From the bottom of the sea to the tops of trees: See newly discovered species
Unique creatures, odd animals and new species are being 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 new species discoveries:
'Long'-tailed creature gets caught in trap in India forest. It's a new species
In the dense forests of Uttarakhand, India, researchers discovered a new species of bat named Myotis himalaicus, or the Himalayan long-tailed Myotis. This elusive bat, with its long tail and delicate features, was found during wildlife surveys conducted between 2017 and 2021. The species was identified by its unique DNA and physical characteristics. | Published June 6 | Read More |
Five-armed creature — covered in 'axes' — found off Taiwan. See the new species
Off the coast of Taiwan, a new species of brittle star, Breviturma securis, was discovered. Known for its axe-shaped patterns on its arms, this creature was found in the intertidal zones and shallow waters. Previously misidentified, this brittle star's true identity was confirmed through DNA analysis. | Published June 10 | Read More |
'Gargantua' deep-sea creature among new species found in Atlantic. See them
In the depths of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, researchers found two new species of marine snails, including Peltospira gargantua. These snails, discovered near hydrothermal vents, are notable for their large size compared to their relatives. The discovery was made using remote underwater vehicles. | Published June 11 | Read More |
'Large' creature with spines on its belly found at waterfall. It's a new species
In the forests of northern Vietnam, scientists discovered Ohler's spiny frog, or Quasipaa ohlerae. This large frog, with its distinctive spines and heart-shaped tongue, was found near rocky streams. The species was named in honor of a colleague and identified through DNA analysis. | Published June 11 | Read More |
'Large' creature with heart-shaped tongue found in Vietnam. It's a new species
Binh's spiny frog, or Quasipaa binhi, was discovered in the forests of central Vietnam. Known for its robust body and heart-shaped tongue, this frog was found near forest streams. The species was named in memory of a colleague and identified by its unique physical features and genetic divergence. | Published June 12 | Read More |
McClatchy News continues to follow the discovery and sightings of unusual and intriguing species. Check back for the latest stories.
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Whales and dolphins have an ‘intriguing' relationship, study finds. What to know
The relationship between whales and dolphins has long been shrouded in mystery. But, new research reveals that — despite their vast difference in size — these marine mammals often enjoy playful interactions, much like a Great Dane romping with a Chihuahua. Scientists at Griffith University in Australia came to this conclusion by analyzing dozens of interspecies encounters from around the world, according to a study published on Aug. 12 in the peer-reviewed journal Discover Animals. 'It is clear such interactions happen much more often than we previously thought,' Olaf Meynecke, one of the study authors, told McClatchy News. 'These interactions cannot be underestimated and may well play a part in the well-being of whales and dolphins.' The study reviewed 199 separate exchanges between 19 different species of dolphins and baleen whales captured in videos and photos. These interchanges took place off the coast of 17 countries, including the U.S., the U.K. and Australia. They were then categorized by behavior, including jumps, belly rolls, tail slaps, bow riding and even petting. Humpback whales were involved in the majority of the encounters, participating in 68% of them, while bottlenose dolphins took part in 51%. In both types of marine mammals, adults accounted for most of the activity. 'There were a number of surprising interactions,' Meynecke said. The most frequent interactions involved dolphins positioning themselves near whales' heads — a behavior similar to bow riding — which could be understood as an efficient and playful mode of movement for dolphins. Each whale species also tended to interact with dolphins in their own unique way. For example, humpbacks gestured with their pectoral fins toward dolphins on 172 occasions. They also showed off their undersides 141 times. Meanwhile, grey whales rolled in the presence of dolphins 56 times, and southern right whales slapped their pectoral fins on five occasions. Researchers also obtained two videos recorded from cameras situated on the animals, which revealed some noteworthy encounters. In both instances, dolphins could be seen accompanying whales to the bottom of the ocean, paying close attention to each other and maintaining eye contact. Meynecke said it 'certainly was very interesting to see that dolphins continue their behaviour below the surface, following the whales all the way to the bottom in close proximity with the head turned towards the whales head.' In total, 25% of the interactions were described as positive and mutual exchanges. 'There have been enough events documented that showed positive interaction on both sides, that we can say there is a something both species get out of this,' Meynecke said. Play behavior could allow for sensory stimulation, help the animals develop relationships and contribute to their well-being. Creativity — a characteristic of intelligent species — could also be driving this behavior. Still, though, not all of the interactions were positive. 'Whales (clearly) show avoidance behaviour such as tail slaps or moving away from the dolphins if they don't want the interaction,' Meynecke said. Further study is required to better understand the complex interspecies dynamics between whales and dolphins, researchers concluded. 'Having the opportunity to document these observations and observe some of the behavioural patterns like bow riding by dolphins and close touches was intriguing,' Olivia Crawley, the other study author, said in a university news release. 'I hope that this study can serve as a foundation for future studies.'
