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id="content" class="md-content"> <div class="container super"> <div class="text-center super-title mt-40 mb-20"> <h1 class="display-2 m-0 d-inline-block"> Animals & Nature<hr class="mt-5 m-0 rounded category-Animals-Nature" /> </h1> </div> <div class="grid"> <div class="col-100 p-0 col-md-33"> <div class="p-10"> <div class="card card-lg super-hero-card-1 col-100"> <div class="card-media"> <a href="/list/7-animals-that-turn-white-in-winter" class="d-flex position-relative align-items-center justify-content-center" > <div class="w-100"> <img loading="eager" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/91/186691-131-9053898D/Snowshoe-hare-Summer-coat-side-right-winter.jpg?w=768&h=432&c=crop" alt="Snowshoe hare (Lepus americanus) with its Summer coat on the left side and its winter coat on the right." class="w-100" /> </div> </a> </div> <div class="card-body w-100 "> <a href="/list/7-animals-that-turn-white-in-winter" class="title font-weight-bold font-16">7 Animals That Turn White in Winter</a> <div class="m-0 mt-5 description line-clamp clamp-2"> As temperatures drop and autumn gives way to the snows of winter, some animals in northerly climes exchange their pelage or plumage of summer for the purest white. </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="credit ml-10 ">Scott Stephens—iStock/Thinkstock; Robb Hannawacker</div> </div> <div class="col-100 p-0 col-md-33"> <div class="p-10"> <div class="card card-lg super-hero-card-2 card-horizontal card-md-vertical mt-20 mt-md-0 col-100"> <div class="card-media"> <a href="/explore/hymenoptera-ants-bees-wasps" class="d-flex position-relative align-items-center justify-content-center" > <div class="w-100"> <img loading="eager" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/34/240434-050-0DA824D4/bumblebee-Bombus-bimaculatus.jpg?w=768&h=432&c=crop" alt="Hymentoptera Ants, Bees, and Wasps" class="w-100" /> <div class="credit internal mt-10"></div> </div> </a> </div> <div class="card-body w-100 "> <a href="/explore/hymenoptera-ants-bees-wasps" class="title font-weight-bold font-16">All Hail the Queens: Ants, Bees, and Wasps</a> <div class="m-0 mt-5 description line-clamp clamp-2"> <span >With more than 150,000 named species, ants, bees, and wasps are the three main types of insects that form the order Hymenoptera, one of the most ecologically important animal groups on Earth.</span> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-100 pt-40 pt-md-0 pl-10 pl-md-30 col-md-33 super-top-right-rail-links-section"> <h2 class="font-serif mb-10">Popular</h2> <ol> <li class="pb-20 d-flex align-items-center super-popular-item-1 category-Animals-Nature"> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal " > <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-alligators-and-crocodiles" ><p>The Difference Between Alligators and Crocodiles</p></a> </div> <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-alligators-and-crocodiles"> <img loading="eager" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/77/146577-131-3272C02C/Close-up-crocodile-eye-location.jpg?w=200&h=150&c=crop" alt="Close-up of crocodile eye; location unknown (rainforest, reptile)." width="200" height="150" /> </a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="pb-20 d-flex align-items-center super-popular-item-2 category-Animals-Nature"> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal " > <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/list/9-of-the-worlds-deadliest-spiders" ><p>9 of the World’s Deadliest Spiders</p></a> </div> <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/list/9-of-the-worlds-deadliest-spiders"> <img loading="eager" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/70/62770-131-C97CD1F7/Black-widow-spider.jpg?w=200&h=150&c=crop" alt="Black widow spider" width="200" height="150" /> </a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="pb-20 d-flex align-items-center super-popular-item-3 category-Animals-Nature"> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal " > <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/list/titanosaurs-8-of-the-worlds-biggest-dinosaurs" ><p>Titanosaurs: 8 of the World's Biggest Dinosaurs</p></a> </div> <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/list/titanosaurs-8-of-the-worlds-biggest-dinosaurs"> <img loading="eager" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/14/196914-131-061D0CB0/Patagotitan-mayorum-titanosaurs.jpg?w=200&h=150&c=crop" alt="illustration of the walking titanosaurus, Patagotitan mayorum" width="200" height="150" /> </a> </div> </div> </li> <li class=" d-flex align-items-center super-popular-item-4 category-Animals-Nature"> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal " > <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/story/do-plants-feel-pain" ><p>Do Plants Feel Pain?