ANIMALS

Cane toads: Australia's invasive amphibians.

10 Big Facts About Cane Toads

What is likely the world's largest cane toad—dubbed Toadzilla—weighed just shy of six pounds when it was found in Australia.

9 Facts About Bull Terriers

It’s impossible not to have fun when you’re hanging out with this goofy breed.

A red fox in Algonquin Provincial Park, Canada.

25 Fascinating Facts About Foxes

Despite being all around us, foxes are a bit of a mystery. Here's more about this elusive animal.

6 Surprising Facts About Quokkas

You’ve seen photos of quokkas. But what are they? How do you pronounce their name? And are they really that happy-go-lucky?

What’s the Difference Between a Possum and an Opossum?

‘Possum’ and ‘opossum’ are sometimes synonyms—but sometimes they refer to different animals. (Also, there’s a chance you've been pronouncing ‘opossum’ wrong all along.)

'Nature's Pitfall' by Samantha Stephens.

See 11 Stunning Images From the 4th Annual Close-Up Photographer of the Year Competition

Slime mold definitely had a moment—but it’s hard to beat two dead salamanders floating in a carnivorous plant.

A lot of the world’s largest dogs were Great Danes.

6 of History’s Biggest Dogs

Some of the world’s largest dogs have tipped the scales in excess of 300 pounds and stood taller than some NBA players.

Beekeepers may have one less thing to worry about.

Science Buzz: A New Honeybee Vaccine Could Help Save Colonies

This vaccine could help honeybees combat American foulbrood, a disease that can wipe out entire colonies.

10 Scientific Benefits of Being a Cat Owner

Studies have shown that just watching cat videos on the internet can boost a person’s energy and create positive emotions—so it’s no surprise that actual cat ownership has a number of benefits. Here are a few.

10 Facts About Saint Bernards

When you think of Saint Bernards, you probably think of the massive canines of the Swiss Alps, depicted in paintings delivering brandy to lost or stranded hikers.

Bubble curtains have the power to decrease underwater noise.

Human Noise Harms the Ocean’s Biggest Creatures. Tiny Bubbles Could Help Protect Them.

While individual bubbles are fragile things, walls of them can muffle a major source of loud ocean noise.

Celebrate the end of 2022 with these acclaimed book titles.

Mental Floss’s 16 Best Books of 2022

From 'The Candy House' by Jennifer Egan to 'Tracy Flick Can’t Win' by Tom Perrotta, discover the best books of 2022 according to Mental Floss.

An elephant at the Berlin Zoo enjoying an old Christmas tree.

7 Animals That Would Love Your Used Christmas Tree

With Christmas now behind us, you might be thinking about taking down your tree soon. If you have a real tree, don’t be so quick to throw it out—many animals enjoy eating or playing with pine trees.

11 Facts About Huskies

Siberian huskies are known for their wolfish good looks, but deep down, they’re all dog.

A tree frog spits out a male wasp after being pseudo-stung.

Male Wasps Can Use Genital Spikes to Ward Off Frogs

Frogs trying to eat helpless male wasps are in for a nasty surprise.

Steven Spielberg Is Sorry That ‘Jaws’ Caused a Shark Panic

Steven Spielberg apologized for sparking an anti-shark feeding frenzy in the ’70s.

Hermey the Elf and Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer from the Rankin/Bass television special.

Why Is Rudolph the Red-Nosed ‘Reindeer’ Actually a White-Tailed Deer?

Since the character's inception, Rudolph has more closely resembled a white-tailed deer than the reindeer that live near the North Pole.

Reindeer Vs. Caribou: What's the Difference?

The distinction between these animals is part cultural and part scientific. And lately, scientists have been reconsidering their relationship.

10 Facts About Scottish Fold Cats

Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, bagpipes, and some of the world’s finest whiskies all hail from Scotland—but the country’s most lovable export might be the Scottish Fold Cat. (Sorry, Scottish Terriers.)