https://www.smithsonianmag.com/rss/tag/wildlife/RSS feed for WildlifeenWed, 30 Sep 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-shark-was-spotted-swimming-through-the-flooded-streets-of-new-jersey-during-the-noreaster-180989588/The creature has been identified as a smooth dogfish, a harmless species found throughout the western Atlantic Ocean. It wasn't the only animal caught in the chaos brought by the storm systemWed, 30 Sep 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-shark-was-spotted-swimming-through-the-flooded-streets-of-new-jersey-during-the-noreaster-180989588/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/two-heads-are-better-than-one-rare-double-headed-turtle-hatchling-discovered-on-cape-cod-180989579/The tiny diamondback terrapin was brought to a wildlife center on September 17. At the time, the creature weighed about as much as a nickelTue, 29 Sep 2026 13:33:21 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/two-heads-are-better-than-one-rare-double-headed-turtle-hatchling-discovered-on-cape-cod-180989579/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-massive-deep-sea-roly-poly-can-go-years-without-food-thanks-to-a-huge-stomach-and-a-stolen-gene-study-suggests-180989562/The ancestors of the giant isopod Bathynomus jamesi—a seafloor-dwelling creature that resembles a huge pill bug—acquired the snippet of DNA from bacteria more than 16 million years ago, according to a new study. The gene helps the animal slow its metabolismMon, 28 Sep 2026 19:53:41 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-massive-deep-sea-roly-poly-can-go-years-without-food-thanks-to-a-huge-stomach-and-a-stolen-gene-study-suggests-180989562/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/two-new-stick-insect-species-have-been-discovered-in-australiaand-another-one-was-hiding-in-plain-sight-180989575/The new discoveries emphasize that scientists have a lot left to learn about insect diversity, even in areas with many observationsFri, 25 Sep 2026 19:03:30 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/two-new-stick-insect-species-have-been-discovered-in-australiaand-another-one-was-hiding-in-plain-sight-180989575/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/where-did-bats-originate-huge-genetic-study-may-have-settled-the-longstanding-debate-and-rewritten-the-creatures-evolutionary-tree-180989568/The flying mammals likely arose 65 million years ago in Europe, before spreading to Africa and then the rest of the world, according to the new researchFri, 25 Sep 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/where-did-bats-originate-huge-genetic-study-may-have-settled-the-longstanding-debate-and-rewritten-the-creatures-evolutionary-tree-180989568/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/these-15-wonderful-photographs-of-kenyas-world-class-wildlife-will-have-you-booking-a-flight-to-the-savanna-180989558/The East African nation is home to a number of conservation parks where its impressive animals roam freeFri, 25 Sep 2026 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/these-15-wonderful-photographs-of-kenyas-world-class-wildlife-will-have-you-booking-a-flight-to-the-savanna-180989558/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/some-birdsongs-are-more-pleasing-to-human-ears-than-others-higher-pitched-complex-calls-tend-to-sound-more-beautiful-to-us-180989540/In a new study, more than 80 participants rated the pleasantness of vocalizations made by 123 European bird species. Researchers then looked at the acoustic qualities of the most—and least—liked songsThu, 24 Sep 2026 19:01:33 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/some-birdsongs-are-more-pleasing-to-human-ears-than-others-higher-pitched-complex-calls-tend-to-sound-more-beautiful-to-us-180989540/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/an-otter-just-returned-to-new-york-citys-bronx-river-for-the-first-time-in-a-century-now-you-can-help-name-it-180989556/A trail camera photographed the animal earlier this summer, offering a hopeful sign that the once-polluted urban waterway is recovering after decades of restoration workWed, 23 Sep 2026 18:06:27 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/an-otter-just-returned-to-new-york-citys-bronx-river-for-the-first-time-in-a-century-now-you-can-help-name-it-180989556/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/meet-bubbles-a-dolphin-in-australia-that-chases-fish-until-they-barf-then-eats-their-upchucked-meals-180989547/Scientists recorded 11 instances of Bubbles successfully snacking this way. They mark some of the first detailed observations of kleptoparasitism, or food stealing, in cetaceans, the group of marine mammals that includes dolphins, whales and porpoisesWed, 23 Sep 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/meet-bubbles-a-dolphin-in-australia-that-chases-fish-until-they-barf-then-eats-their-upchucked-meals-180989547/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/experience-the-wonder-of-birds-with-these-11-winning-photos-from-the-bird-photographer-of-the-year-contest-180989552/From