</p></a> </div> <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/story/do-plants-feel-pain"> <img loading="eager" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/12/204412-131-CBDD37E6/Plant-seedlings-soil.jpg?w=200&h=150&c=crop" alt="Plant seedlings emerging from rich fertile soil" width="200" height="150" /> </a> </div> </div> </li> </ol> </div> </div> <h2 class="mt-40">Editor's Picks</h2> <div class="grid super-editors-items"> <div class="col-100 p-10 col-md-25 super-editors-pick-1"> <div class="card card-base card-horizontal card-md-vertical col-100"> <div class="card-media"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/cassowary" class="d-flex position-relative align-items-center justify-content-center" > <div class="w-100"> <img loading="eager" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/43/138843-050-DD4F15FF/cassowary.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="southern cassowary" class="w-100" /> </div> </a> </div> <div class="card-body w-100 "> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/cassowary" class="title font-weight-bold font-16">cassowary</a> <div class="m-0 mt-5 description line-clamp clamp-2"> Cassowary, (genus Casuarius), any of several species of large flightless birds of the Australo-Papuan region. Cassowaries are the only members of the family Casuariidae and belong to the order Casuariiformes, which also includes the emu. There are three species (counted by some experts as six), </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-100 p-10 col-md-25 super-editors-pick-2"> <div class="card card-base card-horizontal card-md-vertical col-100"> <div class="card-media"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/coral" class="d-flex position-relative align-items-center justify-content-center" > <div class="w-100"> <img loading="eager" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/08/150608-050-73A3EAE4/Fish-brain-coral.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Fish (centre) in brain coral." class="w-100" /> </div> </a> </div> <div class="card-body w-100 "> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/coral" class="title font-weight-bold font-16">coral</a> <div class="m-0 mt-5 description line-clamp clamp-2"> Coral, any of a variety of invertebrate marine organisms of the class Anthozoa (phylum Cnidaria) that are characterized by skeletons—external or internal—of a stonelike, horny, or leathery consistency. The term coral is also applied to the skeletons of those animals, particularly to those of the </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-100 p-10 col-md-25 super-editors-pick-3"> <div class="card card-base card-horizontal card-md-vertical col-100"> <div class="card-media"> <a href="/story/how-deadly-are-australias-animals" class="d-flex position-relative align-items-center justify-content-center" > <div class="w-100"> <img loading="eager" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/19/221919-131-22A0BBA3/fierce-snake-taipan.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="The fierce snake (also known as the inland taipan, western taipan and Oxyuranus microlepidotus) is the most venomous snake in the world." class="w-100" /> </div> </a> </div> <div class="card-body w-100 "> <a href="/story/how-deadly-are-australias-animals" class="title font-weight-bold font-16">How Deadly Are Australia’s Animals?</a> <div class="m-0 mt-5 description line-clamp clamp-2"> Australia is notorious for its deadly animals. But how likely are they to actually kill you? </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-100 p-10 col-md-25 super-editors-pick-4"> <div class="card card-base card-horizontal card-md-vertical col-100"> <div class="card-media"> <a href="/story/6-real-life-man-eating-animals" class="d-flex position-relative align-items-center justify-content-center" > <div class="w-100"> <img loading="eager" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/51/150951-131-4CD047FA/Leopard-leopard-nature-reserve-mound-mammal-Sabi.