— Which animals have the strongest bite force? — What is the fastest animal on Earth? We live on a planet with millions of species of animals -and a rich, diverse collection of known wildlife, and yet new species are being identified seemingly every day — both living and extinct. Whether it’s the deadliest snakes , longest-living creatures or the history of the dinosaurs , at Live Science, our expert writers are here to help you understand Earth's incredible fauna — past and present — with the latest animal news, features and articles. Interview Live Science spoke with animal researcher Andreas Nieder about how animals process mathematical concepts like statistical reasoning and the idea of zero. Wildlife inside Chernobyl exclusion zone acted differently during Russia's invasion, camera traps reveal 'Animals were imprisoned in jails where humans were incarcerated': The bizarre trials of the Late Middle Ages — and surprising lack of criminal cats 3 Comments 'We were being bullied in our own home': How 'authoritarian' HOAs are contributing to the insect apocalypse 3 Comments Latest about Animals Life's Little Mysteries Why do cats lick each other? By Clarissa Brincat Published 13 September 26 2 Comments Cats Extinct species 'Oddly shaped rock' unearthed in California turns out to be 'immaculate' mastodon molar By Sascha Pare Published 11 September 26 Extinct species Squids Watch the first-ever footage of a rare deep-sea squid in the northeastern Pacific By Patrick Pester Published 9 September 26 Squids Aquatic Animals Sunken WWII hospital ship colonized by devil firefish and rare monk seals By Robyn White Published 2 September 26 Aquatic Animals Sharks Ancient shark 'graveyard' uncovered in Egyptian desert By Pandora Dewan Published 27 August 26 Sharks Life's Little Mysteries Do other animals call each other by name? By Olivia Ferrari Published 23 August 26 Animals Life's Little Mysteries Why do cats lick each other? By Clarissa Brincat Published 13 September 26 2 Comments Cats Extinct species 'Oddly shaped rock' unearthed in California turns out to be 'immaculate' mastodon molar By Sascha Pare Published 11 September 26 Extinct species Squids Watch the first-ever footage of a rare deep-sea squid in the northeastern Pacific By Patrick Pester Published 9 September 26 Squids Aquatic Animals Sunken WWII hospital ship colonized by devil firefish and rare monk seals By Robyn White Published 2 September 26 Aquatic Animals Sharks Ancient shark 'graveyard' uncovered in Egyptian desert By Pandora Dewan Published 27 August 26 Sharks Life's Little Mysteries Do other animals call each other by name? By Olivia Ferrari Published 23 August 26 Animals Explore Animals Aquatic Animals Aquatic Animals Extinct species Extinct species Amphibians Newly discovered toads skip the tadpole stage and give birth to live 'toadlets' By Skyler Ware Published 11 November 25 2 Comments Amphibians Amphibians Can you actually get high from licking a toad? By Marilyn Perkins Published 18 October 25 Amphibians Amphibians How do frogs breathe and drink through their skin? By Sara Hashemi Published 2 August 25 Amphibians Amphibians Wandering salamander: The tree‑climbing amphibian with a blood‑powered grip By Jay Kakade Published 26 April 25 Amphibians Amphibians Fungus is wiping out frogs. These tiny saunas could save them. By Anthony Waddle Published 30 December 24 Amphibians Amphibians 'It's risky for male frogs out there': Female frog drags and attempts to eat screaming male By Jacklin Kwan Published 23 July 24 Amphibians Amphibians 'Lovely freak of nature': Mutant blue frog hops into wildlife sanctuary workshop By Sascha Pare Published 15 July 24 Amphibians Amphibians 'Kermit the Frog' creature that lived 270 million years ago looked like a 'stout salamander' with 'cartoonish' grin By Jennifer Nalewicki Published 22 March 24 Amphibians Amphibians Why is a mushroom growing on a frog? Scientists don't know, but it sure looks weird By Elise Poore Published 21 February 24 Amphibians Amphibians Newly discovered toads skip the tadpole stage and give birth to live 'toadlets' By Skyler Ware Published 11 November 25 2 Comments Amphibians Amphibians Can you actually get high from licking a toad? By Marilyn Perkins Published 18 October 25 Amphibians Amphibians How do frogs breathe and drink through their skin? By Sara Hashemi Published 2 August 25 Amphibians Amphibians Wandering salamander: The tree‑climbing amphibian with a blood‑powered grip By Jay Kakade Published 26 April 25 Amphibians Amphibians Fungus is wiping out frogs. These tiny saunas could save them. By Anthony Waddle Published 30 December 24 Amphibians Amphibians 'It's risky for male frogs out there': Female frog drags and attempts to eat screaming male By Jacklin Kwan Published 23 July 24 