Animals

Tiny flies that pollinate cacaos are struggling, and this could affect our supply of chocolate

Portable sensors and artificial intelligence are helping researchers decode animal communication—and begin to talk back to nonhumans

A study of more than 3,000 dogs finds that larger breeds, males and purebred animals tend to be diagnosed with cancer at a younger age

Mammal species that live in groups seems to live longer than those that lead solitary lives

A call for help sounds to ensure survival of a 140-year-old fishing partnership pairing cetaceans and humans

Supersmeller ants quickly learn to recognize tumors’ signatures in mouse urine

Felines recognize their owners’ cat-directed baby talk

Butterfly markings work better when they’re “looking” toward prey

Streaked shearwaters head deep into hurricanes to avoid crash landings

This year we learned why dogs come in so many sizes, that puppy dog eyes are a real thing and that cats don’t deserve their aloof rap

Scientists looking outside typical lab conditions find some surprises when examining the link between eating less and living longer

In one species of mason wasp, “pseudo stings” on males’ genitals let them mimic females and scare predators