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livescience.comWorld's fattest parrot — on the verge of extinction 30 years ago — has record-breaking breeding season
Conservationists are celebrating the 105th kākāpō chick to hatch during the 2026 breeding season — the highest number reported since such records began 30 years ago.
Critically endangered hare spotted in surprising location for the first time in 40 years — but it was already dead
Scientists in China have announced the first confirmed sighting of the critically endangered Hainan hare in part of its native range in four decades, after spotting its completely flattened carcass on a roadside.
Watch sperm whale headbutt another for no apparent reason
Scientists have captured first-of-its-kind footage of a sperm whale violently headbutting another sperm whale out of the blue. Researchers filmed the clip with a drone during fieldwork off the Azores and Balearic Islands.
'Parasites of human societies': How did we end up so close to cats?
In the book "The Call of the Honeyguide," applied ecologist Rob Dunn explores mutually beneficial relationships between different species. But Dunn argues the relationship between humans and cats may force a rethink of what shape these mutualisms can take.
Bonobos are just as aggressive as chimps, but there's a key difference — the female bonobos
A new study of chimpanzee and bonobo groups at zoos reveals similar levels of aggression. However, scientists found stark sex-based differences between the species.
Birds are declining faster and faster in 3 US hotspots, new study finds
Researchers have revealed that North American birds are declining at an accelerating rate in three regional hotspots associated with intense agriculture.
Chewed-up orca fins on Russian beach point to cannibalism, and scientists say it may explain why some pods are so tight-knit
Detached orca fins scored with distinctive tooth marks suggest that killer whale cannibalism is happening — and it might explain some complex orca societies.
Prehistoric water-dwelling weirdo with sideways teeth and a twisted jaw was already a 'living fossil' 275 million years ago
Scientists have described Tanyka amnicola, a newly identified species of prehistoric creature that lived 275 million years ago and had a bizarre twisted jaw with sideways-facing teeth.
Every ant is a queen in this parasitic species — and they reproduce by cloning themselves and hijacking other ant colonies
A rare Japanese ant is the only species known to lack female workers and males; all of its young develop into parasitic queens that try to take over other colonies.
'We're starting to find a lot more weirdness': These strange animals can control their body heat
Some creatures can dramatically alter their internal temperature — a strategy called heterothermy — and outlast storms, floods and predators.
Kazakhstan plants tens of thousands of trees in giant effort to reintroduce tigers
Kazakhstan planted 37,000 seedlings and cuttings in South Balkhash last year to prepare for the return of its tigers, which disappeared more than 70 years ago.
Scientists find genetic 'switch' in mice that turns caring dads into violent brutes
An African striped mouse father huddles with some of his pups. (Image credit: C. Todd Reichart / Princeton University (Department of Molecular Biology)) Flipping a single genetic switch can make doting dads attack their offspring, at least in African striped mice, new research suggests.
Snakes keep evolving into cannibals — here's what scientists think is going on
A review of over 500 reports of cannibalistic behavior in snakes finds it's appeared multiple times in different evolutionary lineages, leading researchers to hypothesize it's beneficial for snakes.
Extraordinary photo captures first appearance of Siberian peregrine falcon in Australia's arid center
The Siberian peregrine falcon captured on camera by ecologist Tim Henderson over Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary near Alice Springs in central Australia.
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.
Saltwater crocodiles crossed the Indian Ocean to reach the Seychelles — before humans arrived and wiped them out
New study finds saltwater crocodiles used to be in a lot more places than they are today. Saltwater crocodiles used to occupy a massive range that stretched across the Indian Ocean to the Seychelles, new DNA research confirms.
Spotted lanternflies are invading the US. They may have gotten their evolutionary superpowers in China's cities.
The alarming spread of spotted lanternflies across the U.S. has been made possible by cities acting as evolutionary incubators, fine-tuning the insects and enabling them to thrive.
Grim photo captures polar bear mom and cubs resting in mud in summer heat
An image of polar bears napping along the Hudson Bay coast in Canada has been shortlisted for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Nuveen People's Choice Award 2026.