Amphibians Amphibians 'Lovely freak of nature': Mutant blue frog hops into wildlife sanctuary workshop By Sascha Pare Published 15 July 24 Amphibians Amphibians 'Kermit the Frog' creature that lived 270 million years ago looked like a 'stout salamander' with 'cartoonish' grin By Jennifer Nalewicki Published 22 March 24 Amphibians Amphibians Why is a mushroom growing on a frog? Scientists don't know, but it sure looks weird By Elise Poore Published 21 February 24 Amphibians Aquatic Animals Aquatic Animals Sunken WWII hospital ship colonized by devil firefish and rare monk seals By Robyn White Published 2 September 26 Aquatic Animals Aquatic Animals Scientists discover deadly, highly venomous box jellyfish near Singapore's 'Island of Death Behind' By Sascha Pare Published 19 May 26 Aquatic Animals Aquatic Animals Mystery of golden orb found in depths of ocean off Alaska finally solved: 'Everyone was like, What the heck? What is that?' By Chris Simms Published 27 April 26 13 Comments Aquatic Animals Aquatic Animals Watch robot crab 'Wavy Dave' get attacked in claw-waving contest with real crabs By Patrick Pester Published 5 August 25 2 Comments Aquatic Animals Aquatic Animals A mysterious barrier in the Atlantic divides weird deep-sea jellyfish cousins By Sascha Pare Published 29 July 25 Aquatic Animals Aquatic Animals Thousands of strange, blobby creatures are washing up on California beaches By Skyler Ware Published 4 April 25 Aquatic Animals Aquatic Animals 'We didn't expect to find such a beautiful, thriving ecosystem': Hidden world of life discovered beneath Antarctic iceberg By Ben Turner Published 1 April 25 Aquatic Animals Aquatic Animals Octopus spotted riding on top of world's fastest shark By Jess Thomson Published 20 March 25 2 Comments Aquatic Animals Aquatic Animals Animal kingdom's most powerful puncher generates a 'phononic shield' to protect itself By Elise Poore Published 5 March 25 Aquatic Animals Aquatic Animals Sunken WWII hospital ship colonized by devil firefish and rare monk seals By Robyn White Published 2 September 26 Aquatic Animals Aquatic Animals Scientists discover deadly, highly venomous box jellyfish near Singapore's 'Island of Death Behind' By Sascha Pare Published 19 May 26 Aquatic Animals Aquatic Animals Mystery of golden orb found in depths of ocean off Alaska finally solved: 'Everyone was like, What the heck? What is that?' By Chris Simms Published 27 April 26 13 Comments Aquatic Animals Aquatic Animals Watch robot crab 'Wavy Dave' get attacked in claw-waving contest with real crabs By Patrick Pester Published 5 August 25 2 Comments Aquatic Animals Aquatic Animals A mysterious barrier in the Atlantic divides weird deep-sea jellyfish cousins By Sascha Pare Published 29 July 25 Aquatic Animals Aquatic Animals Thousands of strange, blobby creatures are washing up on California beaches By Skyler Ware Published 4 April 25 Aquatic Animals Aquatic Animals 'We didn't expect to find such a beautiful, thriving ecosystem': Hidden world of life discovered beneath Antarctic iceberg By Ben Turner Published 1 April 25 Aquatic Animals Aquatic Animals Octopus spotted riding on top of world's fastest shark By Jess Thomson Published 20 March 25 2 Comments Aquatic Animals Aquatic Animals Animal kingdom's most powerful puncher generates a 'phononic shield' to protect itself By Elise Poore Published 5 March 25 Aquatic Animals Birds Songbirds are in crisis as trappers and smugglers force them into lucrative bird-singing competitions By Sandy Ong Published 11 July 26 Birds Interview 'They reliably chose the statistically more favorable option': A crow researcher explains how these winged geniuses process numbers, and what it could reveal about human math smarts By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published 17 June 26 3 Comments Birds Birds City birds appear to like men more than women, but experts have no idea why By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published 1 May 26 7 Comments Birds Interview 'I'm more hopeful that birds can endure than maybe even our own species': Paleontologist Steve Brusatte on why birds are the ultimate survivors By Laura Geggel Published 28 April 26 4 Comments Birds Birds Bruce the parrot is missing his upper beak —‬ but that hasn't stopped him from becoming an undefeated jousting champion By Olivia Ferrari Published 20 April 26 3 Comments Birds Birds Can chickens really run around with their heads cut off? By Ashley P. Taylor Published 19 April 26 7 Comments Birds Birds World's fattest parrot — on the verge of extinction 30 years ago — has record-breaking breeding season By Bryony Ravate Published 7 April 26 Birds Birds Birds are declining faster and faster in 3 US hotspots, new study finds By Patrick Pester Published 4 March 26 28 Comments