Animals(Page 2)

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

Latest in Animals

Close up of cane toad tadpole eating toad eggs underwater

Cannibal tadpoles help Australia fight invasive species Cannibal tadpoles help Australia fight invasive species

a baby lion sleeps on a dirt road

10 gorgeous wildlife photos documenting Earth’s beauty 10 gorgeous wildlife photos documenting Earth’s beauty

By Popular Science Team

a pug named Doug stands on a red carpet with his tongue hanging out the side of his mouth

People tend to trust ‘pet-fluencers’ over human influencers People tend to trust ‘pet-fluencers’ over human influencers

By Laura Baisas

Researchers conducting necropsy on woolly mammoth calf

Dissected mammoth calf smells like ‘fermented earth and flesh’ Dissected mammoth calf smells like ‘fermented earth and flesh’

goose wearing cubs hat

‘Geesekeepers’ protect Canada goose nesting at Chicago’s Wrigley Field ‘Geesekeepers’ protect Canada goose nesting at Chicago’s Wrigley Field

By Annie Colbert

dog standing in a lake

15 delightful images from the International Pet Photography Awards 15 delightful images from the International Pet Photography Awards

By Popular Science Team

Galapagos tortoise

97-year-old Galápagos tortoise becomes first-time mom 97-year-old Galápagos tortoise becomes first-time mom

Close up of hand excavating ancient amphibian fossil

Ancient alligator-sized amphibians died under mysterious circumstances Ancient alligator-sized amphibians died under mysterious circumstances

an adult eagle tends to two chicks on a nest

Jackie and Shadow’s eaglets officially named: Meet Sunny and Gizmo Jackie and Shadow’s eaglets officially named: Meet Sunny and Gizmo

By Laura Baisas

The Greater mouse-tailed bat flies through the night sky, searching for insects

How bats avoid crashing into one another How bats avoid crashing into one another

By Laura Baisas

one brown horse and one black horse run along green fields in iceland

Scientists discover why horses are such exceptional athletes Scientists discover why horses are such exceptional athletes

By Lauren Leffer

Venus fly trap wasp encased in amber

This ancient ‘Venus fly-trap’ wasp used its butt to kill This ancient ‘Venus fly-trap’ wasp used its butt to kill

an baby orca surfaces behind its mother

Baby orca is a descendent of a whale almost sold to SeaWorld in 1976 Baby orca is a descendent of a whale almost sold to SeaWorld in 1976

By Laura Baisas

three elephants crossing a river

Elephants avoid wasting energy during their epic journeys Elephants avoid wasting energy during their epic journeys

By Laura Baisas

a hummingbird with blue, green, purple, and white feathers sucks nectar out of a yellow flower

Baby hummingbird appears to mimic caterpillar to avoid death Baby hummingbird appears to mimic caterpillar to avoid death

By Laura Baisas

two baby eagles in a nest

Help Jackie and Shadow name their bald eagle chicks Help Jackie and Shadow name their bald eagle chicks

By Annie Colbert

a deer with its mouth open stands in downpouring rain

11 brilliant images from the British Wildlife Photography Awards 11 brilliant images from the British Wildlife Photography Awards

By Popular Science Team

Mako shark swimming with orange octopus on its back

Shark’s ‘mystery hat’ turns out to be a giant octopus Shark’s ‘mystery hat’ turns out to be a giant octopus

a small bird with yellow plumage stands on a branch with its mouth wide open

Traffic noise is making these Galápagos birds more aggressive Traffic noise is making these Galápagos birds more aggressive

By Laura Baisas

Penguins on an ice sheet in Antarctica

A small amount of penguin poop is enough to spook krill A small amount of penguin poop is enough to spook krill

four Budgerigars sit on a stick on plain background

We finally know how parrots ‘talk’ We finally know how parrots ‘talk’

By Lauren Leffer

Four people on their stomachs plaster casting a mammoth tusk

Texas hunter’s ‘old stump’ find was actually a rare mammoth tusk Texas hunter’s ‘old stump’ find was actually a rare mammoth tusk

a green iguana sitting at the base of a palm tree

After a 5,000-mile float, these iguanas probably set an ocean record After a 5,000-mile float, these iguanas probably set an ocean record

By Laura Baisas

The misfortune of some brings happiness to others, and for these polar bears, the death of a whale in east Greenland heralded a royal feast. Attracted by the smell, more than sixty bears were recorded in the area. However, their behaviour was almost benevolent, possibly due to the abundance of food.

