Animals

The wild denizens that share our planet, including videos, photo essays, and news on recently discovered—or increasingly rare—species.

Latest in Animals

a penguin looks directly at the camera. it has black and white feathers with some red around the eyes
Birds

The clever way Magellanic penguins ride—and adjust to—ocean currents

By Laura Baisas

a white dog and a black and white dog watch a TV. a metal bowl brimming with dog food is on the screen
Dogs

Science reveals dogs’ favorite type of TV

By Lauren Leffer

A grey tabby cat with green eyes is lying on its side atop two concrete blocks. The cat has its head tilted and one paw raised near its face, appearing relaxed and content. In the background, there is green grass and plants slightly out of focus.
Cats

Why do cats love concrete slabs? A vet explains.

By Laura Baisas

a person holds a turtle with piercing eyes
Endangered Species

World’s largest known turtle nesting site found in the Amazon

By Laura Baisas

a larger shark and smaller one photographed from below near the surface
Sharks

17 fascinating images from the 2025 Shark Photographer of the Year awards

By Popular Science Team

A harbor seal (Phoca vitulina) on the beach during the summer premoult stage.
Wildlife

When wily sea lions and determined wildlife officials sparred in Seattle

By Alix Morris

The acoustic parasitoid fly Ormia ochracea and its host cricket.
Insects

This parasitic fly gives birth inside of crickets

By Laura Baisas

a black cat sits in leaves
Cats

Pet cat helps discover a new virus

By Laura Baisas

Image of a plant-eating ornithopod dinosaur, Thescelosaurus during the latest Cretaceous Period, nearly 67 million years ago. These around 10-12 foot long two-legged animals roamed the tropical swamps, forests and floodplains where Denver now stands. Their vertebrae are similar to the one found in the rock core deep below the Museum.
Animals

Denver museum finds dinosaur bone under its parking lot

By Andrew Paul

several small fish with colorful organa and blue scales
Fish

Orange male guppies are hornier

By Laura Baisas

plastic coyotes on robots
Wildlife

US Army deploys plastic coyotes attached to mini four-wheelers

By Mack DeGeurin

a team of greenland sled dog puppies with white fur pulls a sled
Dogs

Oldest known dog breed reveals hidden human history

By Lauren Leffer

a yellow crab on a beach
Endangered Species

Australia’s ghost crabs decapitate baby sea turtles

By Laura Baisas

Images of prehistoric multitool made from cave lion bone
Wildlife

Neanderthals made a ‘Swiss Army knife’ from cave lion bone

By Andrew Paul

A pseudoscorpion from the genus Nipponogarypus in South Korea.
Wildlife

New pseudoscorpions with dragon-like jaws discovered in a South Korea cave

By Laura Baisas

General Phil Sheridan Memorial Civil War Statue Sheridan Circle Embassy Row Pennsylvania Ave Washington DC. Bronze statue dedicated in 1908; sculptor is Gutzon Borglum. Public monument owned by the National Park Service. Statue depicts Sheridan riding his horse Rienzi to rally his troops at the Battle of Cedar Creek in 1864.
Animals

The US Army is selling their horses

By Andrew Paul

Steven Spielberg, director of ‘Jaws,’ films the mechanical shark on set.
Sharks

50 years of the ‘Jaws effect’

By Laura Baisas

Burmese python on ground
Wildlife

Pythons can devour bones thanks to unique stomach cells

By Andrew Paul

Masked boobies on Johnston Atoll
Birds

Pacific island wildlife refuge spared from SpaceX rocket project

By Andrew Paul

baby elephant under mother in water
Wildlife

12 compelling wildlife photographs from BigPicture 2025

By Popular Science Team