Animals

Animals

Let’s learn about dinosaurs’ fearsome neighbors

Dinosaurs may get much of our attention, but there were plenty of other interesting critters during the Age of Reptiles, including our mammal ancestors.

Animals

Urchin mobs can literally dis-arm a predator

Urchins are important herbivores — but not strict vegetarians. When hungry enough, they may even rip apart their predators for lunch.

Animals

Engineers surprised by the power of an elephant’s trunk

An elephant's trunk can suck air through it fast — at more than 335 miles per hour (150 meters per second)!

Animals

Let’s learn about whales and dolphins

Whales, dolphins and porpoises are all cetaceans — mammals that live in water and have a streamlined body similar to a fish.

Animals

Common parasite may help mussels survive heat waves

By whitening shells, the organism helps the shellfish stay cool on sunny days, a new study suggests.

Tech

Mantis shrimp inspires somersaults of new soft robot

Its rolling acrobatics allow this robot to move especially swiftly — much as a fictional new Disney character can.

Animals

Most species of beetles pee differently than other insects

Scientists uncover their unique system for balancing ions and water. The findings may hint at why beetles are the most diverse animals on Earth.

Animals

A common antibiotic might save some sick corals

The antibiotic amoxicillin stopped tissue death in corals for at least 11 months after treatment.

Animals

The secret to T. rex‘s incredible biting force is at last revealed

The force of a T. rex bite was roughly 6 metric tons. A new study points to what’s behind that mighty force.

Earth

Only 3 percent of Earth’s land is unchanged by people

A sweeping survey of land-based ecosystems finds that very few still support all the animals they used to. Reintroducing lost species could help.

Ecosystems

Analyze This: Invasive species cost the world billions each year

A new study estimates that invasive species have cost the world more than $1 trillion since 1970. That’s almost certainly an underestimate.

Fossils

Rhinos, camels and bone-crushing dogs once roamed Nebraska

Scientists digging into the remnants of an ancient watering hole in Nebraska discovered evidence of an Africa-like savanna, complete with rhinos.