Birds Birds Extraordinary photo captures first appearance of Siberian peregrine falcon in Australia's arid center By Aristos Georgiou Published 6 February 26 Birds Birds Songbirds are in crisis as trappers and smugglers force them into lucrative bird-singing competitions By Sandy Ong Published 11 July 26 Birds Interview 'They reliably chose the statistically more favorable option': A crow researcher explains how these winged geniuses process numbers, and what it could reveal about human math smarts By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published 17 June 26 3 Comments Birds Birds City birds appear to like men more than women, but experts have no idea why By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published 1 May 26 7 Comments Birds Interview 'I'm more hopeful that birds can endure than maybe even our own species': Paleontologist Steve Brusatte on why birds are the ultimate survivors By Laura Geggel Published 28 April 26 4 Comments Birds Birds Bruce the parrot is missing his upper beak —‬ but that hasn't stopped him from becoming an undefeated jousting champion By Olivia Ferrari Published 20 April 26 3 Comments Birds Birds Can chickens really run around with their heads cut off? By Ashley P. Taylor Published 19 April 26 7 Comments Birds Birds World's fattest parrot — on the verge of extinction 30 years ago — has record-breaking breeding season By Bryony Ravate Published 7 April 26 Birds Birds Birds are declining faster and faster in 3 US hotspots, new study finds By Patrick Pester Published 4 March 26 28 Comments Birds Birds Extraordinary photo captures first appearance of Siberian peregrine falcon in Australia's arid center By Aristos Georgiou Published 6 February 26 Birds Extinct species Extinct species 'Oddly shaped rock' unearthed in California turns out to be 'immaculate' mastodon molar By Sascha Pare Published 11 September 26 Extinct species Extinct species Nocturnal dodo? Study suggests we were very wrong about Mauritius' iconic flightless bird By Patrick Pester Published 12 August 26 Extinct species Extinct species Stunning fossil from Australian outback reveals pliosaur killed a sea monster that had just eaten a pterosaur By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published 5 August 26 Extinct species Analysis Did fungi give mammals an evolutionary edge after the dinosaur-killing asteroid hit? New evidence revives a provocative hypothesis By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published 3 August 26 Dinosaurs Science word of the day What does 'coprolite' mean? By Stephanie Pappas Published 30 July 26 Dinosaurs Opinion 'Another dinosaur has entered the luxury collectibles market': Gus the T. rex just sold for $50 million. Here's what its loss means to science. By Kristi Curry Rogers Published 16 July 26 Dinosaurs Dinosaurs Antarctica's first dinosaur fossil belonged to a group of the largest land animals ever By Patrick Pester Published 1 July 26 Dinosaurs Extinct species 'A completely different story': 300 million-year-old fossils reveal the first vertebrate land dwellers weren't what we thought, researchers claim By Patrick Pester Published 19 June 26 11 Comments Extinct species Extinct species World's largest scorpion had 6-inch pincers, and prowled UK land and waters 415 million years ago By Aristos Georgiou Published 5 June 26 3 Comments Extinct species Extinct species 'Oddly shaped rock' unearthed in California turns out to be 'immaculate' mastodon molar By Sascha Pare Published 11 September 26 Extinct species Extinct species Nocturnal dodo? Study suggests we were very wrong about Mauritius' iconic flightless bird By Patrick Pester Published 12 August 26 Extinct species Extinct species Stunning fossil from Australian outback reveals pliosaur killed a sea monster that had just eaten a pterosaur By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published 5 August 26 Extinct species Analysis Did fungi give mammals an evolutionary edge after the dinosaur-killing asteroid hit? New evidence revives a provocative hypothesis By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published 3 August 26 Dinosaurs Science word of the day What does 'coprolite' mean? By Stephanie Pappas Published 30 July 26 Dinosaurs Opinion 'Another dinosaur has entered the luxury collectibles market': Gus the T. rex just sold for $50 million. Here's what its loss means to science. By Kristi Curry Rogers Published 16 July 26 Dinosaurs Dinosaurs Antarctica's first dinosaur fossil belonged to a group of the largest land animals ever By Patrick Pester Published 1 July 26 Dinosaurs Extinct species 'A completely different story': 300 million-year-old fossils reveal the first vertebrate land dwellers weren't what we thought, researchers claim By Patrick Pester Published 19 