Prime numbers protect Brood X cicadas from everything but zombie fungus By Stephanie Pappas Most predators are stymied by the cicadas' 17-year life spans, but the insects are still vulnerable to being zombified.
Cause of mysterious bald eagle deaths found after 25 years By Harry Baker Scientists have finally solved a 25-year-old mystery surrounding a neurodegenerative disease killing bald eagles and other lake animals in the U.S.
Do octopuses dream of 8-armed sheep? New study hints at human-like sleep cycle in cephalopods By Nicoletta Lanese Octopuses switch between "quiet" and "active" sleep, where they turn vivid colors.
Orcas: Facts about killer whales By Alina Bradford, Patrick Pester Orcas, or killer whales, are the largest of the dolphin family.
Millions of dead jellyfish are washing up around the world. 'The blob' could be to blame. By Brandon Specktor Every few years, millions of by-the-wind sailor jellyfish wash up on beaches and die. What is causing so many of them to become stranded? The blob could be to blame.
Amazon 'river monster' turns up dead in Florida By Laura Geggel A dead "river monster" from the Amazon was discovered in Florida, leading to concerns that the fish might become an invasive species there.
Genes of 500 million-year-old sea monsters live inside us By Cameron Duke Primeval sea creatures share genes with humans, suggesting that we're more like ancient animals than previously thought.
Dead juvenile humpback whale washes up on UK beach By Harry Baker A juvenile humpback whale has washed up on a beach in the U.K. after first being spotted dead weeks ago.
How did coyotes become regular city slickers? By Patrick Pester Coyotes originated in prairies and deserts, but are now right at home in big cities across North America. How did this naturally shy creature learn to thrive in crowded urban landscapes?
Bored chimps at Czech zoos video chat during lockdown By Harry Baker Zookeepers from two zoos in the Czech Republic have set up big screens to allow their chimps to interact with each other via a video call.
Sperm whales outwitted 19th-century whalers by sharing evasive tactics By Ben Turner The discovery has implications for our understanding of whale culture.
'Winged' eagle shark soared through oceans 93 million years ago By Laura Geggel A bizarre shark with wing-like side fins soared through an ancient sea 93 million years ago in what is now Mexico.
'Rarest of the rare' dinosaur fossil found brooding on its eggs By Laura Geggel This is the first non-avian dinosaur to fossilize on a clutch of eggs containing embryonic remains.
Arctic walrus takes a nap on an iceberg, wakes up in Ireland By Nicoletta Lanese That's one theory for how the walrus wound up so far from home.
Why do dogs and cats run around in random bursts of speed? By Tara Santora What prompts this lightning-like energy in pets?
Beached sperm whale in Australia shows scars from tussle with a giant squid By Laura Geggel A dead sperm whale measuring 52 feet (16 meters) long is rotting away on a beach in southern Australia.
Meerkats seem to rejoice when zoo visitors return after lockdown By Patrick Pester Meerkats and penguins living in zoos had different reactions to the return of visitors after COVID-19 restrictions left them alone in empty parks with only zookeepers for company.
Something is killing California's songbirds By Yasemin Saplakoglu Officials are urging people to take down their feeders, where birds are congregating and spreading a bacterial infection.
Octopuses can 'see' light with their arms By Cameron Duke Octopuses can "see" light with their arms, even when their eyes are in the dark, researchers have found.
This sea slug can chop off its head and grow an entire new body, twice By Harry Baker Two species of sacoglossan sea slugs have been found to be able to sever their heads from their bodies and regrow a replacement by researchers in Japan.
