Some otters rely on tools to bust open hard-shelled prey items like snails, and a new study suggests this tool use is helping them to survive as their favorite, easier-to-eat foods disappear.
Scientists are testing the limits of artificial intelligence when it comes to language learning. One recent challenge? Learning ... whale! Researchers are using machine learning to analyze and decode whale sounds — and it's just as complicated as it seems.
Curious about other mysteries of nature? Email us at shortwave@npr.org.
The jawbone of a nearly 50-foot sperm whale that washed ashore in New Zealand's southernmost region has been removed. While the act is illegal, it's also considered disrespectful to the Māori people.
The giant panda agreement between China and Zoo Atlanta expires later this year, meaning plans for the four pandas, Lun Lun, Yang Yang, Ya Lun, and Xi Lun, to travel to China are underway.
It's rattlesnake season in Arizona, where the number of bites has surged. And it turns out most of what you thought you knew about the reptiles isn't true.
The border collie-papillon mix got a round of "app-paws" for her surprise win after finishing the race in under 30 seconds. She is the first mixed-breed and first 12-inch dog to win the competition.
Cicadas play an important role in the ecosystem, transferring the biomass they eat from trees to the rest of the animal kingdom as birds and small mammals feed off of them. It’s not just animals that feast on cicadas. For the particularly adventurous human, eating cicadas is certainly an option as well. Chef Joseph Yoon, who is the founder of Brooklyn Bugs, a group that explores the potential of edible insects to combat food insecurity, first started cooking cicadas in 2021.
Nature's healing power is an immensely personal focus for Foster. He made his film after being burned out from long, grinding hours at work. After the release of the film, he suffered from insomnia.
At Bear Divide, just outside Los Angeles, you can see a rare spectacle of nature. This is one of the only places in the western United States where you can see bird migration during daylight hours.
Emily gets super nerdy with former host Maddie Sofia get as they dive into the incredible world of nudibranchs in this encore episode. Not only are these sea slugs eye-catching for their colors, some of them have evolved to "steal" abilities from other organisms — from the power of photosynthesis to the stinging cells of their venomous predators. These sea slugs are going to blow your mind!
They say the chicken crossed the road to get to the other side, but folks in Houston County are asking about why a different bird is wandering about. Wandering the streets is a peacock, leaving onlookers surprised, social media delighted — and animal control on the hunt.