a greater sage-grouse performing a mating display to a tawny frogmouth making a funny face, these photographs capture the breathtaking diversity of the world’s avian speciesWed, 23 Sep 2026 13:22:07 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/experience-the-wonder-of-birds-with-these-11-winning-photos-from-the-bird-photographer-of-the-year-contest-180989552/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/cameras-capture-adult-chimpanzees-passing-tools-and-know-how-to-their-young-teaching-important-skills-to-the-next-generation-180989538/Researchers recorded footage of wild chimps in Senegal showing youngsters how to use sticks to fish out ants and how to smash baobab fruit against rocks to open it, among other instances of instructionTue, 22 Sep 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/cameras-capture-adult-chimpanzees-passing-tools-and-know-how-to-their-young-teaching-important-skills-to-the-next-generation-180989538/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/an-armadillo-found-in-ohio-is-the-latest-surprise-in-the-armored-animals-expansion-north-where-are-they-now-and-whats-driving-their-movement-180989530/Typically spotted in the South and Southeast, the creatures have been reaching increasingly distant states like North Carolina, Virginia and Illinois as winters become milderMon, 21 Sep 2026 17:56:03 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/an-armadillo-found-in-ohio-is-the-latest-surprise-in-the-armored-animals-expansion-north-where-are-they-now-and-whats-driving-their-movement-180989530/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/meet-the-adorable-and-tiny-tilcayo-the-first-brand-new-cat-species-identified-in-more-than-a-century-180989528/Discovered in a cloud forest in Bolivia, the diminutive felines are smaller than a house cat and covered in large, irregularly shaped rosettesMon, 21 Sep 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/meet-the-adorable-and-tiny-tilcayo-the-first-brand-new-cat-species-identified-in-more-than-a-century-180989528/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-humpback-whale-mom-stayed-with-her-stillborn-calf-repeatedly-touchingi-it-and-staring-into-its-eyes-was-she-grieving-180989516/Observed last year off the coast of Queensland, Australia, this event marks the first documentation of a stillbirth in the species, providing a rare glimpse at how the highly social animals respond to deathFri, 18 Sep 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-humpback-whale-mom-stayed-with-her-stillborn-calf-repeatedly-touchingi-it-and-staring-into-its-eyes-was-she-grieving-180989516/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/new-zealand-welcomes-a-record-90-kakapo-chicks-helping-the-worlds-chunkiest-parrot-species-rebound-from-the-brink-of-extinction-180989511/Annual chick counts aren't confirmed until the youngest hatchling reaches 150 days old, a benchmark for independence. The population now stands at 325 birds, up from the 51 individuals that remained in 1995Thu, 17 Sep 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/new-zealand-welcomes-a-record-90-kakapo-chicks-helping-the-worlds-chunkiest-parrot-species-rebound-from-the-brink-of-extinction-180989511/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/three-wild-dogs-made-a-record-breaking-trek-across-zambia-traveling-more-than-2500-miles-in-search-of-mates-180989505/The canines achieved the longest recorded movement by any African mammal. Their journey highlights the importance of having protected corridors for wildlifeWed, 16 Sep 2026 15:47:25 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/three-wild-dogs-made-a-record-breaking-trek-across-zambia-traveling-more-than-2500-miles-in-search-of-mates-180989505/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/some-fish-in-the-great-lakes-might-be-more-than-400-years-old-a-study-suggests-outliving-around-15-generations-of-humans-180989500/Lake sturgeon may be among the longest-living vertebrates, second only to Greenland sharks, according to recent research. However, scientists note that follow-up work is necessary to clarify the species’ life spanWed, 16 Sep 2026 13:43:20 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/some-fish-in-the-great-lakes-might-be-more-than-400-years-old-a-study-suggests-outliving-around-15-generations-of-humans-180989500/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/marmot-mystery-how-did-these-large-mountain-dwelling-rodents-end-up-in-the-bay-area-180989502/The two rodents of unusual size, rescued this month, might have hitched a ride in the engine compartment of a vehicle coming down from the mountains, wildlife officials sayTue, 15 Sep 2026 20:21:10 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/marmot-mystery-how-did-these-large-mountain-dwelling-rodents-end-up-in-the-bay-area-180989502/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/these-four-giant-dinosaur-footprints-discovered-in-north-dakota-might-represent-the-first-trackway-made-by-an-adult-t-rex-ever-found-180989481/A high school teacher