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Leopard. Leopard (Panthera pardus) male leopard on a termite mound in Sabi Sand nature reserve, South Africa. panther, mammal, large cat, animal" class="w-100" /> </div> </a> </div> <div class="card-body w-100 "> <a href="/story/6-real-life-man-eating-animals" class="title font-weight-bold font-16">6 Real-Life Man-Eating Animals</a> <div class="m-0 mt-5 description line-clamp clamp-2"> Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-100 p-10 col-md-25 super-editors-pick-5"> <div class="card card-base card-horizontal card-md-vertical col-100"> <div class="card-media"> <a href="/list/8-famous-animals" class="d-flex position-relative align-items-center justify-content-center" > <div class="w-100"> <img loading="eager" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/52/236352-050-B27CF044/Sergeant-Stubby-World-War-I-dog.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Sergeant Stubby or also known as Mascot Stubby. Unofficial mascot dog of the 102nd Infantry Regiment of the United States with the 26th (Yankee) Division in World War I. War dog. Possibly a Boston terrier - also sometimes described as a Boston bull terrier" class="w-100" /> </div> </a> </div> <div class="card-body w-100 "> <a href="/list/8-famous-animals" class="title font-weight-bold font-16">8 Famous Animals</a> <div class="m-0 mt-5 description line-clamp clamp-2"> Learn about some celebrity critters. </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-100 p-10 col-md-25 super-editors-pick-6"> <div class="card card-base card-horizontal card-md-vertical col-100"> <div class="card-media"> <a href="/story/the-curious-case-of-carnivorous-plants" class="d-flex position-relative align-items-center justify-content-center" > <div class="w-100"> <img loading="eager" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/17/192717-131-BFD9C05A/insect-enzymes-Plants-Carnivorous-Venus-Fly-Traps.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Carnivorous Venus Fly Traps (Dionaea muscipula) and Sundews (Drosera capensis) Plants secrete digestive enzymes s until the insect is liquified and its soluble contents digested." class="w-100" /> </div> </a> </div> <div class="card-body w-100 "> <a href="/story/the-curious-case-of-carnivorous-plants" class="title font-weight-bold font-16">Beyond Venus Flytraps: The Plants that Eat Meat</a> <div class="m-0 mt-5 description line-clamp clamp-2"> It’s a plant-eat-bug world! </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-100 p-10 col-md-25 super-editors-pick-7"> <div class="card card-base card-horizontal card-md-vertical col-100"> <div class="card-media"> <a href="/list/9-animals-that-look-like-leaves" class="d-flex position-relative align-items-center justify-content-center" > <div class="w-100"> <img loading="eager" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/65/196165-131-DF59D0CD/Malayan-leaf-frog.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Malayan Leaf Frog - Megophrys nasuta" class="w-100" /> </div> </a> </div> <div class="card-body w-100 "> <a href="/list/9-animals-that-look-like-leaves" class="title font-weight-bold font-16">9 Animals That Look Like Leaves</a> <div class="m-0 mt-5 description line-clamp clamp-2"> Live and let leaf. </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-100 p-10 col-md-25 super-editors-pick-8"> <div class="card card-base card-horizontal card-md-vertical col-100"> <div class="card-media"> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/shoebill" class="d-flex position-relative align-items-center justify-content-center" > <div class="w-100"> <img loading="eager" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/51/117051-004-AFB7F3F6/Shoebill.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="shoebill" class="w-100" /> </div> </a> </div> <div class="card-body w-100 "> <a href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/shoebill" class="title font-weight-bold font-16">shoebill</a> <div class="m-0 mt-5 description line-clamp clamp-2"> Shoebill, (Balaeniceps rex), large African wading bird, a single species that constitutes the family Balaenicipitidae (order Balaenicipitiformes, Ciconiiformes, or Pelecaniformes). The species is named for its clog-shaped bill, which is an adaptation for catching and holding the large, slippery </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="grid mt-40"> <div class="col-100 col-md-40 pr-0 pr-md-30"> <h2>Spotlight: Brown Bears</h2> <div class="font-serif"> <div class="mb-20 mb-md-0"><p>These shaggy-haired bears, native to Europe, Asia, and North America, include species such as the Grizzly and the Kodiak bear, which weighs up to 720kg (1,600 pounds) and is often considered the world's largest carnivore. </p></div> </div> </div> <ul class="col-100 col-md-60 super-spotlight-links"> <li class="super-spotlight-card-1"> <a