Animals

March 22, 2025

Exceptional Fossil Discovery May Offer Evidence of the Oldest Known Modern Bird

At the end of the Cretaceous Period 66 million years ago, a city-sized asteroid collided with the Yucatán Peninsula of Mexico. Known as the Chicxulub impactor, it doomed nearly all dinosaurs to extinction—except, scientists now believe, for birds. An exceptional fossil recently discovered in Antarctica may prove to be the oldest known modern bird, providing critical insight into the evolutionary lineages of avian species.

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March 18, 2025

Extremely Rare All-White Orca Captured on Film in Hokkaido

Orcas are known for their large black and white bodies, making them instantly recognizable in footage and out in the world. That's why, when Japanese photographer Noriyuki Hayakawa spotted an all-white orca during an expedition, they couldn't believe their eyes. “This is the first time I’ve encountered a white orca after 15 years of photographing orcas in Rausu (Hokkaido, Japan),” the photographer said on said on X (formerly Twitter).

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February 23, 2025

Study Finds “Smarter” Dogs Actually Have the Smallest Brains

It’s a common myth that the bigger your brain, the more intelligent you are. While the human brain has long been an enigma for scientists, a recent study found a surprising opposite in our canine friends. Published in the journal Biology Letters, the study shockingly revealed that “smarter” dogs, specifically working breeds known for their ability to perform complex tasks and assist humans, actually have the smallest brains relative to their body size.

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