first spotted the remarkable trail while volunteering on a paleontological dig. Researchers suspect a hulking, full-grown dinosaur marched through the then-swampy landscape roughly 66.5 million years agoTue, 15 Sep 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/these-four-giant-dinosaur-footprints-discovered-in-north-dakota-might-represent-the-first-trackway-made-by-an-adult-t-rex-ever-found-180989481/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-nine-stunning-images-from-this-years-ocean-photographer-of-the-year-contest-that-show-the-majesty-of-marine-life-180989489/From seahorse farewells to saving a stranded whale, the photos capture the diversity and beauty of sea creatures—but also the perils they faceMon, 14 Sep 2026 16:15:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-nine-stunning-images-from-this-years-ocean-photographer-of-the-year-contest-that-show-the-majesty-of-marine-life-180989489/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/watch-an-elusive-and-ethereal-bigfin-squid-float-above-the-seafloor-off-central-california-180989491/This marks the first time the mysterious creature has been seen alive in the northeastern Pacific Ocean. It was spotted last month by scientists on an expedition to study marine life near underwater mountainsMon, 14 Sep 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/watch-an-elusive-and-ethereal-bigfin-squid-float-above-the-seafloor-off-central-california-180989491/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/australias-second-smallest-rock-wallaby-reappears-in-a-region-where-it-had-not-been-seen-for-50-years-180989469/The endangered nabarlek is not easy to find and difficult to distinguish from similar species. But a research team made new detections of the animals that offer “good news for their long-term survival”Thu, 10 Sep 2026 18:00:37 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/australias-second-smallest-rock-wallaby-reappears-in-a-region-where-it-had-not-been-seen-for-50-years-180989469/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-tasmanian-tiger-was-branded-a-livestock-killer-new-research-challenges-that-myth-180989473/Thylacines had powerful snapping bites suited for catching small and medium-sized prey like bandicoots—not taking down large animals such as sheep and cattle, as European colonists fearedThu, 10 Sep 2026 17:43:58 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/the-tasmanian-tiger-was-branded-a-livestock-killer-new-research-challenges-that-myth-180989473/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-hospital-ship-sank-off-albania-coast-during-world-war-ii-now-its-teeming-with-marine-life-180989468/A new survey of the "Po" has revealed a thriving underwater ecosystem, including rare Mediterranean monk sealsWed, 09 Sep 2026 17:57:33 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-hospital-ship-sank-off-albania-coast-during-world-war-ii-now-its-teeming-with-marine-life-180989468/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/these-20-breathtaking-bird-images-from-the-audubon-photography-awards-capture-the-wonder-of-the-winged-world-180989436/The winners of the 17th annual contest reveal the beauty of birds, the splendor of their migratory journeys and the risks they faceWed, 02 Sep 2026 19:48:46 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/these-20-breathtaking-bird-images-from-the-audubon-photography-awards-capture-the-wonder-of-the-winged-world-180989436/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/spain-white-headed-ducks-signature-color-right-name-that-isnt-even-most-remarkable-hue-180989289/The first thing you’re likely to notice is the blue bill. But beyond appearances, the duck has an exciting story to tell about conservation and recoveryWed, 02 Sep 2026 13:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/spain-white-headed-ducks-signature-color-right-name-that-isnt-even-most-remarkable-hue-180989289/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/reptiles-make-a-surprising-amount-of-noise-heres-what-those-sounds-might-mean-from-pops-to-hoots-to-bellows-180989422/Scientists are realizing that turtles, lizards and crocodilians communicate vocally more than they once thoughtWed, 02 Sep 2026 11:30:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/reptiles-make-a-surprising-amount-of-noise-heres-what-those-sounds-might-mean-from-pops-to-hoots-to-bellows-180989422/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-ancient-insect-had-24-legs-and-could-help-explain-how-the-ancestors-of-modern-day-bugs-took-over-the-land-180989420/A previously undescribed critter that lived 324 million years ago appears to have been a transitional species that lived between land and sea. It could help researchers fill an 80-million-year gap in the fossil record of how crustaceans evolved into insectsTue, 01 Sep 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/this-ancient-insect-had-24-legs-and-could-help-explain-how-the-ancestors-of-modern-day-bugs-took-over-the-land-180989420/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/female-treefrogs-experience-choice-overload-amid-too-many-mating-calls-from-males-180989411/Faced