June 26 11 Comments Extinct species Extinct species World's largest scorpion had 6-inch pincers, and prowled UK land and waters 415 million years ago By Aristos Georgiou Published 5 June 26 3 Comments Extinct species Sharks Ancient shark 'graveyard' uncovered in Egyptian desert By Pandora Dewan Published 27 August 26 Sharks Sharks How to watch 'Secrets of the Great White Kill' – stream 'Shark Week' 2026 from anywhere By Patrick Fletcher Published 31 July 26 Sharks Sharks Scientists put cameras on whale sharks for the first time and saw something they'd never seen before By Olivia Maule Published 30 July 26 3 Comments Sharks Sharks How to watch 'Expedition X: Atomic Sharks' – stream 'Shark Week' 2026 from anywhere By Patrick Fletcher Published 29 July 26 Sharks Fish 'Demon cavefish' discovered under WWII chemical weapons facility in Alabama By Patrick Pester Published 29 July 26 2 Comments Fish Sharks How to watch 'Jurassic Sharks' online – stream 'Shark Week' 2026 from anywhere By Patrick Fletcher Published 28 July 26 Sharks Sharks How to watch 'Air Jaws: Red, White and Breach' – stream 'Shark Week' 2026 from anywhere By Patrick Fletcher Published 26 July 26 Sharks Sharks Never-before-seen shark that 'walks' on land discovered off Papua New Guinea By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published 22 June 26 Sharks Sharks 'I never thought we'd see one alive': Elusive goblin shark captured on camera for the first time By Sascha Pare Published 15 June 26 2 Comments Sharks Sharks Ancient shark 'graveyard' uncovered in Egyptian desert By Pandora Dewan Published 27 August 26 Sharks Sharks How to watch 'Secrets of the Great White Kill' – stream 'Shark Week' 2026 from anywhere By Patrick Fletcher Published 31 July 26 Sharks Sharks Scientists put cameras on whale sharks for the first time and saw something they'd never seen before By Olivia Maule Published 30 July 26 3 Comments Sharks Sharks How to watch 'Expedition X: Atomic Sharks' – stream 'Shark Week' 2026 from anywhere By Patrick Fletcher Published 29 July 26 Sharks Fish 'Demon cavefish' discovered under WWII chemical weapons facility in Alabama By Patrick Pester Published 29 July 26 2 Comments Fish Sharks How to watch 'Jurassic Sharks' online – stream 'Shark Week' 2026 from anywhere By Patrick Fletcher Published 28 July 26 Sharks Sharks How to watch 'Air Jaws: Red, White and Breach' – stream 'Shark Week' 2026 from anywhere By Patrick Fletcher Published 26 July 26 Sharks Sharks Never-before-seen shark that 'walks' on land discovered off Papua New Guinea By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published 22 June 26 Sharks Sharks 'I never thought we'd see one alive': Elusive goblin shark captured on camera for the first time By Sascha Pare Published 15 June 26 2 Comments Sharks Excerpt 'We were being bullied in our own home': How 'authoritarian' HOAs are contributing to the insect apocalypse By Jennie Durant Published 31 May 26 3 Comments Insects Insects 'Insect apocalypse' is already fueling malnutrition in some regions, first-of-its-kind study reveals By Joanna Thompson Published 11 May 26 Insects Insects Every ant is a queen in this parasitic species — and they reproduce by cloning themselves and hijacking other ant colonies By Chris Simms Published 3 March 26 Insects Insects Spotted lanternflies are invading the US. They may have gotten their evolutionary superpowers in China's cities. By Chris Simms Published 5 February 26 Insects Insects A looming 'insect apocalypse' could endanger global food supplies. Can we stop it before it's too late? By Joanna Thompson Published 21 November 25 18 Comments Insects Insects 'Nothing but a nightmare': Worker ants are tricked into murdering their mom by an imposter queen — who quickly takes the throne for herself By Chris Simms Published 17 November 25 2 Comments Insects Insects How did metamorphosis evolve? By Marilyn Perkins Published 17 November 25 Insects Insects Are there any countries with no mosquitoes? By Clarissa Brincat Last updated 21 October 25 2 Comments Insects Insects 'Almost like science fiction': European ant is the first known animal to clone members of another species By Sophie Berdugo Published 12 September 25 4 Comments Insects Excerpt 'We were being bullied in our own home': How 'authoritarian' HOAs are contributing to the insect apocalypse By Jennie Durant Published 31 May 26 3 Comments Insects Insects 'Insect apocalypse' is already fueling malnutrition in some regions, first-of-its-kind study reveals By Joanna Thompson Published 11 May 26 Insects Insects Every ant is a queen in this parasitic species — and they reproduce by cloning themselves and hijacking other ant colonies By Chris Simms Published 3 March 26 Insects Insects Spotted lanternflies are invading the US. They may have gotten their evolutionary superpowers in China's cities. By Chris Simms Published 5 February 26 Insects Insects A looming 'insect apocalypse' could endanger global food supplies. Can we stop it before it's too late? By Joanna Thompson Published 21 November 25 18 Comments Insects Insects 'Nothing but a nightmare': Worker ants are tricked into murdering their mom by an imposter queen — who quickly takes the throne for herself By Chris Simms Published 17 November 25 2 Comments Insects

