Why some ant colonies get tricked into killing their own queens For some would-be ant queens, the easiest way to take over a colony is to dupe its worker ants into committing regicide. Nell Greenfieldboyce
All you need to know about West Coast orcas, their distinct diets and habits A study reveals that certain West Coast orcas belong to distinct social groups with different habits and diets. NPR's Scott Simon speaks with ecologist Josh McInnes about how the groups differ. Scott Simon
Scientists pull ancient RNA from a wooly mammoth's body Scientists have extracted the oldest RNA molecules out of a wooly mammoth, gaining a snapshot into the processes at work in the extinct mammal's body just before it died. Ari Daniel
As the avian flu spreads worldwide, it's devastating marine mammal populations The avian flu is devastating marine mammal populations. A new survey finds that nearly half of breeding females in the world's largest population of southern elephant seals were killed by the virus. Nathan Rott
Greetings from the Arctic Circle, where an icebreaker ship drew polar bears' attention Far-Flung Postcards is a weekly series in which NPR's international team shares moments from their lives and work around the world. Jackie Northam
Bird flu safety measures leave 4H kids in California without real chickens In California, the state veterinarian banned chicken shows to limit the spread of bird flu. That left county fairs across the state devoid of chickens — and their 7-year-old 4H caretakers despondent. April Dembosky
The 'lion' on the loose in Ireland that was actually a dog A video suggested that a lion might be on the loose in Ireland. It turned out the "lion" was a dog with a rather unusual haircut. Scott Simon
A new form of wildlife tourism is attracting crowds to Montana — bat tours Montana has lots of tourist attractions, from national parks to fly fishing and skiing. But night tours of bat habitats are the hot new thing. Kayla Desroches
Woodpeckers and tennis players share similarities when preparing to strike Scientists have investigated how woodpeckers use their muscles and their breathing to prepare to strike wood -- and they liken it to the way tennis players prepare to smack a ball. Marc Rivers
Reports of bird flu in farm animals raise concerns about the virus Cases of bird flu have been reported in farm animals across the country. While there are no human cases, some are concerned the shutdown and cuts to federal resources have us flying in the dark. Will Stone