class="d-block" href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/brown-bear"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/71/149571-050-C33E9F0F/Brown-bear-Finland.jpg?w=920&h=518&c=crop" alt="brown bear" class="rounded-sm border super-spotlight-hero-image" width="920" /> </a> <a class="d-block" href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/brown-bear"> <p class="font-weight-bold mt-20 mt-md-5">All About the Brown Bear Family</p> </a> </li> <li class="super-spotlight-card-2"> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal " > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/video/Brown-bears-salmon-Kamchatka-Peninsula-Pacific/-195769"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/78/180378-138-50BC8A4D/Brown-bears-salmon-Kamchatka-Peninsula-Pacific.jpg?w=400&h=255&c=crop" alt="Kamchatka brown bears and the annual salmon run" width="400" height="255" /> <div class="btn btn-sm border border-white btn-circle position-absolute shadow" style="border-width: 3px; top: 50%; left:50%; transform: translate(-50%,-50%)"> <em class="material-icons text-white" data-icon="play_arrow"></em> </div> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/video/Brown-bears-salmon-Kamchatka-Peninsula-Pacific/-195769" >Watch as Hungry Brown Bears Catch Pacific Salmon</a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="super-spotlight-card-3"> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal " > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/Kodiak-bear"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/78/143578-050-5A83D5FA/Kodiak-bear.jpg?w=400&h=255&c=crop" alt="Kodiak bear" width="400" height="255" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="https://www.britannica.com/animal/Kodiak-bear" >Enter the World of Kodiak Bears</a> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> <h2 class="mt-40">Quizzes</h2> <div class="grid super-quizzes-items"> <div class="col-100 p-10 col-md-25 super-quizzes-item-1"> <div class="card card-base card-horizontal card-md-vertical col-100"> <div class="card-media"> <a href="/quiz/deadliest-animals-quiz" class="d-flex position-relative align-items-center justify-content-center" > <div class="w-100"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/54/92754-131-661B61DB/lion-Panthera-leo.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Lion (panthera leo)" class="w-100" /> </div> </a> </div> <div class="card-body w-100 "> <a href="/quiz/deadliest-animals-quiz" class="title font-weight-bold font-16">Deadliest Animals Quiz</a> <div class="m-0 mt-5 description line-clamp clamp-2"> Do you know which species of shark is most likely to attack a human? Or what animal has the strongest bite? </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-100 p-10 col-md-25 super-quizzes-item-2"> <div class="card card-base card-horizontal card-md-vertical col-100"> <div class="card-media"> <a href="/quiz/name-that-flower" class="d-flex position-relative align-items-center justify-content-center" > <div class="w-100"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/10/214410-131-252D25BC/sunflowers-in-a-field.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Sunflowers growing in a field" class="w-100" /> </div> </a> </div> <div class="card-body w-100 "> <a href="/quiz/name-that-flower" class="title font-weight-bold font-16">Name That Flower!</a> <div class="m-0 mt-5 description line-clamp clamp-2"> Can you tell the difference between a lilac and a hyacinth? </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-100 p-10 col-md-25 super-quizzes-item-3"> <div class="card card-base card-horizontal card-md-vertical col-100"> <div class="card-media"> <a href="/quiz/fruit-or-vegetable-a-quiz" class="d-flex position-relative align-items-center justify-content-center" > <div class="w-100"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/35/245035-131-0C09D257/red-and-yellow-cherry-tomatoes.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="Red and yellow cherry tomatoes, some forming a question mark, against a light blue background. (organic, fruits, vegetables)" class="w-100" /> </div> </a> </div> <div class="card-body w-100 "> <a href="/quiz/fruit-or-vegetable-a-quiz" class="title font-weight-bold font-16">Fruit or Vegetable? A Quiz</a> <div class="m-0 mt-5 description line-clamp clamp-2"> How to be a smarty-pants in the produce aisle. </div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="col-100 p-10 col-md-25 super-quizzes-item-4"> <div class="card card-base card-horizontal card-md-vertical col-100"> <div class="card-media"> <a href="/quiz/moms-of-the-animal-kingdom-quiz" class="d-flex position-relative align-items-center justify-content-center" > <div class="w-100"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/66/103766-131-9AF4E5B9/cheetah-distances-land-animals-species-Asia-Africa.jpg?w=400&h=225&c=crop" alt="The cheetah is the fastest land animal over short distances. It has become an endangered species in Africa, and is almost extinct in Asia. Cheetah mother with young. 