with a chorus of potential mates, female Cope’s gray treefrogs may be overwhelmed by the number of options and struggle to make a careful decision, a study suggestsTue, 01 Sep 2026 13:42:53 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/female-treefrogs-experience-choice-overload-amid-too-many-mating-calls-from-males-180989411/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-new-museum-in-northern-norway-is-bringing-visitors-into-the-world-of-whales-from-life-size-orcas-to-immersive-underwater-exhibits-180989421/Opening in 2027, The Whale will explore the science, behavior, evolution and cultural history of whales through art, storytelling, sound and architectureMon, 31 Aug 2026 17:57:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/a-new-museum-in-northern-norway-is-bringing-visitors-into-the-world-of-whales-from-life-size-orcas-to-immersive-underwater-exhibits-180989421/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/when-fruit-is-scarce-these-monkeys-hunt-animals-the-behavior-may-offer-clues-about-the-origins-of-humans-meat-eating-habits-180989412/The bearded capuchins of northeastern Brazil typically eat plant-based foods, but they turn to small vertebrates when those sources are limited. Our ancestors may have done the same, eventually allowing predatory behaviors to be more frequently passed on in our lineageFri, 28 Aug 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/when-fruit-is-scarce-these-monkeys-hunt-animals-the-behavior-may-offer-clues-about-the-origins-of-humans-meat-eating-habits-180989412/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-16-stunning-animal-images-from-the-wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-awards-180989397/Now in its 62nd year, the famed competition has released a sneak peek of the entries from this contest ahead of announcing the winners in OctoberWed, 26 Aug 2026 18:28:04 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/see-16-stunning-animal-images-from-the-wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-awards-180989397/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/cast-your-vote-for-the-chunkiest-alpine-rodent-during-colorados-first-ever-fat-marmot-week-180989395/The inaugural competition puts eight yellow-bellied marmots head-to-head while shining a light on the science behind their seasonal weight gain and survival at high elevationsTue, 25 Aug 2026 19:33:40 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/cast-your-vote-for-the-chunkiest-alpine-rodent-during-colorados-first-ever-fat-marmot-week-180989395/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/these-tiny-shrews-grow-bigger-snouts-and-shrink-their-brains-to-survive-harsh-winters-study-suggests-180989369/Scientists have long known that some small mammals reduce their brain size during cold months and regrow them in the spring. Long-clawed shrews from Hokkaido, Japan, seem to follow that pattern—while their noses surprisingly do the oppositeTue, 25 Aug 2026 15:36:12 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/these-tiny-shrews-grow-bigger-snouts-and-shrink-their-brains-to-survive-harsh-winters-study-suggests-180989369/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/africa-wild-dogs-most-hated-carnivores-continent-heres-why-conservationists-saving-them-anyway-180989287/Meet the team that closely monitors the playful canines, which need help to form diverse packs and stop their numbers from dwindlingTue, 25 Aug 2026 11:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/africa-wild-dogs-most-hated-carnivores-continent-heres-why-conservationists-saving-them-anyway-180989287/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/irelands-kerry-cow-bones-are-actually-wild-boar-and-bear-shaking-up-the-story-of-farmings-arrival-on-the-island-180989371/The bones were discovered on the Dingle Peninsula more than 30 years ago, but scientists recently decided to take another look at them, this time using modern techniquesThu, 20 Aug 2026 14:40:44 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/irelands-kerry-cow-bones-are-actually-wild-boar-and-bear-shaking-up-the-story-of-farmings-arrival-on-the-island-180989371/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/why-are-some-octopuses-so-smart-the-answer-might-lie-in-a-never-before-seen-mutation-that-helps-them-accurately-build-proteins-180989319/Scientists discovered a strange feature in certain octopuses’ ribosomal RNA, molecules that create a 3D scaffold for cellular protein factories. It was found only in shallow-water creatures that have expanded nervous systems and can do complex behaviorsWed, 19 Aug 2026 16:00:10 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/why-are-some-octopuses-so-smart-the-answer-might-lie-in-a-never-before-seen-mutation-that-helps-them-accurately-build-proteins-180989319/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/do-monkeys-keep-pets-study-finds-widespread-primate-interactions-with-other-animal-species-from-mice-to-deer-180989356/This