• A study of a remarkable bonobo named Kanzi shows apes may play make believe

  The ability to imagine -- to play pretend -- has long been thought to be unique to humans. A new study suggests certain apes may be able to as well.

  • Nathan Rott
• 

  Searching for dinosaur secrets in crocodile bones

  Until now, estimating how old a dinosaur was when it died has been a fairly simple process: Count up the growth rings in the fossilized bones. But new research into some of dinosaurs' living relatives, like crocodiles, suggests that this method may not always work.

  • Ari Daniel

• Cows use tools too

  Austrian researchers say they've found the first known example of tool use by cattle, courtesy of a Swiss-Brown cow named Veronika.

  • Nathan Rott

• It's breeding season for the world's heaviest parrot

  New Zealand's endangered kakapo has a unique breeding cycle. Now, for the first time in four years, the parrots are in the mood.

  • Ayesha Rascoe

• An unbearable situation: How a nonprofit helped evict a black bear in LA

  A black bear made a home for itself underneath a Los Angeles man's home weeks ago. He called in expert bear-evictors to solve the problem.

  • John Ketchum
• 

  These dogs can learn new words just by eavesdropping

  Some dogs have an amazing ability to learn the names of dozens, even hundreds of toys. Now, a new study suggests these super learners can pick up new words by overhearing people talk, just as toddlers can.

  • Nell Greenfieldboyce
• 

  Sick young ants send out a 'kill me' scent to prevent deadly epidemics

  Young, infected Lasius neglectus ants will send out an altruistic "kill me" signal to worker ants, a new study finds, as part of a strategy to keep deadly pathogens from spreading through the colony.

  • Arundathi Nair
• 

  Meet five new species discovered in 2025

  A bumpy snailfish, Andean mouse opossum and ancient sea cow were just some of the many species described in 2025.

  • Arundathi Nair

• These salamanders supercool themselves to handle the snow

  Blue spotted salamanders can supercool themselves so they can walk over ice and snow during their spring migrations.

  • Nell Greenfieldboyce

• These salamanders supercool themselves to handle the snow

  Blue spotted salamanders can supercool themselves so they can walk over ice and snow during their spring migrations

  • Nell Greenfieldboyce

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