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Una publicación compartida por Peggyandmolly (@peggyandmolly)

There is something uniquely heartwarming about interspecies friendships. Maybe it's seeing the different animals play, adapting their moves to not hurt their pal; or the way they cuddle together, spotlighting their wildly different sizes in a cute way. The bond between Peggy and Molly, a bull terrier and an Australian bird known as a magpie, is a great example of both. Sadly, after a four-year friendship, Molly was taken away. Hoping to bring her home, her human family has launched an online campaign.

Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen are an Australian couple who, after spotting Molly as an abandoned chick in distress, decided to bring the bird home and nurse her back to health. “We were very concerned because the park was an off-leash dog park in the afternoons and up to 30 dogs of all breeds run around crazily we knew this little bird would not stand a chance,” they wrote on Facebook. “So, we did what any animal lovers would do and made the decision to bring him home and care for him.”

While they aimed for the bird to eventually fly away, Molly took a liking to Peggy, the family dog, and never left. And so, at the height of the pandemic, a friendship blossomed between the two. Moved by their sweet bond, Wells and Mortensen documented Peggy and Molly's interactions on Instagram. Their videos show the animals chasing one another, taking naps together, sharing toys, and smooching—with Molly occasionally taking rides on Peggy's back.

This all came to a pause when Wells and Mortensen were asked to surrender Molly to the Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI). Since magpies are a protected wild species in Australia, the family was accused of “illegally” taking the bird from its environment and keeping it with “no permit, licence or authority.” Officials were also worried that others would follow their lead of domesticating wild animals with the hopes of turning a profit, as the family had signed a book deal with one of Australia's biggest publishers, among other endeavors.

DESI has stated that there's no option to release the bird to the wild. Since it has become “highly habituated to human contact,” the best course of action was for it to be placed in a facility for the rest of its life. This has enraged Molly and Peggy's followers, and worried bird lovers.

“It’s not a good thing to take animals from the wild and turn them into pets. It’s not something to be recommended, and that’s why there are strong rules about that sort of thing,” ecologist Darryl Jones told CNN. Still, many argue that the best course of action for Molly would be for it to come home. “The authorities could say on reflection, with the welfare of the individual magpie in mind, we have decided that the best thing to do for that magpie is to return it to the family,” Jones added.

As of writing, the family has no knowledge about Molly's whereabouts. Hoping to nudge officials into returning the bird, they launched a Change.org campaign that has garnered over 135,000 signatures. To stay up to date with any developments and revisit some of the sweetest moments of their friendship, you can follow Peggy and Molly on Instagram.

The bond between Peggy and Molly, a bull terrier and a magpie, is a great example of a sweet interspaces friendship.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Peggyandmolly (@peggyandmolly)

Peggy's human family nursed Molly back to health after finding the bird in a park.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Peggyandmolly (@peggyandmolly)

Molly took a liking to Peggy, the family dog, and never left.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Peggyandmolly (@peggyandmolly)

Wells and Mortensen documented Peggy and Molly's interactions, including them chasing one another, taking naps together, sharing toys, and smooching. The magpie can also be seen occasionally taking rides on the dog’s back.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Peggyandmolly (@peggyandmolly)

Sadly, Molly was recently taken away by Australian officials, as it is considered a wild animal and the family was keeping it with “no permit, licence, or authority.”

 

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Una publicación compartida por Peggyandmolly (@peggyandmolly)

Hoping to bring Molly home, Peggy's family has launched an online campaign that has garnered over 135,000 signatures.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Peggyandmolly (@peggyandmolly)

Peggy and Molly: Website | Facebook | Instagram
h/t: [CNN]

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Photo: Amaviael/Depositphotos

Flying can be stressful in the best of circumstances. For pet owners, traveling with their animal companions poses its own unique challenges. In an effort to alleviate some distress, American Airlines has recently relaxed part of their pet policy and will allow owners to bring their pet, as well as a full-size carry-on bag, into the cabin.

This is a welcome change for pet owners, as up until this week, people who brought their pet into the cabin could only have one other small bag that could fit underneath their seat, unless they wanted to pay an additional fee of $35. As a result, many people would send their pets to the cargo hold for the flight to avoid spending the extra money on top of the already expensive pet fee. Because of this, the new policy could also reduce the number of people who falsely claim that their pets are service animals to get them on flights for free.

