PETS & ANIMALS NEWS

‘Royal Bengal Tiger’: How the animal got its title

October 6, 2026 12:30 IST

The “royal” in Royal Bengal tiger is rooted in colonial history, while the tiger's striking appearance and adaptability across India's diverse landscapes added to its mystique.

How military dogs are trained to brave Ladakh’s 14,000-ft heights

October 5, 2026 12:30 IST

From detecting explosives to tracking and patrolling, military dogs undergo specialised training and gradual acclimatisation to operate in Ladakh’s thin air and extreme cold.

First-time safari-goers should look beyond tiger sightings and observe the wider forest ecosystem in National Parks.

Safari season is back: What to know before visiting India’s national parks

October 4, 2026 21:00 IST

As India’s national parks reopen after the monsoon, experts share what first-time safari-goers should know before heading into the forest.

7 remarkable species found in Himachal Pradesh

October 4, 2026 12:25 IST

From snow leopards and Himalayan ibex to the colourful monal and elusive musk deer, here are rare and distinctive animals you can spot in Himachal Pradesh.

Monkey vs langur: How to spot the difference

October 3, 2026 12:30 IST

From their face and tail to their diet and behaviour, here’s how monkeys and langurs differ — and what to do if you encounter one.

White vs grey pigeon: What the colour difference really means

October 2, 2026 12:30 IST

White and grey pigeons may look different, but they belong to the same species. A veterinarian explains what their colour can—and cannot—tell us about them.

Fresh pugmarks and other signs can offer clues about where a tiger has recently moved.

The jungle knows where the tiger is — here’s how to read the signs

October 1, 2026 12:28 IST

A tiger sighting may seem like pure luck, but naturalists know how to read the jungle for clues. From alarm calls and pugmarks to water bodies, here’s how tiger tracking works.

Scientists identify a new penguin species for the first time in more than 100 years

September 30, 2026 12:31 IST

A penguin from the remote Kerguelen Islands has been identified as a new species, more than 100 years after scientists first collected it.

Rabbit vs hare: Why one runs and the other hides

September 29, 2026 12:04 IST

Rabbits and hares may look alike, but their body structure, habitats, behaviour and young reveal some striking differences.

Best places in India to see tigers in the wild

September 28, 2026 12:29 IST

Planning a tiger safari? From Ranthambore and Bandhavgarh to Tadoba and Bandipur, here are six of the best destinations in India to look for the big cat.

This Giant Amazonian Ant is more than 3 cm long: What makes it unusual

September 27, 2026 12:30 IST

Most ants are tiny, but Dinoponera gigantea can grow to more than 3 cm. Here’s what makes this giant Amazonian ant unusual.

5 animals a tiger may think twice before attacking

September 26, 2026 13:00 IST

Tigers can take down surprisingly large prey, but some animals are simply too risky to attack casually. Here are five formidable opponents that can make a tiger reconsider an attack.

Discover why dragonflies boast massive compound eyes—capable of near-360° vision

Giant eyes, 360-degree vision and lightning-fast reflexes: Why dragonflies are remarkable hunters

September 25, 2026 13:56 IST

One of the most impressive things about dragonflies is that they can see in almost every direction at once

Mule or donkey: How to tell them apart

September 24, 2026 15:57 IST

They may look similar, but mules and donkeys differ in their genetics, fertility, physical abilities, temperament and traditional roles.

A ‘new’ cat joins the feline family, 100 years after the last one

September 23, 2026 14:58 IST

Meet Leopardus tilcayo, the first genuinely new living feline species described in over 100 years, and learn how DNA revealed its ancient lineage.

Once down to just 5, the black robin is now New Zealand’s Bird of the Year

September 22, 2026 12:30 IST

Known as the karure, or Chatham Island black robin, the bird won more than 25,000 votes in this year’s competition, finishing ahead of the kākāpō and the kārearea, or New Zealand falcon.

‘Trust before training’: How to help a rescued dog settle into your home

September 21, 2026 13:45 IST

Training a rescued dog begins with trust. Experts explain how patience, routine, positive reinforcement and responsible care can help rescued dogs feel safe and become confident companions.

Six Indian animals that spend most of their lives underground

September 19, 2026 12:30 IST

From pangolins and porcupines to desert skinks, these six unusual Indian animals spend much of their lives hidden beneath the soil or sand.

Meet 5 of India’s smallest mammals

September 18, 2026 21:00 IST

From the tiny Etruscan shrew to small mountain-dwelling shrews, meet some of India’s smallest mammals.

From 6 to 194: How Assam is bringing the pygmy hog back to the wild

September 17, 2026 12:30 IST

Once close to extinction, the pygmy hog is making a comeback in Assam, with 194 animals bred and reintroduced and more releases planned in Manas. Here's closer look at its conservation success story.

5 heaviest birds in the world — and one weighs 156 Kg

September 16, 2026 12:30 IST

From the towering ostrich to the 45-kg emperor penguin, these are among the heaviest living birds on Earth.

How Panna brought its vultures back from a 99% population crash

September 15, 2026 12:30 IST

After a catastrophic 99 per cent population decline, vultures are making an impressive comeback in Madhya Pradesh, with Panna emerging as a key habitat for seven species.

‘Unnoticed or misunderstood’: Why India’s striped hyenas matter

September 14, 2026 12:30 IST

Often misunderstood and persecuted, striped hyenas are important scavengers that help remove animal remains and keep nutrients moving through ecosystems.