'System in flux': Scientists reveal what happened when wolves and cougars returned to Yellowstone
After wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park, cougars — that had only regained a foothold a few decades earlier — were able to coexist due to their diets changing and the varied landscape of the park, according to new research.
'Part of the evolutionary fabric of our societies': Same-sex sexual behavior in primates may be a survival strategy, study finds
A new study comparing 59 species of primates linked same-sex sexual behavior to scarce resources and more predators in socially complex species. The findings show diverse sexual behaviors are common — and likely beneficial in primates.
Shark attacks in Hawaii spike in October, and scientists think they know why
"Sharktober" — the spike in shark bite incidents off the west coast of North America during the fall — is real, and it seems to happen in Hawaii when tiger sharks give birth in the waters surrounding the islands, new research suggests.
Rock climbers in Italy accidentally discovered evidence of an 80 million-year-old sea turtle stampede
Rock climbers in Italy stumbled across evidence of what appears to be a sea turtle stampede that took place nearly 80 million years ago. Now, new research suggests these ancient marine reptiles were fleeing an earthquake.
Scientists baffled at mysterious ancient creature that doesn't fit on the tree of life as we know it
A bizarre ancient life-form, considered to be the first giant organism to live on land, may belong to a totally unknown branch of the tree of life, scientists say. These organisms were massive, with some species growing up to 26 feet (8 meters) tall and 3 feet (1 m) wide.
Coyote scrambles onto Alcatraz Island after perilous, never-before-seen swim
Prisoners on Alcatraz once risked the perilous waters in San Francisco Bay to escape the island's high-security prison. Now, a wily coyote has been filmed doing the opposite: swimming to Alcatraz Island for the first time.
Rare nocturnal parrots in New Zealand are breeding for the first time in 4 years — here's why
The critically endangered kakapo have entered their first breeding season in four years, officials report. (Image credit: Liu Yang/Getty Images) A critically endangered, flightless parrot species is breeding for the first time in four years in New Zealand, officials announced Jan. 6.
World's fattest parrot — on the verge of extinction 30 years ago — has record-breaking breeding season
Conservationists are celebrating the 105th kākāpō chick to hatch during the 2026 breeding season — the highest number reported since such records began 30 years ago.
Critically endangered hare spotted in surprising location for the first time in 40 years — but it was already dead
Scientists in China have announced the first confirmed sighting of the critically endangered Hainan hare in part of its native range in four decades, after spotting its completely flattened carcass on a roadside.
Watch sperm whale headbutt another for no apparent reason
Scientists have captured first-of-its-kind footage of a sperm whale violently headbutting another sperm whale out of the blue. Researchers filmed the clip with a drone during fieldwork off the Azores and Balearic Islands.
'Parasites of human societies': How did we end up so close to cats?
In the book "The Call of the Honeyguide," applied ecologist Rob Dunn explores mutually beneficial relationships between different species. But Dunn argues the relationship between humans and cats may force a rethink of what shape these mutualisms can take.
Bonobos are just as aggressive as chimps, but there's a key difference — the female bonobos
A new study of chimpanzee and bonobo groups at zoos reveals similar levels of aggression. However, scientists found stark sex-based differences between the species.
Birds are declining faster and faster in 3 US hotspots, new study finds
Researchers have revealed that North American birds are declining at an accelerating rate in three regional hotspots associated with intense agriculture.
Chewed-up orca fins on Russian beach point to cannibalism, and scientists say it may explain why some pods are so tight-knit
Detached orca fins scored with distinctive tooth marks suggest that killer whale cannibalism is happening — and it might explain some complex orca societies.
Prehistoric water-dwelling weirdo with sideways teeth and a twisted jaw was already a 'living fossil' 275 million years ago
Scientists have described Tanyka amnicola, a newly identified species of prehistoric creature that lived 275 million years ago and had a bizarre twisted jaw with sideways-facing teeth.
Every ant is a queen in this parasitic species — and they reproduce by cloning themselves and hijacking other ant colonies
A rare Japanese ant is the only species known to lack female workers and males; all of its young develop into parasitic queens that try to take over other colonies.
