapping-wing robot with a newly engineered mechanism made to drive bat-style morphing wings capable of flight. While this bio-inspired robot performed well at a cruising speed, it was not capable of flying at lower speeds or achieving takeoff without assistance.
September 19, 2025 — Source

Bling, not brawn, gives some animals the edge in the mating game
New UNSW research confirms that in the battle for survival, some animals win not with brawn, but with bling, putting to bed a debate that has puzzled generations of scientists.
September 19, 2025 — Source

Chimps consume alcohol equivalent of nearly 2 drinks a day
It's the latest evidence in support of Robert Dudley's controversial "drunk monkey" hypothesis.
September 19, 2025 — Source

Ecologists document two new species of bass
Two new black bass species, Bartram's bass (Micropterus pucpuggy) and Altamaha bass (Micropterus calliurus), have been formally described based on distinct physical traits and genetic analyses. Both species, previously grouped with redeye bass, inhabit river systems in the southeastern US and face potential hybridization threats due to habitat changes and introduced species.
September 19, 2025 — Source

This 'Grue Jay' Hybrid Looks Cool as Hell—but It's a Warning Sign
It's possibly the first known bird, or any vertebrate for that matter, to hybridize as a result of climate change.
September 19, 2025 — Source

World's smallest marine dolphins can perform underwater barrel rolls
Scientists observing from boats knew little of the underwater behavior of the world's smallest marine dolphin, the Hector's dolphin.
September 19, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — September 16th, 2025

A wasp for the wild: Remote village discovery reveals new natural pest enemy
Meet Heinrichiellus natgeo, a newly discovered species of parasitoid wasp. The species was described by Dr. Ranjith and Dr. Gavin R. Broad (The Natural History Museum, London, UK). Genetic data helped them determine the new species' systematic placement, with the assistance of Dr. Bernardo F. Santos (Center for Integrative Biodiversity Discovery, Museum für Naturkunde, Berlin, Germany).
September 16, 2025 — Source

Green and brown persist—study reveals the role of color in driving evolution in frogs
A team of researchers at NYU Abu Dhabi (NYUAD) has uncovered how a common color variation in frogs has helped them thrive and diversify for millions of years.
September 16, 2025 — Source

How different messages can motivate people to prevent bird-window collisions
A new study published today in the journal Biological Conservation finds that different communication approaches can influence whether people take action to prevent birds from colliding with windows, a leading cause of bird mortality that kills over 1 billion birds annually in the United States and Canada.
September 16, 2025 — Source

Humans get as attached to horses as they do to pets
The bond between humans and horses dates back thousands of years, and horses occupy a unique position in human life, falling somewhere between working animals and companion animals.
September 16, 2025 — Source

Monsters in Trouble
The colorful, venomous and mysterious Gila monster flourishes in the scorching Desert Southwest, but climate change threatens the lizards' food, water and shelter. Moving to more hospitable habitats won't be easy.
September 16, 2025 — Source

Shark chomps on seal close to Massachusetts beaches
It was only a matter of time before a white shark showed up for breakfast.
September 16, 2025 — Source

Study finds stressed lizard mothers produce more social but slower-growing offspring
Research led by Dr. Kirsty Macleod from Bangor University's School of Environmental and Natural Sciences found that lizards whose mothers experienced stress during pregnancy grew more slowly and behaved differently.
September 16, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — September 9th, 2025

AI-based satellite counts migrating wildebeest in Serengeti
An AI-powered satellite counting effort conducted over two years concludes that less than 600,000 wildebeest migrate across the Serengeti-Mara ecosystem each year—half of previous estimates from manned aircraft surveys.
September 9, 2025 — Source

Microalgae can aid in offsetting the consequences of poisonous snake bites
Scientists from Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University have found out that polysaccharides from microalgae bind proteins that are contained in the poison of lancehead snakes. When these proteins get into the human organism, they cause severe bleeding, renal and cardiac insufficiency, tissue death and even death.
September 9, 2025 — Source

Radioactive iodine therapy used for canine cancer treatment
Radioactive iodine therapy used for canine cancer treatment
September 9, 2025 — Source

