Animals
We live on a planet with millions of species of animals -and a rich, diverse collection of known wildlife, and yet new species are being identified seemingly every day — both living and extinct.
Whether it’s the deadliest snakes, longest-living creatures or the history of the dinosaurs, at Live Science, our expert writers are here to help you understand Earth's incredible fauna — past and present — with the latest animal news, features and articles.
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Latest about Animals
Shark has virgin birth after no male contact for 4 years in Chicago zoo
By Sascha Pare published
An epaulette shark pup born in August at Brookfield Zoo hatched from an egg that was not fertilized by a male shark. It's the second time this species has undergone a virgin birth in captivity.
Chimps use military tactic only ever seen in humans before
By Patrick Pester published
Scientists have discovered that chimps living in Côte d'Ivoire carry out surveillance on each other to avoid or incite conflict — much like in human military operations.
Bear linked to multiple attacks in Japan found dead alongside its final victim
By Harry Baker published
Japanese officials found the body of a missing student alongside the corpse of a brown bear that likely killed him. The bear is also suspected of attacking several other people in the area.
'A disembodied head walking about the sea floor on its lips': Scientists finally work out what a starfish is
By Richard Pallardy published
Scientists have discovered something strange happened to starfish over the course of their evolution, and they ended up as heads scampering around the seafloor.
Watch rare footage of wolf hunting sea otter in Alaska at low tide
By Carys Matthews published
Coastal wolves in Alaska have learned to kill marine mammals, and have developed a "unique" lone hunting strategy to take down prey, scientists have said.
Orcas sink another boat in Europe after a nearly hour-long attack
By Harry Baker published
For the fourth time in two years, a group of unusually brazen orcas in southwestern Europe have sunk a sailing boat after relentlessly attacking it for almost an hour on Halloween.
Brazilian wandering spiders: Bites & other facts
By Jessie Szalay last updated
The Brazilian wandering spider, also called the banana spider, is one of the planet's most venomous spiders.
Science news this week: The many faces of cats and an impending solar maximum
By Alexander McNamara published
Nov. 5, 2023: Our weekly roundup of the latest science in the news, as well as a few fascinating articles to keep you entertained over the weekend.
Earless monitor lizards: The 'Holy Grail' of reptiles that looks like a mini dragon
By Patrick Pester published
Researchers are only beginning to understand the cryptic lives of the earless monitor lizards of Borneo.
Watch great white shark get mobbed by gang of seals in 'incredible and surprising' footage
By Sascha Pare published
Astonishing footage from Planet Earth III, which premieres Nov. 4 on BBC America and AMC+, shows a herd of seals fending off an attack by the world's most notorious predator off the southern coast of Africa.
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