New name, same destructive habits: Meet the Spongy Moth
No more "G-word:" the critter eating east coast trees is now known as Spongy Moth.
Animals
The 'United Nations of cat federations' bans Russian cats from its competitions
The Fédération Internationale Féline is temporarily placing restrictions on cats that were bred in Russia or belong to exhibitors who live there, in response to its attack on Ukraine.
Hamsters in Hong Kong are euthanized after pet shop owner gets COVID-19
The COVID transmission link between animals and humans is growing stronger. In Hong Kong, officials discovered a local pet shop employee was infected with COVID by hamsters in the store.
A dog in Canada gives birth to a rare green puppy
A bulldog in Nova Scotia welcomed a litter of puppies. Seven were born at first, but the eighth puppy didn't look like the others. Its fur was green. It's a rare condition that will fade with time.
Magpies' unexpected reaction to GPS trackers may have revealed altruism in the birds
Researchers tried to attach tracking devices to magpies for a study. But the magpies helped each other to remove them — a possible sign, the scientists say, of altruism in the birds.
The time of year the dinosaur-killing asteroid hit explains why some species survived
The asteroid that wiped out dinosaurs hit in spring the northern hemisphere, a new study suggests. Scientists say animals in the different hemispheres may have fared differently after the event.
The case of the Stephens' kangaroo rat is being called a conservation success
The nocturnal rodent, the Stephens' kangaroo rat, was on the endangered species list but this month it was reclassified as threatened.
Hank the Tank wasn't on a one-bear crime spree — he had accomplices
DNA samples show that at least two other bears have broken into area homes, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The bears have caused a lot of damage.
Herd of cows escape dairy farm and roam a Georgia neighborhood
A woman's doorbell camera captured footage of the cows ruining the landscaping in her front yard. They cows escaped at 3 a.m., but were rounded up later and returned the farm.
DNA evidence shows Hank the Tank didn't work alone
Evidence shows that giant bear is getting a bad rap. And local officials say they're getting so many calls about him that it's affecting their ability to take emergency calls.