Animal facts on ZME Science

Do animals recognize themselves in the mirror? And what does that mean for us?

For an item that most of us use every day without much thought, mirrors can be a rich source of insight into the inner workings of our minds. Self-awareness is something we consider to be a hallmark of the human experience. It represents the ability of an individual to recognize where they begin and where […]

The Crawling Dead: 6 creatures that are actually real-life zombies

This might get a little spooky.

Animals that mate for life: the truth and the fiction

Monogamy is complicated.

10 Fantastic Animals That Use Bark Camouflage

The world of bark camouflage unveils nature's mastery of deception.

Are elephants really frightened by mice?

Of mice and scared elephants. Why is this myth so prevalent?

Behemoths of the wild: 7 giant animals you won't believe exist

Experience the stunning world of nature's oversized marvels -- it's not your average list of giant animals.

Why a baby shark is called a pup and a baby platypus is called a puggle -- and other unusual baby animal names

If this doesn't make you go 'aww' then I don't know what will.

The weirdest, surreal, and most charming animals

You're not going to believe some of these are real.

How and why animals hibernate

Animals that hibernate undergo extreme drops in their body temperature, heart rate, and metabolism.

The oldest animal (that we know of) -- and it's not what you think

We're still not sure what the oldest animal on Earth is, but here are some potential contenders.

Small but sneaky. These are the world's 10 smallest mammals

They may be small, but they've got some amazing skills.

Humans aren't the only animals that get drunk (or worse): here are a few others

All life likes to party.

10 of the Weirdest Prehistoric Creatures

Eons ago, many millennia before written history, bizarre animals roamed the Earth.

Why do bachelors exist in the animal world?

Those majestic lions, with a harem of females? They're just compensating for something.

How animals see the world

Ever wonder how animals see? This is your chance!

5 romantic animals that mate for life

There are some that you wouldn't expect.

17 Unrealistic Creatures That Actually Exist

A celebration of biodiversity on our planet.

Mindblowing fact of the day: sharks are older than trees

That's seriously badass!

Which animals use tools?

Tool use ranges all the way from sponges and toothpicks to sex toys.

6 Living Fossils That Have Been Around for Hundreds of Millions of Years

These animals lived alongside the dinosaurs. They're called living fossils.

Can animals get depressed too?

The jury is still out but the evidence seems to suggest 'yes'.

The Red Light Forest - Prostitution in the Animal World

For pebbles, meat, or nectar, these animals found that nothing sells quite as well as sex.

The Smelliest Creatures in the Animal Kingdom

Take a look at the smelliest animals in the world. Continue at your own risk...

The Heaviest Living Organism in the World

What is the heaviest living creature in the world? It’s not an elephant or a blue whale, the heaviest organism is actually an Aspen. Pando, as it is called, is a clonal colony of a single male quaking aspen; basically, it looks like more trees, but it’s actually just one living creature with one massive underground […]

The largest organism in the world

If you want to know what the biggest organism in the world is, then you’re in for a big surprise – it’s not an elephant or a tree, it’s not even a blue whale! It’s 2 miles across, and you don’t even see most of it – because it’s a mushroom. That’s right, the largest living […]

This is the best predator in the world -- it's not what you think

The humble dragonfly is the most efficient predator in the world.