Feathers of ‘fire' and species once thought extinct: See new animal discoveries
The summaries below were drafted with the help of AI tools and edited by journalists in our News division. All linked stories were reported, written and edited by McClatchy journalists.
Unique creatures, odd animals and new species are discovered across the planet. Some are found lurking in remote corners of the world, while others have been hiding right under our noses.
Learn more about some recent discoveries:
Rare species — once declared extinct in the wild — rediscovered in French Polynesia
On a small island in the South Pacific Ocean, the Moorean viviparous tree snail, once declared extinct in the wild, has been rediscovered. This species, native to French Polynesia, was decimated by the invasive rosy wolf snail but has been successfully reintroduced into its natural habitat thanks to conservation efforts. The discovery of wild-born snails suggests successful breeding, marking a significant milestone in reversing biodiversity loss. | Published March 28 | Read More |
'Large'-mouthed aquarium pet turns out to be new species in India. See the creature
In northeastern India, a new species of fish named Channa nachi, or Farham's snakehead fish, has been discovered in a river in Meghalaya. This 'dwarf' fish, reaching about 5 inches in length, was identified by its unique coloring and large mouth. The species was initially mistaken for another and exported to Japan, highlighting the importance of accurate species identification. | Published March 31 | Read More |
Armless creature with clawed toes found in Australian outback. It's a new species
In the Gulf Plains Bioregion of northern Queensland, Australia, researchers have uncovered a new species of lizard called Lerista karichigara, or the Tagalaka slider. These armless lizards, with clawed toes and an angular snout, were found burrowing in the soil near trees. The discovery highlights the biodiversity of the region and the potential for finding more new species. | Published March 31 | Read More |
Rare creature was elusive for years. Then it reappeared on trail camera — with cubs
In Thailand's Umphang Wildlife Sanctuary, a female tiger known as F22 was spotted on camera with her two cubs, marking a hopeful sign for the local tiger population. First seen in 2022, F22 had eluded researchers until recent images confirmed her presence and that of her healthy cubs. This sighting suggests successful conservation efforts in the region. | Published April 1 | Read More |
Rare creature — with feathers of 'fire' — captured on trail camera in Malaysia. See it
In Malaysia, the critically endangered Malay Crestless Fireback pheasant was captured on a trail camera in the Ulu Sat Forest Reserve. Known for its striking fiery plumage, this rare bird faces threats from habitat loss and is dependent on ground-level forests. The sighting underscores the urgent need for conservation to prevent its extinction. | Published April 2 | Read More |
McClatchy News continues to follow the discovery of the most unusual and intriguing new species. Check back for the latest studies.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Major city braces for shocking heat wave as meteorologist warns of summer-like surge: 'It's going to feel like mid-July'
It was only the middle of May, but Chicago was already feeling like July. A Windy City meteorologist warned it would be the most sweltering day of the season so far. The mercury soared to a steamy 94 degrees at O'Hare Airport on May 15, setting a new record high for the date in Chicago. A WGN-TV veteran meteorologist saw it coming. "It's going to feel like mid-July instead of mid-May," meteorologist Bill Snyder predicted, per Block Club Chicago. The heat that day broke the previous record set 63 years ago by three degrees. Could this be an omen for a sizzling summer in Chicago? Per NOAA, last summer was the city's fourth warmest on record. The summer of 2024 was preceded by Chicago's seventh-warmest spring. The first two months of spring in Chicago this year ranked as the 25th-warmest March-through-April period on record. Meanwhile, the first three weeks of May have been slightly cooler than average, around one degree below normal. Other major cities this May have been much hotter. Houston climbed into the mid-90s during the middle of May, setting record highs for three straight days. Houston's nights during this stretch didn't offer much relief. The city had record warm low temperatures for five consecutive mornings from May 16 through May 20. Phoenix climbed to 100 degrees or hotter five times during the first three weeks of May. There are indications that this summer could be a scorcher. The Climate Prediction Center's summer