ANIMALS

A fox near the Chernobyl power plant in 2017.

Chernobyl May Not Be Habitable for Humans for Another 24,000 Years, But Wildlife Is Thriving

Rare animal species in Chernobyl, from lynxes to wild horses, seem to be weathering all that radiation relatively well.

Louder Than Traffic: Listen to the Deafening Sounds of a Cicada Chorus

When the Brood X cicadas emerge in late spring 2021, their mating calls will rival the volume of lawn mowers, car stereos, and low-flying planes.

That little pouch in the dog's lower left ear is called a Henry's pocket.

Why Do Some Dogs Have a Pocket in Their Ears?

It's called a cutaneous marginal pouch, and while science is a little uncertain of its true purpose, it can double as a B&B for ticks.

A Rare Calico Lobster Found Its Way to a Virginia Red Lobster

The spotted lobster was dubbed 'Freckles' and was spared a typical lobster's fate, winding up on display rather than on a plate.

John Robert McPherson, Wikimedia Commons // CC BY-SA 4.0

World's Heaviest Moth Makes Rare Appearance at Australian School

The giant wood moth dies a few days after reaching adulthood, and females are so heavy they have trouble flying.

Rhinos need to be relocated in order to survive.

Transporting Rhinos Upside-Down Is 'Vital' to Their Conservation

Seeing a rhino hanging upside-down from a helicopter might make you uncomfortable, but it's indisputably a good thing for the rhino.

Dormie was an Airedale Terrier who ran afoul of the law.

Paw and Order: Dormie, the Dog Who Went on Trial for Cat Murder

In 1921, an Airedale Terrier named Dormie captured national attention by becoming the first dog to be put on trial for (cat) murder. And yes, he had a lawyer.

You smiled when you looked at this puppy, didn't you?

You Could Get Paid to Look at Pictures of Puppies

Do cute puppy pictures have therapeutic effects? One dog food company has devised an experiment to find out.

Does Your Cat’s Butthole Touch Everything It Sits On? One Middle-Schooler Devised an Experiment to Find Out

The science experiment was made possible by red lipstick, white paper, and a high tolerance for looking at cat buttholes.

Does Bone China Contain Any Actual Bone? The Answer Might Unnerve You

If your bone china dinnerware is what it claims to be, it probably contains more than a little powdered cow.

Can You Spot the Dog That Stole the Sausage in This Brainteaser?

If you were a dog that came across an unattended string of sausages, you’d probably swipe them, too.

The Reason Why Dogs Go Wild After a Bath

Dogs tend to sprint like Olympians after escaping from the tub. What prompts this kind of canine behavior?

Get ready for the Kentucky Derby with these facts about Thoroughbred horses.

7 Fast Facts About Thoroughbred Horses

If you've ever watched the Kentucky Derby, you've seen a field full of Thoroughbred horses in action.

Dogs can benefit from your busted-up socks.

Got Some Old Socks? A Colorado Company Wants to Turn Them Into Cozy Dog Beds

Colorado-based Smartwool is trying to cut down on textile waste by accepting busted socks and recycling them into dog beds.

Sir David Attenborough pictured in the Maasai Mara, Kenya, in David Attenborough: A Life on Our Planet (2020).

The 15 Best Nature Documentaries, According to Fans and Critics

Netflix's 'Seaspiracy' and the BBC's 'Blue Planet II' make the list of the top-rated nature documentaries.

Octopuses never have to say a farewell to arms for long.

On a Limb: How an Octopus Regrows Its Arms

The cephalopod is strikingly intelligent, but its most spectacular talent may be its ability to fully regrow arms lost to predators.

Fancy Feast Just Released a Cat Food-Inspired Cookbook for Humans

Because Fancy Feast’s “Seared Salmon Entrée with Spinach” is for cats—but you deserve to have some, too.

Why Cats Like to Chew on Plastic—and How to Stop Them

Cats can often be found munching on plastic items, especially bags. Here's why they do it, and why they shouldn't.

Beak Havoc: Ravens Keep Stealing Quality Meats From Costco Shoppers in Anchorage, Alaska

Quoth the Raven: “I am going to steal those short ribs straight from your cart and there’s nothing you can do about it. Caw!”

The Reason Why Dogs Like to Lick Glass

Dogs are fond of taste-testing windows in both cars and homes. Here's what they're really trying to do.

Double Bray: When the New York Mets Replaced Mr. Met With a Live Mule

The mule’s name, Mettle, represented spirit, ardor, and stamina. “The way they play, they need all those things,” one Mets fan said.

Brown Eggs vs. White Eggs: What’s the Difference?

The color of an egg's shell says nothing about its quality. The only difference between brown eggs and white eggs lies in the breed of the chicken that laid them.

Idris Elba and Caleb McLaughlin star in Concrete Cowboy (2021).

Concrete Cowboy: Philadelphia's Storied, 100-Year History of Black Cowboy Culture

One of Philadelphia’s best-kept secrets is its thriving community of Black cowboys, who have called the city home for more than a century.

Why Do Dogs Yawn?

A big yawn doesn't necessarily mean your pup is ready for a nap. If your dog yawns excessively, they could be signaling stress.

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