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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Latest about Animals
'Unusual' beaver die-off in Utah caused by 'rabbit fever,' which can also infect humans
By Harry Baker published
At least nine beavers and a vole have been found dead in Utah after an unusual outbreak of tularemia, also known as rabbit fever, which can infect and kill humans, cats and dogs. Experts warn people to be wary of ticks, which can transmit the disease across species.
50-foot 'king of the serpents' may have been the biggest snake to ever live
By Jacklin Kwan published
Giant, 47 million-year-old snake fossils pulled from mine in India may be the largest snake ever, potentially surpassing Titanoboa by around 15 feet.
Giant, 82-foot lizard fish discovered on UK beach could be largest marine reptile ever found
By Richard Pallardy published
Newly discovered ichthyosaur that lived 200 million years ago in the Triassic sea is potentially the biggest to ever live, scientists say.
Anglerfish entered the midnight zone 55 million years ago and thrived by becoming sexual parasites
By Richard Pallardy published
Anglerfish first colonized the ocean's midnight zone 55 million years ago, during a period of extreme global warming, a new study finds. The bizarre fish adapted to thrive in the deep sea by becoming sexual parasites, the researchers said.
World's oldest wild bird is 'actively courting' after losing long-term mate
By Sascha Pare published
Biologists on Midway Atoll in the North Pacific Ocean have spotted a septuagenarian female Laysan albatross named Wisdom flirting with potential mates months after the end of the nesting season.
Watch hammerhead sharks swim in 'cyclones' around ancient volcano in rare footage
By Sascha Pare published
Filmmakers have captured hundreds of hammerhead sharks circling a volcanic island off Costa Rica for a new Netflix wildlife series.
Watch female octopus drag male around during sex in rare footage captured off Indonesian island
By Hannah Osborne published
Unusual octopus mating session captured in rare and comical footage filmed off the Indonesian island of Bunaken for new National Geographic show.
Infamous boat-sinking orcas spotted hundreds of miles from where they should be, baffling scientists
By Harry Baker published
Orcas that attack and sink boats in southwestern Europe have been spotted circling a vessel in Spain, hundreds of miles from where they should currently be. And scientists can't explain why.
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