Scientists have discovered a new giant rat species in the Solomon Islands that weighs more than two pounds, and according to locals, can crack open coconuts with its teeth. It would be terrifying if it weren’t so darn adorable. Called “Vika” by locals, the newly-discovered creature has brown fur, a smooth tail and wide back […] More
Millions of donkeys across the world are being killed to fuel the demand for a traditional remedy in China. The donkey skin remedy, named ejiao, is produced by boiling down the skin to obtain gelatin, which many of its buyers believe can treat blood conditions and promote general health. When not used to remedy blood disorders, […] More
The controversial practice of hunting and killing animals for sport has long outraged conservationists and animal lovers. But a ban on commercial hunting may do more harm than good, says one activist. Speaking at a TEDx Copenhagen event, conservationist Mikkel Legerth who co-created the Modisa Wildlife Project in Botswana, claimed that the country’s ban on […] More
Twenty-five percent of primates in Uganda’s Kibale National Park have a severe physical deformity of some kind, and researchers believe pesticides are to blame. Researchers working in the northern area of the park noticed that chimpanzees and baboons in the region had flattened noses, cleft lip, abnormal or absent nostrils, patchy fur, and concave faces. […] More
This rare beauty was pulled from a lobster trap off the coast of Maine. The lobsterman, being a responsible ocean steward, threw the animal back after realizing it was an egg-producing female. The lobsterman, Alex Todd, is a 10th-generation commercial fisherman from Chebeague Island. Todd shared the picture with the Maine Coast Fishermen’s Association. They explained: “A normal […] More
A steroid used in tilapia farming may be changing the sex of crocodiles in Costa Rica’s Palo Verde National Park, according to new research. After examining close to 500 crocodiles — by probing an area under the tail called the cloaca to determine their gender — researchers noticed something weird: male hatchlings outnumbered females four […] More
Image: Twitter/@FBCSO Gator Country, a Texas alligator sanctuary that houses 350 gators, remains on high alert as floodwaters rise to the tops of containment fences. The owner, Gary Saurage, told local station KFDM on Monday, “We’re less than a foot from going over the fences. All of these are certified high fences, but look ― […] More
70M year old dinosaur skeleton has been found in Tanzania! Shingopana (Swahili – wide neck) Songwensis. Glad they gave it an African name ❤️ pic.twitter.com/bcvvv4iDAr — Ulrich J van Vuuren (@UlrichJvV) August 29, 2017 A new species of titanosaur has been unveiled in southwest Tanzania. The titanosaur, named Shingopana songwensis, existed in the Cretacious Period — some […] More
Researchers discovered an incredibly unusual frog in the mountains of India in 2017. The amphibian, which boasts shiny purple skin, a pointy “pig-nose,” and a blue ring around its eyes, was found in the Western Ghat Mountains. The new species has been named Bhupathy’s purple frog (Nasikabatrachus bhupathi) in honor of Dr. Sabrumaniam Bhupathy, a herpetologist […] More
Researchers in Australia have unearthed a treasure trove of odd creatures from beneath the ocean, including a faceless fish that looks like it has two butts. Yep, you read that right. Instead of a face with eyes and a mouth, there’s just an ugly, round blob of … well, nothing. That’s because the fish’s mouth […] More
Image: News from World via YouTube A Chinese fishing boat was caught illegally carrying thousands of dead sharks in the Galapagos Islands in Ecuador. The Fu Yuan Yu Leng 999 vessel was loaded with approximately 300 tons of fish, including endangered hammerhead and silky sharks, according to a statement by Ecuador’s Ministry of Environment. Twenty […] More
Researchers have rediscovered a rare bird species in Venezuela that hadn’t been spotted for more than 60 years and was thought to be possibly extinct. Rare bird not seen in 60 years rediscovered. #birds #DRF #RSI #Táchiraantpitta #Venzuela https://t.co/MQ1kf7llj8 via @Mongabay pic.twitter.com/pBY9nh8o0G — DRF (@DiffRhythm) July 30, 2017 The Táchira Antpitta, which is considered critically […] More
