ANIMALS

Tiny but mighty golden poison dart frog.

5 Small Creatures Capable of Causing Massive Amounts of Pain

What these creatures lack in size they make up for in ability to kill—or at least make you wish you were dead.

A female elephant goes with the flow in South Africa's Addo Elephant National Park.

Do Larger Animals Take Longer to Pee?

Voyeuristic scientists discovered a “golden” rule when it comes to how—and for how long—animals urinate.

Golden retrievers are one of the most beloved dog breeds.

10 Facts About the Golden Retriever

The well-mannered, fun-loving dogs are a hit with children and adults alike.

10 Amazing Places to See Fireflies

Seeing a bunch of lightning bugs illuminate a dark sky is a spellbinding experience.

Dolphin urine is a sign of true friendship.

Dolphins Taste Each Other's Pee to Identify Friends

Dolphins don't just use vocalization to find pals: They also take urine samples.

A window strike can really ruin a bird's day—or even end their life.

8 Ways to Prevent Birds From Crashing Into Your Windows

Nothing ruins the joy of watching backyard wildlife like the sudden thunk of a bird smashing into your window.

Heading on Vacation? Let Iceland’s Horses Write Your Out-of-Office Message For You

Icelandic horses have a reputation for being extra intelligent and independent—qualities that make for great office assistants.

12 Facts About Maine Coons

The "gentle giant" of cats is a quirky—but lovable—feline with a lot of interesting tales to tell.

11 Facts About Beagles

These lovable hounds are happy, playful companions. Find out more about why they make perfect pets.

11 Facts About Guinea Pigs

Thanks to their small size and friendly nature, guinea pigs are pretty popular pets.

Despite their tiny brains, honeybees might be stealth math prodigies.

Getting a Bee in Math: Honey Bees Can Distinguish Between Odd and Even Numbers

It's entirely possible the bee buzzing around in your yard is slightly better at math than you are.

7 Facts About Ragdoll Cats

The Ragdoll cat can be described in three words: big, beautiful, and friendly.

Name your horse Odor in the Court and you'll probably stand out.

'Hoof Hearted': The Reason Racehorses Have Such Weird Names

Racehorse names may honor a pedigree, a First Lady, or make a fart joke.

Mike had a bit more head than these sorry creatures.

Mike the Headless Chicken: How a Botched Beheading Birthed a Sideshow Celebrity

Mike was supposed to be dinner. Instead, he became a national treasure.

Some dogs may not live up to their breed's reputation.

A Dog's Breed Alone Is Not Indicative of Personality and Behavior, a New Study Suggests

Turns out your golden retriever might not be all that into retrieving.

Jockey Karis Teetan and Romantic Warrior about to win a race at the Queen Elizabeth II Cup in Hong Kong in April 2022.

12 Everyday Phrases You Didn’t Know Came From Horse Racing

The wire in ‘down to the wire’ was originally found on a horse racetrack—and ‘home stretch’ didn’t come from baseball.

Animal Rescues Are Reducing Adoption Fees to $25 or Less As Part of the Empty the Shelters Campaign

For the first two weeks in May, hundreds of animal shelters are dropping adoption fees to $25 or less.

"La Queue à la Boucherie en 1871" by Clément-Auguste Andrieux

'I'll Have the Kangaroo Stew': When Paris Was Forced to Eat Its Zoos

For Christmas dinner in 1870, Paris restaurant Voisin publicized a menu that featured kangaroo stew, elephant stock, stuffed donkey head, and bear chops.

9 Short Facts About Dachshunds

Here’s the lowdown on everyone’s favorite vertically challenged dog.

Meet the Rusty Spotted Cat—the World’s Smallest Feline

Weighing just two to four pounds, the rusty spotted cat is the smallest wild cat on Earth.

There's more to these cats than just fluff.

10 Fancy Facts About Persian Cats

The longhaired feline has a storied past—and a frenzied following.

TobyKeith, a 21-Year-Old Chihuahua, Is Officially the World’s Oldest Dog

At 21 years old, TobyKeith the chihuahua is officially the oldest living dog on Earth.

10 Colorful Facts About Mantis Shrimp

Mantis shrimp have four times as many color-sensing photoreceptors as humans.

Why Beavers, Muskrats, and Capybaras Aren't Considered Meat During Lent

Beavers, muskrats, and capybaras are acceptable to eat on Fridays during Lent, according to the Catholic Church.

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