Animal News: Page 8

Fossil of New Bird Species from Early Cretaceous Discovered in China (March 2, 2016): The fossil of a new bird species from the Early Cretaceous was discovered in China. It sheds light on the early evolution of birds.

Treadmill Study Finds Fat King Penguins Are Less Steady on Their Feet (February 25, 2016): Researchers used treadmills to analyze the waking gait of king penguins. The found overweight penguins are less steady on their feet.

Massachusetts to Populate Island With Timber Rattlesnakes (February 25, 2016): The Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife plans to populate a lake island with Timber rattlesnakes in a conservation attempt.

New Monitor Lizard Species Discovered on Mussau Island (February 24, 2016): A new species of monitor lizard has been discovered on the remote Mussau Island. It has been named Varanus semotus.

Dodos May Have Been Smart Say Scientists (February 24, 2016): The extinct dodo bird has become a symbol of stupidity in modern culture. However, scientists say the bird may have been quite intelligent.

Extinct Glyptodonts Were Gigantic Armadillos Say Scientists (February 23, 2016): Scientists say the extinct creatures known as glyptodonts were actually gigantic armadillos according to DNA evidence.

Ancient Small Kangaroos That Could Not Hop Outlived Fanged Cousins (February 22, 2016): Researchers have discovered fossils of a new genus of kangaroos that lived 15 to 23 million years ago. They could not hop but managed to outlive their fanged cousins.

New Species of Extinct Worm Lizard Discovered in Texas (February 19, 2016): Scientists have discovered the fossilized skull of a previously unknown species of worm lizard in Texas. It has been dubbed the Lone Star lizard.

Fossils Show How Trilobites Attacked Their Prey (February 17, 2016): Scientists have found fossil evidence that provides insight into how trilobites found and captured their prey 500 million years ago.

Antarctic Tardigrades Revived After Being Frozen for Over 30 Years (February 16, 2016): An Antarctic tardigrade was revived by scientists after being frozen for over 30 years. The microscopic creatures are also known as water bears.

Giant Bird Wandered the Arctic 53 Million Years Ago Say Scientists (February 12, 2016): Scientists say there was a giant flightless bird species that wandered the high Arctic about 53 million years ago.

Four New Deep-Sea Worm Species Discovered (February 11, 2016): Scientists have discovered four new species of deep-sea worms. They belong in the genus Xenoturbella.

Fossils of Two New Big Mouthed Cretaceous Fish Species Discovered (February 8, 2016): Scientists have discovered the fossils of two previously unknown species of big mouthed plankton-eating fish from the Cretaceous.

Two New Tree Frog Species Discovered in Taiwan (February 2, 2016): Scientists have discovered two new species of tree frogs in the broadleaf forests of Taiwan.

Human Hunting Linked to Extinction of Giant Australian Bird (February 1, 2016): Scientists have linked the extinction of a giant Australian bird that went extinct about 50,000 years ago to hunting by ancient humans.

New Daddy Longlegs Species Named Cryptomaster Behemoth (January 31, 2016): A new species of daddy longlegs has been discovered in Oregon. It has been named Cryptomaster Behemoth

Tiny New Toad Species Discovered on Herb Bush in India (January 28, 2016): A tiny new species of arboreal toad has been discovered on a herb bush in India.

Newly Discovered Australian Leech Named After Author Amy Tan (January 22, 2016): A tiny Australian leech has been named in honor of bestselling author Amy Tan. The scientific name of the leech is Chtonobdella tanae.

Elusive Bush Dog Photographed in Panama (January 21, 2016): The elusive bush dog has bene photographed in Panama using camera traps. The seldom seen stubby creatures inhabit tropical forests and hunt in packs of ten.

Two New Frog Species Discovered on Madagascar's Highest Mountain (January 13, 2016): Scientists have discovered two new species of frogs that inhabit Tsaratanana Massif, the highest mountain on Madagascar.

Deformed Mountain Lion Had Teeth Growing Out of Its Forehead (January 10, 2016): A deformed mountain lion shot in Idaho had an extra set of teeth growing from its forehead. The lion was shot by a hunter.

Black Ninja Lanternshark Named After Jaws Author Peter Benchley (January 6, 2016): A black shark discovered off the Pacific coast of Central America has been named the ninja lanternshark. The official scientific name is named after Peter Benchley.

Study Finds Tiny Chameleons Have Fast and Furious Tongues (January 4, 2016): A new study has found that tiny chameleons have fast and powerful tongues that utilize both muscle power and elastic tissues.

Scientists Find 530 Million-Year-Old Fossil of Ancient Microscopic Worm (December 10, 2015): Scientists have discovered the 530 million-year-old fossil of an ancient microscopic worm known as a mud dragon.

Tiny Cave Snails Have Enormous Kidneys and Huge Seasonal Penis (December 7, 2015): A new study has found that some of the very tiny species of subterranean cave snails have obersized organs, such as huge kidneys and a large seasonally present penis.