<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<rss version="2.0"
     xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/"
     xmlns:dc="https://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/"
     xmlns:dcterms="http://purl.org/dc/terms/"
     xmlns:media="http://search.yahoo.com/mrss/"
     xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom"
>
    <channel>
                    <atom:link href="https://www.livescience.com/feeds/tag/animals" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml" />
                            <title><![CDATA[ Latest from Live Science in Animals ]]></title>
                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals</link>
        <description><![CDATA[ All the latest animals content from the Live Science team ]]></description>
                                    <lastBuildDate>Sat, 02 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000</lastBuildDate>
                            <language>en</language>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[  What's the difference between a lion and a tiger? ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/cats/whats-the-difference-between-a-lion-and-a-tiger</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ One has stripes, and one doesn't. But do the differences between lions and tigers go deeper than that? ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">3ysXrnesPG2Fgu4ZgheUJk</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PASmtoHQ2weaEJ9JB9wuWm-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Sat, 02 May 2026 09:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                <category><![CDATA[Cats]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Land Mammals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Dani Leviss ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PASmtoHQ2weaEJ9JB9wuWm-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Zocha_K and KvdB50 via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Beyond a tiger&#039;s stripes and a lion&#039;s mane, what are the differences between these two big cats? ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Two images are side by side, the one on the left showing an orange-and-white striped tiger sitting in a lush forest with the image on the right as a male lion with an orange mane sitting in a field.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Two images are side by side, the one on the left showing an orange-and-white striped tiger sitting in a lush forest with the image on the right as a male lion with an orange mane sitting in a field.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PASmtoHQ2weaEJ9JB9wuWm-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ City birds appear to like men more than women, but experts have no idea why ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/birds/city-birds-appear-to-like-men-more-than-women-but-experts-have-no-idea-why</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ An analysis of 37 urban bird species found that men could get slightly closer to the avians than women could, suggesting that these animals recognize sex differences in humans. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">3tegHtys5iDp7z5nXJNLf6</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bBYpeBj2AN37hSrkLGLcNQ-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Fri, 01 May 2026 15:44:34 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                <category><![CDATA[Birds]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Kenna Hughes-Castleberry ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bBYpeBj2AN37hSrkLGLcNQ-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[aire images via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Several species of urban birds can recognize the difference between adult males and females, a new study suggests.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A woman wearing a short skirt and pink sandals stands in the midst of a group of pigeons. ]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A woman wearing a short skirt and pink sandals stands in the midst of a group of pigeons. ]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bBYpeBj2AN37hSrkLGLcNQ-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ 'I'm more hopeful that birds can endure than maybe even our own species': Paleontologist Steve Brusatte on why birds are the ultimate survivors ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/birds/their-greatest-challenge-since-they-stared-down-the-asteroid-paleontologist-steve-brusatte-on-why-birds-are-facing-their-biggest-existential-threat-since-the-dino-killing-asteroid</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ In a new book, paleontologist Steve Brusatte tells the wild story of how birds evolved during the Jurassic and took to the skies, surviving the asteroid strike that killed their fellow dinosaurs. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">bjUDx4pzcR8GMJ9CoLSqwb</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/on43bKdWEpnfevvzqfxjq7-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Tue, 28 Apr 2026 17:33:11 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Wed, 29 Apr 2026 16:13:02 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Birds]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ lgeggel@livescience.com (Laura Geggel) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Laura Geggel ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/on43bKdWEpnfevvzqfxjq7-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Frieso Hoevelkamp/Stocktrek Images via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Some birds survived the end-Cretaceous mass extinction thanks to a variety of features, including their ability to grow quickly and fly.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[An illustration of a blazing asteroid impact to the left of the image with volcanoes in the distance and large birds flying under a red, ashy sky.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[An illustration of a blazing asteroid impact to the left of the image with volcanoes in the distance and large birds flying under a red, ashy sky.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/on43bKdWEpnfevvzqfxjq7-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ 'He began to cry, and almost fell to the floor': The fluffy fossil that finally showed the world that birds are dinosaurs ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/dinosaurs/he-began-to-cry-and-almost-fell-to-the-floor-the-fluffy-fossil-that-finally-showed-the-world-that-birds-are-dinosaurs</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ In this excerpt from "The Story of Birds", author Steve Brusatte explores the moment where paleontologists realized they had critical evidence to show birds came from dinosaurs — a fluffy fossil from China. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">6jnMDs3VnCoZXL2W8X9yoW</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/X6iomE9sZY5ANoaAJuE28S-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Tue, 28 Apr 2026 13:04:28 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Thu, 30 Apr 2026 14:23:49 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Dinosaurs]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Extinct species]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Steve Brusatte ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/X6iomE9sZY5ANoaAJuE28S-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[meen_na/Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[&lt;em&gt;Archaeopteryx&lt;/em&gt; was discovered in the 1860s and provided the first hint that birds and dinosaurs may be related. ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[a bird dinosaur on a black background]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[a bird dinosaur on a black background]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/X6iomE9sZY5ANoaAJuE28S-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Mystery of golden orb found in depths of ocean off Alaska finally solved: 'Everyone was like, What the heck? What is that?'  ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/aquatic-animals/mystery-of-golden-orb-found-in-depths-of-ocean-off-alaska-finally-solved</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ A two-and-a-half-year-old mystery concerning a strange golden object found miles below the sea surface isn't an egg or sponge ‪—‬ it's from an anemone-like animal. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">JCD84mvWq4BgFUNPYWirJM</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CExJcSvZPkcBoPmJgRhJy4-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Mon, 27 Apr 2026 11:57:26 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Mon, 27 Apr 2026 22:32:30 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Aquatic Animals]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Chris Simms ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CExJcSvZPkcBoPmJgRhJy4-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[NOAA Ocean Exploration, Seascape Alaska.]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    <media:description><![CDATA[a strange golden object found at the bottom of the gulf of alaska]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[a strange golden object found at the bottom of the gulf of alaska]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[a strange golden object found at the bottom of the gulf of alaska]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CExJcSvZPkcBoPmJgRhJy4-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Why do cats and dogs shake their heads? ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/cats/why-do-cats-and-dogs-shake-their-heads</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Cats often flick their heads back and forth as if they've been possessed. This strange reflex has a simple explanation. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">tgqggDtSsYeRKi2pdNdSDo</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/maaka5eKc4gmjb9oYLepGe-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Sun, 26 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 01 May 2026 13:33:38 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Cats]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Land Mammals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Melissa Hobson ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/maaka5eKc4gmjb9oYLepGe-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[DANIEL LEAL via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Larry the no 10 cat shakes his head as he patrols Downing Street in central London on Nov. 30, 2021.