Science / Video

Baby Piglet Struggles to Find Her Mealtime Place

Baby piglets leave a scent on their mother’s teat—a kind of ‘reserved’ sign that warns other piglets off. But Bertie is the runt of the litter and she’s missed her …

A Vervet Monkey Befriends Some Hostile Dogs

A vervet monkey wins over a group of hostile rescue dogs with his exemplary grooming. Soon, old hostilities are forgotten in return for a round-the-clock tick-and-flea removal service.

This Orphan Zebra and Two Dalmatians Are Close

Dalmatian sisters Bhindi and Indigo have taken an orphan zebra under their wing. Soon City Boy, the zebra, will leave the Zimbabwe animal rehab center and be released into the …

Manta Rays Are Smart Enough to Give These Fish Instructions

Manta rays have the largest brains of any fish in ocean. Underwater footage has even shown these rays indicating to cleaner fish, such as the sergeant major damselfish, which body …

This Alpha Male Macaque’s Leadership Has Paid Dividends

Typically, a troop of lion-tailed macaques will number around 30 individuals. But this group, under the strong leadership of alpha male Rajan, is 80 strong—and counting.

This Dog Is Trained to Sniff Out and Locate Whale Poop

Dio has a very specific skillset which you don’t run into everyday: he’s been trained to help researchers locate whale scat–and he’s able to sniff it up to a mile …

This Sustainable Offshore Cobia Fish Farm Sells Millions

In the coastal waters of Panama, a multi-million dollar operation is revolutionizing sustainable fish farms by growing Cobia white fish in a 1,000-hectare enclosure of deep ocean, seven miles off …

An Unexpected Friendship Between This Grumpy Cat and Bubbly Parakeet

Ponzu, a British shorthaired cat, and Mango, an exotic sun parakeet, have formed an unlikely alliance: Mango grooms Ponzu’s fur and Ponzu curbs his predatory instinct to eat Mango.

This Duck’s Unusual Upbringing Explains His Fear of Water

Lorenz, a male Indian runner duck rejected by his mother before he had even hatched, has had an unconventional upbringing. Raised by humans on a French farm, he’s fond of …

Was the Deepwater Horizon Disaster Preventable?

In 2002, BP’s Ocean King rig suffered a major accident that released highly flammable methane into the ocean. Eight years later, the Deepwater Horizon disaster made it clear that no …

A Good Day for a Swim With Orcas

Our photographer gets up close and personal with orcas in Norway. Credit: Jacques de Vos and Jeremy Goncalves with Valhalla Orca Expedition

This Baby Monkey Loves His Favorite Foods

Sully is a three-week-old orphan baby monkey with a love of mangoes, porridge, and scrambled eggs. It’s encouraging to see him eat as he begins to get the vital care …

This Truffle Dog Is Facing a Really Challenging Truffle Hunt

Lola, a Lagotto Romagnolo trained to sniff out and dig up black truffles in her native Washington, is ready for a challenge: to find truffles out of season on a …

Meet the Majestic Giant Manta Ray

To evade predators, manta rays rely on their speed and large flat wings. To kill a ray, a shark must bite through its main body where the vital organs are, …

This Anatolian Guard Dog Protects Both Livestock and Predators

Captain is an Anatolian guard dog responsible not only for protecting his master’s herd of goats. He’s also indirectly causing fewer cheetah deaths by deterring them from even considering an …

This Surfing Therapy Dog Helps People With PTSD

Meet Ricochet—a therapy dog with a love of the ocean and surfing. This unique canine uses his gifts to help people with anxiety and insomnia gain a better handle on …

Two King Cobras Fight for a Nearby Queen

Two male king cobras come together in a clash of dominance and aggression. At stake is a chance to mate with a female king cobra who’s waiting nearby to greet …

These Orphan Orangutans Are Learning to Build Nests

It’s nest-building class at Orangutan Jungle School, and the youngest students are the ones learning this crucial survival skill. Will they pick it up quickly—or is the challenge too big …

Why Border Collies Are the Perfect Cattle-Ranching Dogs

In the high plains of Utah, cattle ranches rely on one breed of dog above all others to keep their herds under control: the brave, intelligent and tenacious border collie.

How Social Media Ignited Cher’s Fight to Save Kaavan the Elephant

An unlikely series of social media campaigns end up drawing the attention of pop legend Cher. At its center is a young elephant named Kaavan who is living in desperate …

This Remarkable Antarctic Base Can Move Around in Case of Danger

The British Antarctic Survey’s scientific research center was designed to withstand temperatures of -58F, to be self-sufficient for months on end and, should danger strike, and to move locations quickly.

Male Humpback Whales Perform This Mysterious Song on Loop

The male humpback whale song is one of the longest and most complex of any animal: A single call can last up to 30 minutes. Scientists are still unsure what …

We’re Discovering New Coronaviruses All the Time (and That’s OK!)

Six previously unknown coronaviruses were recently discovered in a cave in Myanmar. Here’s why scientists aren’t panicking about this.

Why Bats Are Better Than Humans at Dealing With Viruses

Why do bats appear so resilient to virus-based diseases that would cause serious harm to humans? One theory ties it back to its evolutionary acquisition of an unusual capability in …

These Twin Otter Pups Are Learning How to Adult

A pair of otter cub twins are starting to venture out into the world, fending and hunting for themselves. The female cubling is the first to taste success, in the …

The Stinger on This Sting Ray Can Easily Kill You

A blotched fantail’s stinger is located the base of its spine, packed full of venom. If it manages to connect with a vital organ, that venom is capable of killing …

The Grey Seal Pupping Season in Scotland Is Spectacular

The seal pupping season is an annual autumn occurrence on Scotland’s Monarch Islands, featuring the archipelago’s 35,000 grey seal inhabitants.

These Monkeys Have Complex Communication Skills

Even by primate standards, cotton-top tamarins have highly complex communication abilities. Adults produce 40 distinct sounds–each with their own meaning. They even have one for humans! And while tasks are …

The Great Diving Beetle Is an Impressive Underwater Hunter

The great diving beetle is a fast underwater swimmer and a voracious hunter. It can stay submerged for periods of up to 30 minutes a time—thanks to a makeshift oxygen …

Arctic Fox Couple Reunites in the Freezing Cold

A male Arctic Fox is searching for his mate amid the snow-cloaked landscape. Arctic foxes separate and unite every year–but their bonds are lifelong.

This River Otter Is Bracing for a Harsh Michigan Winter

It takes a special breed of animal to handle the Michigan winter—and the river otter is better prepared than most. But preparation is half the battle, and it starts with …

A Pair of Leopard Cubs Take Advantage of Mom’s Absence

A pair of leopard cubs chase, pounce and play among the craggy rocks. Their mother is away searching for food, and it’s a great opportunity for them to hone their …