11 fascinating wildlife images from the Sony World Photography Awards 11 fascinating wildlife images from the Sony World Photography Awards

By Popular Science Team

two baby eagles

Live cam bald eagles lost 1 of 3 chicks after snowstorm Live cam bald eagles lost 1 of 3 chicks after snowstorm

By Annie Colbert

Cougar kitten next to car tire in the snow

Cougar cubs spotted in Michigan for first time in over a century Cougar cubs spotted in Michigan for first time in over a century

a baby lion cub plays with its mother's tail

17 delightful Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards outtakes 17 delightful Comedy Wildlife Photography Awards outtakes

By Popular Science Team

an illustration of a black rodent-like early mammal with a membrane like a flying squirrel flying through a forest

Early mammals were all one color, study suggests Early mammals were all one color, study suggests

By Lauren Leffer

Artistic reconstruction of the terrestrial ecological landscape before the end Permian mass extinction based on fossil palynomorphs, plants, and tetrapods recovered, as well as sedimentological data from the South Taodonggou Section

The remote locale that shielded plants during Earth’s biggest mass extinction The remote locale that shielded plants during Earth’s biggest mass extinction

By Laura Baisas

an illustration of a small weasel-like early mammal with brown, black, and white fur climbing on a tree

This extinct tree-dwelling mammal may be among humans’ closer relatives This extinct tree-dwelling mammal may be among humans’ closer relatives

By Laura Baisas

a man on a boat holds a large orange pet goldfish

Please stop releasing pet goldfish into the wild Please stop releasing pet goldfish into the wild

By Laura Baisas

an illustration of two cockroaches

Why cockroaches are so resilient Why cockroaches are so resilient

By RJ Mackenzie

three small and gray balg eaglets eat fish given to them by an adult bald eagle

Bald eagle live cam team shares what’s next for the 3 eaglets Bald eagle live cam team shares what’s next for the 3 eaglets

By Laura Baisas

I went to Iceland to try Columbia’s Arctic animal-inspired outerwear

Gear

I went to Iceland to try Columbia’s Arctic animal-inspired outerwear I went to Iceland to try Columbia’s Arctic animal-inspired outerwear

Blue-lined octopus in aquarium tank

Male octopus poisons its mate to avoid becoming post-sex snack Male octopus poisons its mate to avoid becoming post-sex snack

Tabby cats, with their distinctive coats adorned in a symphony of stripes, dots, and swirls, bring a unique charm to the feline world. These enchanting creatures, often seen in shades of brown, black, and gray with hints of cream, captivate us with their individual patterns. The classic tabby pattern, characterized by bold stripes that run along the cat's back and tail, evokes a sense of timeless elegance. Whether in ebony, tawny, or ashen gray, each tabby cat carries a visual narrative that tells a story of nature's creativity. Some tabbies flaunt the mesmerizing "spotted" pattern, where dots of color dance across their fur like stardust. Others boast the intricate "swirls," a delicate and graceful arrangement of lines that adds an artistic flair to their appearance. Completing their ensemble are those endearing whiskers that frame their faces, adding an extra touch of charm to these captivating companions. Tabby cats, in their varied hues and unique patterns, bring a touch of artistry and individuality to our homes, turning each encounter into a delightful exploration of feline aesthetics.

How to protect your pets from bird flu How to protect your pets from bird flu

By Lauren Leffer

A mother humpback whale and her calf swimming in warm waters.

Whale pee moves vital nutrients thousands of miles Whale pee moves vital nutrients thousands of miles

By Laura Baisas

Close up of lemon shark

Megalodon may have been ‘even longer’ than we thought Megalodon may have been ‘even longer’ than we thought

bald eagle feeds babies fresh fish

Jackie and Shadow’s third eaglet has landed Jackie and Shadow’s third eaglet has landed

By Laura Baisas

an emperor penguin looks through a camera while its baby looks on

15 breathtaking images from the Nature Photography Awards 15 breathtaking images from the Nature Photography Awards

By Popular Science Team

Blue gloved hands using tool on animal bone relic

1.5 million years ago, human ancestors used hippo bones to make tools 1.5 million years ago, human ancestors used hippo bones to make tools

a tiger leaps at a boar

12 riveting wildlife images from Nature inFocus Photography Awards 12 riveting wildlife images from Nature inFocus Photography Awards

By Popular Science Team

a green frog with its eyes and mouth sticking out of a shallow pool of water

Earth’s ‘Great Dying’ killed 80-90% of life. How some amphibians survived. Earth’s ‘Great Dying’ killed 80-90% of life. How some amphibians survived.