Insects How did metamorphosis evolve? By Marilyn Perkins Published 17 November 25 Insects Insects Are there any countries with no mosquitoes? By Clarissa Brincat Last updated 21 October 25 2 Comments Insects Insects 'Almost like science fiction': European ant is the first known animal to clone members of another species By Sophie Berdugo Published 12 September 25 4 Comments Insects Life's Little Mysteries Why do cats lick each other? By Clarissa Brincat Published 13 September 26 2 Comments Cats Cats Secret 'messages' in cat pee let felines identify each other — and scientists just cracked the code By Skyler Ware Published 20 August 26 7 Comments Cats Life's Little Mysteries Why do cats yowl? By Olivia Maule Published 15 August 26 3 Comments Cats Land Mammals Mammal ancestors may have given live birth 90 million years earlier than we thought, rewriting evolutionary timelines By Chris Simms Published 13 August 26 Land Mammals Life's Little Mysteries Why do cats have 'leg whiskers'? By Charles Q. Choi Published 1 August 26 Cats Primates Monkeys have a basic intuition for geometry, study suggests By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published 29 July 26 Primates Land Mammals 'We're trying this out of frustration': Marmots star in OnlyFans account as researchers desperately look for ways to raise funds amid US budget cuts By Pandora Dewan Published 23 July 26 Land Mammals Land Mammals Mice on 'godforsaken' frozen volcanoes eat toxic plants to survive conditions 'not remotely compatible with long-term human survival' By Patrick Pester Published 22 July 26 Land Mammals Primates Orange-lipped monkey that roars and snorts deep in Congo rainforest is new species to science By Chris Simms Published 15 July 26 Primates Life's Little Mysteries Why do cats lick each other? By Clarissa Brincat Published 13 September 26 2 Comments Cats Cats Secret 'messages' in cat pee let felines identify each other — and scientists just cracked the code By Skyler Ware Published 20 August 26 7 Comments Cats Life's Little Mysteries Why do cats yowl? By Olivia Maule Published 15 August 26 3 Comments Cats Land Mammals Mammal ancestors may have given live birth 90 million years earlier than we thought, rewriting evolutionary timelines By Chris Simms Published 13 August 26 Land Mammals Life's Little Mysteries Why do cats have 'leg whiskers'? By Charles Q. Choi Published 1 August 26 Cats Primates Monkeys have a basic intuition for geometry, study suggests By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published 29 July 26 Primates Land Mammals 'We're trying this out of frustration': Marmots star in OnlyFans account as researchers desperately look for ways to raise funds amid US budget cuts By Pandora Dewan Published 23 July 26 Land Mammals Land Mammals Mice on 'godforsaken' frozen volcanoes eat toxic plants to survive conditions 'not remotely compatible with long-term human survival' By Patrick Pester Published 22 July 26 Land Mammals Primates Orange-lipped monkey that roars and snorts deep in Congo rainforest is new species to science By Chris Simms Published 15 July 26 Primates Whales 'Like a jail door slamming': Male sperm whales' mysterious rhythmic clanging is the loudest communication sound of any animal By Patrick Pester Published 11 August 26 Whales Interview 'They would come in with a chord change': Composer Jim Nollman has collaborated with turkeys, kangaroo rats and whales. Now he's dropping 'Orcas' Greatest Hits.' By Sascha Pare Published 10 August 26 Orcas Whales 'It's incredibly rare to see a moment like this in the ocean': Camera drone captures moment humpback whale gives birth off Australian coast By Lydia Smith Published 5 August 26 2 Comments Whales Orcas Killer whales sink another boat off the coast of Spain — why are they still doing this after 6 years? By Olivia Maule Published 28 July 26 3 Comments Orcas Orcas 'It was unlike anything I'd witnessed before': Orcas seen headbutting a sunfish so hard that it exploded By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published 23 July 26 Orcas Whales 'Weirdos of the sperm whale world' appear to be evolving 2 different dialects, audio recordings suggest By Chris Simms Published 24 June 26 Whales Whales Scientists discover 5 million-year-old whale graveyard stretching