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2 days ago
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‘Curious' octopus takes diver's camera and films ‘one-of-a-kind view' in Canada
Plunging into the chilly waters off the western coast of Canada, a pair of scuba divers swam along the seafloor near an octopus. The 'curious' animal eventually approached them and briefly took one of their cameras, filming an 'incredible, one-of-a-kind view' in the process. John Roney and Chris Mullen, underwater videographers and longtime dive buddies, decided to go scuba diving off the eastern coast of Vancouver Island on Aug. 5, Roney told McClatchy News via email on Aug. 12. Early on, they 'spotted this giant pacific octopus, about three metres (about 10 feet) arm to arm, resting under a ledge,' Roney said. 'At first it kept to itself, but as we passed by again on our way back to shore, it began walking alongside us before reaching out an arm toward my camera. Then it lunged and wrapped its arms around (the camera), so I just let go and allowed it to take over.' 'I had left the camera running, and as (the octopus) engulfed it and explored it with its suckers, it gave us this incredible, one-of-a-kind view from inside its arms,' Roney said. Nearby, Mullen recorded the interaction. Video footage shows the giant Pacific octopus grabbing the camera and its reddish body covering more and more of the contraption. In the clips filmed by the animal, its suckers are clearly visible, moving around near the lens. 'Octopuses use their suckers to both taste and gather information about their surroundings, so every movement was part of it investigating this strange new object,' Roney said. The octopus kept the camera for about five minutes before turning it off and letting go of it, Roney said. The pair started to leave, but the octopus 'had other plans,' Roney said. 'It drifted toward Chris, reached for his camera, and then wrapped a few arms around him. Octopus hug! At one point, an arm was exploring Chris's mask as he looked over at me with this perfect expression of surprise and awe.' Giant Pacific octopuses are 'such curious, intelligent animals, and each one has its own personality,' Roney said. 'Moments like these are why we dive,' Roney told McClatchy News. 'It was thrilling in the moment, and as soon as we broke the surface my main thought was, 'I cannot wait to get back in the water.'' Vancouver Island is off the western coast of Canada and near the border with the United States.
Miami Herald
05-08-2025
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Oddity from Alabama creek is tooth of dinosaur that reached 30 feet, experts say
A 'shiny' fossil found in an Alabama creek has been identified as the tooth of a large dinosaur that doesn't quite belong at the site, experts say. Hadrosaurs were land-dwellers, but the tooth surfaced in a spot that was underwater during the age of dinosaurs, according to the Alabama Museum of Natural History. The tooth was discovered in gravel by Dr. John Friel, director of the Alabama Museum of Natural History, as he accompanied a group of fossil enthusiasts to a creek about a 50-mile drive southwest from the University of Alabama campus near Tuscaloosa. 'I have been doing these trips for the past ten years, but this was the first time I have ever found a dinosaur fossil,' Friel told McClatchy News in an email. 'When I first picked it up, I thought it was just another odd piece of bone that I would not be able to identify further. However, when I turned it over and saw that it had a shiny enameled surface with a distinctive texture, I was fairly certain it was a tooth.' Two university paleontologists were included in the group that day, and both confirmed it was likely a hadrosaur tooth, he said. Technically, it's just the base of a tooth, but it is still more than a half inch long. Hadrosaurs were duck-billed herbivores that grew to about 30 to 50 feet in length, and 'had hundreds of teeth,' Fossil Era reports. They were also fast, and 'may have been able to outrun a T-rex.' It's taken educated guesswork to explain how the tooth got in the stream. The water cuts through a layer of sediment that 'formed roughly 84 million years ago when this part of Alabama was submerged under the sea,' Friel said. Visitors typically find ancient shark's teeth and internal molds of ammonites and oyster shells. 'Dinosaur fossils are very uncommon in Alabama since there are no surface deposits of Jurassic age,' Friel said. 'All of the dinosaur fossils discovered in Alabama are thought to be of dinosaurs that died and were then washed out to sea where they were likely scavenged by sharks or other marine creatures before they were fossilized.' The tooth will likely be added to the museum's research collection and could be included in a future exhibit, he said.
