When sea otters lose their favorite foods, they can use tools to go after new ones 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. Nell Greenfieldboyce
Understanding elephant communication NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben speaks with biologist Vesta Eleuteri regarding a study she authored about elephant communication.
Lessons from rattlesnake class in the American Southwest 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. Alina Hartounian
The brown pelican crisis of 2024 is here Brown pelicans are appearing on California's coastline. They are showing up emaciated, starving and weak. Dr. Elizabeth Wood of the Wetlands and Wildlife Care Center of Orange County explains. Jordan-Marie Smith
This week in science: baobab trees, lizard-inspired building and stretching eyeballs NPR's Mary Louise Kelly talks with Regina Barber and Emily Kwong of Short Wave about the origins of baobab trees, lizard-inspired construction, and why outside play is beneficial for kids' eyesight. Regina G. Barber
Tiger beetles might be mimicking the sounds of poisonous bugs so bats will avoid them Tiger beetles generate "anti bat-sonar" to prevent echolocating bats from eating them, scientists say. An experiment suggests the beetles mimic sounds created by poisonous insects that bats avoid. Ari Daniel
2 British twins went on vacation in Mexico and faced a life-or-death battle Three years ago Melissa and Georgia Laurie were swimming in a river when a crocodile dragged Melissa under water. Georgia fought the crocodile, and now King Charles has given her a medal for bravery.
My Octopus Teacher's Craig Foster dives into the ocean again in 'Amphibious Soul' 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. Barbara J. King
On this unassuming trail near LA, bird watchers see something spectacular 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. Kai McNamee
Ryan Gosling has the correct answer to Colbert's question about the scariest animal Spoiler alert: It's a bug. It flies. And it bites. There's no "Ken-fusion" about the fear factor of a mosquito's bite. Marc Silver