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","tracks":[{"file":"//assets-jpcust.jwpsrv.com/tracks/BJzXiIdX.vtt","label":"English"}],"transcriptUrl":"/video/what-is-the-difference-between-grasshoppers-and-crickets/-309918#transcript"}</script> <script data-id="video-credit" type="text/plain">Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.</script> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal " > <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="https://www.britannica.com/video/what-is-the-difference-between-grasshoppers-and-crickets/-309918" >Grasshoppers vs. crickets: What's the difference? </a> </div> <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="https://www.britannica.com/video/what-is-the-difference-between-grasshoppers-and-crickets/-309918"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/70/257770-138-686AABBE/what-is-the-difference-between-grasshoppers-and-crickets.jpg?w=100&h=75&c=crop" alt="Grasshoppers vs. crickets: What's the difference?" width="100" height="75" /> <div class="btn btn-sm border border-white btn-circle position-absolute shadow" style="border-width: 3px; top: 50%; left:50%; transform: translate(-50%,-50%)"> <em class="material-icons text-white" data-icon="play_arrow"></em> </div> </a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="vpwpl-video-item-3 vpwpl-video-item " data-assemblyid="298553"> <script type="application/json">{"image":"https://cdn.britannica.com/16/253816-138-69C82AB4/carnivorous-plants-diet-insects-nutrients-photosynthesize-botany-science.jpg","sources":[{"file":"//content.jwplatform.com/manifests/mw8KRWv2.m3u8"}],"assetId":253816,"adfile":"//content.jwplatform.com/manifests/bQSWQGOT.m3u8","title":"Do carnivorous plants actually eat their prey?","tracks":[{"file":"//assets-jpcust.jwpsrv.com/tracks/G1yyw6C6.vtt","label":"English"}],"transcriptUrl":"/video/carnivorous-plants-diet-insects-nutrients-photosynthesize-botany-science/-298553#transcript"}</script> <script data-id="video-credit" type="text/plain">Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.</script> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal " > <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="https://www.britannica.com/video/carnivorous-plants-diet-insects-nutrients-photosynthesize-botany-science/-298553" >Do carnivorous plants actually eat their prey?</a> </div> <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="https://www.britannica.com/video/carnivorous-plants-diet-insects-nutrients-photosynthesize-botany-science/-298553"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/16/253816-138-69C82AB4/carnivorous-plants-diet-insects-nutrients-photosynthesize-botany-science.jpg?w=100&h=75&c=crop" alt="Do carnivorous plants actually eat their prey?" width="100" height="75" /> <div class="btn btn-sm border border-white btn-circle position-absolute shadow" style="border-width: 3px; top: 50%; left:50%; transform: translate(-50%,-50%)"> <em class="material-icons text-white" data-icon="play_arrow"></em> </div> </a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="vpwpl-video-item-4 vpwpl-video-item " data-assemblyid="180692"> <script type="application/json">{"image":"https://cdn.britannica.com/79/165579-138-27764E9E/Komodo-dragons-handful-Indonesia-Lesser-Sunda-Islands.jpg","sources":[{"file":"//content.jwplatform.com/manifests/WtJ8TifZ.m3u8"}],"assetId":165579,"adfile":"//content.jwplatform.com/manifests/fLALeL71.m3u8","title":"The world's largest lizard: The Komodo dragon","tracks":[{"file":"//assets-jpcust.jwpsrv.com/tracks/14AiG1cC","label":"English"}],"transcriptUrl":"/video/Komodo-dragons-handful-Indonesia-Lesser-Sunda-Islands/-180692#transcript"}</script> <script data-id="video-credit" type="text/plain">Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.