social behavior might reveal the evolutionary roots of traits that underlie pet-keeping in humans, scientists say, from caregiving to tolerance and curiosity. But it's not the same as a person keeping a cat or a dogTue, 18 Aug 2026 20:22:41 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/do-monkeys-keep-pets-study-finds-widespread-primate-interactions-with-other-animal-species-from-mice-to-deer-180989356/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/marine-biologists-solved-a-wildlife-mystery-from-the-walkway-of-the-golden-gate-bridge-how-the-harbor-porpoise-mates-180989163/The dolphin-like marine mammals returned to San Francisco Bay in 2008 after a decades-long absence from the area. Scientists took the rare opportunity to closely observe their behavior, and what they uncovered might help at-risk porpoise populationsFri, 14 Aug 2026 13:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/marine-biologists-solved-a-wildlife-mystery-from-the-walkway-of-the-golden-gate-bridge-how-the-harbor-porpoise-mates-180989163/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/lions-lions-and-lions-oh-my-15-photos-of-the-most-majestic-big-cats-found-throughout-africa-180989333/Ranging from cubs to adults, this selection of shots from the Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest showcases the apex predator of the savannaFri, 14 Aug 2026 11:05:54 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/lions-lions-and-lions-oh-my-15-photos-of-the-most-majestic-big-cats-found-throughout-africa-180989333/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/pumas-might-be-making-your-drive-home-safer-when-the-predators-are-around-deer-tend-to-avoid-roads-preventing-some-collisions-180989314/In Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, the wild cats’ presence corresponded with a 67 percent drop in the likelihood of a deer-vehicle crash and a 76 percent overall decline in the number of wrecks during a five-year period, according to a new studyWed, 12 Aug 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/pumas-might-be-making-your-drive-home-safer-when-the-predators-are-around-deer-tend-to-avoid-roads-preventing-some-collisions-180989314/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/jackie-the-bald-eagle-who-captured-hearts-around-the-world-via-livestream-has-died-after-battling-a-mysterious-illness-180989310/A raptor center in California had been caring for the animal since mid-July, after she had an altercation with two young eagles. But she had probably been sick long before thenTue, 11 Aug 2026 18:37:26 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/jackie-the-bald-eagle-who-captured-hearts-around-the-world-via-livestream-has-died-after-battling-a-mysterious-illness-180989310/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/this-amazing-archive-of-animal-photography-reveals-18000-species-and-counting-heres-how-joel-sartore-built-his-photo-ark-180989282/For 20 years, the National Geographic photographer has showcased Earth’s animals in a series of striking images that make even the tiniest creatures look immenseFri, 07 Aug 2026 19:15:18 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/this-amazing-archive-of-animal-photography-reveals-18000-species-and-counting-heres-how-joel-sartore-built-his-photo-ark-180989282/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/first-a-volcanic-eruption-now-a-crustacean-invasion-see-the-giant-lobsters-taking-over-the-ancient-city-of-pompeii-180989275/A pop art installation featuring more than 30 sculptures from artist Philip Colbert is the first contemporary sculpture exhibition to land in Pompeii in three decadesFri, 07 Aug 2026 14:17:49 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/first-a-volcanic-eruption-now-a-crustacean-invasion-see-the-giant-lobsters-taking-over-the-ancient-city-of-pompeii-180989275/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/nine-lives-a-feral-cat-hunting-rare-ducks-in-new-zealand-has-been-caught-and-killed-after-three-years-180989267/The gray tabby, known as Nine Lives because it eluded capture so many times, had devastated efforts by conservationists to reintroduce the birds to the wildThu, 06 Aug 2026 17:42:31 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/nine-lives-a-feral-cat-hunting-rare-ducks-in-new-zealand-has-been-caught-and-killed-after-three-years-180989267/https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ancient-north-american-mammals-may-have-gathered-in-mexico-and-diversified-before-moving-to-south-america-priming-them-to-thrive-there-180989251/An analysis of fossils from the country hints that animals from the north stayed in a "holding pen" between seven million and ten million years ago. The timeline might help explain why so many South American mammals have North American ancestry, but not vice versaTue, 04 Aug 2026 14:00:00 +0000https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/ancient-north-american-mammals-may-have-gathered-in-mexico-and-diversified-before-moving-to-south-america-priming-them-to-thrive-there-180989251/