Ramp says it has hit $1B in annualized revenue
On Tuesday, Ramp answered any lingering questions as to why investors recently valued the expense management startup at $22.5 billion, just 45 days after a previous funding round valued it at $16 billion: The company says it has achieved $1 billion in annualized revenue.
September 9, 2025 — Source

The surprising recovery of once-rare birds
When I started bird-watching as a teenager, a few years after the first Earth Day in 1970, several species that once thrived in my region were nowhere to be found.
September 9, 2025 — Source

This Bizarre Fish Has 8 Rows of Forehead Teeth It Uses During Sex
Researchers studied the male spotted ratfish's tooth-covered forehead appendage, which flares out to ward off rivals and grip onto females.
September 9, 2025 — Source

Where top VCs are betting next: Index, Greylock, and Felicis share 2026 priorities at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025
Early-stage founders, take note. The Builders Stage at TechCrunch Disrupt 2025 will feature a powerhouse panel of seasoned investors sharing where their firms are placing bets for 2026 and beyond.
September 9, 2025 — Source

Yes, spectacled flying foxes are noisy and drop poo everywhere. But our rainforests need them
In Far North Queensland, one special winged mammal helps keep rainforests alive. The spectacled flying fox travels vast distances each night, pollinating flowers and spreading seeds far and wide.
September 9, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — September 5th, 2025

Australia has some new marsupial species—but they're already extinct
You are probably familiar with kangaroos. Wallabies too, and most likely quokkas as well.
September 5, 2025 — Source

Bark beetle outbreaks raise forest temperatures, but deciduous trees offer cooling effect
A new study from Stockholm University reveals that spruce bark beetles, already infamous for killing millions of trees in Sweden, are also changing the forest microclimate. Using a combination of temperature sensors attached to trees and thermal drone imagery, researchers have found that beetle-attacked forests can heat up by as much as two degrees during summer days—but that deciduous trees helped to cool down attacked forest stands.
September 5, 2025 — Source

Beavers return to the forest landscape, reviving its natural environment
A long-term study spanning more than 50 years illustrates how the beavers that have returned to the Evo region in southern Finland have increased habitat biodiversity. This speaks to their significant role as ecosystem engineers, enabling a wider range of species in the area.
September 5, 2025 — Source

Slow increase in Australia's eastern gray nurse shark population shows conservation actions are on track
Australia's Critically Endangered eastern gray nurse shark population is increasing slowly, research that combined rigorous biological sampling and genetic sleuthing has found.
September 5, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — September 4th, 2025

Biological 'moonshot' accelerates efforts to genetically map all of Earth's eukaryotes
From the mighty blue whale to the humble baker's yeast, scientists have barely begun to understand the vast genetic diversity among lifeforms. Of the 1.67 million known species of animal, plant, fungi and protists, just 1% have been genetically sequenced. By 2035, this figure could reach 100%.
September 4, 2025 — Source

Iberian harvester ant queens are cloning different species to produce hybrid workers
Worker ants perform important tasks like gathering food, taking care of eggs and larvae and nest building. However, some species of ants cannot produce workers through reproductive means with their own species. Eggs fertilized by male ants of the same species result only in more queens, while unfertilized eggs result in winged males—those which leave the nest to mate with queens.
September 4, 2025 — Source

In orangutans, masculine male faces also draw the most attention
When orangutans were shown two photos side by side, one of a dominant flanged male (having large pads on the sides of their faces) and one of an unflanged male, they spent more time looking at the flanged male.
September 4, 2025 — Source or Source

Land mines and tuberculosis are no match for Tanzanian 'hero rats' sniffing out danger and disease
A man lies unmoving, slumped in the rubble of a simulated earthquake, as an unlikely rescuer approaches: a rat with a backpack. Whiskers waving, the rat breezes past garbage, toppled furniture and scattered clothes to find him and pull a trigger on its pack, alerting searchers above.
September 4, 2025 — Source

Pets on skinny jabs? Here's how to help them lose weight naturally
Losing weight is hard. Anyone who has tried to lose weight and keep it off will describe how difficult it can be. If your pet is a little more rotund than is healthy, then helping them regain and retain their waistline can be even trickier.
September 4, 2025 — Source