for hundreds of miles in the Indian Ocean By Chris Simms Published 10 June 26 3 Comments Whales Marine Mammals Seal pups were dying from a 'corkscrew killer' on a Canadian island. It turned out to be cannibals. By Olivia Ferrari Published 22 May 26 6 Comments Marine Mammals Orcas 'More questions than answers': Experts baffled by Alaskan mammal-eating orcas spotted near Seattle By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published 10 April 26 5 Comments Orcas Whales 'Like a jail door slamming': Male sperm whales' mysterious rhythmic clanging is the loudest communication sound of any animal By Patrick Pester Published 11 August 26 Whales Interview 'They would come in with a chord change': Composer Jim Nollman has collaborated with turkeys, kangaroo rats and whales. Now he's dropping 'Orcas' Greatest Hits.' By Sascha Pare Published 10 August 26 Orcas Whales 'It's incredibly rare to see a moment like this in the ocean': Camera drone captures moment humpback whale gives birth off Australian coast By Lydia Smith Published 5 August 26 2 Comments Whales Orcas Killer whales sink another boat off the coast of Spain — why are they still doing this after 6 years? By Olivia Maule Published 28 July 26 3 Comments Orcas Orcas 'It was unlike anything I'd witnessed before': Orcas seen headbutting a sunfish so hard that it exploded By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published 23 July 26 Orcas Whales 'Weirdos of the sperm whale world' appear to be evolving 2 different dialects, audio recordings suggest By Chris Simms Published 24 June 26 Whales Whales Scientists discover 5 million-year-old whale graveyard stretching for hundreds of miles in the Indian Ocean By Chris Simms Published 10 June 26 3 Comments Whales Marine Mammals Seal pups were dying from a 'corkscrew killer' on a Canadian island. It turned out to be cannibals. By Olivia Ferrari Published 22 May 26 6 Comments Marine Mammals Orcas 'More questions than answers': Experts baffled by Alaskan mammal-eating orcas spotted near Seattle By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published 10 April 26 5 Comments Orcas Squids Watch the first-ever footage of a rare deep-sea squid in the northeastern Pacific By Patrick Pester Published 9 September 26 Squids Octopuses Young wild octopuses may form a 'fight club' and slap territorial fish if they get too close By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published 12 August 26 Octopuses Octopuses 'Kraken' octopus that lived at the time of the dinosaurs was a 62-foot-long apex predator of the ocean By Sophie Berdugo Published 23 April 26 2 Comments Octopuses Octopuses Octopus quiz: Are you a sucker for cephalopod science? By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published 4 April 26 Octopuses Mollusks Scientists finally sequence the vampire squid's huge genome, revealing secrets of the 'living fossil' By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published 14 December 25 2 Comments Mollusks Mollusks 'Very novel and very puzzling': Unknown species of squid spotted burying itself upside down, pretending to be a plant By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published 12 December 25 3 Comments Mollusks Octopuses Why is the blue-ringed octopus so deadly? By Elana Spivack Published 12 July 25 Octopuses Squids Haunting blood-red squid with large hooks drifts through Antarctic ocean's midnight zone in world-first video By Patrick Pester Published 10 June 25 Squids Mollusks Scaly-foot snail: The armor-plated hermaphrodite with a giant heart that lives near scalding deep-sea volcanoes and never eats By Mindy Weisberger Published 17 May 25 3 Comments Mollusks Squids Watch the first-ever footage of a rare deep-sea squid in the northeastern Pacific By Patrick Pester Published 9 September 26 Squids Octopuses Young wild octopuses may form a 'fight club' and slap territorial fish if they get too close By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published 12 August 26 Octopuses Octopuses 'Kraken' octopus that lived at the time of the dinosaurs was a 62-foot-long apex predator of the ocean By Sophie Berdugo Published 23 April 26 2 Comments Octopuses Octopuses Octopus quiz: Are you a sucker for cephalopod science? By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published 4 April 26 Octopuses Mollusks Scientists finally sequence the vampire squid's huge genome, revealing secrets of the 'living fossil' By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published 14 December 25 2 Comments Mollusks Mollusks 'Very novel and very puzzling': Unknown species of squid spotted burying itself upside down, pretending to be a plant By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published 12 December 25 3 Comments Mollusks Octopuses Why is the