Animals

Animals

Magic helped this researcher trick birds for research 

At the National University of Singapore, Elias Garcia-Pelegrin looks at how magic can help us understand animal intelligence.

Animals

Weird? These bat toes can glow greenish-blue

Hairy bristles on the toes of Mexican free-tailed bats fluoresce under UV light. The reason is a mystery.

Oceans

Underwater mountains in the Pacific Ocean may be home to 20 new species

A recent expedition to undersea mountain ranges off the coast of Chile revealed a new seamount and a rich world of deep-sea biodiversity.

Animals

In 2024, bird flu posed big risks ­— and to far more than birds

Cows, elephant seals and polar bears are among unexpected bird flu casualties. Learn about potential risks to them, to people and to our food supplies.

Animals

Can furry pets get H5N1 bird flu and spread it to us?

The 2024 pandemic-style bird flu circulating in birds has shown up in cats and other pet species.

Animals

A springtail’s spring-loaded backflip is fast — really fast

Globular springtails can seem to vanish as they spin backwards at rates of up to 368 rotations per second! So don’t blink.

Animals

Chimps and bonobos recognize familiar faces even after decades apart

Chimpanzees and bonobos may boast the longest social memory of any animal besides humans.

Animals

This biologist tracks seadragons, with help from the public

Nerida Wilson uses artificial intelligence to identify seadragons in photos taken by citizen scientists.

Animals

Parrots may offer clues to how our intelligence evolved

Studies of the brainy birds’ abilities to use tools, solve puzzles, speak words and more may teach us about how our species got our smarts.

Animals

Let’s learn about orangutans

These shaggy, red-haired apes are more solitary than other primates, but moms and babies share a strong bond.

Animals

The last woolly mammoths offer new clues to why this species died out

The last woolly mammoth herd experienced a drop in genetic variation. But this is likely not what doomed these majestic beasts to extinction, new data suggest.

Animals

Metal gives the teeth of Komodo dragons their super strength

Investigating Komodo dragons' ironclad teeth in greater detail could also help solve a dental mystery in dinosaurs.