General — Animals — September 1st, 2025

Rare seasonal brain shrinkage in shrews is driven by water loss, not cell death, MRI study reveals
Common shrews are one of only a handful of mammals known to flexibly shrink and regrow their brains. This rare seasonal cycle, known as Dehnel's phenomenon, has puzzled scientists for decades. How can a brain lose volume and regrow months later without sustaining permanent damage?
September 1, 2025 — Source

Tiny mite eats its rivals: Mate competition increases aggressive behavior
It's survival of the fittest in nature, and an alien-looking ground mite demonstrates how the most promiscuous males fight and sometimes even cannibalize other males to 'win' greater access to females.
September 1, 2025 — Source

Animals — Birds

Animal Wallpaper Originals
provides free original wallpapers for your desktop. Categories include Birds, Bovine, Cats, Dogs, Insects, Marine, Wildlife and Working Domesticated Animal pictures.
Provides Information — Source

Fin & Feather Tropical Pet Store
offers a variety of tropical fish, birds and reptiles, as well as related aquariums, cages, supplies, and accessories.
Provides Products — Source

For other Living Things
offers toys, supplies, and gift items that are critter-friendly, people-friendly, and earth-friendly for rabbits, dogs, cats, birds, and small animals.
Provides Products — Source

Moore Pet Supplies
bird cages and more.
Provides Products — Source

Mountain Meadows
manufactures a wide range of environmentally friendly litter and bedding products for cats, birds and other small animals.
Provides Products — Source

PetStation
all about pets, dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, amphibians.
Provides Information — Source

Quality Cage Company
makes bird, ferret, hamster, and other small animal cages and accessories.
Provides Products — Source

Tomlinson's
supply store for dogs, cats, fish, birds, reptiles, and more.
Provides Products — Source

Animals — Cats

Action Cat — Postcards and More
Free, original animated postcards featuring cats, dogs and other pets.
Provides Products — Source

Animal Wallpaper Originals
provides free original wallpapers for your desktop. Categories include Birds, Bovine, Cats, Dogs, Insects, Marine, Wildlife and Working Domesticated Animal pictures.
Provides Information — Source

Cats & Canines
offers pet beds, toys, feeding bowls, collars, and more.
Provides Products — Source

Corton Animal Accommodations
manufacturerer of horse stables, dog kennels, cat pens and housing for various other animals.
Provides Products — Source

For other Living Things
offers toys, supplies, and gift items that are critter-friendly, people-friendly, and earth-friendly for rabbits, dogs, cats, birds, and small animals.
Provides Products — Source

Happy Jack, Inc
offer health care products for dogs, cats, and horses.
Provides Products — Source

Hot Diggity Dog
custom made fabric gift items, including pillows, quilts, quillos, fabric, baskets, and much more. for dogs, cats, llamas, wolves and other animals.
Provides Products — Source

J-B Wholesale Pet Supplies
supplies at wholesale prices for breeders, trainers, and anyone who loves dogs and cats.
Provides Products — Source

K&H Manufacturing
offers heated pet accessories including the Thermo-Bed for dogs and cats, the Lectro-Kennel heated pad, and Thermal-Bowl.
Provides Products — Source

Morrco Pet Supply
Beautiful rhinestone dog and cat collars, dog and cat muzzles and harnesses.
Provides Products — Source

Mountain Meadows
manufactures a wide range of environmentally friendly litter and bedding products for cats, birds and other small animals.
Provides Products — Source

Pet Supplies Plus
provides food, accessories, and toys.
Provides Products — Source

PETsMART.com
Everything your pet needs. from food to flea control products. They'll love you unconditionally.
Provides Products — Source

PetClick.Com
online source for natural dog and cat food, bowls, toys, and more.
Provides Products — Source

PETGUYS.com
supplies for dogs, cats, fish, and reptiles, including chews, scratchers, stain cleaners, fish feeders, collars, and more.
Provides Products — Source

PetStation
all about pets, dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, amphibians.
Provides Information — Source

Revival Animal Health
specializes in cat, dog, horse, and small animal supplies. Including supplements, books, food, and much more.
Provides Products — Source

Scarfell Enterprises Hong Kong Limited
manufactures toys for dogs and cats.
Provides Products — Source