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A brown and white tabby cat tilts its head to the left, its eyes half-closed]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A brown and white tabby cat tilts its head to the left, its eyes half-closed]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/maaka5eKc4gmjb9oYLepGe-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ 'Kraken' octopus that lived at the time of the dinosaurs was a 62-foot-long apex predator of the ocean ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/octopuses/kraken-octopus-that-lived-at-the-time-of-the-dinosaurs-was-a-62-foot-long-apex-predator-of-the-ocean</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ A close inspection of 27 fossil jaws from finned octopuses challenge the longstanding belief that the apex oceanic predators of the Cretaceous were all vertebrates. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">f2H3G5XpYE7ThKSeKZALoQ</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VFBjdfV6Ud9qzaukmLzPcJ-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Thu, 23 Apr 2026 18:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 24 Apr 2026 16:09:48 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Octopuses]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Mollusks]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Sophie Berdugo ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VFBjdfV6Ud9qzaukmLzPcJ-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Yohei Utsuki: Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences, Hokkaido University]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    <media:description><![CDATA[Illustration of giant pink octopus in the ocean with blue border ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Illustration of giant pink octopus in the ocean with blue border ]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Illustration of giant pink octopus in the ocean with blue border ]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VFBjdfV6Ud9qzaukmLzPcJ-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Bruce the parrot is missing his upper beak —‬ but that hasn't stopped him from becoming an undefeated jousting champion ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/birds/parrot-missing-half-his-beak-wins-jousting-with-special-technique</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ A kea parrot in New Zealand who lost the top part of his beak when young has developed a new way to fight other males that has made him unbeatable. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">efccRn5JBV3C6cDuHDjNJP</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tZv2zHSYkwxR2PMnABWpRW-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Mon, 20 Apr 2026 15:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Tue, 21 Apr 2026 21:52:35 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Birds]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Olivia Ferrari ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tZv2zHSYkwxR2PMnABWpRW-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Alex Grabham]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Bruce the parrot uses his injured beak to win competitions with other male parrots. ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A gray and green parrot looks at the camera, its beak open with the top of its beak missing. Grasses and trees sit behind it.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A gray and green parrot looks at the camera, its beak open with the top of its beak missing. Grasses and trees sit behind it.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/tZv2zHSYkwxR2PMnABWpRW-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Naked mole rats wage bloody wars of succession to choose a new queen — but one colony did something scientists have never seen before ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/mole-rats-wage-bloody-wars-of-succession-to-choose-a-new-queen-but-one-colony-did-something-scientists-have-never-seen-before</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ When their queen dies, naked mole rat females usually wage bloody battles of succession. But peace may be possible, a new study suggests ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">p6YUQpKR6MUweHxuB4k2Md</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fm7BpbExHyyMxSy7bgRzKM-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 15:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Tue, 21 Apr 2026 11:11:35 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Jeanna Bryner ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fm7BpbExHyyMxSy7bgRzKM-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Evgeniya Moskova via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Naked mole rats live in clusters and move through tunnels underground.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[a photo fo a naked mole rat in a tunnel]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[a photo fo a naked mole rat in a tunnel]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/fm7BpbExHyyMxSy7bgRzKM-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Can chickens really run around with their heads cut off? ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/birds/can-chickens-really-run-around-with-their-heads-cut-off</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ There's lore about chickens surviving from seconds to months after their heads are chopped off, but what does the science say? ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">WHXJ6wbHz45PZMad4fQuH8</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PLqb9h226U2khY4rXcnw3T-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Sun, 19 Apr 2026 09:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                <category><![CDATA[Birds]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Ashley P. Taylor ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PLqb9h226U2khY4rXcnw3T-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Sol de Zuasnabar Brebbia via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Can chickens survive long after their heads are chopped off?]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A brown rooster with a red comb on his head looks to the right of the camera. He stands in a fenced in area with other chickens blurry in the background]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A brown rooster with a red comb on his head looks to the right of the camera. He stands in a fenced in area with other chickens blurry in the background]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/PLqb9h226U2khY4rXcnw3T-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ New study confirms lobsters feel pain, driving scientists to call for a ban on boiling them alive ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/new-study-confirms-lobsters-feel-pain-driving-scientists-to-call-for-a-ban-on-boiling-them-alive</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ A new study adds to the growing body of evidence that lobsters feel pain, with the crustaceans seemingly responding to electrical shocks with emotional distress. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">oonw6hFYFL3bF8WbzMxU2d</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7nN7hqiuobKUEuR3RtAd9E-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:47:14 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Thu, 16 Apr 2026 17:48:40 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Kenna Hughes-Castleberry ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7nN7hqiuobKUEuR3RtAd9E-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Tim Bieber via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[U.K. scientists are calling for a ban on boiling lobsters alive after another study has found that the crustaceans feel pain.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A pair of green and red lobsters sit in a square Styrofoam container. ]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A pair of green and red lobsters sit in a square Styrofoam container. ]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/7nN7hqiuobKUEuR3RtAd9E-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Strange mammal ancestor laid huge, leathery eggs —‬ and it was key to surviving the world's worst mass extinction ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/extinct-species/strange-mammal-ancestor-laid-huge-leathery-eggs-and-it-was-key-to-surviving-the-worlds-worst-mass-extinction</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Using synchrotron X-ray CT scans of a fossilized, intact embryo, researchers found evidence that the plant-eating mammal Lystrosaurus laid eggs, which answers a key question about mammalian evolution. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">rVWjMAQmxtz43vqnDcu4GW</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/H5KqFSt7L4HRdcxnRor7Zm-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Wed, 15 Apr 2026 16:15:56 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Thu, 16 Apr 2026 09:51:45 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Extinct species]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Kenna Hughes-Castleberry ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/H5KqFSt7L4HRdcxnRor7Zm-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Professor Julien Benoit]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[A researcher holds up the fossilized egg in the control room of the European Synchrotron Radiation Facility in France, just before its scan. ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[An ovular shape fossil and a 3D scan showing what&#039;s inside]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[An ovular shape fossil and a 3D scan showing what&#039;s inside]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/H5KqFSt7L4HRdcxnRor7Zm-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Triassic croc relative from Ghost Ranch, New Mexico finally identified after nearly 80 years in museum basement ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/extinct-species/triassic-croc-relative-from-ghost-ranch-new-mexico-finally-identified-after-nearly-80-years-in-museum-basement</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ During the Triassic, a newly described species related to modern crocodiles and alligators stalked prey on land, not the water, a new study finds. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">fzVYwwW8Ti86Lobo9wKyJA</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/S2KzCXQNeqzgDbSTUJFjMQ-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Tue, 14 Apr 2026 23:01:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:45:37 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Extinct species]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Skyler Ware ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/S2KzCXQNeqzgDbSTUJFjMQ-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[ Julio Lacerda]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[The newly named genus and species &lt;em&gt;Eosphorosuchus lacrimosa&lt;/em&gt; (left) is bitten by &lt;em&gt;Hesperosuchus agilis&lt;/em&gt; (right) near a &lt;em&gt;Coelophysis&lt;/em&gt; carcass at what is now Ghost Ranch, New Mexico.