</script> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal " > <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="https://www.britannica.com/video/Komodo-dragons-handful-Indonesia-Lesser-Sunda-Islands/-180692" >The world's largest lizard: The Komodo dragon</a> </div> <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="https://www.britannica.com/video/Komodo-dragons-handful-Indonesia-Lesser-Sunda-Islands/-180692"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/79/165579-138-27764E9E/Komodo-dragons-handful-Indonesia-Lesser-Sunda-Islands.jpg?w=100&h=75&c=crop" alt="The world's largest lizard: The Komodo dragon" width="100" height="75" /> <div class="btn btn-sm border border-white btn-circle position-absolute shadow" style="border-width: 3px; top: 50%; left:50%; transform: translate(-50%,-50%)"> <em class="material-icons text-white" data-icon="play_arrow"></em> </div> </a> </div> </div> </li> <li class="vpwpl-video-item-5 vpwpl-video-item " data-assemblyid="298215"> <script type="application/json">{"image":"https://cdn.britannica.com/14/253814-138-42B6A52C/mushroom-fungi-photosynthesize-sunlight.jpg","sources":[{"file":"//content.jwplatform.com/manifests/P2cnRGjx.m3u8"}],"assetId":253814,"adfile":"//content.jwplatform.com/manifests/FY5r62sn.m3u8","title":"Do mushrooms need sunlight?","tracks":[{"file":"//assets-jpcust.jwpsrv.com/tracks/c0tDffD4.vtt","label":"English"}],"transcriptUrl":"/video/mushroom-fungi-photosynthesize-sunlight/-298215#transcript"}</script> <script data-id="video-credit" type="text/plain">Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.</script> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal " > <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="https://www.britannica.com/video/mushroom-fungi-photosynthesize-sunlight/-298215" >Do mushrooms need sunlight?</a> </div> <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="https://www.britannica.com/video/mushroom-fungi-photosynthesize-sunlight/-298215"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/14/253814-138-42B6A52C/mushroom-fungi-photosynthesize-sunlight.jpg?w=100&h=75&c=crop" alt="Do mushrooms need sunlight?" width="100" height="75" /> <div class="btn btn-sm border border-white btn-circle position-absolute shadow" style="border-width: 3px; top: 50%; left:50%; transform: translate(-50%,-50%)"> <em class="material-icons text-white" data-icon="play_arrow"></em> </div> </a> </div> </div> </li> </ul> </div> <h2 class="mt-40">Galleries</h2> <div class="grid super-gallery"> <div class="gallery col-100 col-md-33 mb-35 mb-md-20 super-galleries-item-1" data-href="/media/24/3987"> <div class="position-relative super-gallery-item"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/74/115174-131-2C9DE823/jellyfish-medusa-stage.jpg" alt="Jellyfish, medusa stage, bioluminescent. Bioluminescence emission of light by an organism." class="border rounded-sm w-100" /> <p class="position-absolute rounded-sm p-15 m-0 bottom-0 text-white w-100 font-weight-bold">Jellyfish</p> <button class="super-gallery-btn btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white" aria-label="Zoom in"> <em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="gallery col-100 col-md-33 mb-35 mb-md-20 super-galleries-item-2" data-href="/media/24/3993"> <div class="position-relative super-gallery-item"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/20/155820-131-7921972A/baobab-trees-Madagascar.jpg" alt="Baobab trees on Madagascar Island." class="border rounded-sm w-100" /> <p class="position-absolute rounded-sm p-15 m-0 bottom-0 text-white w-100 font-weight-bold">Baobab Trees</p> <button class="super-gallery-btn btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white" aria-label="Zoom in"> <em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="gallery col-100 col-md-33 mb-35 mb-md-20 super-galleries-item-3" data-href="/media/24/4046"> <div class="position-relative super-gallery-item"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/30/150930-131-D3D93F1E/lion-Namibia.jpg" alt="Male lion (Panthera leo) in Nambia, South Africa. Savannah, mammal" class="border rounded-sm w-100" /> <p class="position-absolute rounded-sm p-15 m-0 bottom-0 text-white w-100 font-weight-bold">Lions</p> <button class="super-gallery-btn btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white" aria-label="Zoom in"> <em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="gallery col-100 col-md-33 mb-35 mb-md-20 super-galleries-item-4" data-href="/media/24/3994"> <div class="position-relative super-gallery-item"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/82/171282-131-E3DE95E0/Welwitschia-mirabilis-Namibia.jpg" alt="Welwitschia Mirabilis, Namibia, Africa. (desert plant)" class="border rounded-sm w-100" /> <p class="position-absolute rounded-sm p-15 m-0 bottom-0 text-white w-100 font-weight-bold">Gymnosperms</p> <button class="super-gallery-btn btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white" aria-label="Zoom in"> <em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="gallery col-100 col-md-33 mb-35 