ANIMAL DEFENSES

A trap-jaw ant queen, prepared to smell like dessert if she's murdered.

Surprise! Some Ants Smell Like Chocolate

Trap-jaw ants have more tricks up their figurative sleeves than just trap jaws. And odorous house ants aren’t called that for nothing.

Common Misconceptions About Cats, From Why They Meow to Whether They Hate You

Why do cats *really* purr? What’s the truth about black cat adoption rates? Find out the answers to those and other cat-related queries.

11 Fascinating Facts About Chipmunks

What do chipmunks eat? Baby birds, occasionally. Do chipmunks hibernate? Yes, but not like bears do.

Dogs aren't really into the whole social media thing.

People on TikTok Are Barking at Their Dogs—And Animal Behaviorists Are Begging Them to Stop

The 'Bark at Your Dog Challenge' may be garnering millions of views, but animal experts say that chuffing at your pet is also an excellent way to get bitten.

A bark scorpion giving 'em the old razzle dazzle.

Why Do Scorpions Glow Under UV Light? One Scientist Has Some Theories

Glow-in-the-dark scorpions are a dime a dozen. But what purpose does the trait really serve, if any?

Octopuses Will Throw Things to Scare Off Unwelcome Guests

If you're an uninvited guest to an octopus hangout, you need to be prepared for a seashell coming at your dome.

Study Finds Spiders Are Victorious in Battles Against Snakes

A recent study looked at hundreds of records of spiders killing and eating snakes—even snakes many times their size.