Animals

Animals

This tree is the number one choice for forest mammals going number two

The strangler fig provides food and shelter for animals in the tropics. For at least 17 mammal species, it also serves as a toilet.

Animals

The dawn of animal evolution saw a bizarre array of sea creatures

Newfound fossils turned up a strange zoo of often-complex creatures, including some suggesting that evolution of left-right symmetry occurred earlier than once though.

Animals

Meet Bruce, the disabled kea parrot who is the boss of his flock

With half a beak, Bruce has developed a unique fighting style that has won him top status in his flock, videos and documented interactions reveal.

Animals

Like living mood rings, these bees change color when it turns humid

Humidity makes North American sweat bees change color. This trait could be widespread among shiny insects, some biologists now suspect.

Oceans

Explainer: What are corals?

Though they can look like rocks or plants, corals are animals. Most are made up of colonies of individuals called polyps.

Animals

Watch the first sperm whale birth caught on video by scientists

The footage shows other sperm whales huddled around the mother, helping lift the newborn calf to the surface until it’s ready to swim.

Animals

Physics explains how snakes climb and stand without limbs

Tree snakes can raise their body into the air without falling over. They keep their balance by bending their bodies close to their base.

Animals

Emperor penguins are on the march — toward extinction

Along with Antarctic fur seals, these iconic birds, the largest of all penguins, are now endangered by their continent’s warming.

Animals

Animals can feel joy. Here’s how scientists might study it

Research has long focused on understanding negative emotions like fear in animals. Now they’re trying to measure positive feelings like joy. It’s a challenge.

Animals

Analyze This: How many insects are in the air?

Weather data have helped estimate the density of flying insects in U.S. skies. That could help track climate change’s impact on insects.

Animals

This tool-using cow stunned scientists with her smarts

Veronika the cow scratches hard-to-reach body parts using a brush. This feat is forcing scientists to rethink which animals can use tools.

Animals

Flat-faced dogs often struggle to breathe easy

Pugs and bulldogs aren’t the only dogs with breathing problems. Pekingese, Japanese chins and other squish-faced breeds have this issue, too.