Animals

Getting out a bad relationship can be difficult. Animal shelter has a way to help

7:17am January 29, 2024

The New Jersey shelter neuters or spays feral cats to help with over population, and for $50 they'll name one of those cats after your ex before doing the procedure.

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Will in vitro fertilization save the northern white rhino?

9:09am January 26, 2024

Scientists believe they may have a solution to infertility in critically endangered northern white rhinos.

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Phillip Stearnes holds a fossilized Megalodon shark tooth. 2

Science

That giant extinct shark, Megalodon? Maybe it wasn't so mega

8:58am January 26, 2024

by Ari Daniel

The ancient extinct shark that starred in the film The Meg is thought to be the largest shark that ever swam the Earth. But there's debate over what it really looked like.

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Kayla Trivieri said lots of commenters on her TikToks mention inheriting vintage fur coats from loved ones. "They become heirlooms with their own stories," she explained. "I think that's really beautiful, just being able to pass down items."

The 'mob wife' aesthetic is in. But what about the vintage fur that comes with it?

5:00am January 26, 2024

by Halisia Hubbard

The "mob wife" look calls for flashy gold jewelry, big sunglasses — and fur coats. Some people are turning to vintage furs as a sustainable option, but critics say it isn't an ethical workaround.

This week in science: Invasive ants, ancient chewing gum, and return of the cicadas

4:21pm January 25, 2024

NPR's Juana Summers talks with Regina Barber and Pien Huang of Short Wave about a double emergence of cicadas this spring, invasive ants in Kenya, and the secrets in an ancient wad of chewing gum.

National

No, alligators aren't frozen. They're just brumating

4:21pm January 25, 2024

Last week, it was so cold in Beaumont, Texas — with lows of 18 degrees Fahrenheit — that alligators across the area were found frozen underwater, while still breathing.

Foul-mouthed parrots at an animal park in England have become an attraction in their own right — but staff still do their best to shield young visitors from the birds' profanities.

World News

Sweary parrots become unlikely stars at a British zoo ($#@%!)

3:50pm January 25, 2024

by Bill Chappell

The profane parrots please patrons, despite the staff's fears that visitors might be scandalized from hearing so much salty language from the birds.

During the winter months, American alligators go into a state of brumation, the cold-blooded version of hibernation.

Science

Texas cold leaves alligators frozen underwater, but still alive. Here's how

5:00am January 25, 2024

by Diba Mohtasham

Alligators rely on external sources to regulate their body temperatures — so during winter, they will go into brumation. A viral video captured the phenomenon during the Texas winter freeze.

Sports

Buffalo Bills kicker Tyler Bass gets threats after missing important field goal

6:51am January 24, 2024

The three points would have tied the playoff game against Kansas City; instead the Bills lost. After a cat adoption agency that Bass supports reminded fans to show him some love, donations poured in.

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A British wildlife park has 8 birds that have not been on their best behavior

6:36am January 24, 2024

The African Gray Parrots love to shout expletives and squawk swear words. The birds learn through mimicry so the park put the parrots with a large flock that doesn't know curse words.

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