blue-ringed octopus so deadly? By Elana Spivack Published 12 July 25 Octopuses Squids Haunting blood-red squid with large hooks drifts through Antarctic ocean's midnight zone in world-first video By Patrick Pester Published 10 June 25 Squids Mollusks Scaly-foot snail: The armor-plated hermaphrodite with a giant heart that lives near scalding deep-sea volcanoes and never eats By Mindy Weisberger Published 17 May 25 3 Comments Mollusks Snakes 'More than 100 million years of evolution': How snakes evolved and lost their legs By Amber Dance Published 10 May 26 Snakes Snakes Snakes keep evolving into cannibals — here's what scientists think is going on By Olivia Ferrari Published 15 February 26 3 Comments Snakes Alligators & Crocodiles Saltwater crocodiles crossed the Indian Ocean to reach the Seychelles — before humans arrived and wiped them out By Skyler Ware Published 5 February 26 4 Comments Alligators & Crocodiles Snakes Never-before-seen footage captures moment scientists find new, giant anaconda species in Amazon By Sascha Pare Published 9 January 26 10 Comments Snakes Turtles & Tortoises Can a turtle tuck its head all the way inside its shell? By Emma Bryce Published 14 December 25 Turtles & Tortoises Snakes Anacondas became massive 12 million years ago — and it worked so well, they haven't changed size since By Skyler Ware Published 2 December 25 Snakes Snakes Venomous snake strikes captured in extreme detail through high-speed videos for first time By Skyler Ware Published 23 October 25 5 Comments Snakes Snakes Scientists could soon create a 'universal antivenom.' But would it save lives? By Payal Dhar Published 3 October 25 Snakes Snakes Cold snap in Florida made Burmese python puke up a whole deer By K.R. Callaway Published 19 September 25 Snakes Snakes 'More than 100 million years of evolution': How snakes evolved and lost their legs By Amber Dance Published 10 May 26 Snakes Snakes Snakes keep evolving into cannibals — here's what scientists think is going on By Olivia Ferrari Published 15 February 26 3 Comments Snakes Alligators & Crocodiles Saltwater crocodiles crossed the Indian Ocean to reach the Seychelles — before humans arrived and wiped them out By Skyler Ware Published 5 February 26 4 Comments Alligators & Crocodiles Snakes Never-before-seen footage captures moment scientists find new, giant anaconda species in Amazon By Sascha Pare Published 9 January 26 10 Comments Snakes Turtles & Tortoises Can a turtle tuck its head all the way inside its shell? By Emma Bryce Published 14 December 25 Turtles & Tortoises Snakes Anacondas became massive 12 million years ago — and it worked so well, they haven't changed size since By Skyler Ware Published 2 December 25 Snakes Snakes Venomous snake strikes captured in extreme detail through high-speed videos for first time By Skyler Ware Published 23 October 25 5 Comments Snakes Snakes Scientists could soon create a 'universal antivenom.' But would it save lives? By Payal Dhar Published 3 October 25 Snakes Snakes Cold snap in Florida made Burmese python puke up a whole deer By K.R. Callaway Published 19 September 25 Snakes Spiders & Other Arachnids Spiders & Other Arachnids Genetics triggers male black widows to blackflip into death, study finds By Stephanie Pappas Published 11 August 26 Spiders & Other Arachnids Spiders & Other Arachnids Daddy longlegs may be capturing and devouring frogs in the tropical forests of South America By Olivia Ferrari Published 3 June 26 2 Comments Spiders & Other Arachnids Spiders & Other Arachnids Tiny spiders that build giant 'puppet' decoys from disembodied prey discovered in Peru and Philippines By Sascha Pare Published 12 November 25 Spiders & Other Arachnids Spiders & Other Arachnids World's biggest spiderweb discovered inside 'Sulfur Cave' with 111,000 arachnids living in pitch black By Sascha Pare Published 4 November 25 9 Comments Spiders & Other Arachnids Spiders & Other Arachnids Spiders seen keeping fireflies as glowing prisoners that draw more prey to their webs By Hannah Osborne Published 28 August 25 3 Comments Spiders & Other Arachnids 'Size really does matter' Males of 4 never-before-seen tarantula species have record-long genitalia By Sascha Pare Published 6 August 25 Spiders & Other Arachnids Spiders & Other Arachnids Watch 1,000 baby spiders devour their mothers and aunties alive in stomach-turning, first-of-its-kind footage By Sascha Pare Published 30 July 25 Spiders & Other Arachnids Spiders & Other Arachnids 'Backward' brain of ancient sea creature hints spider ancestors evolved in the ocean By Skyler Ware Published 22 July 25 Spiders & Other Arachnids Quiz Spider quiz: Test your web of knowledge By Christina Hughes Published 7 July 25 Spiders & Other Arachnids Spiders & Other Arachnids Genetics triggers