temperature outlook favors every portion of the contiguous U.S. to have above-average temperatures this summer. Of the country's top 20 hottest summers, 15 have happened since 2000, and just over half of them have occurred since 2010. An analysis of 242 U.S. cities by Climate Central, a nonprofit group made up of scientists and communicators who study how the changing climate impacts people's lives, revealed that 97% of them have warmed since 1970. Over the past 55 years, these locations saw an average increase of 2.6 degrees. Their study also found that there has been a rise in the number of summer days exceeding the 1991-2020 average summer temperature for 97% of the locations analyzed. Heat waves elevate the risks of early and preterm deaths, especially among those most susceptible: Black and Hispanic mothers. Australian researchers warn that as global temperatures climb, deadly heat waves are becoming the new normal — especially endangering residents of urban areas. A breakthrough by researchers in Hong Kong could help people avoid the heat without harming the planet, thanks to a promising new eco-friendly cooling method. Scientists have also found a way to lower the temperature of hot surfaces that sit in the sun, like glass, and it could make buildings much cooler. The best way to cool down the planet will require a concerted worldwide effort to curb the emissions of heat-trapping gases in our atmosphere. This means moving away from dirty energy sources and embracing cleaner alternatives. Installing a heat pump in place of an old HVAC system and replacing a conventional range with a more energy-efficient induction stove are two ways homeowners can help. Adding solar panels and a battery system can boost your home's resilience during extreme weather and power outages while also cutting energy costs, in some cases to zero. EnergySage lets you compare quotes from trusted local installers, with potential savings up to $10,000. Have your AC bills gone up in the past year? Yes — majorly Yes — by a little Not really They've actually gone down Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
13 hours ago
- Yahoo
Incredible creature spotted just metres from shore thrills Aussie tourists: 'Rarely come so close'
Various species of whales are putting on a show for eager spectators as they move along the east and west coasts of Australia, with the annual migration now in full swing. A group of tourists were treated to an incredible spectacle when they were gathered on rocks at Cheynes Beach, a popular stop-off for caravanners on Western Australia's south coast, hoping to catch a glimpse of at least one of the animal's leaping out of the water. In that lucky group last Saturday was Brian Willey who told Yahoo News he and his wife travel to the area a couple of times every winter to photograph the whales. However, this weekend was a little different, with Willey catching sight of a species he had never seen before roughly 15 metres from the shore. The keen wildlife photographer was flying his drone, filming a humpback with his telephoto lens, when a much bigger whale suddenly 'came around the corner'. 'Straight away I could see it was a distinctive blue colour, and the length was much longer than a normal humpback,' he said. 'I followed it for about five minutes and took about a dozen photos. People were so excited to see such a huge whale so close.' It wasn't until afterwards Brian learned he had likely captured footage of a pygmy blue whale, which 'rarely come so close' to the shore, Catherine, assistant manager at the Cheynes Beach Caravan Park, told Yahoo. While it's typical to see a lot of whale activity in the area this time of year, she said locals have been thrilled to see 'quite a few blue whales coming past as well'. Both pygmy blue whales and Antarctic blue whales, the two subspecies of blue whales found in Australia, can be found in the waters near Albany, Alexia Wellbelove, the Australian Marine Conservation Society's threatened species campaign manager, told Yahoo. Because of this, it's hard to be 'totally certain' about the species seen in Willey's photos, but it's 'very possible that it is a pygmy blue whale, as they are sighted along the coastline at this time of year travelling north', she said. 'In the field it is very hard to tell the two apart as the main difference is the size — with around six metres difference in adult whales between the two,' Wellbelove explained. 'However, pygmy blue whales are found in the Great Australian Bight and along the coastline of Western Australia from November through to May when they start to migrate north.' 