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[An illustration shows two four-legged crocodile-like animals standing over a large, long-necked animal carcass lying in a stream.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[An illustration shows two four-legged crocodile-like animals standing over a large, long-necked animal carcass lying in a stream.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/S2KzCXQNeqzgDbSTUJFjMQ-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ 'More questions than answers': Experts baffled by Alaskan mammal-eating orcas spotted near Seattle ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/orcas/more-questions-than-answers-experts-baffled-by-alaskan-mammal-eating-orcas-spotted-near-seattle</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Three orcas from Alaska surfaced in the waters between Washington state and Canada in March, an area where they've never been documented. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">kXEed7t5Mxdf5hmY7JeMtR</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wsRtTtTMDJBakZ7ChMPKA8-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Fri, 10 Apr 2026 14:09:19 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                <category><![CDATA[Orcas]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Marine Mammals]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Dolphins]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Kenna Hughes-Castleberry ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wsRtTtTMDJBakZ7ChMPKA8-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Joel Rogers via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[An orca is seen in Elliot Bay near the Seattle skyline. ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A large black-and-white whale with a tall dorsal fin swims in the shimmering gray waters in front of a sunset city skyline. ]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A large black-and-white whale with a tall dorsal fin swims in the shimmering gray waters in front of a sunset city skyline. ]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wsRtTtTMDJBakZ7ChMPKA8-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Chimpanzees in Uganda are locked in a deadly 'civil war' after their group split apart — and scientists don't know why ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/primates/chimpanzees-in-uganda-are-locked-in-a-deadly-civil-war-after-their-group-split-apart-and-scientists-dont-know-why</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ The first well-observed "civil war" in wild chimpanzees reveals that shifting social ties alone can fracture a group, igniting deadly conflict between former friends. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">ShEv7fyjnMxDRikUmBo4LA</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iKAykPTwQ9eRio4pQv35pL-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Thu, 09 Apr 2026 18:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:08:26 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Primates]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Land Mammals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Chris Simms ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iKAykPTwQ9eRio4pQv35pL-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Aaron Sandel]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Chimpanzee males attack one of their own in 2019.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A group of dark-furred chimpanzees stand in the midst of a lush jungle landscape. One looks at the camera and bares its fangs. ]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A group of dark-furred chimpanzees stand in the midst of a lush jungle landscape. One looks at the camera and bares its fangs. ]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/iKAykPTwQ9eRio4pQv35pL-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ World's fattest parrot — on the verge of extinction 30 years ago — has record-breaking breeding season ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/birds/worlds-fattest-parrot-has-record-breaking-breeding-season</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Conservationists are celebrating the 105th kākāpō chick to hatch during the 2026 breeding season — the highest number reported since such records began 30 years ago. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">b2n8zYduBZVPJrDuDPetv5</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MFgdxLw8YaY6KZBZMP4koT-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Tue, 07 Apr 2026 14:13:28 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Wed, 08 Apr 2026 09:44:12 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Birds]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Bryony Ravate ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MFgdxLw8YaY6KZBZMP4koT-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Sarah Manktelow/DOC]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Two sibling chicks that hatched during this year&#039;s breeding season.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Two yellow and gray parrot chicks sit side by side against a dark background.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Two yellow and gray parrot chicks sit side by side against a dark background.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/MFgdxLw8YaY6KZBZMP4koT-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Fossil site in China reveals bevy of complex creatures lived prior to the Cambrian explosion, including a 'Dune'-like sandworm ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/extinct-species/fossil-site-in-china-reveals-bevy-of-complex-creatures-lived-prior-to-the-cambrian-explosion-including-a-dune-like-sandworm</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ A site in southwestern China holds a wide array of strange life-forms that emerged prior to the Cambrian explosion, and it pushes back the origin of complex life by millions of years. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">qzJ5ex38QVfknGCBjuxDAa</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Q52qsnVMtgydVfJc6V2Z9F-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Sat, 04 Apr 2026 18:10:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Mon, 06 Apr 2026 13:58:19 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Extinct species]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Skyler Ware ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Q52qsnVMtgydVfJc6V2Z9F-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Xiaodong Wang]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[An artist&#039;s reconstruction of Jiangchuan biota (~554-539 million years ago).]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[An illustration of a blue and green seabed floor with various paleolithic creatures standing up and swimming around]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[An illustration of a blue and green seabed floor with various paleolithic creatures standing up and swimming around]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Q52qsnVMtgydVfJc6V2Z9F-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Octopus quiz: Are you a sucker for cephalopod science?  ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/octopuses/octopus-quiz-are-you-a-sucker-for-cephalopod-science</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ This quiz tests what you know about octopus anatomy and behavior. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">9LaD9MTUreyUXoZvYQ23cF</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JfmqQ7BXpPFCHf8yr4iTJe-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Sat, 04 Apr 2026 13:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 17 Apr 2026 19:53:33 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Octopuses]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Mollusks]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Kenna Hughes-Castleberry ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JfmqQ7BXpPFCHf8yr4iTJe-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Douglas Klug via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[A Hawaiian day octopus (&lt;em&gt;Octopus cyanea&lt;/em&gt;) floats in shallow water. ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A large rust colored octopus floats next to a white stony reef. ]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A large rust colored octopus floats next to a white stony reef. ]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/JfmqQ7BXpPFCHf8yr4iTJe-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ 'It blew my mind': Long-lost ice-age ecosystem, including fossils of lion-size armadillo and giant ground sloth, discovered in Texas 'water cave' ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/extinct-species/it-blew-my-mind-long-lost-ice-age-ecosystem-including-fossils-of-lion-size-armadillo-and-giant-ground-sloth-discovered-in-texas-water-cave</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Two researchers snorkeling in a subterranean stream in Texas discovered fossils from the Late Pleistocene epoch, revealing new details about what lived in this ancient ecosystem. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">2VLz63JzJxoKMvXjCMRMWi</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Sh6bnoJECZeFNg8TJwmA2G-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Tue, 31 Mar 2026 18:00:24 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                <category><![CDATA[Extinct species]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Kenna Hughes-Castleberry ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Sh6bnoJECZeFNg8TJwmA2G-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[John A. Moretti]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Researchers discovered fossils of an ancient armadillo-like ancestor and giant tortoise in a cave in Texas.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A person wearing a black suit and hard hat with a flashlight on it bends over a circular wall of a small cave. ]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A person wearing a black suit and hard hat with a flashlight on it bends over a circular wall of a small cave. ]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Sh6bnoJECZeFNg8TJwmA2G-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Live Science Today: Jaw-dropping first glimpse of sperm whale birth and how NASA is turning astronauts into test subjects ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/live-science-today-jaw-dropping-first-glimpse-of-sperm-whale-birth-and-how-nasa-is-turning-astronauts-into-test-subjects</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Friday, March 27, 2026: Your daily roundup of the biggest science stories making headlines. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">3i4rsFQw2Y6V6QgEBiwbuD</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/R4VnJSV6rNrckhx3ZeR2ZR-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Fri, 27 Mar 2026 11:58:13 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ ben.turner@futurenet.com (Ben Turner) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Ben Turner ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/R4VnJSV6rNrckhx3ZeR2ZR-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Project CETI]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    <media:description><![CDATA[Sperm whales gather for the birth of a calf.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Sperm whales gather for the birth of a calf.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Sperm whales gather for the birth of a calf.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/R4VnJSV6rNrckhx3ZeR2ZR-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Critically endangered hare spotted in surprising location for the first time in 40 years — but it was already dead ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/land-mammals/critically-endangered-hare-spotted-in-surprising-location-for-the-first-time-in-40-years</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Scientists in China have announced the first confirmed sighting of the critically endangered Hainan hare in part of its native range in four decades, after spotting its completely flattened carcass on a roadside. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">7cLuaSZ5ev7hgU4A6cdUEV</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nEEvwbrp3MYFpjo8DRUonQ-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Wed, 25 Mar 2026 14:38:53 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Wed, 01 Apr 2026 12:31:14 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Land Mammals]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Aristos Georgiou ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nEEvwbrp3MYFpjo8DRUonQ-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[The hare was spotted by researchers by chance while they were doing fieldwork on Hainan Island. ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[beach scene with palm trees and mountains in background in Hainan Island]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[beach scene with palm trees and mountains in background in Hainan Island]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/nEEvwbrp3MYFpjo8DRUonQ-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Watch sperm whale headbutt another for no apparent reason ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/whales/watch-sperm-whale-headbutt-another-for-no-apparent-reason</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Researchers have captured extraordinary footage of sperm whales randomly headbutting each other, confirming anecdotal reports from mariners and whalers in the 18th and 19th centuries. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">AuWygE8DvrT6VQHjkFkhcE</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Z5GgLHbbRhRqi34DJzmNKH-1280-80.png" type="image/png" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Mon, 23 Mar 2026 13:56:29 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Mon, 23 Mar 2026 15:04:17 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Whales]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Marine Mammals]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ sascha.pare@futurenet.com (Sascha Pare) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Sascha Pare ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/png" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Z5GgLHbbRhRqi34DJzmNKH-1280-80.png">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Credit Association Tursiops]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    <media:description><![CDATA[Aerial view of a sperm whale headbutting another sperm whale.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Aerial view of a sperm whale headbutting another sperm whale.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Aerial view of a sperm whale headbutting another sperm whale.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Z5GgLHbbRhRqi34DJzmNKH-1280-80.png" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ A secret weapon to fight carbon emissions was just discovered: Beavers ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/a-secret-weapon-to-fight-carbon-emissions-was-just-discovered-beavers</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ A new study in Switzerland finds that beaver-built wetlands can trap and store large amounts of carbon, offering a low-cost boost for restoration and climate resilience. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">vySMFTK6HGdg6GqN5GvboW</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2oLqE4ULG6Zj2z4k9fngkk-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Sun, 22 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Mon, 23 Mar 2026 17:24:59 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Kenna Hughes-Castleberry ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2oLqE4ULG6Zj2z4k9fngkk-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Andyworks via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Eurasian beavers (&lt;em&gt;Castor fiber&lt;/em&gt;) may sequester more carbon in their engineered dams than previously thought, a new analysis claims. ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A beaver stands on the edge of a pond on its hind legs, its large teeth exposed in its mouth]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A beaver stands on the edge of a pond on its hind legs, its large teeth exposed in its mouth]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/2oLqE4ULG6Zj2z4k9fngkk-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Why do animals have different pupil shapes? ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/why-do-animals-have-different-pupil-shapes</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Pupil shapes vary widely across the animal kingdom, from the W-shaped pupils of cuttlefish to the bar-like pupils of goats. But why are animal pupils shaped so differently? ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">vz6hemhEHjZB6YvTtonph7</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DETYkaCzRKucHn3mENZzsU-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Sun, 22 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ ashley.s.hamer@gmail.com (Ashley Hamer) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Ashley Hamer ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DETYkaCzRKucHn3mENZzsU-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Katherine OBrien via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[The cuttlefish has a W-shaped pupil.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A close up image of a blue and brown iridescent cuttlefish next to some leafy green foliage. The cuttlefish&#039;s w-shaped pupil is seen in the center of the image. ]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A close up image of a blue and brown iridescent cuttlefish next to some leafy green foliage. The cuttlefish&#039;s w-shaped pupil is seen in the center of the image. ]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/DETYkaCzRKucHn3mENZzsU-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ 'Parasites of human societies': How did we end up so close to cats? ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/cats/parasites-of-human-societies-how-did-we-end-up-so-close-to-cats</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ In the book "The Call of the Honeyguide," applied ecologist Rob Dunn explores mutually beneficial relationships between different species. But Dunn argues the relationship between humans and cats may force a rethink of what shape these mutualisms can take. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">nTk5rxbvWfk8Dku8gLuDGN</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CQ2AJDH85dbZNMQ5hS9gHk-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Wed, 18 Mar 2026 16:25:20 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 20 Mar 2026 11:21:50 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Cats]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Land Mammals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Sophie Berdugo ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CQ2AJDH85dbZNMQ5hS9gHk-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Kilito Chan via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Our relationship with our feline friends has changed since cats were first domesticated thousands of years ago.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Cat and man lying on a bed looking at each other]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Cat and man lying on a bed looking at each other]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CQ2AJDH85dbZNMQ5hS9gHk-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Bonobos are just as aggressive as chimps, but there's a key difference — the female bonobos ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/primates/bonobos-are-just-as-aggressive-as-chimps-but-theres-a-key-difference-the-female-bonobos</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ A new study of chimpanzee and bonobo groups at zoos reveals similar levels of aggression. However, scientists found stark sex-based differences between the species. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">YCCtL9aAFmSwRapoUxaJRQ</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/p3hSMDKNW3N6obDBDcecGo-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Thu, 12 Mar 2026 13:02:07 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                <category><![CDATA[Primates]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Land Mammals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Sarah Wild ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/p3hSMDKNW3N6obDBDcecGo-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Anup Shah/Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[A new study finds chimp and bonobos (pictured) are similarly aggressive.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[a bonobo with its hand on its head and mouth open ]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[a bonobo with its hand on its head and mouth open ]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/p3hSMDKNW3N6obDBDcecGo-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ 'It's nature calling to humans, and humans deciding whether or not to reply': Why we need to start paying attention to our mutually beneficial relationships with other species ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/its-nature-calling-to-humans-and-humans-deciding-whether-or-not-to-reply-why-we-need-to-start-paying-attention-to-our-mutually-beneficial-relationships-with-other-species</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Live Science spoke with Rob Dunn, an applied ecologist and author of the book "The Call of the Honeyguide," about "mutualism" — how different species team up for their mutual benefit — and how humans can feel more connected to nature. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">7SCLVbDHHHutSR8WGYJpFM</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GFQxq2ohxVCH3s3cBYJXyf-1280-80.png" type="image/png" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Wed, 11 Mar 2026 12:50:32 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Thu, 12 Mar 2026 12:23:39 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Sophie Berdugo ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/png" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GFQxq2ohxVCH3s3cBYJXyf-1280-80.png">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[CLAIRE SPOTTISWOODE via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Populations in Mozambique work with honeyguide birds to find beehives full of sweet and nutritious honey.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Man holding a honeyguide bird in nature reserve]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Man holding a honeyguide bird in nature reserve]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GFQxq2ohxVCH3s3cBYJXyf-1280-80.png" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Why aren't mammals as colorful as reptiles, birds or fish?  ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/why-arent-mammals-as-colorful-as-reptiles-birds-or-fish</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Many mammals have fur the color of brown and black. Why don't they have more exotic colors, like purple and neon pink? ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">Lr3ztzutA6xhRGk2jZ4p8h</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/diCz3gnhzWKE9XJeo7TTwf-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Sun, 08 Mar 2026 09:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Katherine Irving ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/diCz3gnhzWKE9XJeo7TTwf-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Krzysztof Baranowski via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Mammals lack the pigments and structures that produce vibrant colors in birds and other animals.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A photograph shows three hippos in a body of water. The closest hippo raises its head to the left and looks above to see a colorful bird flying above it. ]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A photograph shows three hippos in a body of water. The closest hippo raises its head to the left and looks above to see a colorful bird flying above it. ]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/diCz3gnhzWKE9XJeo7TTwf-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Science news this week: Cannibal orcas in Russia, oracle bones that reveal climate disaster in ancient China, humming black holes and a barefoot volcanologist ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/science-news-this-week-cannibal-orcas-in-russia-oracle-bones-that-reveal-climate-disaster-in-ancient-china-humming-black-holes-and-a-barefoot-volcanologist</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ March 7, 2026: Our weekly roundup of the latest science in the news, as well as a few fascinating articles to keep you entertained over the weekend. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">GTJSmxLHS2aiKGExbKmJt7</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UfgyLvL95zdED8sDkbRoxV-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Sat, 07 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ ben.turner@futurenet.com (Ben Turner) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Ben Turner ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UfgyLvL95zdED8sDkbRoxV-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[ESA | Sergio Amiti via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Cannibal orcas identified near Russia, two &#039;extinct&#039; marsupials found, humans do cranial modification, China&#039;s oracle bones reveal climate disaster, and a barefoot volcanologist.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Science news this week March 7. 2026]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Science news this week March 7. 2026]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/UfgyLvL95zdED8sDkbRoxV-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Scientists find 2 marsupial species, thought to have gone extinct 6,000 years ago, living in the forests of New Guinea ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/land-mammals/scientists-find-2-marsupial-species-thought-to-have-gone-extinct-6-000-years-ago-living-in-the-forests-of-new-guinea</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ The pygmy long-fingered possum and the ring-tailed glider, two marsupials believed to have died out thousands of years ago, are still alive in Papuan Indonesia. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">MAUqw4rnQmajxctfFkMetL</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VyZWSUkWwg872jxB9Qgwmd-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Fri, 06 Mar 2026 15:55:08 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                <category><![CDATA[Land Mammals]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ sascha.pare@futurenet.com (Sascha Pare) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Sascha Pare ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VyZWSUkWwg872jxB9Qgwmd-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Photo by Carlos Bocos (CC-BY-4.0)]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Researchers have confirmed that the pygmy long-fingered possum (&lt;em&gt;Dactylonax kambuayai&lt;/em&gt;) is alive in New Guinea.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A pygmy long-fingered possum climbing a branch in New Guinea.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A pygmy long-fingered possum climbing a branch in New Guinea.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/VyZWSUkWwg872jxB9Qgwmd-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ 'Striking' footage captures the moment a red fox preys on a wolf pup — a behavior never seen on film before ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/land-mammals/striking-footage-captures-the-moment-a-red-fox-preys-on-a-wolf-pup-a-behavior-never-seen-on-film-before</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Scientists in Italy captured a red fox entering a den as part of a project to understand wolf population dynamics in the country. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">xRHjxEuZ29jgQDtXGPmTy7</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/i9XxmWuVhvFWnE6X82bCNc-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Fri, 06 Mar 2026 15:41:18 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 06 Mar 2026 16:54:39 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Land Mammals]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Bryony Ravate ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/i9XxmWuVhvFWnE6X82bCNc-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Buelli, C. et al. (2026)]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[A night vision camera frame documenting a red fox preying upon a wolf pup in May 2025 within the Castelporziano Presidential Estate, Central Italy.  This captures the the second and successful dragging attempt.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A still from a night-vision camera in black and white showing a red fox scrambling backwards out of a wolf den holding a small dark wolf pup in its mouth. ]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A still from a night-vision camera in black and white showing a red fox scrambling backwards out of a wolf den holding a small dark wolf pup in its mouth. ]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/i9XxmWuVhvFWnE6X82bCNc-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Chewed-up orca fins on Russian beach point to cannibalism, and scientists say it may explain why some pods are so tight-knit ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/orcas/chewed-up-orca-fins-on-russian-beach-point-to-cannibalism-and-scientists-say-it-may-explain-why-some-pods-are-so-tight-knit</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Detached orca fins scored with distinctive tooth marks suggest that killer whale cannibalism is happening — and it might explain some complex orca societies. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">EACUQbm6PFn53D7Xp3K9nB</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xMLnwwCdY2QF4egt52J2Xi-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 16:29:26 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Mon, 16 Mar 2026 13:19:13 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Orcas]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Marine Mammals]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Dolphins]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Chris Simms ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xMLnwwCdY2QF4egt52J2Xi-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Sergio Amiti via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[New findings suggest killer whales may participate in cannibalism.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[The top half of a black and white killer whale appears above a blue ocean, its dark fin pointed straight upwards, with a tall mountain faintly seen in the distance]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[The top half of a black and white killer whale appears above a blue ocean, its dark fin pointed straight upwards, with a tall mountain faintly seen in the distance]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/xMLnwwCdY2QF4egt52J2Xi-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Birds are declining faster and faster in 3 US hotspots, new study finds ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/birds/birds-are-declining-faster-and-faster-in-3-us-hotspots-new-study-finds</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Researchers have revealed that North American birds are declining at an accelerating rate in three regional hotspots associated with intense agriculture. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">fAFy49yjk9WpcRCKWzjX5Z</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/biziZEg8ofbMQ3rGQ5PKeL-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 15:22:36 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                <category><![CDATA[Birds]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Patrick Pester ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/biziZEg8ofbMQ3rGQ5PKeL-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[StuartDuncanSmith via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Red-winged blackbirds are among the North American birds to have experienced an accelerated decline. ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A photo of a red-winged blackbird taking flight. ]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A photo of a red-winged blackbird taking flight. ]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/biziZEg8ofbMQ3rGQ5PKeL-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Prehistoric water-dwelling weirdo with sideways teeth and a twisted jaw was already a 'living fossil' 275 million years ago ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/extinct-species/prehistoric-water-dwelling-weirdo-with-sideways-teeth-and-a-twisted-jaw-was-already-a-living-fossil-275-million-years-ago</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Scientists have described Tanyka amnicola, a newly identified species of prehistoric creature that lived 275 million years ago and had a bizarre twisted jaw with sideways-facing teeth. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">Lex2veq8MFHa2Pjn6DR4N4</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QQjRAtsBye9Tdq5QLQCY7P-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 00:05:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 16:55:25 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Extinct species]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Aristos Georgiou ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QQjRAtsBye9Tdq5QLQCY7P-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Vitor Silva]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[An artist&#039;s illustration showing what the newly described species, &lt;em&gt;Tanyka amnicola&lt;/em&gt;, may have looked like. ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Tanyka amnicola]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Tanyka amnicola]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QQjRAtsBye9Tdq5QLQCY7P-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Every ant is a queen in this parasitic species — and they reproduce by cloning themselves and hijacking other ant colonies ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/every-ant-is-a-queen-in-this-parasitic-species-and-they-reproduce-by-cloning-themselves-and-hijacking-other-ant-colonies</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ A rare Japanese ant is the only species known to lack female workers and males; all of its young develop into parasitic queens that try to take over other colonies. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">ynNwSdrSdmub5J6XCiDKRU</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pShQKLdsow2Zg5YB2RqfQZ-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Tue, 03 Mar 2026 14:56:53 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Wed, 04 Mar 2026 11:06:58 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Chris Simms ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pShQKLdsow2Zg5YB2RqfQZ-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Hamaguchi et al., Current Biology, 2026. CC BY 4.0]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Nest of &lt;em&gt;T. kinomurai&lt;/em&gt; containing young, winged gynomorphic and wingless intermorphic queens of &lt;em&gt;T. kinomurai &lt;/em&gt;(light brown) and dark brown &lt;em&gt;T. makora &lt;/em&gt;host workers.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Nest of ants containing young, winged and wingless queens of the species, T. kinomurai (light brown) and dark brown T. makora hostworkers.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Nest of ants containing young, winged and wingless queens of the species, T. kinomurai (light brown) and dark brown T. makora hostworkers.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/pShQKLdsow2Zg5YB2RqfQZ-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ 'We're starting to find a lot more weirdness': These strange animals can control their body heat ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/were-starting-to-find-a-lot-more-weirdness-these-strange-animals-can-control-their-body-heat</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Some creatures can dramatically alter their internal temperature — a strategy called heterothermy — and outlast storms, floods and predators. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">kuBPNRio5YhRsAj9LN8v2Z</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FSQqZZbKd2QBsJrTmDWcMe-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Sat, 28 Feb 2026 14:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Mon, 02 Mar 2026 10:34:39 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Hannah Thomasy ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FSQqZZbKd2QBsJrTmDWcMe-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Arterra/Universal Images Group via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[The hazel dormouse hibernates for long periods in winter, but it can also dial down its metabolism during other parts of the year. These shorter bouts of torpor allow it to conserve energy.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A furry orange-ish dormouse sleeps in a ball on the leafy ground]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A furry orange-ish dormouse sleeps in a ball on the leafy ground]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/FSQqZZbKd2QBsJrTmDWcMe-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Kazakhstan plants tens of thousands of trees in giant effort to reintroduce tigers ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/cats/kazakhstan-plants-tens-of-thousands-of-trees-in-giant-effort-to-reintroduce-tigers</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Kazakhstan planted 37,000 seedlings and cuttings in South Balkhash last year to prepare for the return of its tigers, which disappeared more than 70 years ago. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">u5jqk6oTwGKMmehLk3SoSC</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gHKpigKJRcgsGpyXWZR837-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Wed, 25 Feb 2026 18:49:18 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Thu, 26 Feb 2026 19:35:04 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Cats]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Land Mammals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Patrick Pester ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gHKpigKJRcgsGpyXWZR837-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[WWF Central Asia]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Kazakhstan&#039;s tiger reintroduction program welcomed its first Amur tigers in 2024, but these are captive individuals that the program hopes to breed.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A photo of an Amur tiger being released into an enclosure in  Kazakhstan. ]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A photo of an Amur tiger being released into an enclosure in  Kazakhstan. ]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/gHKpigKJRcgsGpyXWZR837-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Scientists find genetic 'switch' in mice that turns caring dads into violent brutes ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/scientists-find-genetic-switch-in-mice-that-turns-caring-dads-into-violent-brutes</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ A new study suggests that the Agouti gene in the brains of male African striped mice can act as a molecular "switch," making them caring or violent toward their young. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">ADYXE7qv3PKNLqzAxBbLRB</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hybDXh7AnEQUpnwcG67ZRW-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Tue, 24 Feb 2026 19:18:28 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Wed, 25 Feb 2026 23:57:57 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Kenna Hughes-Castleberry ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hybDXh7AnEQUpnwcG67ZRW-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[C. Todd Reichart / Princeton University (Department of Molecular Biology)]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[An African striped mouse father huddles with some of his pups. ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[One large brown and black striped mouse huddles next to two smaller brown and black striped mice against a white background]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[One large brown and black striped mouse huddles next to two smaller brown and black striped mice against a white background]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/hybDXh7AnEQUpnwcG67ZRW-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ 95 million-year-old Spinosaurus had a scimitar-shaped head crest and waded through the Sahara's rivers like a 'hell heron' ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/dinosaurs/95-million-year-old-spinosaurus-had-a-scimitar-shaped-head-crest-and-waded-through-the-saharas-rivers-like-a-hell-heron</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Researchers have identified a new Spinosaurus species with a blade-like crest in Niger, changing our understanding of dinosaur evolution and behavior. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">bHYzk7PFPFkRZ2PmZQYisn</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wwBKPrYzn4jHpjHyHSnebh-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Thu, 19 Feb 2026 19:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 20 Feb 2026 22:56:57 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Dinosaurs]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Extinct species]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Kenna Hughes-Castleberry ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wwBKPrYzn4jHpjHyHSnebh-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Artwork by Dani Navarro]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[An illustration shows Spinosaurus mirabilis standing along a river&#039;s edge over its prey some 95 million years ago.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[An illustration of a large dinosaur standing on its hindlegs with a large back sail and sharp spike on its head, with a bloody carcass below it. The animal stands on a glowing sandy riverbed with grass on either side of it]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[An illustration of a large dinosaur standing on its hindlegs with a large back sail and sharp spike on its head, with a bloody carcass below it. The animal stands on a glowing sandy riverbed with grass on either side of it]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/wwBKPrYzn4jHpjHyHSnebh-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Our adorable, noodle-like ancestor had 4 eyes, half-a-billion-year-old fossils reveal ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/extinct-species/our-adorable-noodle-like-ancestor-had-4-eyes-half-a-billion-year-old-fossils-reveal</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ The earliest recorded vertebrates had four eyes to escape predators in the ancient Cambrian ocean, according to half-a-billion-year-old fossils from China that shed light on our evolutionary origins. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">kGwvQm9omMBFHYr9bCoZw9</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4LCaQZxPBWLwHwoHG4xVJP-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Tue, 17 Feb 2026 18:15:21 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Wed, 18 Feb 2026 16:59:44 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Extinct species]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Patrick Pester ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4LCaQZxPBWLwHwoHG4xVJP-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Xiangtong Lei &amp; Sihang Zhang]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Researchers have discovered myllokunmingids with four eyes on their heads.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[An artist&#039;s reconstruction of a myllokunmingid with four eyes. ]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[An artist&#039;s reconstruction of a myllokunmingid with four eyes. ]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4LCaQZxPBWLwHwoHG4xVJP-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Snakes keep evolving into cannibals — here's what scientists think is going on ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/snakes/snakes-keep-evolving-into-cannibals-heres-what-scientists-think-is-going-on</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ A review of over 500 reports of cannibalistic behavior in snakes finds it's appeared multiple times in different evolutionary lineages, leading researchers to hypothesize it's beneficial for snakes under certain circumstances. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">9daNnptHXKQXDZiCHLHtPH</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bfBPoosV3bUkMvVGq9XHTk-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Sun, 15 Feb 2026 14:10:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Tue, 17 Feb 2026 12:12:26 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Snakes]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Reptiles]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Olivia Ferrari ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bfBPoosV3bUkMvVGq9XHTk-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[VW Pics via Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Cannibalism has arisen in several snake lineages throughout evolutionary history.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A green and yellow snake to the right of the image swallows a brown patterned snake, with only the smaller brown snake&#039;s tail visible poking out of the green snake&#039;s mouth. Both snakes are curled in the grass.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A green and yellow snake to the right of the image swallows a brown patterned snake, with only the smaller brown snake&#039;s tail visible poking out of the green snake&#039;s mouth. Both snakes are curled in the grass.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bfBPoosV3bUkMvVGq9XHTk-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Archaeopteryx, one of the world's first proto birds, has a set of weird, never-before-seen features, new study reveals ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/dinosaurs/archaeopteryx-one-of-the-worlds-first-proto-birds-has-a-set-of-weird-never-before-seen-features-new-study-reveals</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Iconic transition species between dinosaurs and birds may have had weird 'teeth' on roof of its mouth and a highly mobile tongue, study reveals ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">RNF6QsVSTepmXMhJBHbUeP</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QrZ2owtVfY6p2TpU5DBPqd-1280-80.png" type="image/png" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 09:48:29 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 23:03:49 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Dinosaurs]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Extinct species]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Aristos Georgiou ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/png" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QrZ2owtVfY6p2TpU5DBPqd-1280-80.png">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Illustration by Ville Sinkkonen.]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[A reconstruction of &lt;em&gt;Archaeopteryx&lt;/em&gt;, with the oral papillae on the roof of its mouth and a highly mobile tongue visible.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A life reconstruction of Archaeopteryx, including the oral papillae on the roof of its mouth, a bill-tip organ at the end of its beak, and a flexible-yet-sturdy tongue made possible by an extra tongue bone. Illustration by Ville Sinkkonen.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A life reconstruction of Archaeopteryx, including the oral papillae on the roof of its mouth, a bill-tip organ at the end of its beak, and a flexible-yet-sturdy tongue made possible by an extra tongue bone. Illustration by Ville Sinkkonen.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/QrZ2owtVfY6p2TpU5DBPqd-1280-80.png" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Extraordinary photo captures first appearance of Siberian peregrine falcon in Australia's arid center  ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/birds/extraordinary-photo-captures-first-appearance-of-siberian-peregrine-falcon-in-australias-arid-center</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ An ecologist has captured a photo of a peregrine falcon subspecies in an unprecedented location. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">n4M8AQQpLY8AKKpnftKrMB</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GsQyihMPDGv23rjaSfoZKb-1280-80.png" type="image/png" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Fri, 06 Feb 2026 17:05:48 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                                                                                                                <category><![CDATA[Birds]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Aristos Georgiou ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/png" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GsQyihMPDGv23rjaSfoZKb-1280-80.png">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[© Tim Henderson]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[The Siberian peregrine falcon captured on camera by ecologist Tim Henderson over Newhaven Wildlife Sanctuary near Alice Springs in central Australia.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[The Siberian peregrine falcon captured on camera while in flight.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[The Siberian peregrine falcon captured on camera while in flight.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GsQyihMPDGv23rjaSfoZKb-1280-80.png" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Spotted lanternflies are invading the US. They may have gotten their evolutionary superpowers in China's cities. ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/insects/spotted-lanternflies-are-invading-the-us-they-may-have-gotten-their-evolutionary-superpowers-in-chinas-cities</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ The alarming spread of spotted lanternflies across the U.S. has been made possible by cities acting as evolutionary incubators, fine-tuning the insects and enabling them to thrive. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">WEBQagzHhkRTNuKPqh5cba</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jUWMGFzFN5mcm9UNWXZvSh-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Thu, 05 Feb 2026 22:02:25 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Sat, 07 Feb 2026 02:09:51 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Insects]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Chris Simms ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jUWMGFzFN5mcm9UNWXZvSh-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Rolf Karlsson/Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[The invasive spotted lanternfly feeds on tree sap with its piercing mouthparts.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Closeup photo of a spotted lanternfly sitting still on a wooden table or bench. Its wings are tucked behind it and are brown with black spots. Its legs are solid black.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Closeup photo of a spotted lanternfly sitting still on a wooden table or bench. Its wings are tucked behind it and are brown with black spots. Its legs are solid black.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jUWMGFzFN5mcm9UNWXZvSh-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Kanzi the bonobo could play pretend — a trait thought unique to humans ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/land-mammals/kanzi-the-bonobo-could-play-pretend-a-trait-thought-unique-to-humans</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Past anecdotal observations have hinted that great apes play pretend. But now, experimental research shows that our closest living relatives can keep track of imaginary objects. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">t8aomqMx2DWV4PTSGmsNMF</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qcKihVqsY3LTy5bDmU7AWH-1280-80.png" type="image/png" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Thu, 05 Feb 2026 19:00:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Sat, 07 Feb 2026 02:09:50 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Land Mammals]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Sophie Berdugo ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/png" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qcKihVqsY3LTy5bDmU7AWH-1280-80.png">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Ape Initiative]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Kanzi consistently identified the correct location of the pretend juice and grape. ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Composite image of two close-up photographs of Kanzi the bonobo]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Composite image of two close-up photographs of Kanzi the bonobo]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qcKihVqsY3LTy5bDmU7AWH-1280-80.png" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Saltwater crocodiles crossed the Indian Ocean to reach the Seychelles — before humans arrived and wiped them out ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/alligators-crocodiles/saltwater-crocodiles-crossed-the-indian-ocean-to-reach-the-seychelles-before-humans-arrived-and-wiped-them-out</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ A DNA study reveals crocs that lived in the Seychelles represented the westernmost population of saltwater crocodiles, having swam at least 1,800 miles to reach the island. