Bright orange sharks and biting decapitated snake heads: See animal encounters
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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.
Take a look at some recent animal encounters:
Vivid orange shark caught by anglers in Costa Rica in first-of-its-kind sighting
In Costa Rica, anglers were amazed to catch a bright orange nurse shark, a first-of-its-kind discovery. This unusual shark, found near Tortuguero National Park, was identified as having a rare condition called albino-xanthochromism. The discovery raises questions about the genetic variability of nurse sharks in the Caribbean Sea. | Published Aug. 14 | Read More |
Man goes to park to see snowfall, then discovers abandoned litter of 7 puppies
In New Zealand’s Te Papakura-o-Taranaki, a man discovered seven abandoned puppies while visiting a national park. These puppies, believed to be a collie-working dog crossbreed, were left in the park, posing a threat to the local wildlife. Fortunately, they were rescued and will be available for adoption after receiving care from the Royal New Zealand Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. | Published Aug. 19 | Read More |
Creature found on ‘rainy night’ in Panama may be oldest ever known. See ‘Nelson’
In Panama, herpetologists found a small frog named Nelson, which turned out to be one of the longest-living tropical frogs ever recorded. This frog, Ctenophryne aterrima, was first spotted in 1987 and lived in captivity for nearly 37 years. Nelson’s longevity highlights the differences in lifespan between captive and wild frogs. | Published Aug. 19 | Read More |
Giant cows hunted to extinction in 1627. Now, their ancestor is making comeback
In Denmark, efforts are underway to reintroduce a breed similar to the extinct aurochs, a massive ancestor of modern cattle. Through an international breeding program, 30 tauros, resembling aurochs, will be released on Lolland island. These keystone species are expected to play a crucial role in shaping the ecosystem. | Published Aug. 20 | Read More |
Man decapitates venomous snake, then head still bites him in India, report says
In India, a man experienced a rare phenomenon when a decapitated monocled cobra’s head bit him. This incident, occurring in Sivasagar, highlights the danger of handling dead snakes, as their venom apparatus can still function. The man received prompt medical treatment, which saved his life. | Published Aug. 21 | Read More |
McClatchy News continues to follow rare animals, new behaviors and even new species. Check back for the latest stories.
This story was originally published August 22, 2025 at 1:54 PM with the headline "Bright orange sharks and biting decapitated snake heads: See animal encounters."