Animals

When a bomb-sniffing dog sits down on the job, it means there may be explosives nearby. But to the dog, it only means one thing: a treat is on its way. Bomb-sniffing dogs have saved many… More →

The presence of a police dog is often enough to discourage a criminal from fleeing. Police dogs are faster than their human handlers, and they are trained to use just enough force to detain… More →

The male peacock’s brilliance lies in his train of feathers. When he finds a potential mate, he fans out his train to impress her with his bright and shiny plumage. As far as females are… More →

There is no bond quite like the one between a soldier and a military dog. These highly trained canines scout, stand guard, and defend their handlers in war zones. They even accompany their… More →

All service dogs must be healthy and disciplined. Then they receive training specific to their owner’s disability. Service dogs assist people with impaired hearing, pull wheelchairs, carry… More →

Unlike many working dogs, a guide dog is not praised or rewarded on the job. There should be no distractions when the dog is in work mode. As it teams up with its handler to get from place to More →

At a glance, sea otters seem to have a laid-back approach to life. Look closer and you’ll find that they tackle all kinds of tasks on their backs, like nursing their young or cracking… More →

Snails move pretty slowly. Maybe it’s because they carry their homes on their backs, or because they have only one “foot” to work with. One thing is for sure: snails would have trouble moving More →

How do you measure the success of a wombat? Count how many warrens it has! This busy burrower digs several underground homes, or warrens, complete with tunnels, sleeping chambers, and… More →

Orangutans spend much of their time in quiet solitude. That is, unless they’ve just given birth. Babies spend several years with their mother, clinging to her back as she swings from branch… More →

A spider’s silk is liquid inside its body. When it hits air, it solidifies into elastic strands that spiders use to build webs, trap prey, bungee from great heights, and more. This… More →

When detectives suspect that a fire may have been started intentionally, an arson dog is brought to the scene. This “fire dog” learns to sniff out trace amounts of gasoline, lighter fluid,… More →