mb-md-20 super-galleries-item-5" data-href="/media/24/4081"> <div class="position-relative super-gallery-item"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/62/150362-131-F65F00EF/Hawksbill-sea-turtle.jpg" alt="The hawksbill sea turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata) in Egypt, Africa largely tropical and common in coral reef habitats. Cheloniidae, Endangered. Homepage blog 2011, science and technology, animal" class="border rounded-sm w-100" /> <p class="position-absolute rounded-sm p-15 m-0 bottom-0 text-white w-100 font-weight-bold">Turtles</p> <button class="super-gallery-btn btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white" aria-label="Zoom in"> <em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em> </button> </div> </div> <div class="gallery col-100 col-md-33 mb-35 mb-md-20 super-galleries-item-6" data-href="/media/24/4072"> <div class="position-relative super-gallery-item"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/88/151688-131-AE954EDE/White-shark-Guadalupe-Island-Mexico.jpg" alt="white shark. white shark (Carcharodon carcharias), also called great white shark or white pointer near Guadalupe Island (Isla Guadalupe), Mexico, Baja California peninsula, Pacific Ocean." class="border rounded-sm w-100" /> <p class="position-absolute rounded-sm p-15 m-0 bottom-0 text-white w-100 font-weight-bold">Sharks</p> <button class="super-gallery-btn btn btn-circle position-absolute shadow btn-white" aria-label="Zoom in"> <em class="material-icons link-blue" data-icon="zoom_in"></em> </button> </div> </div> </div> <h2 class="mt-20">Featured Categories</h2> <div class="grid mb-20 super-featured-categories"> <div class="col-100 col-md-33"> <h3>Marine Life</h3> <ul class="p-0"> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal mb-20 super-featured-categories-col-1-item-1" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/story/do-sharks-really-die-if-they-stop-swimming"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/90/141290-131-F6AC08FC/Tiger-shark.jpg?w=200&h=150&c=crop" alt="Tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvieri)." width="200" height="150" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/story/do-sharks-really-die-if-they-stop-swimming" >Do Sharks Really Die if They Stop Swimming?</a> <div class="font-weight-light font-serif font-14 line-clamp clamp-2 ilf-description">We’ve all heard the rumours. But what really happens when a shark stops swimming?</div> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal mb-20 super-featured-categories-col-1-item-2" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/list/a-dose-of-dolphin-induced-dopamine-8-species-of-adorable-cetacean"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/18/174018-131-9E11740C/Dolphin-Delphinidae-Bottlenose-dolphin-bottlenose-tank-Atlantic.jpg?w=200&h=150&c=crop" alt="Dolphin. Delphinidae. Bottlenose dolphin. Bottle-nosed dolphin. Atlantic bottlenose dolphin. Tursiops truncatus. 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Cape fur seals, eared seals." width="200" height="150" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-seals-and-sea-lions" >What’s the Difference Between Seals and Sea Lions?</a> <div class="font-weight-light font-serif font-14 line-clamp clamp-2 ilf-description">Beneath our blubber, aren’t we all just the same?</div> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal mb-20 super-featured-categories-col-1-item-4" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/list/10-of-the-worlds-most-dangerous-fish"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/96/173996-131-3DDAD81A/Fish-Lionfish-Lion-fish-Turkey-fish-Red-lionfish.jpg?w=200&h=150&c=crop" alt="Fish. Lionfish. Lion-fish. Turkey fish. Fire-fish. Red lionfish. Pterois volitans. Venomous fin spines. Coral reefs. Underwater. Ocean. 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(plants, petioles, nature)" width="200" height="150" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/story/do-plants-emit-oxygen-and-carbon-dioxide-at-night" >Do Plants Emit Oxygen and Carbon Dioxide at Night?</a> <div class="font-weight-light font-serif font-14 line-clamp clamp-2 ilf-description">Most plants release only one gas at night, but there are exceptions.