Sylvan & Sons
distinctive collars, leashes, harnesses, and bows for dogs and cats.
Provides Products — Source

Three Dogs & a Cat
decorate your holiday mantle with pet stockings.
Provides Products — Source

Tomlinson's
supply store for dogs, cats, fish, birds, reptiles, and more.
Provides Products — Source

Animals — Dogs

All About Yorkshire Terriers
The Most Complete Guide for Yorkshire Terriers — Displaying our love for Yorkshire Terriers we are confident that we can provide you with all the information you will need to be a successful owner!
Provides Information — Source

Animal Wallpaper Originals
provides free original wallpapers for your desktop. Categories include Birds, Bovine, Cats, Dogs, Insects, Marine, Wildlife and Working Domesticated Animal pictures.
Provides Information — Source

Canvasback Pet Supplies
offers training equipment for hunting dogs as well as general pet supplies such as grooming tools, collars, sleds, odour control, treats, and more.
Provides Products — Source

Cats & Canines
offers pet beds, toys, feeding bowls, collars, and more.
Provides Products — Source

Corton Animal Accommodations
manufacturerer of horse stables, dog kennels, cat pens and housing for various other animals.
Provides Products — Source

CyberCanine
All Natural Dog Products.
Provides Products — Source

Dog Collars
Hundreds of dog collars and designer dog collars for any size dog or pet. Choose from an absolutely huge selection at discount and wholesale prices. the best place to do for Dog collars.
Provides Products — Source

Fonzie's Fantasies
offers washable and adjustable hats for dogs and cats.
Provides Products — Source

For Dog Trainers.com
Specializing in dog training equipment for sport, schutzhund, police, military and enthusiasts.
Provides Products — Source

For other Living Things
offers toys, supplies, and gift items that are critter-friendly, people-friendly, and earth-friendly for rabbits, dogs, cats, birds, and small animals.
Provides Products — Source

Good Dog
offers independent consumer information for dog owners as well as articles about health, nutrition, and behavior.
Provides Information — Source

Happy Jack, Inc
offer health care Products for dogs, cats, and horses.
Provides Products — Source

Hartz Group
provides a pet owners community with resources, articles, message boards, expert advice and tips, as well as a product showroom and more.
Provides Products — Source

Holistic Dog
For your dog's mind body & soul.
Provides Products — Source

Hot Diggity Dog
custom made fabric gift items, including pillows, quilts, quillos, fabric, baskets, and much more. for dogs, cats, llamas, wolves and other animals.
Provides Products — Source

i-pets.com
offers toys and treats for cats and dogs.
Provides Products — Source

J-B Wholesale Pet Supplies
supplies at wholesale prices for breeders, trainers, and anyone who loves dogs and cats.
Provides Products — Source

K&H Manufacturing
offers heated pet accessories including the Thermo-Bed for dogs and cats, the Lectro-Kennel heated pad, and Thermal-Bowl.
Provides Products — Source

Morrco Pet Supply
Beautiful rhinestone dog and cat collars, dog and cat muzzles and harnesses.
Provides Products — Source

Pet Supplies 4 Less
PetSupplies4Less is your source to find pet supplies and medications at low prices. Meet all of your dog and cat supplies needs at the official PetSupplies4Less store.
Provides Information — Source

Pet Warehouse
large selection of pet supplies for dogs, cats, parrots, fish and other animals with quick shipping anywhere.
Provides Products — Source

Pet's Alley Supplies
Dog and cat beds are our specialty.
Provides Products — Source

PetClick.Com
online source for natural dog and cat food, bowls, toys, and more.
Provides Products — Source

PETGUYS.com
supplies for dogs, cats, fish, and reptiles, including chews, scratchers, stain cleaners, fish feeders, collars, and more.
Provides Products — Source

PETsMART.com
Everything your pet needs. from food to flea control Products. They'll love you unconditionally.
Provides Products — Source

PetSage
specializing in pet health care needs and natural products.
Provides Products — Source

PetStation
all about pets, dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, amphibians.
Provides Information — Source

Revival Animal Health
specializes in cat, dog, horse, and small animal supplies. Including supplements, books, food, and much more.
Provides Products — Source

Scarfell Enterprises Hong Kong Limited
manufactures toys for dogs and cats.
Provides Products — Source