male black widows to blackflip into death, study finds By Stephanie Pappas Published 11 August 26 Spiders & Other Arachnids Spiders & Other Arachnids Daddy longlegs may be capturing and devouring frogs in the tropical forests of South America By Olivia Ferrari Published 3 June 26 2 Comments Spiders & Other Arachnids Spiders & Other Arachnids Tiny spiders that build giant 'puppet' decoys from disembodied prey discovered in Peru and Philippines By Sascha Pare Published 12 November 25 Spiders & Other Arachnids Spiders & Other Arachnids World's biggest spiderweb discovered inside 'Sulfur Cave' with 111,000 arachnids living in pitch black By Sascha Pare Published 4 November 25 9 Comments Spiders & Other Arachnids Spiders & Other Arachnids Spiders seen keeping fireflies as glowing prisoners that draw more prey to their webs By Hannah Osborne Published 28 August 25 3 Comments Spiders & Other Arachnids 'Size really does matter' Males of 4 never-before-seen tarantula species have record-long genitalia By Sascha Pare Published 6 August 25 Spiders & Other Arachnids Spiders & Other Arachnids Watch 1,000 baby spiders devour their mothers and aunties alive in stomach-turning, first-of-its-kind footage By Sascha Pare Published 30 July 25 Spiders & Other Arachnids Spiders & Other Arachnids 'Backward' brain of ancient sea creature hints spider ancestors evolved in the ocean By Skyler Ware Published 22 July 25 Spiders & Other Arachnids Quiz Spider quiz: Test your web of knowledge By Christina Hughes Published 7 July 25 Spiders & Other Arachnids More about Animals Life's Little Mysteries Why do cats lick each other? By Clarissa Brincat Published 13 September 26 2 Comments Cats Extinct species 'Oddly shaped rock' unearthed in California turns out to be 'immaculate' mastodon molar By Sascha Pare Published 11 September 26 Extinct species Squids Watch the first-ever footage of a rare deep-sea squid in the northeastern Pacific By Patrick Pester Published 9 September 26 Squids Aquatic Animals Sunken WWII hospital ship colonized by devil firefish and rare monk seals By Robyn White Published 2 September 26 Aquatic Animals Sharks Ancient shark 'graveyard' uncovered in Egyptian desert By Pandora Dewan Published 27 August 26 Sharks Life's Little Mysteries Do other animals call each other by name? By Olivia Ferrari Published 23 August 26 Animals Cats Secret 'messages' in cat pee let felines identify each other — and scientists just cracked the code By Skyler Ware Published 20 August 26 7 Comments Cats Life's Little Mysteries Why do cats yowl? By Olivia Maule Published 15 August 26 3 Comments Cats Land Mammals Mammal ancestors may have given live birth 90 million years earlier than we thought, rewriting evolutionary timelines By Chris Simms Published 13 August 26 Land Mammals Octopuses Young wild octopuses may form a 'fight club' and slap territorial fish if they get too close By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published 12 August 26 Octopuses Life's Little Mysteries Why do cats lick each other? By Clarissa Brincat Published 13 September 26 2 Comments Cats Extinct species 'Oddly shaped rock' unearthed in California turns out to be 'immaculate' mastodon molar By Sascha Pare Published 11 September 26 Extinct species Squids Watch the first-ever footage of a rare deep-sea squid in the northeastern Pacific By Patrick Pester Published 9 September 26 Squids Aquatic Animals Sunken WWII hospital ship colonized by devil firefish and rare monk seals By Robyn White Published 2 September 26 Aquatic Animals Sharks Ancient shark 'graveyard' uncovered in Egyptian desert By Pandora Dewan Published 27 August 26 Sharks Life's Little Mysteries Do other animals call each other by name? By Olivia Ferrari Published 23 August 26 Animals Cats Secret 'messages' in cat pee let felines identify each other — and scientists just cracked the code By Skyler Ware Published 20 August 26 7 Comments Cats Life's Little Mysteries Why do cats yowl? By Olivia Maule Published 15 August 26 3 Comments Cats Land Mammals Mammal ancestors may have given live birth 90 million years earlier than we thought, rewriting evolutionary timelines By Chris Simms Published 13 August 26 Land Mammals Octopuses Young wild octopuses may form a 'fight club' and slap territorial fish if they get too close By Kenna Hughes-Castleberry Published 12 August 26 Octopuses Life's Little Mysteries Earth from space Diagnostic dilemmas Astonishing artifacts Jaw-dropping James Webb Space Telescope images Amazing women in science and math Explore the periodic table of elements Uncanny facial reconstructions from history Science quizzes and games Beginner's guide to wildlife photography The best telescopes for spotting stars and planets Mind-blowing science facts Please login or signup to comment