Regardless of the relaxed policy, anyone traveling with a pet should still do their research before attempting to fly with their furry friend. Every airline has a slightly different policy, and many planes have occupancy limits for the amount of pets that can be in the cabin at once. Additionally, if you are flying overseas, different countries have different entry policies for pets, so be sure to research that in advance—PetTravel.com is a worldwide resource you can check on. It is also a good idea to consult your veterinarian to see how to best travel with animals.

American Airlines recently relaxed its pet policy, allowing pet owners to bring their animal companions, as well as a full-size carry-on bag, into the cabin for no additional fee.

Photo: Amaviael/Depositphotos

h/t: [AP]

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Photo: JDunbarPhoto/Depositphotos

Have you ever wondered how certain animals like alligators manage to survive through harsh weather? Well, as a wave of frigid weather hit North Carolina and Texas, the alligators living in those states cleverly survived the cold by turning into living, breathing ice cubes in a process known as brumation. The animals do this by allowing pond water to freeze around them. Once submerged, the alligator keeps only its snout above the water's surface, enabling it to breathe until the pond thaws out again.

When ice crystals begin to form over the alligator's body, their metabolism and heart slow down (sometimes to three beats per minute), and their bodies slowly become suspended in the icy water. This state of dormancy is the reptile equivalent of hibernation. But unlike mammals, alligators do not actually fall asleep during this period and still have brief periods of activity so that they can drink.

Rescuers have found several of these semiaquatic animals frozen at an alligator sanctuary near Ocean Isle Beach, North Carolina. Another alligator was found suspended in a freezing pond at the Gator Country Rescue Center in Beaumont, Texas. If you come across any frozen gators, there's no need to be alarmed—just remember to exercise caution around wild animals and refrain from trying to wake them up.

In order to get through cold temperatures, alligators enter a hibernation-like state called brumation and allow themselves to become frozen in ponds.

Photo: TallyPic/Depositphotos

Watch these alligators breathe while in a frozen pond.

h/t: [Live Science]

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Photo: PantherMediaSeller/Depositphotos

The octopus is arguably one of the coolest animals on Earth. It can change color to blend in with its surroundings, shoot ink to stun predators, and regrow severed limbs. These creatures are also incredibly smart, capable of navigating mazes, solving puzzles, and jimmying locks. Now, a viral video shared by CBC shows us a part of octopus life that we rarely get to see.

The video explains how the female giant Pacific octopus only lays one batch of eggs (approximately 80,000 of them) during her five-year lifespan. During the six to 10 months that it takes for her eggs to hatch, the mother octopus does not leave their side. She spends that time tending to her eggs, fanning them to keep them oxygenated, free from bacteria, and safe from predators. During this period, she also doesn't eat, which causes her to slowly wither away as she makes the ultimate sacrifice for her offspring.

The video ends on a bittersweet note, as the baby octopuses hatch from their eggs, and the mother blows them out of the den and into open water. As the hatchlings depart in search of cold water currents, their mother passes away but does so having accomplished her goal, a true testament to a mother's love.

Watch as this mother octopus makes the ultimate sacrifice for her offspring.

h/t: [The Kid Should See This]

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Most parrots can survive anywhere from 40 to 60 years in captivity, making them near-lifelong companions. However, some species can live even longer than that. Koko, a bright Amazon Parrot with an even brighter personality, is one of these birds. He was born in 1940 and bounced around between several owners before finally finding his forever home with Ashvin Ghisyawan and Linda Lin, a couple better known as Ash and Lin who lives in the Netherlands.

According to Ash, Koko's first owners got him when he was still a baby, and he spent the first 30 years of his life in their flower shop. Shortly after, he went to the daughter of the first pair of owners, before eventually being inherited by the ex-husband of one of the original owners. Sadly, Ash believes that this man likely hurt Koko. After the parrot was rescued from the possibly abusive owner and brought to an animal sanctuary, Koko was given to one of Ash's friends for a few years. Finally, he was given to Ash and Linda, who have been his proud owners ever since.

Koko is blind, but he doesn't let this stop him from living life to the fullest. A glance at Ash and Linda's Instagram confirms that the parrot is full of joy, along with the couple's other exotic birds. He can normally be found flapping his wings excitedly and squawking in shared videos. It also seems like he's a particularly big fan of neck scratches. And even though he is technically a senior citizen, Koko still plays with other parrots like he's barely a day past 20.