Sylvan & Sons
distinctive collars, leashes, harnesses, and bows for dogs and cats.
Provides Products — Source

Three Dogs & a Cat
decorate your holiday mantle with pet stockings.
Provides Products — Source

Tomlinson's
supply store for dogs, cats, fish, birds, reptiles, and more.
Provides Products — Source

Vine Herbal Products
offering herbal Products for horses and dogs.
Provides Products — Source

What Spoiled Dogs Want — Dog Care for your Pampered Pet
This is the site your dog wants you to visit. Encourages "spoiling" your dog in the most positive and healthy ways. Extensive information about all aspects of dog care including product recommendations and fun.
Provides Information — Source

Animals — Resources — Numbers

1-800-PetMeds
Americas Largest Pet Pharmacy
Provides Products — Source

Animals — Resources — A

Advanced Monitors Corporation
developers of an instant ear thermometer designed exclusively for animal temperature taking.
Provides Products — Source

All for Animals
is a pro-animal organization based in Santa Barbara, California. It seeks to educate consumers about cruelty-free living.
Provides Information — Source

Allied Precision Industries, Inc
manufactures specialty heating products for animals including stock tank and pond de-icers, heated pet bowls and beds, and more.
Provides Products — Source

Alternate Solutions
sells horse supplements and health care products.
Provides Products — Source

Andis Uncut
clippers, trimmers, and hair dryers for personal hair care and animal grooming.
Provides Products — Source

Animal Care Equipment & Services, Inc. (ACES)
provides animal supplies to wildlife professionals, veterinarians, boarding kennel owners, animal rescue workers, and animal control workers.
Provides Products — Source

Animals & Bug Magnets
Web's Refrigerator Magnet Store: novetly magnets, custom magnets, Pets, TV Shows, Comics, Dress Up, Movies, Food and Flowers.
Provides Products — Source

Animals Animals/Earth Scenes
A Full Service Stock Photography Agency.
Provides Information — Source

Animals for Awareness
Table of Contents About Us Search Our Site Guestbook Care Sheets Rescues Scrapbook Humane Education Adopt Me how to Help Feedback Links Animals for Awareness.
Provides Information — Source

Animats — animation tools
Animation, artificial intelligence, and dynamics meet.
Provides Information — Source

Art Itself
handpainted stoneware ceramic pet dishes, treat jars, coffee mugs, and platters.
Provides Products — Source

Animals — Resources — B

Batzibelt
an automobile pet restraint.
Provides Products — Source

BC SPCA
British Columbia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Provides Information — Source

Brandes Brothers Constructors, Inc
manufacturing the Primadome, a patented, geodesic dome designed to house primates.
Provides Products — Source

Bunny Bytes
offers products for house rabbits.
Provides Products — Source

Animals — Resources — C

Canvasback Pet Supplies
offers training equipment for hunting dogs as well as general pet supplies such as grooming tools, collars, sleds, odour control, treats, and more.
Provides Products — Source

Cardinal Laboratories
making pet products since 1948.
Provides Products — Source

Central Garden & Pet
manufacturers and distributors of proprietary branded products.
Provides Products — Source

Corton Animal Accommodations
manufacturerer of horse stables, dog kennels, cat pens and housing for various other animals.
Provides Products — Source

Animals — Resources — D

Delta Society
Health Benefits of Animals, Therapy Animals, and Service.
Provides Information — Source

Desert Animals & Wildlife Index — DesertUSA
Lots of links to DesertUSA's many informative pages about desert animals and wildlife, includes color photos, scientific names and articles.
Provides Information — Source

DLTK's Animal Crafts for Kids
Free printable templates for children's animal crafts suitable for preschool, kindergarten and gradeschool kids.
Provides Information — Source

Drs. Foster and Smith
catalog with large assortment of pet supplies.
Provides Products — Source

Animals — Resources — E

Electronic Pest Control
We provide Electronic Pest Control Products Which utilize Electromagnetic, Ionic and Ultrasonic Pest Control Technology and Integrated Pest Management solutions for Household Pest Control designed to drive pests out.
Provides Products — Source

Endangered Animals
A unique educational experience for students from KG — 12.
Provides Information — Source

