The living dead: Wood frogs across Alaska will soon be frozen solid

Their bodies cooling with the October air, wood frogs are now snug in leafy blankets all over Alaska.

Down there inside those thumb-size frogs, even smaller creatures are hitching a ride. These tiny parasites have the power to make frogs develop up to a dozen extra legs, or no legs at all.

Don Larson just defended his University of Alaska Ph.D. thesis on the fate of wood frogs that are at this moment becoming camouflage ice cubes. While taking a course in physiology of northern creatures, he became fascinated with the parasites attached to some wood frogs. How could a creature that leeches off another organism endure that animal freezing solid?

To read more on this story, click here: The living dead: Wood frogs across Alaska will soon be frozen solid

Four fascinating ways animals survive the winter

There are a lot of things humans can do to make the colder months more comfortable, thanks to technology. But wild animals don't have access to boots, or scarves, or fireplaces to keep them cozy at night.

They have, however, evolved fascinating characteristics that allow them to get through the harsh winter months -- when food is scarce and the temperatures are frigid.

Here are four fascinating tricks animals use to survive the winter.

To read more on this story, click here: Four fascinating ways animals survive the winter

10 Best Small Rodents to Keep as Pets

There is a range of small rodents commonly kept as pets. Some are fairly easy to tame and enjoy human interaction while others are more timid. Several tend to be more active at night, which might not fit with some people's lifestyles. Still, they are fairly low-maintenance pets if you provide them with the appropriate housing, exercise, and diet. If you're looking for a small, furry companion, here are 10 of the best small rodents to choose from.

To read more on this story, click here: 10 Best Small Rodents to Keep as Pets

The 15 Most Expensive Cat Breeds (That Are Worth Every Penny)

Owning pets isn’t cheap. Cats will cost you roughly $630 per year, according to the ASPCA. Two cats? Twice the money (roughly). Bigger cats? Bigger bills. The first year of cat ownership will usually cost more than the average, too, depending on how fancy you get with food and gear, and whether you have to pay for spay/neuter surgery or vaccinations. On top of these routine annual costs, some cat breeds require you to dig very deeply into your pockets, just to take them home. We’re talking thousands of dollars for the world’s most expensive cat breeds! Intrigued? Keep reading.

To read more on this story, click here: The 15 Most Expensive Cat Breeds (That Are Worth Every Penny)

Rare snowy owl seen flying over Washington, D.C.

WASHINGTON — A rare owl has been spotted touring the iconic monuments of Washington, D.C. for the last week, bringing out bird enthusiasts anxious to get a glimpse of the animal.

The snowy owl was first spotted on Jan. 3, and has since been seen at Union Station, the National Postal Museum, Senate buildings, and Capitol Police headquarters, The Associated Press reported.

To read more on this story, click here: Rare snowy owl seen flying over Washington, D.C.

Your Cat Knows Where You Are Even When They Can't See You

Pet cats have been found to "mentally map" the whereabouts of their owners when they are out-of-sight, scientists have found. Researchers found that cats track their owners' movements by creating mental representations linked to vocal signals.

The researchers, led by Saho Takagi from the Department of Psychology at Kyoto University, Japan, conducted a series of experiments on cats, using vocal cues from either their owners or strangers.

To read more on this story, click here: Your Cat Knows Where You Are Even When They Can't See You

Six Fascinating Facts About Rabbits

Rabbits are wonderful creatures, with adorable ears, faces, and paws. Many people assume rabbits are all the same, but they are unique, complex, and enchanting animals. Beyond the twitchy nose and soft fur, there are many delightful and interesting secrets to uncover about rabbits. Here are six fascinating facts:

They have distinct personalities

Gentle and cuddly, or feisty and opinionated, bunnies each have their own unique and individual personality. For example, some rabbits like to be patted, while others are very independent. Long-time rabbit owners know that each domestic rabbit has its own personality that shapes the way they interact with their owners.

To read more on this story, click here: Six Fascinating Facts About Rabbits

Betty White fans hatch plan to celebrate her 100th birthday by giving back to animals

In loving animals, she’s just unstoppable.

Before we moved into 2022, tragic news spread across the internet. The iconic television personality Betty White died just on the eve of the new year.

But even so, she left a legacy of kindness, joy, and generosity. And as fans celebrated her life and work, they put to the spotlight a side of White that people always cherished – her love for animals.

