Animals

  1. Animals

    For a python, every meal is like Thanksgiving

    Burmese pythons rarely eat, but when they do, they gorge. Unlike humans, pythons have adaptations that allow them to survive on huge meals.

    By Sarah Zielinski
  2. Genetics

    Water bears are genetic mash-ups

    Drying out may help tardigrades soak up new DNA, which in turn aids the water bears in withstanding stress.

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  3. Animals

    Five species that show why ‘bird brain’ is a stupid phrase

    Birds can use tools, make art and understand human language. Why do we assume they are stupid?

    By Sarah Zielinski
  4. Science & Society

    Genetically modified salmon gets approval in U.S.

    Fast-growing salmon become first genetically engineered animals approved for human consumption.

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  5. Animals

    How to see with eyes made of rock

    Tiny mollusk eyes in chiton armor can pick up rough images.

    By Susan Milius
  6. Animals

    Adorable birds tap dance their way into the heart of a mate

    Blue-capped cordon-bleu songbirds not only sing, but also tap dance to woo mates, study reveals.

    By Helen Thompson
  7. Animals

    Vampire bats share blood to make friends

    Vampire bats that share blood with nonrelatives have a wider social network to rely on when they’re in need, a new study finds.

    By Sarah Zielinski
  8. Animals

    Getting creative to cut methane from cows

    Changing feed, giving vaccines and selective breeding may enable scientists to help beef and dairy cattle shake their title as one of society's worst methane producers.

    By Laura Beil
  9. Animals

    Ponds and their toads cured of dreaded disease

    Treating both tadpoles and their ponds for infection by deadly Bd chytrid fungus lets midwife toads go wild again.

    By Susan Milius
  10. Animals

    Hungry elephants turn trunks into leaf blowers

    Darwin once observed an elephant using its trunk to blow an object closer. Japanese zoo elephants use the behavior to obtain food, a new study reports.

    By Sarah Zielinski
  11. Life

    ‘Racing Extinction’ documents plight of endangered species

    The new documentary "Racing Extinction" offers hope that people can halt the sixth mass extinction.

    By Tina Hesman Saey
  12. Animals

    Tortoises provide a window into the illegal wildlife trade

    Tens of thousands of Indian star tortoises are poached every year, a new study finds.

    By Sarah Zielinski