Animals & Nature
9 of the World’s Deadliest Snakes
Few animals strike as much fear in people as venomous snakes.
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Extreme Birds: 7 Wonders of the Avian World
Birds are among the most diverse creatures on Earth, with species adapted to every continent and habitat.
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cassowary
Cassowary, (genus Casuarius), any of several species of large flightless birds of the Australo-Papuan region. Cassowaries are the only members of the family Casuariidae and belong to the order Casuariiformes, which also includes the emu. There are three species (counted by some experts as six),
7 of the World’s Most Poisonous Mushrooms
Although only a few of the 70-80 species of poisonous mushrooms are actually fatal when ingested, many of these deadly fungi bear an unfortunate resemblance to edible species and are thus especially dangerous. Read on to learn more about these terrifyingly lethal mushrooms. list, mushrooms, fungi,
coral
Coral, any of a variety of invertebrate marine organisms of the class Anthozoa (phylum Cnidaria) that are characterized by skeletons—external or internal—of a stonelike, horny, or leathery consistency. The term coral is also applied to the skeletons of those animals, particularly to those of the
How Deadly Are Australia’s Animals?
Even more than for its gorgeous opera house, sandy beaches, or colourful reefs, Australia has cemented its reputation as home to some of the world’s deadliest animals. Or, if you believe the rumours, maybe even all of the world’s deadliest animals. The numbers tell a different story. It is
6 Real-Life Man-Eating Animals
Humans may be this planet’s dominant species, but our superior intellect doesn’t protect us from occasionally falling prey to larger animals—the so-called man-eaters. Here are a few examples through history. list, man-eating animals, dangerous, danger, human-eating, tigers, lions, leopards,
Beyond Venus Flytraps: The Plants that Eat Meat
Most people are familiar with the Venus flytrap. Small and ominous-looking, the plants are commonly sold as novelties, and many a curious child (or adult) has triggered its sinister traps with a pencil to see its amazingly rapid response. However, carnivory in plants is not limited to the famous
9 Animals That Look Like Leaves
Mimicry, in which an organism resembles an unrelated species, is one of the great marvels of evolution. Leaf mimicry is an especially clever form of camouflage. For some animals, looking like a leaf serves as protection from hungry predators. For others, it is a useful way to wait in plain sight
shoebill
Shoebill, (Balaeniceps rex), large African wading bird, a single species that constitutes the family Balaenicipitidae (order Balaenicipitiformes, Ciconiiformes, or Pelecaniformes). The species is named for its clog-shaped bill, which is an adaptation for catching and holding the large, slippery
Spotlight: Brown Bears
These shaggy-haired bears, native to Europe, Asia, and North America, include species such as the Grizzly and the Kodiak bear, which weighs up to 720kg (1,600 pounds) and is often considered the world's largest carnivore.
Quizzes
Deadliest Animals Quiz
Do you know which species of shark is most likely to attack a human? Or what animal has the strongest bite?
Name That Flower!
Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a hyacinth?
Fruit or Vegetable? A Quiz
How to be a smarty-pants in the produce aisle.
Moms of the Animal Kingdom Quiz
The mother of all animal quizzes.
Videos
How chameleons change color—and why
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Marine Life
Do Sharks Really Die if They Stop Swimming?
It’s a widespread belief: If sharks stop swimming, they die. But is that actually true? Let’s find out. If you look at the nurse shark and the tiger shark, this belief is already proven false: these, and a few other shark species, can stop swimming whenever they want. They breathe by way of buccal
A Dose of Dolphin-Induced Dopamine: 8 Species of Adorable Cetacean
Dolphins are like the Looney Tunes characters of the sea. Perfectly nice in the proper context, they are also klaxon signifiers of bad taste when rendered on t-shirts and human skin. There’s a reason, of course, that these fascinating mammals have such broad appeal. Graceful as gazelles and—due to
What’s the Difference Between Seals and Sea Lions?
Are seals and sea lions the same animal? Technically, they are in the same taxonomical suborder of pinnipeds (Pinnipedia), which comprises seals, sea lions, and walruses. But seals and sea lions are in different taxonomical families owing to some key anatomical differences. The most notable
10 of the World’s Most Dangerous Fish
Many people around the world depend on fishes or products made from fishes for their food and economic livelihood. More than 30,000 different species ply Earth’s oceans and bodies of fresh water. The beauty of many fish species is highlighted in fish stores, aquariums, and in home collections. Some
Plants
Botanical Sex: 9 Alluring Adaptations
Yes, many plants use the birds and the bees to move pollen from one flower to another, but sometimes this “simple act” is not so simple. Some plants have stepped up their sexual game and use explosions, entrapment, or deception to ensure the perpetuation of their species. Learn about these and
Do Plants Emit Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide at Night?
Photosynthesis is the process by which plants use energy from the sun to make food. They use carbon dioxide from the air and water from the soil to make sugar and oxygen. Most plants release oxygen only during the day, when the sun can power photosynthesis. The exceptions to this general rule are
7 Dangerous Plants You Should Never Touch
Plants don’t enjoy losing their leaves to herbivores and have evolved a number of ingenious strategies to deter leaf predators. Unfortunately for humans, several of these chemical defenses can cause painful skin reactions. Read on to discover some plants that could burn, blister, or otherwise
Do Plants Have Sexes?
The idea of “male” and “female” in plants is a bit mysterious to many people, and there are several variations on the theme throughout the plant kingdom. In plants, as with most animals, the male parts are associated with production of sperm, and the female parts are associated with eggs. Thus, in
Mammals
7 Questions About Mammals Answered
Mammals can do amazing things! This list will answer your questions about flying ones, venomous ones, really fast ones, and smelly ones. Earlier versions of these questions and answers first appeared in the second edition of The Handy Answer Book for Kids (and Parents) by Gina Misiroglu (2010).
What’s the Difference Between Bison and Buffalo?
It’s easy to understand why people confuse bison and buffalo. Both are large, horned, oxlike animals of the Bovidae family. There are two kinds of bison, the American bison and the European bison, and two forms of buffalo, water buffalo and Cape buffalo. However, it’s not difficult to distinguish
Are Cows Really Unable to Walk Down Stairs?
It’s a common belief that cows are unable to walk down stairs. Many people think that you can get a cow up stairs but getting it back down isn’t going to happen without getting pretty creative. But is there actually any truth to this? To put it simply: it is very difficult for cows to walk down
zebra
Zebra, any of three species of strikingly black-and-white striped mammals of the horse family Equidae (genus Equus): the plains zebra (E. quagga), which is found in rich grasslands over much of eastern and southern Africa; Grevy’s zebra (E. grevyi), which lives in arid, sparsely wooded areas in