Scientists have described around 2 million species, yet new and little-known animals keep turning up, especially in the oceans and tropical forests. Here are 25 oddities worth getting to know. Animals 1–5: Bugs, Birds and a Frilly Lizard 1. Giant birch sawfly. Despite looking like a wasp, this large sawfly (about 17–23 mm) has no sting. Its larvae feed only on birch … [Read more...] about 25 Animals You’ve Probably Never Heard Of — From a Cuban Land Snail to a Marsupial That Mates Itself to Death
biodiversity
The World’s Only Cold-Blooded Mammal Survived Millions Of Years By Living Like A Reptile
For decades, scientists have classified mammals as warm-blooded animals, capable of maintaining a constant body temperature regardless of the environment. But one extraordinary prehistoric species appears to have broken that rule. An extinct dwarf goat that once lived on the Mediterranean island of Mallorca evolved traits so unusual that researchers believe it became the … [Read more...] about The World’s Only Cold-Blooded Mammal Survived Millions Of Years By Living Like A Reptile
This Rare Turtle Can Breathe Through Its Rear — And Scientists Say It’s One of Earth’s Most Extraordinary Reptiles
Deep in Australia's Mary River lives one of the world's most unusual reptiles—a turtle with a remarkable survival ability that has fascinated scientists for decades. Known as the Mary River turtle, this endangered species can absorb oxygen through its cloaca, allowing it to remain underwater for extended periods without surfacing for air. The cloaca is a single opening used … [Read more...] about This Rare Turtle Can Breathe Through Its Rear — And Scientists Say It’s One of Earth’s Most Extraordinary Reptiles
Call for a complete ban on cats in Australia by making it illegal to even own one
An Australian zoologist has called for the gradual elimination of pet cats in Australia, arguing that domestic and feral cats are causing devastating losses to the country's unique native wildlife. The proposal has sparked widespread debate among conservationists, scientists and millions of Australian pet owners. Dr. Antone Martinho-Truswell of the University of Sydney … [Read more...] about Call for a complete ban on cats in Australia by making it illegal to even own one
Tortoise Found Alive After Spending Nearly A Decade Trapped Beneath House Floor
A tortoise discovered beneath the floor of a family home in Brazil has returned to the wild after undergoing months of rehabilitation, in a survival story that has astonished wildlife experts and animal lovers alike. The red-footed tortoise, later named Donatello by rescuers, was found in February 2025 during renovation work at a house in the town of Itacajá, in Brazil's … [Read more...] about Tortoise Found Alive After Spending Nearly A Decade Trapped Beneath House Floor