Animal news, feature and articles

Editor's Picks

Composite image of two close-up photographs of Kanzi the bonobo
Kanzi the bonobo could play pretend — a trait thought unique to humans Past anecdotal observations have hinted that great apes play pretend. But now, experimental research shows that our closest living relatives can keep track of imaginary objects.
3 Comments
Two photographs side-by-side. (Left) A Yellowstone wolf stands staring at the camera on a snowed upon ground, (Right) a cougar stares at the camera while up high in a tree canopy.
'System in flux': Scientists reveal what happened when wolves and cougars returned to Yellowstone Large carnivores are both clashing and coexisting in the western United States. Although wolves dominate cougars and steal their prey, cougars' shift from elk- to deer-heavy diets, paired with a rugged landscape for escape, might help cougars avoid violent wolf encounters.
A male sika deer carries the severed head of a rival male on his antlers.
A deer carrying the rotting head of its vanquished foe and a playful lynx shortlisted for Wildlife Photographer of the Year Nuveen People's Choice Award Here are the 24 images shortlisted for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Nuveen People's Choice Award 2026.
15 Comments

Latest about Animals

Rare nocturnal parrots in New Zealand are breeding for the first time in 4 years — here's why

By Skyler Ware published

The 2026 breeding season for endangered kākāpō could produce the most chicks in decades.

3 Comments
Birds

Woolly rhino flesh pulled from ancient wolf stomach gives clues to ice age giant's extinction

By Kristina Killgrove published

More than 14,000 years ago, a wolf pup ate a piece of woolly rhino. Scientists have analyzed the rhino's DNA to figure out why it went extinct.

5 Comments
Land Mammals

How to watch 'Pole to Pole with Will Smith' — TV and streaming details as Oscar-winning actor blends adventure and scientific discovery

By Patrick Fletcher published

The actor embarks on a "thrilling adventure" across seven expeditions — here's how to watch "Pole to Pole with Will Smith" online from anywhere.

Animals
A person holding a northern green anaconda by the head.

Never-before-seen footage captures moment scientists find new, giant anaconda species in Amazon

By Sascha Pare published

Scientists recently discovered a new species of green anaconda in the Amazon rainforest. A new Nat Geo series shows the moment they encountered this snake in the wild.

10 Comments
Snakes
Tyrannosaurus and velociraptor walking through the forest. This Dinosaur lived in the late Cretaceous period. This is a 3d render illustration.

T. rex quiz: How much do you really know about the king of the dinosaurs?

By Chris Simms published

Almost everyone has heard of Tyrannosaurus rex, but how much do you actually know about this iconic dinosaur predator? Take our quiz to find out.

Dinosaurs
A very nice wild red and white maine coon cat sitting on the pine tree in the winter snowy forest.

Did any cat breeds develop naturally?

By Katherine Irving published

Humans have undoubtedly bred cats to create certain breeds, but did any of these feline breeds emerge naturally?

3 Comments
Cats

Giant 'cow of the Cretaceous' discovered almost 100 years ago identified as new duck-billed dinosaur

By Skyler Ware published

The dino lived during the Late Cretaceous alongside other hadrosaurids in present-day New Mexico.

Dinosaurs
Baby chimpanzee chewing on a twig.

Why can't you wiggle your toes one at a time?

By Steven Lautzenheiser published

A biological anthropologist explains why humans can't wiggle their toes in the same way they can wiggle their fingers.

Primates

Did reintroducing Wolves to Yellowstone really cause an ecological cascade?

By Olivia Ferrari published

Previous research on the effect of wolves on the food web has been criticized, raising questions about the predator’s role in the Yellowstone ecosystem.

51 Comments
Land Mammals

Orcas are adopting terrifying new behaviors. Are they getting smarter?

By Sascha Pare published

From sinking boats and feasting on shark livers to dining on whale tongue and tossing porpoises around for fun, orcas are displaying some fascinating — and sometimes terrifying — behaviors.

6 Comments
Orcas
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Archives