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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120 million-year-old 'plants' turn out to be ultra-rare fossilized baby turtles
By Patrick Pester published
A new study re-examining old fossils collected by a Colombian priest more than 50 years ago has found they are actually rare hatchling turtles.

Scientists may have finally figured out how elephants got their incredible trunks
By Jacklin Kwan published
Elephants appear to have evolved their long, grasping trunks as a result of climate change pressures on their ancestors millions of years ago.

Half-asleep bears are wandering around Siberia because it's too hot to hibernate
By Sascha Pare published
Bears that are struggling to hibernate due to abnormally warm weather in Russia's Amur region are wandering around in a daze, having suppressed their metabolism in preparation for winter.

World's oldest tortoise still randy at 191 years old
By Carys Matthews published
Jonathan, the world's oldest tortoise, has turned 191, living through 40 U.S. presidents and 31 St. Helena governors.

Alpha chimp steals eagle's dinner in 'surreal and exhilarating' forest encounter
By Patrick Pester published
Chimps usually hunt for their meat, but a rare confrontation between a chimp and an eagle in Tanzania showcased their ability to scavenge.

Watch ancient, giant millipede the size of a car brought back to life in remarkable reconstruction
By Hannah Osborne published
The massive, extinct millipede Arthropleura has been brought back to life in a stunning reconstruction for the Netflix series "Life on Our Planet."

We finally know how tardigrades mate
By Elise Poore published
Researchers have discovered the first evidence that male tardigrades can find females by scent.

Ocean pout: The fish with antifreeze blood
By Richard Pallardy published
Ocean pout live in frigid waters from Labrador in Canada to North Carolina and have evolved a blood protein that serves as antifreeze.
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