Animals
We live on a planet with millions of species of animals -and a rich, diverse collection of known wildlife, and yet new species are being identified seemingly every day — both living and extinct.
Whether it’s the deadliest snakes, longest-living creatures or the history of the dinosaurs, at Live Science, our expert writers are here to help you understand Earth's incredible fauna — past and present — with the latest animal news, features and articles.
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![in an image at the top, dozens of military men hold a huge oarfish in a line. Below is an artist impression of a giant oarfish with blueish skin and a red frill on a black background.](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/5tWtmNz5rUQHwAEndEQGw6-320-80.jpg)
Giant oarfish: The 'doomsday' fish of legend that supposedly foreshadows earthquakes
By Melissa Hobson published
In mythology, giant oarfish are said to foreshadow earthquakes, although evidence shows this is not the case.
![a dolphin at the surface of the water with its head sticking out and eye looking at the camera](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/y96j6Y7K3VFzT8sgj9wZhV-320-80.jpg)
Sexually frustrated dolphin behind spate of attacks on humans off Japan
By Patrick Pester published
A stock image of an Indo-Pacific dolphin swimming (not the individual responsible for the recent attacks).
![Mixed breed puppy laying her head between her paws](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/zQxqy4q3THwgmRwRsuQKAM-320-80.jpg)
Why do dogs' paws smell like Fritos?
By Jennifer Nalewicki published
Why do dogs' paws smell like corn chips? A veterinarian explains the cause of this olfactory offense.
![A cat with a ball in its mouth](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/cyR3pbrphtwT9ytyygoZd8-320-80.jpg)
Over 40% of pet cats play fetch — but scientists aren't quite sure why
By Skyler Ware published
About 40% of cats play fetch with their owners, but it's not clear why.
![three orcas underwater with one breaking the surface](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/GVWi8uXAL3UXBCUNBUedR8-320-80.jpg)
Boat-ramming orcas may be using yachts as target practice toys, scientists suggest
By Melissa Hobson published
Orcas off the coasts of Spain and Portugal may be using boats as targets to practice hunting their favorite food, Atlantic bluefin tuna.
![a large black tarantula stands over a small frog on orange leaves](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/bHtYY2Kro3BSvKb66tZjnN-320-80.png)
We now know why tarantulas are hairy — to stop army ants eating them alive
By Patrick Pester published
Tarantulas' hairy bodies protect against the scavenging, spider-eating army ants that clean their nests, scientists say.
![A close-up of a termite with a darkened abdomen](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/qW9nAUMXFdAgTNuYABetEP-320-80.jpg)
Kamikaze termites blow themselves up with 'explosive' backpacks — and scientists just figured out how
By Jacklin Kwan published
Kamikaze termites in French Guiana carry highly volatile toxic "rucksacks" that are ready to be deployed in an instant, when the termite needs to defend its colony.
![](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/CV74PVfxSTc94G9XxPfuPR-320-80.jpg)
A really big shark got gobbled up by another, massive shark in 1st known case of its kind
By Richard Pallardy published
A pregnant porbeagle shark is believed to have been eaten by a great white, with the larger predator swallowing its tracking device off the coast of Bermuda, scientists report.
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