Wild Things: Life as We Know It
Running elephants, far-flying mosquitos, ancient crocodiles and more…
![Mosquito](https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/Mni0Lvs1dGbRve8qwalpQ0QLu7A=/1000x750/filters:no_upscale()/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/Wild-Things-mosquito-631-main.jpg)
Going the Distance
![Mosquito](https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/ePA6AGveXbmIArY1jSC4zXU20vM=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/Wild-Things-mosquito-631.jpg)
Learn more about the culex tarsalis mosquito at the Encyclopedia of Life.
Primordial Fear
![Nile Crocodile Opening Mouth](https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/wQrN405N9a1BtfjkR05sQEKv0aI=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/Wild-Things-Nile-Crocodile-631.jpg)
Night or Day?
![Reindeer](https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/FB0oAZKsYWWaElXc4XiUa610TPI=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/Wild-Things-reindeer-631.jpg)
Learn more about reindeer at the Encyclopedia of Life.
Bloom of Warmth
![Close-up of Stinking Hellebore Flowers](https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/nFsFcLTa9ztPs8AbzyBsBsQQ1Mk=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/Wild-Things-Stinking-Hellebore-Flowers-631.jpg)
Learn more about Helleborus foetidus at the Encyclopedia of Life.
Observed
![Elephant grazing](https://th-thumbnailer.cdn-si-edu.com/XMQczMPi5EAcTMuaA1O6l2h2PfM=/800x0/filters:no_upscale()/https://tf-cmsv2-smithsonianmag-media.s3.amazonaws.com/filer/Wild-Things-Elephant-Grazing-631.jpg)
Walks: With at least two, and sometimes three, feet on the ground at the same time, according to a new study of the animal’s gait at different speeds.
Runs: Not really, say the researchers, who tested elephants at a conservation center in Thailand by having the animals move at different speeds across a giant platform that measured forces. According to some definitions, a run requires having all feet off the ground at once.
Bounces: Much less than you’d think. Elephants accelerate by taking quicker and longer steps. Since they are always well grounded, they have a smoother stride.
Learn more about Asian elephants at the Encyclopedia of Life.