</div> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal mb-20 super-featured-categories-col-2-item-3" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/story/7-plants-you-cant-even-touch"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/21/196021-131-B8D7D91A/Stinging-nettle.jpg?w=200&h=150&c=crop" alt="Urtica dioica, often called common nettle or stinging nettle" width="200" height="150" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/story/7-plants-you-cant-even-touch" >7 Dangerous Plants You Should Never Touch</a> <div class="font-weight-light font-serif font-14 line-clamp clamp-2 ilf-description">Don’t even think about it…</div> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal mb-20 super-featured-categories-col-2-item-4" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/story/do-plants-have-sexes"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/88/194588-131-9FB82969/flowers.jpg?w=200&h=150&c=crop" alt="Roses flowers plant colorful rose" width="200" height="150" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/story/do-plants-have-sexes" >Do Plants Have Sexes?</a> <div class="font-weight-light font-serif font-14 line-clamp clamp-2 ilf-description">Are plants male or female? Does that question even make sense?</div> </div> </div> </ul> </div> <div class="col-100 col-md-33"> <h3>Mammals</h3> <ul class="p-0"> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal mb-20 super-featured-categories-col-3-item-1" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/list/7-questions-about-mammals-answered"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/47/168047-131-123149D2/cat-hair-growl-teeth-snarl.jpg?w=200&h=150&c=crop" alt="cat. orange and white persian cat with long hair, snarl, growl, teeth" width="200" height="150" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/list/7-questions-about-mammals-answered" >7 Questions About Mammals Answered</a> <div class="font-weight-light font-serif font-14 line-clamp clamp-2 ilf-description">A few important things you wanted to know about mammals.</div> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal mb-20 super-featured-categories-col-3-item-2" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-buffalo-and-bison"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/04/187404-131-2839AF60/bison-American-buffalo-plains-prairie.jpg?w=200&h=150&c=crop" alt="American bison (Bison bison) also known as buffalo or plains buffalo on the prairie, western U.S." width="200" height="150" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/story/whats-the-difference-between-buffalo-and-bison" >What’s the Difference Between Bison and Buffalo?</a> <div class="font-weight-light font-serif font-14 line-clamp clamp-2 ilf-description">Where exactly do buffalo roam?</div> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal mb-20 super-featured-categories-col-3-item-3" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/story/are-cows-really-unable-to-walk-down-stairs"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/50/161650-131-1832A7E5/Group-Waltshire-cows-England.jpg?w=200&h=150&c=crop" alt="Group of black and white cows in a pasture, Waltshire, England." width="200" height="150" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/story/are-cows-really-unable-to-walk-down-stairs" >Are Cows Really Unable to Walk Down Stairs?</a> <div class="font-weight-light font-serif font-14 line-clamp clamp-2 ilf-description">We know they can get up stairs, but what about moo-ving back down?</div> </div> </div> <div class="imagelink-with-image-on-the-side card card-horizontal mb-20 super-featured-categories-col-3-item-4" > <div class="position-relative card-media" style="flex: 0;"> <a class="ilf-image position-relative" href="/story/will-we-ever-know-the-difference-between-a-wolf-and-a-dog"> <img loading="lazy" src="https://cdn.britannica.com/55/31555-131-240223FB/Pug.jpg?w=200&h=150&c=crop" alt="Pug; dog" width="200" height="150" /> </a> </div> <div class="card-body ilf-content"> <a class="font-weight-semi-bold d-block mb-5 font-16 ilf-title" href="/story/will-we-ever-know-the-difference-between-a-wolf-and-a-dog" >Will we ever know the difference between a wolf and a dog?</a> <div class="font-weight-light font-serif font-14 line-clamp clamp-2 ilf-description">When distinguishing between a wolf and a dog, we face the classic challenge of being able to sort out differences on a meaningful level.</div> </div> </div> </ul> </div> </div> </div></div> </div> </main> <div id="md-footer"></div> <footer class="md-footer footer-wrapper hide-on-edit"> <div class="footer-bck"> <DIV class="marketing-FOOTER_NEWSLETTER marketing-content" data-marketing-id="FOOTER_NEWSLETTER"><div class="md-footer-newsletter-form pt-10 mb-30 mx-15 mx-sm-120"> <div class="font-18"> <strong>History at your fingertips –</strong> Sign up here to see what happened On This Day, every day in your inbox! 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