Animals — Resources — F

Ferret Store
variety of supplies for the domesticated ferret.
Provides Products — Source

For other Living Things
offers toys, supplies, and gift items that are critter-friendly, people-friendly, and earth-friendly for rabbits, dogs, cats, birds, and small animals.
Provides Products — Source

Four Flags Over Aspen, Inc
design high quaility, innovative pet care products to simplify the pet professionals practice.
Provides Products — Source

Animals — Resources — G

Glo-Marr-Kenic
manufacturer/distributor of pet supplies, equine products, marine products, and private label services.
Provides Products — Source

Good Dog
offers independent consumer information for dog owners as well as articles about health, nutrition, and behavior.
Provides Products — Source

Growth and Structure of Meat Animals
Please send comments to H.J. Swatland at the Department of Animal and Poultry Science at the University of Guelph in Canada.
Provides Information — Source

Guidelines for Ethical Conduct in the Care and Use of Animals
developed by the American Psychological Association's Committee on Animal Research and Ethics.
Provides Information — Source

Animals — Resources — H

Happy Jack, Inc
offer health care products for dogs, cats, and horses.
Provides Products — Source

Hartz Group
provides a pet owners community with resources, articles, message boards, expert advice and tips, as well as a product showroom and more.
Provides Products — Source

Holistic Dog
For your dog's mind body & soul.
Provides Products — Source

Horse Care, Horse Grooming Supplies, Horse Supplements, Horse Watches & Gifts: HorseStaples.Com
Online shopping for equine grooming, wound care, fly control, supplements and gift items at low prices.
Provides Products — Source

Hot Diggity Dog
custom made fabric gift items, including pillows, quilts, quillos, fabric, baskets, and much more. for dogs, cats, llamas, wolves and other animals.
Provides Products — Source

Hugs for Homeless Animals
is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to homeless and displaced animals worldwide.
Provides Information — Source

Animals — Resources — I

Ideal Pet Products
makers of pet doors. Also provides covered litter box , toys and more.
Provides Products — Source

Introduction to the Metazoa
A collage of animals.
Provides Information — Source

Animals — Resources — J

J Worlds
custom built mini-habitats, designed to simulate a tropical rain forest, or dry climate environment.
Provides Products — Source

Animals — Resources — K

KV Vet Supply
distributors of animal health care products, tack, and equipment for the pet, equine, and livestock industries.
Provides Products — Source

Animals — Resources — L

Lambriar Animal Health Care
offering health care products for domestic and farm animals.
Provides Products — Source

LCA — Last Chance for Animals
Last chance for Animals is a national, non-profit organization dedicated to eliminating animal exploitation through education, investigations, legislation, and media attention.
Provides Information — Source

Animals — Resources — N

Northwest Seed and Pet
full service gardening and pet store.
Provides Products — Source

Animals — Resources — O

One Stop Equine Shop your Online Horse Source
The One Stop Equine Shop is your online horse source for all your barn, riding, and show equipment needs. we are now featuring the latest in women's fashion. Yet, above all our mission is to bring you great tack and fashion at affordable prices with great customer service.
Provides Products — Source

Ontario SPCA — Home
The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Ontario SPCA) is a nonprofit charitable organization committed to putting an end to animal suffering.
Provides Information — Source

Over the Top Textiles
mail order products protecting automobiles and homes from pet hair and muddy paws!
Provides Products — Source

Animals — Resources — P

Paulmac's Pet Food
retailers of pet food and accessories.
Provides Products — Source

People Eating Tasty Animals
is in no way connected with, or endorsed by, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
Provides Information — Source

Pet Goods
manufactures and imports pet goods including beds, freeze dried treats, and stainless steel products.
Provides Products — Source

PETA
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.
Provides Products — Source

PETdiscounters.com
selection of pet supplies for domestic pets.
Provides Products — Source

Petfinder Home Page
Adoptable pets from animal welfare organizations across the country.
Provides Information — Source

PetFoodDirect.com
offers premium pet foods and supplies.
Provides Products — Source

PETGUYS.com
supplies for dogs, cats, fish, and reptiles, including chews, scratchers, stain cleaners, fish feeders, collars, and more.
Provides Products — Source