To keep up with Koko, as well as Ash and Linda, be sure to follow the couple's parrot photography on Instagram.

Meet Koko, an 84-year-old Amazon Parrot who was recently adopted by a Ash and Lin, a couple from the Netherlands.

 

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A post shared by Parrots by Ash and Lin | Parrotcoach | Online consulting (@parrotsbyash)

It is a fitting forever home for Koko, who has gone through several owners during his long life, including one who was probably abusive.

 

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A post shared by Parrots by Ash and Lin | Parrotcoach | Online consulting (@parrotsbyash)

Koko is blind, but he lives life to the fullest, and every photo and video the couple posts of him is filled with joy.

 

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A post shared by Linda Lin (@lindalininsta)

Ash and Lin: Instagram
Ashvin Ghisyawan: Website | Instagram (personal) | Instagram (weddings)
Linda Lin: Instagram
h/t: [Laughing Squid]

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READ: Adorable 84-Year-Old Blind Parrot Finally Finds His Forever Home in the Netherlands

Photo: karlumbriaco.hotmail.com/Depositphotos

In nature, it seems like the slowest or smallest member of a herd is the one destined to become prey. However, certain species have developed unique defense strategies that put the most vulnerable at the center—quite literally. When feeling threatened, reindeer herds are known to run in circles, making it almost impossible to target an individual. Due to how imposing it looks from outside, this phenomenon is known as a “reindeer cyclone.”

This behavior was first recorded by the Vikings, as their lifestyle was significantly tied to hunting reindeer. This works by placing young fawns and vulnerable members inside the formation while stronger reindeer circle the edge of the cyclone. And all this can happen in a matter of seconds.

Given its mesmerizing nature, drone footage of large reindeer cyclones have gone viral in recent years. Photographer Lev Fedoséyev captured a cyclone made up of hundreds of reindeer in the rural area of Lovozero, in northern Russia. Whoever wanted to attack the most vulnerable creature—whether it was a bear, wolf, or human—would have to go through at least a dozen layers of coordinated reindeer protection.

This occurrence was also featured in the 2019 PBS production Nature: Wild Way of the Vikings. Depicting their way of life in the year 1000 CE, the series includes a striking overhead sequence of reindeer going into a spiral formation to confound a Viking aiming at them with a bow and arrow.

While these videos depict large herds forming a cyclone, this behavior has also been observed in smaller groups kept in corrals. Curiously, while free-ranging reindeer show no right- or left-turning preference when grazing or browsing, a study by Yngve Espmark from the Department of Zoology of Norwegian University of Science and Technology concluded that they invariably rotated leftwards when feeling threatened.

You can watch footage of a reindeer cyclone below.

When feeling threatened, reindeer herds are known to run in circles, making it almost impossible to target an individual.

This is a “Reindeer Cyclone”.

A swirling mass of threatened reindeer stampeding in a circle making it impossible to target an individual. The weakest and fawns are in the middle.. pic.twitter.com/mFFvn9YGc4

— Buitengebieden (@buitengebieden) December 9, 2023

Due to how imposing it looks from outside, this phenomenon is known as a “reindeer cyclone.”

This works by placing young fawns and vulnerable members inside the formation while stronger reindeer circle the edge of the cyclone.

Reindeer Cyclones are a real thing… a swirling mass of threatened reindeer stampeding in a circle making it impossible to target an individual.. here the fawns are in the middle

This herd is on Russia’s Kola Peninsula, in the Arctic Circle
pic.twitter.com/0Y2UwBKuOh

— Science girl (@gunsnrosesgirl3) March 30, 2021

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READ: Drone Catches Reindeer Forming a Hypnotic Cyclone After Feeling Threatened

Artistic reconstruction of Pebanista yacuruna (Photo: Jaime Bran via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0)

About 16 million years ago, the Peruvian Amazon rainforest was covered by a massive lake known as Pebas, one of the most biodiverse ecosystems to ever exist on Earth. Among the species that called it home was the largest freshwater dolphin ever—a creature whose existence remained in the dark until 2018, when paleontologist Aldo Benites-Palomino spotted a fossilized jaw bone during a field expedition around Peru's Napo River.

