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 leopad seal with its mouth wide open

15 riveting images from the 2025 UN World Oceans Day Photo Competition 15 riveting images from the 2025 UN World Oceans Day Photo Competition

By Popular Science Team

a weedy seadragon swimming. they have long snouts and raised backs

Weedy seadragons in the running for nature’s best dads Weedy seadragons in the running for nature’s best dads

By Margherita Bassi

a baby skunk is held by a person wearing blue latex gloves

Rescued baby skunks enjoy a good song Rescued baby skunks enjoy a good song

By Margherita Bassi

a male river otter standing on snow

Escaped river otter takes his destiny into his own (tiny) hands Escaped river otter takes his destiny into his own (tiny) hands

By Margherita Bassi

an adult osprey looks on as the heads of three chicks pop out over a nest

Three osprey chicks hatch in 500-pound steel nest boxes Three osprey chicks hatch in 500-pound steel nest boxes

By Laura Baisas

European Gray Wolf Cubs in a Grass in a Spring Day

Two Ice Age ‘puppies’ weren’t exactly dogs Two Ice Age ‘puppies’ weren’t exactly dogs

a small white dog standing on grey sheets looks up

The 6 dog breeds more prone to diarrhea, according to new study The 6 dog breeds more prone to diarrhea, according to new study

By Laura Baisas

Thrush songbird

Ancient Romans snacked on deep-fried songbirds Ancient Romans snacked on deep-fried songbirds

Examples of the pig molar teeth specimens analyzed for a study on pig domestication.

Wild boars began shrinking down to domesticated pigs 8,000 years ago Wild boars began shrinking down to domesticated pigs 8,000 years ago

By Laura Baisas

Hammerhead shark in water

Osprey drops hammerhead shark onto disc golf field Osprey drops hammerhead shark onto disc golf field

Gonatus Antarcticus squid seen underwater

Watch the mesmerizing first-ever footage of a rare Antarctic squid Watch the mesmerizing first-ever footage of a rare Antarctic squid

Viking boat grave burial near road in Norway

Viking woman buried in ceremonial boat with her dog Viking woman buried in ceremonial boat with her dog

Lab grown salmon on sushi rice on a plate

FDA approves lab-grown salmon FDA approves lab-grown salmon

Sunny (top) practicing her hovering skills on May 29. She remained airborne for 3.3 seconds.

Famous eaglets Sunny and Gizmo have both officially left the nest Famous eaglets Sunny and Gizmo have both officially left the nest

By Laura Baisas

fuzzy, orange-ish rodent in a person gloved hand

A baby porcupine is fluffier than you’d imagine A baby porcupine is fluffier than you’d imagine

By Margherita Bassi

a blue fish with a pointy face in a california kelp forest

Q&A with the team behind ‘Ocean with David Attenborough’ Q&A with the team behind ‘Ocean with David Attenborough’

By Laura Baisas

a violinist poses with his violin next to a pond with turtles

Turtles gather for sweet sounds of violinist Turtles gather for sweet sounds of violinist

By Margherita Bassi

two yawning robot heads and a chimp

Chimpanzees ‘caught a yawn’ from this robot and researchers aren’t sure why Chimpanzees ‘caught a yawn’ from this robot and researchers aren’t sure why

By Mack DeGeurin

an image taken with a microscope that shows a fruit fly approaching a tower made of tiny roundworms

Worm towers are all around us Worm towers are all around us

By Lauren Leffer

an illustration of an extinct marsupial with brown and white fur and a small trunk-like nose

Australia’s giant extinct marsupials may be ID’d using tiny bone bits Australia’s giant extinct marsupials may be ID’d using tiny bone bits