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10 Things You May Not Know About Skunks

Skunks get a bad rap, but there’s amazing chemistry and behavior behind these adorable animals.

Why Rabbits Are Growing Scary ‘Tentacle’ Warts on Their Heads in Colorado

Instead of Squishing Stink Bugs, Make This Easy DIY Trap

5 Awesome Facts About the Atlas Moth

Calling All Golden Retriever Owners: Your Dog Could Be the Next Air Bud

The search is on for the next Buddy. Submit your golden retriever’s video and join the legacy of the beloved Air Bud franchise.
CaLea Johnson|

Newly Identified Manta Ray Species Can Grow as Big as a Van

The newly identified Atlantic manta ray is officially a distinct species.
CaLea Johnson|

7 Disgusting Things Butterflies Eat

Blood, sweat, and tears (and a few other choice substances): It’s all on the menu.
Kate Horowitz|

Pets

The 20 Most Commonly Confused Word Pairs in America, According to Google Data

If you’ve ever Googled any of these words to figure out the difference between them, you are far from alone.
Paul Anthony Jones|

What’s an ‘Egress’ Window—And Why Is It Important?

Brushing up on some boring window terminology could mean the difference between life and death. (Seriously.)
Jake Rossen|

Definition Detective Quiz #50: Guess the Meanings of These Obscure Words

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?
Ellen Gutoskey|

Map Shows the Hardest to Pronounce Town Name in Every U.S. State

You’re probably botching a few of these—read on to find out how to say them correctly.
Paul Anthony Jones|

The Right Way to Pronounce ‘Gyro’

If you ask for a “jye-roh” in Greece, prepare to get some funny looks.
Marla Mackoul|

Definition Detective Quiz #49

We give you an obscure word with four definitions—one correct, three made up. Can you identify the correct one?
Ellen Gutoskey|

Why Are Police Officers Called “Cops”?

Cutting down on syllables is just one reason ‘cop’ became synonymous with ‘police officer.’
Jake Rossen|

You’re Probably Mispronouncing ‘Biopic’—Here’s Why

Here’s where the word ‘biopic’ came from, how to say it right, and why so many people say it wrong.
Ellen Gutoskey|

Birds

Which Invasive Species Are Near You? Find Out With This Interactive Map

EDDMapS’s database has more than 9 million records of invasive species. See which ones hit close to home.
Ellen Gutoskey|

Penguin Poop: The Latest Tool to Fight Climate Change

Ammonia from the birds’ guano can mix with other gases and form clouds, potentially cooling Earth’s surface and preserving Antarctic ice, a new study suggests.
Nick Keppler|

How Grand Teton National Park Is Using Papier-Mâché Birds to Protect the Greater Sage-Grouse

Greater sage-grouse are at risk near Jackson Hole Airport—but handmade decoys are guiding them to safer ground.
CaLea Johnson|

Cats

Why Is My Cat’s Tail All Puffed Up?

An extra-fluffy tail doesn’t just look cute—it’s your cat’s way of communicating how they feel.

How Do Cats Cool Themselves Off?

Remains of What Could Be America’s First Domestic Cats Came From a 16th-Century Shipwreck

The 10 Most Pet-Friendly Cities Around the World

Dogs

8 of the Most Expensive Dog Breeds in the World

You might be surprised to see which canines make the cut when it comes to the world’s most expensive dog breeds.
Jennifer Fabiano|

5 Ways to Keep Your Dog Calm This Fourth of July, According to Experts

Fourth of July fireworks and parties can be distressing for dogs—and their pet parents. Here are tips that can help.
Nicolas Rivero|

10 Expert Tips for Calming an Anxious Dog

We spoke to several veterinary behavior experts to learn how to keep anxious dogs calm, no matter the scenario.
Kate Schweitzer|

Why You Should Never Leave Your Dog in a Hot Car—Even For Just a Few Minutes

Sad but true: Your pet can die in a shockingly short amount of time.
Jake Rossen|

Fish

Hammer Time: Scientists Have Figured Out Why Hammerheads Love Eating Other Sharks

A hammerhead spends a lot of time and energy trying to binge-eat other big sharks. Here's why it pays off.
Jake Rossen|

Sardines vs. Anchovies: What‘s the Difference?

Anchovies or sardines? We break down how these small fish differ in looks, taste, and popular preparation methods.
CaLea Johnson|

Why Do Great White Sharks Have White Bellies?

Let’s dive into the evolutionary science behind the great white’s namesake feature.
CaLea Johnson|

10 Questionable Creature Features Spawned By ‘Jaws’

‘Claws’ didn’t draw the same crowds as ‘Jaws’ when it premiered two years later.
Jessica Young|

Insects

13 Things Made Collectible Thanks to Spelling Errors

From the Vatican’s “Lesus” medal to Beanie Babies to the Civil War coins that declare “shoot him on the spoot.”
Arika Okrent|

11 Rules (And Their Exceptions) to Help Conquer Your Spelling Woes

English spelling can be frustrating and confusing, but there are things you can do to help make the task of getting it right more manageable.
Editorial Staff|

11 Historical Figures Who Were Really Bad At Spelling

Would you recoil in terror if spell-check ever stopped working? Fear not: You're in good company.
Mark Mancini|

Reptiles

14 Alcoholic Drink Names You’re Probably Mispronouncing

Here’s how to say everything from liquors like cachaça to brands like Moët.

The Right Way to Pronounce ‘Uranus,’ According to Experts

The 10 Word Pronunciations People Are Searching for Most

10 Common Words We Don't Pronounce Like We Used To

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