8 animals that may be key to curing human diseases
There are plenty of good reasons to preserve wildlife and their ecosystems, but if you need one major motivator to step up the conservation game, it’s certain animals’ relationships to western medicine. Thanks to genetic similarities, inspiring biological makeups, and naturally occurring chemicals, there are plenty of animals out there that could be key to … Continued
Cannibis is killing off one of California’s cutest critters
As more and more people light up under revamped marijuana laws, not everyone is getting their chill on. Specifically, it seems like the cannabis industry’s sudden growth is once again burning wildlife. The state of California is concerned about the status of the Humbolt marten, a creature sometimes described as the west coast’s version of … Continued
10 animals that have survived the threat of extinction so far
About half a decade ago a mysterious “melting” virus basically wiped out millions of starfish off the western coast of North America and pushed a number of species to the brink of extinction. It was a scary time to be a starfish to be sure, but now things are coming up… well, Starfish. According to … Continued
7 ways Trump’s environmental policies are affecting wildlife
It’s no secret the current U.S. president is a fan of business and looking out for the interests of the wealthy, and less of a “bleeding heart” when it comes to protecting wildlife and the environment. Those traits are undoubtedly why Donald Trump has had his government scrub words like “climate change,” and even the … Continued
Rivers are now so polluted with drugs that even wildlife is getting high
You are what you eat. Or in this case, perhaps it’s more accurate to say you are what you swim in. We’ve heard of everything from contraceptives to antidepressants affecting aquatic ecosystems and the creatures that rely on them, but now a new study is pointing to the dangers of illicit drugs—namely cocaine—being dumped into … Continued
Vipers: nature’s most dangerous noodles
Vipers are the epitome of evolutionary warfare.
Feather stars are the most mesmerizing creatures in the ocean
This is a Feather Star, a graceful and elegant master of regeneration that takes the crown for the most mesmerizing creature in the ocean.
An “activist” orangutan fights off bulldozer to save home
When animals attack, it’s usually for a pretty good reason. Often it’s because they’re trying to protect their young, or sometimes their food. And then there are the animals who attack for sheer survival, after a human hand has given them no other choice. Enter one “activist” orangutan in Indonesia, who finally had enough and … Continued
9 reasons coral reefs are so integral to our survival
As any snorkeling or scuba diving aficionado can attest, coral reefs are beautiful to behold. But look a little closer and these wondrous feats of nature aren’t just another gorgeous underwater feature to be marveled at—their purpose is actually quite integral to the ongoing survival of many. And yes, that includes humans. Today, thanks to … Continued
12 animals that wreaked havoc on important ecosystems
There’s a reason border agents are such sticklers when it comes to bringing any kind of food, animal, or plant into another country. Invasive animals, or foreign species, have long wrecked havoc on the environments into which they were introduced, killing off established animals, adding more competition for food sources, and eating up vegetation that’s required … Continued
The Beautiful and Deadly Mantis Shrimp
Mantis Shrimp are amazing. Their punches move 45 miles per hour, strike with 200 pounds of force and create a cavitation bubble on impact that when collapses emits a burst of heat hotter than the surface of the sun.
Biologists found 17 pounds of plastic lodged in a dead whale
The mounting problem of plastic pollution in the world’s oceans may not have been a concern for all of the world leaders during the recent G7 summit, but it continues to affect marine life in a pretty big way. Case in point? The story of a pilot whale that was discovered in Thailand’s Na Thap … Continued
11 of the strangest animal genitals on the planet
There are many things that fascinate us about the animal kingdom, from certain species’ habitats and their genetic makeups to their habits and overall dispositions. But one of the things we can’t help but continue to be the most fascinated by is the mating rituals of certain creatures and critters… especially when they happen to … Continued
Conservationists are now taking some pretty drastic measures to save rhinos
Rhinos are beautiful and majestic creatures, creatures that could cease to exist if we don’t soon find a solution to the worldwide poaching problem. Their plight comes with a sense of irony, really. For millions of years rhinos have relied on their large horns to save and protect them from a variety of situations and … Continued
Frill-Necked Lizards are straight out of Jurassic Park
If there’s anything on the planet that looks like it’s straight out of Jurassic park, it’s the frilled neck lizard. Check out Skillshare and get your first 2 months free: http://skl.sh/animalogic
These are 7 of the top new species of 2018
Every year scientists discover roughly 18,000 new species of microbes, plants, animals, and even some extinct creatures, which means it takes a pretty special discovery for one of these species to make it onto a Top 10 list. Yet every year taxonomists from the College of Environmental Science and Forestry manage to select the best … Continued
We’ve now destroyed 83 per cent of all wild mammals
There may be millions of species out there, but when it comes to the one that has been the most destructive, human beings are clearly at the top of the chain. New research shows that, despite the world’s 7.6 billion people representing just 0.01 per cent of all living things, we’ve now managed to destroy … Continued
Mola Mola: behemoths of the deep
This is a Mola Mola, behemoths of the sea, that despite their prehistoric looking size, are actually one of the youngest species of fish in the world.
How to survive 10 random (but common) animal attacks
It’s a tough life for a city-dwelling animal, especially as new developments drive natural wildlife further and further from their homes. So these days it seems like any regular old Joe Schmo can find himself at the mercy of an angry raccoon, coyote or skunk at the end of the driveway, making the city (and … Continued
Tarsiers: Creepy Little Ninjas
The Tarsier looks like a little teddy bear who’s seen way too much – and with those giant eyes, they definitely have.
Family raises dog for two years before realizing it’s a bear
According to Jim Halpert, it’s pretty much fact that bears eat beets. But apparently, it’s also a fact that bears look like dogs. So much so that one family actually raised a bear thinking it was a dog for two whole years. That’s right, when a family in China purchased a puppy two years ago … Continued
10 lethal animal encounters that could have totally been avoided
Wild animals are beautiful to look at… or at least they are from afar. That’s because wild animals are exactly that–wild. That means you’re probably best to stay far away and to not try and tame them as pets or snuggle up to them in order to snap a selfie. Yet every year we hear … Continued
Researchers discover "ground zero" causing worldwide amphibian plague
It looks like there’s even more reason to take those airport signs seriously. While we’ve long known about the potential dangers of introducing animals to foreign ecosystems, researchers now believe the illegal transportation of amphibians across borders could be the reason so many of them have been dying from a known plague. Chytrid fungus, a … Continued
Stargazers: Nightmares of the ocean floor
Meet the Stargazer, the electric, venomous, monster of the sea, and new addition to my nightmares.
Can a Bonobo Beat you at Pac-Man?
Bonobos are incredibly smart. They can build fires, cook meals, are sex positive and can even get pretty far in Pac-Man.
10 of the most trafficked animals in existence (for now)
Recently more than 10,000 endangered radiated tortoises were seized from poachers in Madagascar, but not all of them were physically saved. Hundreds of the animals died from illness and dehydration, proving once again that most animals just really shouldn’t be taken out of their habitat. Experts believe the turtles were intended for the illegal pet … Continued