Land mammal news, features and articles
-
Pallas's cat: One of the world's oldest felines that stands on its bushy tail to keep its paws warmPallas's cat is a small wild cat native to Central Asia with short legs and dense fur, making it look bigger than it really is — but the yelps it makes in stressful situations betray its size.
By Sascha Pare Published
18 Comments -
Earth's early primates evolved in the cold — not the tropicsFossil spore and pollen data reveal our early ancestors evolved in cold, dry environments, with some even colonizing Arctic regions.
By Jason Gilchrist Published
-
What's the difference between a llama and an alpaca?Llamas are closely related to alpacas, so how can you tell these South American camelids apart?
By Charles Q. Choi Published
4 Comments -
Best bat detectors in 2025 — Hear bats and their echolocationConnect with nature, even after the sun sets, with one of these best bat detectors and listen to the clicking of their echolocation at twilight
By Kat Bayly Published
-
Texas puma genes rescue Florida panthers from extinction — for nowThe low number of remaining Florida panthers has led to severe inbreeding. But now, genes from Texas pumas are helping to save them from extinction.
By Skyler Ware Published
-
Why do cats and dogs eat grass?There are many theories for why cats and dogs eat grass, and some could be "old wives' tales."
By Margaret Osborne Published
8 Comments -
Aye-ayes: The strange nocturnal lemurs with long, creepy fingersAye-ayes are remarkable thanks to their extra-long, bony middle fingers, which they use to locate grubs and pick their noses.
By Lydia Smith Published
-
Why do cats hate water?It's a well-known fact that most cats despise getting wet. But why?
By Marilyn Perkins Published
4 Comments -
Virginia opossums: The American marsupials that have barely changed since the time of the dinosaursVirginia opossums are the only marsupial species in North America.
By Lydia Smith Published
2 Comments