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">L6XqC9gDz3vF4P6yeRzbaR</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zX2oRFYESMBRaw5nGkr8ga-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Thu, 05 Feb 2026 10:16:08 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Sat, 07 Feb 2026 02:09:50 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Alligators &amp; Crocodiles]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Reptiles]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Skyler Ware ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zX2oRFYESMBRaw5nGkr8ga-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Getty Images]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[New study finds saltwater crocodiles used to be in a lot more places than they are today. ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Photo looking head-on at a saltwater crocodile underwater. ]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Photo looking head-on at a saltwater crocodile underwater. ]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zX2oRFYESMBRaw5nGkr8ga-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ A deer carrying the rotting head of its vanquished foe and a playful lynx shortlisted for Wildlife Photographer of the Year Nuveen People's Choice Award ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/a-deer-carrying-the-rotting-head-of-its-vanquished-foe-and-a-playful-lynx-shortlisted-for-wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-nuveen-peoples-choice-award</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Here are the 24 images shortlisted for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Nuveen People's Choice Award 2026. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">NnoYsb6YyiQwtiSxie3Bb3</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BnM2q26kJDjdYcNXBny2y3-1280-80.png" type="image/png" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:01:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Wed, 04 Feb 2026 18:10:53 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ sascha.pare@futurenet.com (Sascha Pare) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Sascha Pare ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/png" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BnM2q26kJDjdYcNXBny2y3-1280-80.png">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Kohei Nagira / Wildlife Photographer of the Year]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[In &quot;Never-Ending Struggle,&quot; Kohei Nagira captured a sika deer carrying the severed head of a rival male. This deer won a fight over a female but didn&#039;t manage to untangle his antlers from his opponent&#039;s. A local fisherman says this deer dragged its rival&#039;s body for several days before finally tearing off its head.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A male sika deer carries the severed head of a rival male on his antlers.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A male sika deer carries the severed head of a rival male on his antlers.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/BnM2q26kJDjdYcNXBny2y3-1280-80.png" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ Grim photo captures polar bear mom and cubs resting in mud in summer heat ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/polar-bears/grim-photo-captures-polar-bear-mom-and-cubs-resting-in-mud-in-summer-heat</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ An image of polar bears napping along the Hudson Bay coast in Canada has been shortlisted for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year Nuveen People's Choice Award 2026. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">rXCFh7x9ynYDDiRWgr3QQN</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4QKkqmGcY7z4CyfPKPpXd6-1280-80.jpg" type="image/jpeg" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:01:00 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Fri, 13 Feb 2026 12:39:56 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Bears]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Land Mammals]]></category>
                                                                                                <author><![CDATA[ sascha.pare@futurenet.com (Sascha Pare) ]]></author>                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Sascha Pare ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/jpeg" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4QKkqmGcY7z4CyfPKPpXd6-1280-80.jpg">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Christopher Paetkau / Wildlife Photographer of the Year]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[In &quot;Family Rest,&quot; Christopher Paetkau captured a polar bear mom and her cubs napping in Canada&#039;s summer heat.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[A mother polar bear and her three cubs pause in the summer heat.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[A mother polar bear and her three cubs pause in the summer heat.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/4QKkqmGcY7z4CyfPKPpXd6-1280-80.jpg" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ 'System in flux': Scientists reveal what happened when wolves and cougars returned to Yellowstone ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/land-mammals/system-in-flux-scientists-reveal-what-happened-when-wolves-and-cougars-returned-to-yellowstone</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ Large carnivores are both clashing and coexisting in the western United States. Although wolves dominate cougars and steal their prey, cougars' shift from elk- to deer-heavy diets, paired with a rugged landscape for escape, might help cougars avoid violent wolf encounters. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">iaj79TsdhTBDdPZbnmKmrW</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zyBBpeqAKVJUDF2ywKmHHd-1280-80.png" type="image/png" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Tue, 03 Feb 2026 13:47:05 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Tue, 03 Feb 2026 23:21:47 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Land Mammals]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Olivia Ferrari ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/png" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zyBBpeqAKVJUDF2ywKmHHd-1280-80.png">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[(left) Gary Blatter / 500px via Getty Images; (right) Justin Duffy./Oregon State University via Flickr, CC BY-SA 4.0]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Wolves and cougars have returned to Yellowstone over the last 50 years after being hunted to near-extinction. ]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Two photographs side-by-side. (Left) A Yellowstone wolf stands staring at the camera on a snowed upon ground, (Right) a cougar stares at the camera while up high in a tree canopy.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Two photographs side-by-side. (Left) A Yellowstone wolf stands staring at the camera on a snowed upon ground, (Right) a cougar stares at the camera while up high in a tree canopy.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zyBBpeqAKVJUDF2ywKmHHd-1280-80.png" />
                                                                                        </item>
                                <item>
                                                            <title><![CDATA[ In the search for bees, Mozambique honey hunters and birds share a language with distinct, regional dialects ]]></title>
                                                                                                                                                                                                <link>https://www.livescience.com/animals/birds/in-the-search-for-bees-mozambique-honey-hunters-and-birds-share-a-language-with-distinct-regional-dialects</link>
                                                                            <description>
                            <![CDATA[ People searching for honey in Mozambique work with birds via a shared language in a rare case of cooperation between humans and wild animals. This language also comes with regional dialects — that appear to be driven by the birds. ]]>
                                                                                                            </description>
                                                                                                                                <guid isPermaLink="false">a3D5UVpSKxoFSKWzTegy8W</guid>
                                                                                                <enclosure url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aZhycaKV4YYGtyqyAbXHjH-1280-80.png" type="image/png" length="0"></enclosure>
                                                                        <pubDate>Tue, 03 Feb 2026 12:57:45 +0000</pubDate>                                                                                                                                <updated>Tue, 03 Feb 2026 23:21:47 +0000</updated>
                                                                                                                                            <category><![CDATA[Birds]]></category>
                                                    <category><![CDATA[Animals]]></category>
                                                                                                                    <dc:creator><![CDATA[ Sarah Wild ]]></dc:creator>                                                                                                    <media:content type="image/png" url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aZhycaKV4YYGtyqyAbXHjH-1280-80.png">
                                                            <media:credit><![CDATA[Claire Spottiswoode]]></media:credit>
                                                                                                                                                                        <media:description><![CDATA[Honey-harvest in the Niassa Special Reserve, Mozambique.]]></media:description>                                                            <media:text><![CDATA[Honey-harvest in the Niassa Special Reserve, Mozambique.]]></media:text>
                                <media:title type="plain"><![CDATA[Honey-harvest in the Niassa Special Reserve, Mozambique.]]></media:title>
                                                    </media:content>
                                                    <media:thumbnail url="https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/aZhycaKV4YYGtyqyAbXHjH-1280-80.png" />
                                                                                        </item>
            </channel>
</rss>