PETsMART.com
Everything your pet needs. from food to flea control products. They'll love you unconditionally.
Provides Products — Source

PetSage
specializing in pet health care needs and natural products.
Provides Products — Source

PetStation
all about pets, dogs, cats, birds, reptiles, amphibians.
Provides Information — Source

Pleistocene Animals
The Midwest at 16,000 Years Ago the Pleistocene Epoch lasted from about 1.65 million until 10,000 years ago. During that time numerous types of animals inhabited the area that is now the midwestern.
Provides Information — Source

PSYETA
promotes research into the nature of the relationship between human and non-human animals.
Provides Products — Source

Animals — Resources — Q

QC Plus Pet Products
offering food, collars and leads, toys, and more.
Provides Products — Source

Quality Cage Company
makes bird, ferret, hamster, and other small animal cages and accessories.
Provides Products — Source

Animals — Resources — R

Respond Systems
manufactures the Respond 2400 low level laser and Bio Pulse pulsing magnetic field therapy systems for soft tissue injury and arthritic like conditions.
Provides Products — Source

Revival Animal Health
specializes in cat, dog, horse, and small animal supplies. Including supplements, books, food, and much more.
Provides Products — Source

RSPCA Australia Home Page
The official Web Site of the RSPCA in Australia, the peak animal welfare organisation in Australia.
Provides Information — Source

Animals — Resources — S

Senproco, Inc
pet care products for professional groomers or pet owners.
Provides Products — Source

Stuffed Animals
baby clothes, baby gifts, infant clothes, infant clothing, children's clothes, children's clothing, toddler clothes, toddler clothing, halloween costumes, christmas dresses, easter dresses.
Provides Products — Source

Animals — Resources — T

That Pet Place
offers pet supplies and a mail order catalog.
Provides Products — Source

The Animal Rights FAQ
The Animal Rights FAQ.
Provides Information — Source

The Robert Potter League for Animals
The Potter League for Animals is a private non-profit organization dedicated to making a difference in the lives of animals.
Provides Information — Source

theBigZoo.com
offers research, photos, and videos of many animals. Also includes educational books.
Provides Information — Source

Tomlinson's
supply store for dogs, cats, fish, birds, reptiles, and more.
Provides Products — Source

Animals — Resources — U

UPCO
offers animal products, supplies and supplements.
Provides Products — Source

Animals — Resources — V

Vendian Animals
What was life like 560 million years ago? the Vendian marks the first appearance of a group of large fossils collectively known as the "Vendian biota" or "Ediacara fauna."
Provides Information — Source

Veterinarian's Best, Inc
designs, manufactures, markets, and distributes all-natural, veterinarian-developed pet care products.
Provides Products — Source

Vine Herbal Products
offering herbal products for horses and dogs.
Provides Products — Source

Vivaria Projects
retailer of custom-made vivariums, poison arrow frogs (dendrobatids), mantella's, amphibians, bromeliads, and more.
Provides Products — Source

Animals — Resources — W

Wholistic Pet, The
provides holistic pet supplies. Products include food, bedding, and supplements.
Provides Products — Source

Animals — Shopping

Dog Collars
Hundreds of dog collars and designer dog collars for any size dog or pet. Choose from an absolutely huge selection at discount and wholesale prices. the best place to do for Dog collars.
Provides Products — Source

Equestrian Shop in UK — Equestrian Clothing in Sussex — Horse Riding Equipment
Horse riding equipment such as horse saddles, horse bandages, horse bridles, horse riding boots, horse riding shirts, body protectors, riding wear, riding equipment and other saddle accessories provided by Dragonflysaddlery. Also we have our equestrian shop in Australia, equestrian shop in America,equestrian shop in Europe.
Provides Products — Source

Old Dog Treats and Rawhide
Valuable resources and information for all dog owners, especially those with older dogs. we take pride in offering a website that is truly fun and beneficial for all dog owners and for dogs of all ages.
Provides Products — Source

Video DVD Live Action Production Equestrian Live Event Coverage
Dark Horse video/DVD/live action production company with many years' TV broadcast experience producing quality, affordable broadcast-standard programmes on DVD and VHS.
Provides Products — Source