To read more on this story, click here: Betty White fans hatch plan to celebrate her 100th birthday by giving back to animals

10 of the World’s Most Dangerous Fish

Many people around the world depend on fishes or products made from fishes for their food and economic livelihood. More than 30,000 different species ply Earth’s oceans and bodies of fresh water. The beauty of many fish species is highlighted in fish stores, aquariums, and in home collections. Some species, however, have darker, more terrifying aspects. A select few of these may attack human beings, while others might deliver a dose of poison when handled carelessly or not properly prepared for consumption. Some species are maligned due to their shocking appearance or by their ferocious reputation in folklore and myth; however, one species, though cute and tiny, threatens bathers in a very, shall we say, personal way.

To read more on this story, click here: 10 of the World’s Most Dangerous Fish

Why Do Cats Put Their Butt in Your Face? We Got to The Bottom of This Strange Behavior

Your cat loves to stick his butt where it doesn't belong, including in your face. Let's be real, cats wouldn't be cats if they didn't do all sorts of weird things and that includes putting their butts wherever they please, regardless of personal boundaries.

We asked a certified cat behavior consultant to help us get to the bottom of why cats put their butt in your face—and spoiler alert: It's not as bad as you might think! Next time your cat puts his rear end right in front of you, you might even find yourself saying "Aww" instead of "Eww!"

To read more on this story, click here: Why Do Cats Put Their Butt in Your Face? We Got to The Bottom of This Strange Behavior

Spots, stripes and blotches: Color patterns of cat fur tracked to a key gene

Researchers discovered some of the genetics behind cat coloring, from Abyssinians and tabbies to leopards and tigers.

Your sedentary lap cat may not seem to share many similarities with its fierce relatives prowling the African savanna. But Stanford Medicine researchers have discovered a specific gene that drives much of the development of the stripes, blotches and spots that decorate all feline fur. 

"Color patterns are one of these unsolved biological mysteries; there’s no go-to model organism to study it — mice don’t have stripes or spots,” said Gregory Barsh, MD, PhD, professor emeritus of genetics. “The color patterns and variability that you see in animals like tigers, cheetahs and zebras prompted some central questions for us: What are the developmental genetic mechanisms and the cellular mechanisms that give rise to these patterns and how have they been altered during mammalian evolution to give rise to the amazing diversity of shape and form we see today?”

To read more on this story, click here: Spots, stripes and blotches: Color patterns of cat fur tracked to a key gene

Betty White was a trailblazing animal rights activist

Betty White had a wild side.

The legendary “Golden Girls” star — who died Friday at age 99 — was a pioneering animal rights activist devoted to saving endangered species and improving conditions at the Los Angeles Zoo.

The beloved actress worked for decades to champion animals in her charity work, along with publishing a book on the subject and starring in the nature-boosting 1971 show “Pet Set.”

“Betty White demonstrated a lifelong commitment to helping animals in need, including dedicated support for local shelters and animal welfare endeavors, fiercely promoting and protecting animal interests in her entertainment projects, and personally adopting many rescued animals,” said Matt Bershadker, ASPCA president and CEO.

To read more on this story, click here: Betty White was a trailblazing animal rights activist

Betty White, a Television Golden Girl From the Start, Is Dead at 99

 Among the many highlights of a career that began in 1949 were star turns on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” in the 1970s and “Saturday Night Live” in 2010.

Betty White, who created two of the most memorable characters in sitcom history, the nymphomaniacal Sue Ann Nivens on “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and the sweet but dim Rose Nylund on “The Golden Girls” — and who capped her long career with a comeback that included a triumphant appearance as the host of “Saturday Night Live” at the age of 88 — died on Friday at her home in Los Angeles. She was 99.

To read more on this story, click here: Betty White, a Television Golden Girl From the Start, Is Dead at 99

Woman Cuddles Large Ostrich in Incredible Viral Video

The best friendships are the ones that transcend our differences, and no pairing could illustrate this more than the closeness between one woman and her ostrich.

Posting to TikTok, Wendy Adriaens, known on the app as wendy_adriaens shared a clip of herself and one of her pet ostich's locked in an embrace.

The video begins with the Adriaens, who calls herself "The Ostrich Whisperer" standing in a muddy enclosure, holding aloft a large white blanket.

To see the video, click here: Woman Cuddles Large Ostrich in Incredible Viral Video