Animals
We live on a planet with millions of species of animals -and a rich, diverse collection of known wildlife, and yet new species are being identified seemingly every day — both living and extinct.
Whether it’s the deadliest snakes, longest-living creatures or the history of the dinosaurs, at Live Science, our expert writers are here to help you understand Earth's incredible fauna — past and present — with the latest animal news, features and articles.
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Great white shark ripped in 2 was 'loaded' with orca DNA, scientists say
By Sascha Pare published
Scientists have analyzed the remains of a great white shark that washed up in Australia in October and confirmed orcas disemboweled the predator to eat its liver — a first in these waters.

Dying orca's final moments after 'desperate' effort to stay afloat captured in 1st of its kind footage
By Sascha Pare published
An orca's final moments may have been captured on film for the first time, after repeated attempts by two young orcas to keep the old, dying male at the surface so he could breathe.

Strange sea worms have butts that grow a brain before wriggling off to find a mate
By Richard Pallardy published
Scientists have worked out how Japanese green syllids grow a butt with a brain that can swim away to reproduce.

Stunning footage captures tiny bird's fight for survival in massive Saharan sandstorm
By Hannah Osborne published
First of its kind footage captured for National Geographic's "Incredible Animal Journeys" shows a barn swallow caught in a sandstorm as part of its migration through the Sahara Desert.

Why does Australia have so many venomous animals?
By Elana Spivack published
Scientists explain why animals in Australia wield venom as a weapon.

Hercules beetle: The titan insect with giant horns for love and war
By Megan Shersby published
Hercules beetles can grow to almost 7 inches long and are among the largest flying insects on Earth.

Giant 1.5-foot-long rat that can crack open coconuts photographed for 1st time on remote island
By Sascha Pare published
After years of failed attempts, scientists have finally succeeded in snapping images of an extremely rare, enormous rat that is so big it can reportedly chew through coconuts on the Solomon Islands.

Watch rare footage of 2 mini mola swimming together off Canada's Pacific coast
By Sascha Pare published
A diver filmed a pair of young ocean sunfish off Canada's coast and experts estimated them to measure 24 inches across — five times smaller than the size they reach as adults.
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