“As soon as I recognized it, I saw the teeth sockets. I screamed, ‘This is a dolphin.’ We could not believe it,” Benites-Palomino told The Guardian. At first, he figured the dolphin must have been an ancestor to the contemporary Amazon river pink dolphins found in South America. However, further research made it clear that not only was it a completely different species that has since gone extinct, but its closest relatives live halfway across the world. Specifically, in the Ganges and Indus rivers of South Asia, some 6,200 miles away.

“It's difficult to find fossils from this era, since they're only accessible during the dry season when the Amazon rivers are low enough to expose rocks from the past,” says Benites-Palomino on TikTok.

The newly discovered species was named Pebanista yacuruna in honor of the Yacuruna, of a mythical aquatic people believed to live in underwater cities throughout the Amazon basin. This creature could grow to up to 11.5 feet long, had small eyes, and a bony structure called a facial crest that allowed it to get around using echolocation. “For river dolphins, echolocation, or biosonar, is even more critical as the waters they inhabit are extremely muddy, which impedes their vision,” explained Gabriel Aguirre-Fernández, a University of Zurich researcher who also participated in this study.

It is believed that the Pebanista Yacuruna originally lived in the ocean before moving to freshwater habitats in search of new sources of food. And just like these dolphins evolved in ways that helped them thrive in their new environment, they may also hold the key to help the endangered fresh water dolphins of the world today, which see their ecosystems threatened by global warming and pollution.

“Around 11 to 12 million years ago, this mega-wetland system started to drain, giving way to the modern Amazon,” Benites-Palomino told New Scientist. “A lot of species disappeared at that moment, and that might also have been the fate of this giant dolphin.”

Today, this insightful fossil sits in the Museum of Natural History in Lima, Peru—an institution that saw Benites-Palomino start his career as a Research Associate. But his findings will go much further. “The finding of Pebanista in the Peruvian Amazon only reasserts one thing,” concludes Benites-Palomino. “Our fossils are rewriting the story of many animal groups.”

Aldo Benites-Palomino: Twitter | TikTok
h/t: [Smithsonian Magazine]

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Photo: waitandshoot/Depositphotos

Earlier this year, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) shared trail cam footage of a gray wolf letting out a remarkable howl. The video, uploaded on January 23, 2024, shows what appears to be a lone gray wolf howling at the moon and then cuts to it with the rest of its pack. It is believed that these wolves belong to the Yowlumni Pack, which was found in summer 2023 in “the Sequoia National Forest in proximity to the Tule River Tribe of California’s reservation and ancestral lands.” This particular pack has the distinct honor of being the first wolves spotted in Southern California in more than 150 years. They are also one of four new wolf packs discovered in the state of California in 2023.

Currently, gray wolves are considered a recovering endangered species, after they were almost hunted to extinction by settlers in the western United States. Interestingly, gray wolves were never formally reintroduced in California—researchers say that they made their way back on their own. It is believed that gray wolves naturally roamed towards areas burned by wildfires across the Golden State. (Wolves are known to create dens for birthing in burn scars, as the open area allows them to survey their surroundings better to spot other predators.) According to the CDFW, there are at least 44 gray wolves and seven active wolf packs in the state.

While many people in the state view the wolves' return as a good thing, it does pose concerns for ranchers and farmers. As an endangered species, it is illegal to injure or kill a gray wolf, even if it is attacking one's livestock. The same rules apply to pet owners, as wolves sometimes view domesticated dogs as competitors or prey. Fortunately, the CDFW is tracking the wolf populations in the region, and continuing to learn more about their habits. They write: “The key overarching objectives includes monitoring wolf populations, expanding scope of conservation, management and research focus, and manage and mitigate wolf-livestock interactions to minimize loss.”

A howling wolf captured on a California trail cam is believed to be part of the first pack of wolves found in California in over 150 years.

h/t: [PetaPixel]

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Una publicación compartida por Lærke Luna (@laerke_luna)

Nature has provided us with some unusual friendships, but arguably none as cute as Russell the crow and a 2-year-old boy named Otto. Though Russell is a wild bird, he visits Otto and his family often. When the toddler is at home, he sits patiently by the window, waiting to be let in and watch TV with his human friend. When Otto is at school, the crow sits on the roof of the family home, waiting for his pal to return.

Their adventures together have been documented by Otto's mom, Lærke Luna. While she has been happy to see her son develop a magical bond with the bird, she never leaves them unsupervised. This has also meant that Russell enjoys being around Luna, unabashedly landing on her shoulder and playing with her hair.

