
12 Great Things Nobody Tells You About the Wildebeest
Some call them "nus" every time we hit the zoo. Years later I built a map to chase the real story. Meet the wildebeest.
Explore our archive of blogs about the animals and wildlife of Tanzania. Discover native species, safaris, and conservation projects in East Africa.

Some call them "nus" every time we hit the zoo. Years later I built a map to chase the real story. Meet the wildebeest.

Think you know the king of the jungle? These massive cats are hiding a secret social life that rewrites what we know about feline evolution. Meet the real African lion.

The black mamba isn’t actually black, and it doesn't "hunt" humans. A biologist explores the science and behavior of Africa’s most misunderstood apex predator.

Most zoo visitors walk right past the "moss-colored ribbon" in the trees without realizing it’s a Snake Boomslang. Here are 12 facts about the gorgeous, lethal serpent you’ve likely been overlooking.

I used to think the "dik dik" was just a funny name until I stood inches away from one. Picture a house cat with pencil-thin legs and a tiny trunk for a nose. It looks like a Jim Henson creation, but its survival kit—from built-in air conditioning to lifelong romance—is 100% real. Here is why

From prehensile tails in the Amazon to hot-spring-loving macaques in Japan, identifying monkeys is an art. Here are 15 species I’ve encountered in the field that every wildlife lover should know.

Ever wondered why beetles look like tiny aliens? From iridescent armor to 300G jumps, here are 15 beetles that prove they’re the coolest (and weirdest) animals on Earth.

Dragonflies are weird, ancient, and honestly a little terrifying, and they've been quietly running the show over every pond and meadow for 300 million years. Next time you spot one hovering over the water, take a second to appreciate what you're actually looking at.

Ever pointed at a big bird on a fence post and yelled "Hawk!" only to have a birder gently tell you it’s just a vulture? Don't sweat it; even the pros have been there. Let’s cut through the confusion and break down 15 incredible kinds of hawks that actually earn the title.

Ever wondered what blue butterfly you just saw? From the shimmering Blue Morpho of Mexico to the electric Ulysses of Queensland, discover 15+ iconic species, their hidden blue coloring secrets, and how to protect their fragile habitats.

I met my first porcupine in a Mexican forest, and I’ve been fascinated ever since. Here are 15 species that completely changed how I see these spiky survival experts.

Forget everything you know about "shrimp." The peacock mantis shrimp is basically a neon-colored samurai with the eyes of a satellite and the punch of a .22 caliber bullet.

Woodpeckers aren’t all the same. Explore 15 iconic species, how to tell them apart, and where you’re most likely to spot them!

We tend to call everything “a bird,” but they’re not all built the same. This quick guide explores the main bird groups, from eagles and owls to parrots, songbirds, and seabirds, and how to tell them apart.

They look like cows… until they don’t. African buffalo are tough, unpredictable, and fearless enough to stand their ground against lions. And yes, there’s a reason people call them “Black Death.”