2 lions made a mile-long swim across a crocodile-infested channel in search of mates. It's a sign of how desperate the animals are getting.

Tech Insider
Two lions, one yawning, in Uganda
Jacob and Tibu, two lions who are brothers, resting in Uganda's Queen Elizabeth National Park.

Alexander Braczkowski

Scientists studied 1,200 cats to determine why they scratch up furniture and how to stop it

Tech Insider
child in bed holding cat
Scientists find that children can stress cats out so much that they're more likely to scratch up furniture, as a result.

Cavan Images/Getty Images

Hippos can launch themselves airborne for split seconds at a time, surprising scientists

Tech Insider
A hippo stands on the grass
When hippos run, they become airborne for a split second, lifting all their feet off the ground.

Picture Alliance/Getty Images

Scientists witnessed an orangutan treating his wounds with medicinal plants, showing human-like behavior

Tech Insider
Orangutan with a wound under its left eye
Rakus, a Sumatran orangutan living in Indonesia, chewed medicinal leaves and applied them to his own facial wound to speed healing.

ARMAS/SUAQ PROJECT

Wild animals and pets may start behaving strangely during today's solar eclipse

Tech Insider
A picture shows three small dogs, one of which is wearing pink sunglasses
Stock image of a dog wearing sunglasses.

REUTERS/Mike Blake

2 male humpback whales photographed having sex in scientific breakthrough

Tech Insider
Detailed view of the condition of Whale A (bottom individual). This whale was emaciated, and the presence of whale lice caused this whale to appear discolored from the vessel. The injury to the mandible of this whale is visible on the far left.
The whales.

Lyle Krannichfeld and Brandi Romano

Cats can play fetch like dogs but probably not for the same reasons

Tech Insider
A black and brown kitten laying next to three brightly colored toy balls with holes in them
Researchers found some cats like to play fetch, if their owners abide by their rules.

Auscape/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

Turtles purr like cats, croak like frogs, and even breathe like Darth Vader. No one really understands why.

Tech Insider
colorful turtle yellow spotted red black striped
A painted wood turtle (Rhinoclemmys pulcherrima) from the recent research.

Gabriel Jorgewich-Cohen

Subscribe to animal-behavior