ANIMALS

10 Times Animals Changed History

History is teeming with unlikely heroes—these ones just happen to have feathers and fur.

The Sad, Strange History of Turnspit Dogs

Turnspit dogs had a terrible job. And once their work was made obsolete, the breed went extinct.

These penguins are going to be living their best lives.

Older Penguins Moved to the New England Aquarium’s New ‘Retirement Island’

The New England Aquarium’s retirement area for penguins offers specialized healthcare and a peaceful habitat for elderly birds.

These majestic creatures keep the ocean under control in many ways.

Whale Pee Is Good for the Ocean, Study Finds

A new study reveals that baleen whales, including humpbacks and gray whales, enrich oceans when they take a whizz.

6 Essential Facts About Hantavirus

Here’s what you need to know to keep yourself safe from the rodent-borne viral disease.

Why Female Dogs Are Called “B*tches”—And How the Word Became an Insult to Women

How did the word for a female dog become a derogatory word for women? We explain.

Meet Whitetop, the Oldest Living Llama - Guinness World Records

27-Year-Old Therapy Llama Is Officially the Oldest of His Species

Whitetop the therapy llama just celebrated a record-breaking birthday.

Keep them cozy and happy with a clean bed.

How to Clean Your Dog’s Bed—And Keep It Clean

Keep your dog‘s bed fresh and safe with these cleaning steps and tips.

The gray wolf is an endangered species in most of the U.S.

The 10 Best States for Wildlife Protection

Where does your state rank when it comes to wildlife conservation?

ESA Doctors has an amazing opportunity waiting for you.

Dream Job Alert: Get Paid To Watch and Review Animal Movies

ESA Doctors is hiring a “Chief of Pet Flicks“ to watch animal movies and write about their impact on mental health.

An adorable black-capped chickadee posing in a white spruce.

10 Charming Facts About Chickadees

These active backyard birds are more than just cute—they’re hardy survivors that have conquered the continent and are teaching scientists new things about avian evolution.

'Psylla frodobagginsi' (left) and Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring' (2001).

10 Cool Animals Named After Lord of the Rings Characters

These creatures don't live in Middle-earth—but they sound like they could.

When the Smithsonian’s National Zoo Gave Its Animals Musical Instruments

If you’ve ever dreamed of seeing an otter play a keyboard, today’s your lucky day.

Do Dogs Enjoy Music?

Some scientific evidence has shown that dogs exhibit calmer behavior while listening to soothing music.

Tibetan Mastiffs are majestic and expensive.

The 10 Most Expensive Dog Breeds to Own

The upfront costs aren’t the only factors to consider when purchasing a pet.

Why Do We Call Someone a “One-Trick Pony”?

Maligning ponies has become a go-to way to dismiss someone. How did that happen?

A map of the 63 National Parks in the U.S.

1 Fact About All 63 U.S. National Parks

From Acadia to Zion, the U.S. has some pretty majestic national parks. Here’s one fun fact about every single one—plus a map so you can see where they all are.

Customers will have to hold off on bulk-buying eggs for a while.

These 6 Grocery Chains Are Placing Limits on Egg Purchases

Avian influenza is causing top grocery chains to put restrictions on egg purchases.

The Chimborazo hillstar is native to the Andes of Ecuador and southern Colombia.

Hummingbirds Found Nesting Together in Groups in Surprising First

An ornithologist discovered a hummingbird “hive” in Ecuador‘s High Andes—a major departure for the solitary animals.

Being in a carrier is not usually a cat’s favorite activity.

How to Load Your Cat Into a Carrier

It doesn’t have to be a traumatic experience.

5 Misconceptions About Antarctica

Misconception No. 4 : It snows a lot.

Many alligators were found in Alachua County‘s sewage system.

At Least One Florida Sewage System Is Swimming With Alligators, Study Shows

Alligators living in the sewers isn’t just an urban legend.

Snow can be fun for pups ... until it's not.

5 Tips for Safely Walking Your Dog in Winter

These cold weather walking tips for dogs can help you keep your pet safe, plus how to tell when it's too cold to walk your dog outside.

Ancestral Puebloan ruins in Chaco Canyon National Historical Park.

How Pack Rats Solved a Chaco Canyon Mystery

Chaco Canyon was once the vibrant religious center of a Native American culture whose collapse long remained a mystery—until pack rat middens revealed an important clue.

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