Russell's love for Otto and his family seems to date back to when Luna's boyfriend spotted him, really thin and in distress. After trying to reach out to a wildlife rehabilitator, they couldn't find one in the vicinity. Not willing to give up on the crow, they took him in and nursed him back to health. And so, Russell has been around ever since, getting treats and bringing little trinkets in return.

But as much as he enjoys the family's company, Russell seems to only have eyes for Otto. Luna has captured him following the toddler around on walks and tricycle rides—much to the little boy’s delight, who smiles whenever he turns around to see his friend. The friendly crow also seems to enjoy watching Otto play with his toy trucks, whether inside or outside the house. The toddler's mom also shares that Russell only accepts pets from Otto, as he gets away from anyone else that tries to touch him. As for the family's furry friends, Luna describes their relationship as “love-hate,” as the bird loves to tease their cats and dogs.

“Living with Russell means there's never a dull moment in our life,” Luna tells The Dodo. “He allows us to interact with nature in a way that most people are not able to. We're his flock.” To stay up to date with Otto's adventures with Russell, you can follow Luna on Instagram.

Few friendships are as cute as the bond between Russell the crow and a 2-year-old named Otto.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Lærke Luna (@laerke_luna)

Russell loves to follow Otto on walks and tricycle rides, much to the delight of the toddler, who always smiles when he turns to see his friend.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Lærke Luna (@laerke_luna)

“Living with Russell means there's never a dull moment in our life,” says Lærke Luna, Otto's mom.

 

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Una publicación compartida por Lærke Luna (@laerke_luna)

Lærke Luna: Instagram
h/t: [The Dodo]

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Can you picture an animal small enough to  comfortably sit atop your fingernail? It may sound like work of fiction, but such an animal actually exists—the Brazilian flea toad. Don't be fooled by the name though. It is neither a flea nor a toad, but, in fact, a frog. Due to its size, it is believed to be the smallest amphibian and smallest vertebrate in the world. And while scientists have known about it for over a decade, they were only able to throughly measure the species recently. In February 2024, researchers Wendy H. Bolaños, Iuri Ribeiro Dias, and Mirco Solé published a paper in the journal Zooloigica Scripta sharing their findings.

The Brazilian flea toad (Brachycephalus pulex) is native to the forested hilltops in southern Bahia, on the coast of Brazil. The male frogs measure 7.1 millimeters (0.28 in) long on average, while the females, which are usually larger, measure about 8.15 millimeters (0.32 in). The smallest individual measured in the study was 6.45 millimeters long (0.25 in). Before this finding, the male Paedophryne amauensis frogs from Papua New Guinea held the record for the smallest known vertebrate with an average length of about 8 millimeters (0.31 in).

Herpetologist Mirco Solé first learned about the Brazilian flea toad back in 2011. Although he was the first to investigate this species' size, the sample wasn't large enough at the time to be conclusive. Fast forward to 2024, and Solé, along with Iuri Ribeiro Dias and Wendy Bolaños from the Universidade Estadual de Santa Cruz, published a study that further proves that the Brazilian flea toad may be the smallest vertebrate in the world. The team measured 24 male and 22 female flea toads, determining their sex and whether they were adults by looking at their reproductive organs, or gonads.

Given their size, the Brazilian flea toad and other tiny frogs have some key differences when compared to their larger counterparts. For example, their feet have just two toes instead of the typical five. And while they are decent jumpers, other small frogs have oddly shaped inner ear tubes, lessening their balance and making their signature hopping harder for them.

While this study has been commended by fellow biologists, the team is aware that this may not be the end of the road, as even smaller creatures may be discovered in the future. “If we take it as a linear measure, the frogs are currently clear winners,” Herpetologist Mark D. Scherz told the BBC. “But if we go by mass or volume, then fish would likely claim the title, as they are very narrow-bodied and slender, whereas the frogs are rather round.” Ultimately, Solé is aware of how an even smaller creature would defy what we know about the animal world. “[It] would really challenge morphology and physics,” Solé told Science News. “But who knows.”

At 7.1 millimeters (0.28 in), Brazilian flea toads are believed to be the smallest vertebrates in the world.

Photo: Dias, I; Medeiros, T; Vila Nova, M; Solé M via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

h/t: [Smithsonian Magazine]

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READ: Tiny Brazilian Flea Toad Might Be the World’s Smallest Vertebrate According to Scientists