By Laura Baisas

two baby eagles tended to by their parent

The famous bald eagle nest live cam is back and we have 3 baby eaglets The famous bald eagle nest live cam is back and we have 3 baby eaglets

By Laura Baisas

a large hornet dismembers a honey bee

1,400 different bug species found in the guts of Asian hornets 1,400 different bug species found in the guts of Asian hornets

By Laura Baisas

An argentine ant is farming aphids on a young leaf.

Vicious invasive ants form gigantic supercolonies Vicious invasive ants form gigantic supercolonies

three eggs in a nest. the egg on the right has a pip, which is the first crack in a shell. the pip is circled in red

Pips spotted! Live cam bald eagles’ eggs shows hopeful signs of hatching Pips spotted! Live cam bald eagles’ eggs shows hopeful signs of hatching

By Laura Baisas

black rat sits on cage

Patient’s tingling feet turns out to be a rat-borne brain parasite Patient’s tingling feet turns out to be a rat-borne brain parasite

three narwhals with long tusks swim in the arctic ocean

Narwhals spotted using tusks for non-mating fun Narwhals spotted using tusks for non-mating fun

By Laura Baisas

A polar bear mom and cub on sea ice, off the coast of Svalbard, Norway.

See the first moments when 3 polar bear cubs emerge from their den See the first moments when 3 polar bear cubs emerge from their den

By Laura Baisas

Illustration of giant flying squirrel leaping onto tree branch

Flying squirrels the size of cats soared over prehistoric Appalachia Flying squirrels the size of cats soared over prehistoric Appalachia

a humpback whale lunches out of the water with its mouth open

Krill or anchovy? Baleen whale songs may indicate what’s on the menu Krill or anchovy? Baleen whale songs may indicate what’s on the menu

By Laura Baisas

a raccoon looking at a camera

Morning lark or night owl? Prevailing ideas of mammal activity are outdated Morning lark or night owl? Prevailing ideas of mammal activity are outdated

By Lauren Leffer

Nutria looking at camera against plant background

US Fish and Wildlife is begging you to eat more invasive marsh rodents US Fish and Wildlife is begging you to eat more invasive marsh rodents

a polar bear swims towards the camera in icy waters

14 outstanding images from the 2025 World Nature Photographer Awards 14 outstanding images from the 2025 World Nature Photographer Awards

By Popular Science Team

a dead fish being dragged on artificial turf

Dragging dead fish around reveals super power of mucus Dragging dead fish around reveals super power of mucus

By Ethan Freedman

South American sea lion comes in for a boop in the Falklands

15 breathtaking images from the Underwater Photographer of the Year 2025 awards 15 breathtaking images from the Underwater Photographer of the Year 2025 awards

By Popular Science Team

a large bird with a long neck and black plumage called an emu walking around in nature

Emus might not be the ‘world’s dumbest bird’ after all Emus might not be the ‘world’s dumbest bird’ after all

By Laura Baisas

a close up of a diver wearing a mask and a fish swimming towards him

Wild fish can recognize human divers Wild fish can recognize human divers

By Laura Baisas

Artwork depicting 16th century bear baiting match

Gruesome bear fights once entertained Elizabethan England Gruesome bear fights once entertained Elizabethan England

an illustration of an extinct big cat about the size of a leopard. it is brown with sharp teeth

Skull of a 30-million-year-old apex predator discovered in Egypt Skull of a 30-million-year-old apex predator discovered in Egypt

By Laura Baisas

a cuttlefish swimming in the ocean

Cuttlefish ink can help keep sharks away from humans Cuttlefish ink can help keep sharks away from humans

By Laura Baisas

a seal with grey coloring wearing an orange heart rate monitor around its abdomen

Baby seals are wearing heart monitors–for science Baby seals are wearing heart monitors–for science

By Laura Baisas

one jaw fossil and six vertebrae fossils lined up

500,000 years ago, a bunch of animals fell into a Florida sink hole 500,000 years ago, a bunch of animals fell into a Florida sink hole

By Laura Baisas