🔧 Tradies dismantle wharf after massive find in water underneath 🛥️ Tourists witness brutal event as whales 'change their behaviour' in seconds 🐳 Amazing drone footage confirms start of exciting phenomenon off Aussie coast Every year, endangered pygmy blue whales travel from southern and western Australia where they feed up to Indonesia to breed — which is why they are also known as the 'Indo-Australian pygmy blue whale', Wellbelove said. Incredibly, they can grow up to 24-metres long and live for 90 years. Despite their size, 'very little is known about the population size of blue whales' Wellbelove told Yahoo. 'Much more is known about the Antarctic blue whales which was last estimated to be around 2,000 individuals.' Sadly, like most whales, they face a 'plethora of threats', including climate change impacting ocean temperatures and upwellings where they feed, and collisions with vessels involved in commercial, recreational or industrial activities. 'Blue whales are under increasing threat in our busy oceans and so are listed as endangered under our national environment law, the EPBC Act, Wellbelove said. 'It is essential that the most critical places — where these whales feed and breed — are protected from these threats as we continue to learn more about their populations to better understand how to assist their recovery.' Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@ You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Yahoo
17 hours ago
- Yahoo
Travelling caravan couple catch glimpse of rarely seen creature in shallows: 'Fascinating'
There's no shortage of fascinating wildlife in Australia. Sometimes, you just need to know where to look. For those travelling the continent like Mariella and Dougal, who are constantly on the lookout for animals, there's plenty to fill your days with. According to figures from the Australian federal Department of Environment, there is an estimated 566,000 living species in Australia, with only about 147,000 having been previously described. "Since hitting the road, we've made it a mission to photograph every species we come across," Mariella told Yahoo News Australia. "We're enthusiastic naturalists and passionate wildlife photographers, so any opportunity to document unique wildlife encounters is a real thrill for us." And it's been a thrill they've been chasing for years now, joining the growing number of people in Australia that live a nomadic lifestyle. "During Covid, we made the decision to buy a caravan and hit the road, and we haven't looked back since," she said. While Mariella is from Italy, she's been living in Australia for the past decade and met Dougal in his hometown of Airlie Beach in Queensland. "We left Airlie Beach about four years ago and have been on the move ever since," she explained to Yahoo. "We live full-time in our off-road caravan, which has been amazing. It gives us the freedom to change our backyard often." Travelling couple reveal 'hardest thing' about life on the road Aussie traveller's plea to every nine-to-five worker in the country Aussie man 'living out of a van' reveals hidden truth behind trend The couple is currently in Katherine, in the Northern Territory, before heading to Darwin to begin some work. Mariella is a qualified teacher aide while Dougal is a carpenter but has just been hired as a nature guide. "We usually take jobs that offer a place to park the van, or we connect with people happy to share their properties in exchange for a contribution. Sometimes we stay with friends, it's a flexible, community-based lifestyle and we absolutely love it." And, of course, it offers plenty of opportunity to have some wild encounters. One of those instances was shared on their social media this week, with the couple coming across the rather "amazing" algae octopus, which given the creature's camouflaging prowess, is easier said than done. "We're both underwater photographers and love chasing critters. We're equally obsessed with the big guys like manta rays, but it's the hidden world of small creatures that really captivates us," Mariella said. The pair managed to notice the nocturnal octopus underneath a piece of driftwood while enjoying a reef walk near a remote spot called Portland Roads, about 15 minutes from Lockhart River in Queensland. "They're such fascinating and intelligent animals, and it was a treat to spot one in the middle of the day since they're typically nocturnal," Mariella said. "The algae octopus (Abdopus aculeatus) is known for its ability to camouflage incredibly well, often mimicking algae or rubble on the seafloor. It's one of the few octopus species known to walk on two arms — almost like tiptoeing across the seabed. "Their behaviour and adaptability never cease to amaze us." Love Australia's weird and wonderful environment? 🐊🦘😳 Get our new newsletter showcasing the week's best stories.