'We're starting to find a lot more weirdness': These strange animals can control their body heat
Some creatures can dramatically alter their internal temperature — a strategy called heterothermy — and outlast storms, floods and predators.
Kazakhstan plants tens of thousands of trees in giant effort to reintroduce tigers
Kazakhstan planted 37,000 seedlings and cuttings in South Balkhash last year to prepare for the return of its tigers, which disappeared more than 70 years ago.
Scientists find genetic 'switch' in mice that turns caring dads into violent brutes
An African striped mouse father huddles with some of his pups. (Image credit: C. Todd Reichart / Princeton University (Department of Molecular Biology)) Flipping a single genetic switch can make doting dads attack their offspring, at least in African striped mice, new research suggests.
Snakes keep evolving into cannibals — here's what scientists think is going on
A review of over 500 reports of cannibalistic behavior in snakes finds it's appeared multiple times in different evolutionary lineages, leading researchers to hypothesize it's beneficial for snakes.
Extraordinary photo captures first appearance of Siberian peregrine falcon in Australia's arid center
The Siberian peregrine falcon captured on camera by ecologist Tim Henderson over Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary near Alice Springs in central Australia.
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.
Saltwater crocodiles crossed the Indian Ocean to reach the Seychelles — before humans arrived and wiped them out
New study finds saltwater crocodiles used to be in a lot more places than they are today. Saltwater crocodiles used to occupy a massive range that stretched across the Indian Ocean to the Seychelles, new DNA research confirms.
Spotted lanternflies are invading the US. They may have gotten their evolutionary superpowers in China's cities.
The alarming spread of spotted lanternflies across the U.S. has been made possible by cities acting as evolutionary incubators, fine-tuning the insects and enabling them to thrive.
Grim photo captures polar bear mom and cubs resting in mud in summer heat
An image of polar bears napping along the Hudson Bay coast in Canada has been shortlisted for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Nuveen People's Choice Award 2026.
'System in flux': Scientists reveal what happened when wolves and cougars returned to Yellowstone
After wolves were reintroduced to Yellowstone National Park, cougars — that had only regained a foothold a few decades earlier — were able to coexist due to their diets changing and the varied landscape of the park, according to new research.
'Part of the evolutionary fabric of our societies': Same-sex sexual behavior in primates may be a survival strategy, study finds
A new study comparing 59 species of primates linked same-sex sexual behavior to scarce resources and more predators in socially complex species. The findings show diverse sexual behaviors are common — and likely beneficial in primates.
Shark attacks in Hawaii spike in October, and scientists think they know why
"Sharktober" — the spike in shark bite incidents off the west coast of North America during the fall — is real, and it seems to happen in Hawaii when tiger sharks give birth in the waters surrounding the islands, new research suggests.
Rock climbers in Italy accidentally discovered evidence of an 80 million-year-old sea turtle stampede
Rock climbers in Italy stumbled across evidence of what appears to be a sea turtle stampede that took place nearly 80 million years ago. Now, new research suggests these ancient marine reptiles were fleeing an earthquake.
Scientists baffled at mysterious ancient creature that doesn't fit on the tree of life as we know it
A bizarre ancient life-form, considered to be the first giant organism to live on land, may belong to a totally unknown branch of the tree of life, scientists say. These organisms were massive, with some species growing up to 26 feet (8 meters) tall and 3 feet (1 m) wide.
Coyote scrambles onto Alcatraz Island after perilous, never-before-seen swim
Prisoners on Alcatraz once risked the perilous waters in San Francisco Bay to escape the island's high-security prison. Now, a wily coyote has been filmed doing the opposite: swimming to Alcatraz Island for the first time.
Rare nocturnal parrots in New Zealand are breeding for the first time in 4 years — here's why
The critically endangered kakapo have entered their first breeding season in four years, officials report. (Image credit: Liu Yang/Getty Images) A critically endangered, flightless parrot species is breeding for the first time in four years in New Zealand, officials announced Jan. 6.
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